Chapter 55: Damon Reid vs. Tristan Thomas: An explosive encounter…Panic!

***

“Have you tried calling him?” Cole asked a worried-looking Damon.

They were sitting on the beach after ten p.m. Tristan was still not back from his meeting with Chloe.

“I have Cole. It goes straight to his voicemail. Maybe he needs time. Maybe he’s…”

“We both know Tristan loves you, Damon. I haven’t known him for long, but I know genuine love when I see it. He adores you. He wouldn’t need that long a time to set whatever straight with that girl. You have to go look for him, dude.” Cole said, his voice stern.

Cole remembered his conversation with Tristan that afternoon when he met Tristan on his way out to meet with the girl. He had told Tristan in no uncertain terms what to expect from him if he dared to break Damon’s heart.

“So help me God, I’m going to thrash you to within an inch of your life if you dare break his heart.” Cole had said to Tristan, his voice lethal as he stared Tristan down. “Oh and consider that as both a promise and a threat.”

Cole had been surprised at the amused smile that had spread across Tristan’s face. He thought he had managed to look frightening enough.

“Why the fuck are you smiling?” Cole had snapped.

“Finally.” Tristan had said, shaking his head in amusement. “Finally, someone threatens me on his behalf. He will be thrilled to hear this.”

“He’s my best friend Tristan. I’ve known him for years. And I’ve never seen him this crazy about anyone. So I need to make sure you are taking this just as seriously as he is.”

“Don’t worry Cole. I’d rather die than hurt that jackass. I love him too fucking much. He is my life.” Tristan started walking towards where Étienne was parked. “And guess what Cole, I do value my life.” He threw over his shoulders.

Cole hadn’t been able to stop the smile that spread across his face. Damon was in good hands and that was all that mattered.

Now sitting on the quiet beach looking at his friend, Cole was ready to bet on his life that Tristan wasn’t doing anything deliberately to hurt Damon. There was a good explanation for his silence and absence. Maybe the battery on his phone had run down, maybe he was hurt somewhere, maybe he… There just had to be a good explanation for Tristan’s MIA act.

“I don’t even know where he went,” Damon said quietly.

“Étienne drove him there right? Call him. If you don’t, and anything happens to Tristan, you will never be able to forgive yourself, Damon. Trust me on that.”

Damon felt his heart begin to beat faster. What if Cole was right? What if something bad had happened to Tristan? Well, what if Tristan had decided he preferred to be with Chloe after all, and they were celebrating with a marathon of sex somewhere? What if…”

“Damon, snap out of it. Stop thinking too much and act. What is the worst that could happen? He prefers her so chooses her over you. Big deal!”

“What are you now? A fucking mind reader?” Damon muttered.

“I could see the wheels turning inside your stupid head by looking at your ugly face dude. You just have to move on if that happens. It will be difficult but you have all of us. We will help you get through it. But what if he needs you right now? Call Étienne now Damon.”

“Okay, I’m calling him,” Damon said dialing Étienne’s number. They were supposed to have gone to the house for dinner but had to cancel when Tristan was not showing.

Étienne picked up on the first ring. “Monsieur Reid?” He said too brightly for someone who was supposed to be sleeping. After all, it was late.

“Étienne, I need you to take me to wherever you dropped off Tristan please,” Damon said.

“I’m at the parking area, Sir. Ready when you are.” The chauffeur replied brightly.

“What? Why are you still here?” Damon sounded surprised.

“Let’s just say I didn’t trust the little Miss. I’ve been waiting for this call. Come, let’s go bring him home Mr. Reid.”

Damon laughed softly, feeling lightheaded. It looked like he was the only one who hadn’t been thinking of going on a rescue mission. Did he have such little faith in Tristan? Well, that stopped now.

“I’ll be there in five minutes Étienne. Thanks.”

“Want me to come with you?” Cole asked falling into step beside Damon.

“No. I got this. Thanks, buddy.”

“Keep me posted. And tell Tristan I said he had better have a good explanation for this ready before I see him in the morning.” Cole said giving Damon a one-armed hug.

“Will do. See you later.” And with that, Damon went to his room to quickly grab his wallet.

“You better be okay Tris.” He muttered under his breath.

***

“Wait here,” Damon told Étienne, who looked like he wanted to follow Damon to the door.

Damon pressed the doorbell and waited. And boy did he wait. After a really long time, during which he thought no one was home, after all, the door swung open to reveal a flushed and disheveled Chloe. She was holding up the covers that was loosely wrapped around her, holding it against her breasts. She looked…freshly fucked. Damon’s heart was beating so fast, he wondered whether he was having a heart attack.

“Uh-huh?” She said looking like she was irritated for being interrupted from whatever she had been doing.

“Hi, I’m looking for Tristan. Is he here?” Damon asked peering discreetly behind Chloe.

“And you are…”

“Damon. His boyfriend.” Damon said, his expression, blank.

“Oh. The boyfriend.” Chloe smirked. “What do you want with him?” Her eyes flashed with disdain as she kept the door partially closed and leaned into the jamb.

“May I come in?” Damon asked tightly.

“It’s best if you didn’t.” She said looking like she was trying to protect someone. Tristan!

Damon congratulated himself on his outward calm because inside, he was a quivering mess. His brain taunted him with images of his Tristan entwined with Chloe in a heated sexual dance.

“Please,” Damon said quietly. “I promise this won’t take but a minute.”

“Suit yourself.” She opened the door wide to allow Damon to enter.

Damon couldn’t help but notice Chloe’s smug attitude. It was almost as if she had Damon right where she wanted him. He had a feeling something wasn’t right but he couldn’t put a finger on it. He steeled himself, waiting for his world to come crashing down around him.