BASH
I am fucking frustrated. That's precisely how I describe my situation right now.
I leave Trinity.
The moment her door closed behind me, I felt I was helpless.
I release an exasperating sigh. Running my fingers on my hair, I walk away without looking back because once I look back, I know myself. I will knock again, and this time I'll grab her head, press her against the door, and kiss her to satisfy my frustrations.
I meet Edmund waiting for me at the parking lot, wearing a goofy smile, but he doesn't say anything.
A song by Collective Soul is playing when I enter the car.
"Shut off this fucking song, Edmund/." I fasten my seatbelt.
Our gazes meet in the rearview mirror. He changes to a pop song, saying something like I'm without your kisses. I'll be needing stitches.
I roll my eyes.
"Seriously, Bash. What's the scowl for? I thought you and Miss Mallory had talked?" He drives out of the parking lot.
A song by Papa Roach blares through the speaker.
"I don't think it's any of your business, Edmund. Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong. You're too old to be nosy." I look out the window, ignoring his scrutinizing eyes on me. "Eyes on the road, old man."
The weather starts getting cold, but that doesn't stop the people from walking their dogs as we pass along the residential area. The leaves begin to pile under the trees on the sidewalk.
I visited places with my family and grandparents. We had fun and took pictures, but it didn't get me to take a closer look at my surroundings. I've seen beautiful places.
I've met lovely people, but none really got my attention. I have never been observant like this, and it makes me chuckle how suddenly everything piques my interest.
I shake my head in amusement. Perhaps I have only an eye for one person?
I went out with friends like a typical college boy and dated girls, but I had only one serious girlfriend, and now I have none.
***
Stripping off my clothes, I walk to my bathroom to take a cold shower. My skin shivers as soon as the water drops on my bare skin. I ignore how cold it is. I squeeze my eyes shut when my mind lingers on a certain redhead, and I'm instantly hard.
Shit. I'm not supposed to think of her like this-fantasizing about her. I shouldn't be a boner, but when I think of Trinity, my heart also beats wildly for her.
When my doorbell goes off, I walk down the stairs to my kitchen to grab something to eat.
My hair is still slightly dumped, and I toss my shirt on my shoulder. That must be Lizzy because she left a message for me asking how did my meeting with Trinity go.
Before I reach the door, it already swings open. Mom and Dad with Lizzy walk like they own my penthouse.
"What if I'm walking naked around here?" I march closer to them.
Mom's smile widens, and she squeezes me into a hug. "I've seen you naked, Baby Bash."
"When I was a baby, and now I'm a grown man, Mom. And stop calling me baby," I demand.
"You're still our baby, Bash. And stop scowling every time your mom calls you," Dad expresses.
I move to Lizzy, who's busy with a phone call. I kiss her on her cheek.
"Why are you here, guys?" I go with them to the living room and put my shirt on.
"Wow! When did you get a tattoo?" Mom's surprised voice makes me stop.
Shit. I'm in trouble. Nobody saw this except Trinity and Edmund, and now my family.
"And you have K's name tattooed on your back, baby Bash," Lizzy says with a wicked smile.
"I was drunk when I got this, and I can barely remember what happened that night. So whatever is in your head, Lizzy, don't go there." My answer is defensive because I know her. She won't stop until I admit I was drunk because of Trinity.
"It looks good on you. However, I don't see you as a tattooed kind of guy. It looks cool, though," Dad agrees, slapping my back.
"What can you say, baby?" Dad asks mom, slipping his hand around my mom's waist. She smiles at him, kissing him on his lips.
Jeez. These two, even in front of their grown-up children. I cough, and Lizzy giggles.
I cock my brow at Lizzy.
"You've never been in love if you find that gross, Bash." Lizzy grabs my arm, squeezing it.
I roll my eyes. "Whatever."
"So, how did the meeting go?" Mom asks after we settle on the couch.
I sit beside Lizzy. She leans her head on my shoulder.
"She'll be back." I shrug.
Mom and Dad give me a look as if they're waiting for more.
"What?" My brows raise quizzically.
"That's it?" Dad asks.
"Yeah."
My parents exchange looks.
"We want details, Bash," Lizzy demands, elbowing my side.
I roll my eyes. "What details? She agreed to work with us. That's it. And then there was a guy when I went there. I thought-" I stop talking when somehow I get their attention.
I raise my brows. "Is that really why you're all here? Wanna know the gory details?" I stare at them one by one. "Unbelievable. What's with all of you and Trinity?"
"Then who is that guy?" My sister ignores me. Instead, she asks back.
"Whatever you guys are thinking, stop it now. Nothing is going on between Trinity and me. We're best friends." Really? Nothing's really going on?
"I know, and we're not doing anything. We're here just to know if you were able to convince Kiara to come back," Dad says dismissively.
I'm not entirely convinced, though, and I feel there's a hidden agenda in all of these, or am I just overthinking?
"I know you and K are just best friends because the last time I checked, K was asked out by Ranjiv," Lizzy responds, picking up her phone in her purse.
My chest constricts, and my jaw clenches.
Blood rushes through my veins.
"Who the fuck is Ranjiv?"
I feel my parents' gazes on me.
"Language," Dad scolds me.
Lizzy doesn't answer my question. She's busy tapping on her iPhone's screen.
"Sorry," I say silently, but I'm still cursing under my breath.
Lizzy flashes her phone screen on my face, showing the photo of Trinity and a man who looks like an Indian wearing a black suit and tie.
He's maybe in his mid-twenties with shiny black hair, deep-seated eyes, and olive skin-a typical Indian guy-a well-educated one.
But my blood boils because his arm is wrapped around Trinity's exposed shoulder. They were smiling brightly in the photo.
She was wearing a black strapless ankle-length gown. Her hair was up into a stylish bun.
"Who's that bloody wanker, Lizzy?" I demand an answer.
She raises her well-groomed brows and gives me a why-do-you-care look. "It's not that Trinity needs your permission if she wants to start dating, Bash." She sits straight, crossing her arms over her chest, and faces my parents. "You don't sound American anymore."
"That's not an answer to my question, Lizzy. Trinity is your best friend too. I'm sure you two share everything, especially when it comes to guys," I demand answers, and I am beyond annoyed that I don't get the detail I want.
"It's about time for Kiara to move on, Bash. If that guy treats her well, then let her date him," Mom says softly.
"So, they're dating?" I ask slowly, but I sound pissed off. I mean, she can date any guy she wants now that her fiancé is gone.
Panic grows in the pit of my belly. I'm afraid to hear the answer because I know I will not going to like it.
This is what you get for leaving her alone for four years. If you just told her how you felt, she might be with you until now, you damnass.
I mentally berate myself. My brows meet together, and I nod glumly, though my heart doesn't agree with my brain.
***
I sit on the stool at the Night Stalker Club owned by Pyke's parents. He's my second cousin from Dad.
A mid-twenties fake blonde guy is serving another customer three stools from me. Then he comes to me to get my order. He has a lip ring, nose ring, brow ring, and tattoos all over his forearms. It looks good on him, though. Then I remember the tattoo on my back.
"What can I getcha, Bash?"
My brows arch. How does he know me?
"How did you know my name?" My brows raise quizzically.
"I'm the one who inked your back. You might not remember me because you were wasted, and you collared me to ink you," he explains. "I'm Kyland, by the way." He extends his hand.
I grip it for a handshake. "Thanks. You did a great job."
He smiles, placing a cold beer bottle for me. "Lucky girl."
"Lucky girl?"
"Trinity?"