Tear Down These Walls (24 page)

Trent looks at her. “No, I didn’t. You’re drunk.”

“I may be drunk, but I am not
deaf
,” Teagan laughs. She pulls back
the blanket on the other side of the bed. “Come on stud, get into bed.”

“No. Go to sleep.”

“Ssstttaaayyyy,” Teagan whines.

“Nooooo,” Trent laughs back. “Go to sleep.”

“If you aren’t staying then why are you here?” Teagan asks.

He looks down at her and answers, “I had your phone and didn’t want you
to be without it.” Teagan rolls out of bed and onto the floor. “What in the
hell are you doing?” Trent snaps.

“I want to put pajamas on,” Teagan snickers.

“Just go to sleep,” Trent groans.

“No, I am not sleeping in this. It is an expensive dress. I don’t buy
expensive things often. I am putting on pajamas.”

Exhaling, Trent runs his fingers through his hair. “Where are your
pajamas?”

“In that drawer!” Teagan hiccups, pointing to her dresser.

Trent rolls his eyes and walks over and opens the drawer. “You want a
nightgown?”

“Sure,” Teagan quips  She gets onto her knees and then stands up. It
is too quick and she has to sit down on the bed. “Oh boy.”

“All right, here,” Trent says, tossing her the nightgown. “Put that on.”

Teagan grabs it and puts it on the bed next to her. She reaches for the
zipper on the side of the dress and tugs on it. It won’t move. “Damn it,” she
mumbles, trying hard to pull it down.

“What’s wrong?”

“My zipper is stuck,” Teagan retorts. “Damn dress.”

“Oh my lord,” Trent groans. He comes over and sits on the bed next to
her. “Let me look at it.”

Putting her arm on his shoulder, Teagan leans into him. “Don’t break it
unless you plan on buying it.”

“If I buy you the same exact dress will you just go to sleep?” Trent
sighs.

“No, that’s a waste,” Teagan states. “Just fix the zipper.”

It takes a minute, but Trent finally gets it to work. “There.”

“Thanks,” Teagan says. She pulls the straps of the dress down.

“TEAGAN!” Trent yells, grabbing the nightgown. He holds over the top of
her. “You don’t have a bra on!”

“Who sleeps in a bra?” Teagan inquires like he is stupid.

“PUT…..THE….NIGHTGOWN….ON!” Trent enunciates strongly, as he closes his
eyes.

Snorting, Teagan rolls her eyes. “You would chop off your hand before
you’d touch me, so I am not worried.”

“Put the damn nightgown on,” Trent snaps.

Teagan pulls it over her head and pulls the dress the rest of the way
down. “There,
all clothed
.”

He opens one eye and then both. Sighing, he says, “Thank god.”

Teagan rolls her eyes. “All set for bed.”

“Can you get under the covers now?”

“Ssssuuuurrreeee,” Teagan draws out. She crawls into bed and draws the
blanket up to her chin.

Trent stands up and he looks down at her, “Go to sleep.”

“Stay,” Teagan whispers. She reaches out and grabs his hand. “Stay with
me.”

“I will sleep on the couch,” Trent replies. “Go to sleep.”

“Sleep in here,” Teagan giggles. “The bed is much more comfortable than
the couch.”

“No, go to sleep.” Trent bends over and kisses her forehead. “I will see
you in the morning.”

Exhaling dramatically, Teagan rolls over. “Whatever,” she mumbles, “your
loss.”

“Go to sleep,” Trent murmurs, rubbing her head. Teagan closes her eyes.
“By the way,” Trent whispers before he walks out of the room. “It’s not that I
would chop off my hand before I touched you. It’s that you’re drunk, and it
wouldn’t be right. Now, go to sleep.”  With that Trent shuts the door. Teagan
is already fast asleep.

Teagan wakes up and opens one eye. As soon as she sees the bright light
of the sun, her stomach turns. “Crap!” She yells. She jumps out of her bed and sprints
into the bathroom. As soon as she gets to the toilet, she pukes….violently.
When she stops, she lays her head on the side of the toilet. “Ugh,” she groans.
Suddenly, there is someone standing next to her. Teagan closes one eye and
looks up.

Trent is standing there with no shirt on, arms crossed and staring down
at her. “You look like hell.”

“Good morning to you too,” Teagan mumbles, closing her eyes. She hears
him start opening and closing cabinets. “Sshhhhhh, not so loud,” Teagan
whispers, wincing.

She hears water running. “Are you done puking?” Trent asks.

“I think for now,” Teagan sighs.

“Sit up then,” Trent instructs. Teagan does and groans. “Close your
eyes.” 

“I am all too happy to oblige,” Teagan mutters. She feels a washcloth on
her eyes.  “What are you doing?” Teagan snaps.

“Taking off your make-up because you look like you got into a fist
fight,” Trent laughs.

“Shut up!” Teagan tosses attitude towards him. “I looked good last
night.”

“You looked great, and you still look good, just a bit messed up,” Trent
says softly.  He keeps wiping her make-up away. “Hold on,” he whispers.
She hears the water running, and then there is more gentle wiping.

“I didn’t think you were going to help me when I puked,” Teagan murmurs.

Trent sighs. “I can’t really leave you in here by yourself.”

“My stomach is doing back flips,” Teagan groans.

“You drank a lot last night,” Trent laughs.

“Shut up, so did you,” Teagan pouts.

Trent stops cleaning her face and says, “There you look much better.”

Teagan opens her eyes, “I don’t feel better.”

“That will probably take a few hours,” Trent replies. “Let’s get
something in you.” He extends his hand. Teagan takes it, and he pulls her up.
She grabs the ledge to the sink.

“I need to brush my teeth,” Teagan mumbles. “I think the after taste is
worse than the puke.” She makes a face.

“Probably is,” Trent chuckles. “I would wait to brush your teeth though.”

“What? Why?” Teagan retorts.

“Come with me,” Trent says, grabbing her hand.  He leads her out of
the bathroom and into her kitchen. There is a wide array of stuff on her
counter, including her blender.  “Sit down,” he says, pointing to the
kitchen chair.

Plopping down, Teagan groans, “What are you doing?”

“Hangover remedy, my trainer made them for me a lot,” Trent replies,
waving his hand over the counter to show her all of the goods. “I went shopping
before you woke up.” Teagan watches him with raised eyebrows. Trent starts by
putting a somewhat browned banana in the blender.

With a grimace, Teagan asks, “What is this exactly?”

“It will make you feel better. I promise,” Trent states. He then puts in
strawberries and blueberries. Teagan shrugs because it doesn’t look so bad.
Trent adds pineapple, and Teagan grins.

When he starts to pour in soymilk, Teagan grimaces, “Soy milk, really?”

“Yes, quiet now,” Trent hushes her with a quick gaze. He pours in orange
juice and then some water. “Now, the finishing touches.” He adds cayenne pepper
and a dash of salt.

“Gross!” Teagan exclaims.

Trent ignores her and starts blending up everything. When it is all
finished, he takes it and pours it into a large glass. Teagan’s eyes widen when
he brings it over to her. “Drink this.”

“Are you sure?” Teagan whispers, looking into the glass.

“I promise it tastes fine. It will make you feel better. Drink up,” Trent
instructs.  Sighing, Teagan tips it back. It really doesn’t taste bad, so
Teagan easily drinks it all and burps. “That’s attractive,” Trent laughs.

“I think we’re past the point of attractive right now,” Teagan groans.
“You’re seeing me at my worst.”

“Still beautiful,” Trent smiles. He turns around to grab something.
Teagan’s eyebrows rise at that unexpected compliment. “Here you need to take
these and sip some water now,” Trent states. “Those are vitamins and some
Advil.”

Teagan takes them and mumbles, “Thanks.”

“No problem,” Trent replies, leaning against the counter.

She swallows the pills down and then drinks the water. “Can I ask a
question?”

“Sure,” Trent replies.

“Not that I am not enjoying the view, but why don’t you have a shirt on?”

Smiling, Trent says, “I was doing what exercises I could while I was
here. It’s a great way of burning off the after effects of the liquor. I didn’t
want to make the shirt sweaty.”

“Well, you can keep the shirt off,” Teagan quips, grinning behind the
glass of water.

Trent gives her a mischievous smile. “On that note, I think I should put
it back on.”

“Booo,” Teagan laughs.

“So……” Trent starts. “How much do you remember from last night?”

“Ummmm, I was fine until I got home, and I kind of remember you showing
up and that you were staying, but otherwise I don’t remember much,” Teagan
states.

With a nod, Trent says, “I see.”

“Why?” Teagan hesitantly says. “What happened?”

“Nothing,” Trent answers with a smile. “I just had to get you ready for
bed.”

Furrowing her eyebrows, Teagan asks, “Do I even want to know?”

“I kind of….” Trent starts. “Never mind, it’s not important.”

“No, you can’t start something like that and not finish it,” Teagan
teases.

“I saw you without your top on,” Trent winces. “You took me by surprise,
and I wasn’t quick enough to cover you.”

Teagan stares at Trent, horrified. “You’re joking right?”

“Would it make you feel better if I said yes?”

“No, because I know you’re lying!” Teagan screams. “Oh my god!” She
covers her face and bends over. “That’s horrible.”

“Well……you were adamant about not sleeping in your dress. I was just
trying to get you into bed.” There is a moment of silence, and then Trent puts
his hands out and says, “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have helped if I thought that
was going to happen. I promise, I didn’t try anything.”

“Of course you wouldn’t!” Teagan retorts between her fingers. “You
wouldn’t touch me for a million dollars.”

Trent hesitates and then whispers, “You really don’t remember last
night.” He looks away and then back at her.

“What?” Teagan replies, looking up at him.

“Nothing, why don’t you get into the shower if you are feeling better,”
Trent suggests. “It may help.”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Teagan exhales. “I feel nasty.” She
stands up and winces. “Ugh, I hope I feel better soon.”

Trent smiles, “You will. That smoothie will help a lot.”

“Okay,” Teagan replies. “I’m going to head to the shower.”

“I will call a cab,” Trent says. “If I am gone before you get out, I hope
you feel better.”

She looks up at him a little wide eyed; disappointment crosses her face.
“Why are you leaving?”

“Because,” he starts. “I am wearing the same clothes as yesterday and
need a shower myself.”

Frowning, Teagan mumbles, “Okay.”

“Why? Were you planning on doing something with me today?” Trent
inquires. “You are awfully hung over.”

“No,” Teagan sighs. “Go home. Thanks for helping.”

Giving her a kind smile, Trent says, “If you want to do something, we can
do something.”

A little bashful, Teagan replies, “Like what?”

“Is there anything you have been wanting to do?” Trent asks. 

She thinks about it for a moment. “Can we go to the aquarium?”

“Sure, Kya loves it there,” Trent chuckles. “I like it too.”

“You do a lot with Kya, huh?” Teagan replies. “That’s really cool. I love
my nieces.”

“Kya means the world to me,” Trent murmurs, looking away. “Go get in the
shower, and then we will go to my place, and I will get ready.”

“Okay, I’ll make it quick,” Teagan calls over her shoulder as she turns
and walks to her room. Twenty minutes later, she comes walking out of the
bathroom. “All right, it’s a jeans and hoodie kind of day,” Teagan states.
“Hair in a bun and no make-up. You get plain, old me.”

Trent smiles, “Well, the plain, old you is still beautiful. I like girls
in hoodies as much as a short skirt.”

Teagan’s cheeks light on fire. “Let’s get going.”

“Sounds good,” Trent agrees. “I put everything in your refrigerator. You
saw how to make it for next time.”

“Ugh,” Teagan groans. “I don’t get drunk very often. That is all
Victoria. I promise you, I’m not going to have anything but beer for a while.”

“Awwww,” Trent draws out. “You’re fun when you’re drunk. I get a free
show.”

With a smirk, Teagan says, “Shut up.”

“Come on.” Trent sticks his hand out. “We should go.” Teagan looks down
at it but pauses. Trent draws it back quickly. “I’m sorry.  After last
night, I’m sure you want some distance.”

“It’s not that. It’s not like that with you Trent,” Teagan states, “But,
it confuses me.”

“Okay…how?” Trent inquires.

“We’re friends. You said we could be only friends because of the
fraternizing thing.”

He laughs, “I think we are way, way, WAY beyond that point. It’s fine if
you don’t want to be affectionate. I get it.”

“It gives the wrong impression,” Teagan whispers. “You don’t want
physical contact, and then you do. We’re supposed to be platonic friends.”

“I think we are at the point of being really good friends,” Trent says,
shrugging his shoulders. “We can show affection, but if it makes you
uncomfortable then I will stop.”

“You don’t make me uncomfortable,” Teagan declares softly. “It’s the
exact opposite.  You are the first guy that I have let touch me or show
any sort of affection since Justin.”

“It scares you,” Trent softly replies.

“Kind of,” Teagan sighs.

“Then I will stop.”

She looks up and into his eyes. Trent stares back at her; kindness
radiates from his eyes. Teagan takes in a deep breath and then steps up to him.
She looks at him before wrapping her arms around him and laying her head on his
chest. Trent hesitantly puts his arms around her. “I need to get past it,”
Teagan murmurs. “Will you help me with that?”

“Of course,” Trent replies, squeezing her close. “We can take this one
step at a time.”

“I want to feel comfortable dating again,” Teagan sighs. “I don’t want to
be alone for the rest of my life.”

“You won’t, baby,” Trent whispers, kissing the top of her head. “Give it
time. You will learn to trust again.”

“I trust you. You make me feel safe, so safe.”

Trent hugs even harder. “I would never let anything happen to you.”

“Thanks.”

“Okay, let’s go,” Trent says. “I desperately need to take a shower.”

“You smell perfectly fine to me,” Teagan giggles. “Very alluring.”

“Mmmmm,” Trent hums. “I hope you aren’t mad, but I borrowed your car to
go to the store. I filled it up with gas.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” Teagan says, looking up at him. “I can
afford gas.”

With a wink, Trent says, “I can afford more of it. Come on, let’s go.”

*            
*            
*            
*             *

“Isn’t that cool,” Teagan whispers, looking through the glass.

“Jellyfish are cool, but they can seriously hurt you,” Trent replies,
walking up behind her.

“But they are so beautiful,” Teagan states. “I mean, how graceful!”

He stops directly behind her. His body is barely touching hers, but it
feels so intimate. She has the urge to grab his hands and wrap them around her.
Almost on cue, Trent brings his hand up and places it on her hip. He bends over
and whispers, “What do you want to do next?”

 Her nerves are tingling from the contact, and she murmurs, “I don’t
know. What do you want to see?”

“The sharks,” Trent softly says into her ear. The sensation of his breath
hot on her skin makes Teagan back up into him. Trent wraps his arm tight around
her. “Teagan,” he breathes out.

She can’t even move; she is so lost in his touch. Teagan wants to turn
around and kiss him, kiss him like she has never kissed another man. Knowing
that she can’t, Teagan steps away from Trent. “Let’s go to the shark tanks.
Come on.” She starts to walk to the far door.

When they get to the shark tank, they enter through a clear tube. The
fish and sharks are swimming around them. Teagan smiles and says, “This is so
cool.”

“There are hotels in the Bahamas that have rooms underwater. So, you are
surrounded by the sea and all the fish,” Trent states.

“Oh my gosh, when I get married, that’s where I am going to spend my
honeymoon,” Teagan giggles, running her hands down the glass. “Could you
imagine lying in bed and watching this for hours? Soft classical music playing,
wrapped in the arms of the person you love.”

“I could imagine making love under the sea would be pretty awesome, too,”
Trent replies.

Blushing, Teagan whispers, “I would like to experience that one day,
actually making love, because that is not what happened to me.”

“That wasn’t even sex,” Trent murmurs in her ear. “I know what it was.”

“I know,” Teagan sniffles.

“Don’t cry baby,” Trent says, pulling her into his arms. “I will beat the
ever living piss out of him for what he has done.”

“Okay,” Teagan snickers into his arm. “I may enjoy watching that. But you
know you really can’t do that, right?”

“Why not?” Trent quips.

“It’s called assault,” Teagan laughs, looking up at him.

“I have some really great lawyers,” Trent declares. “Plus, I will make
him swing at me first. I may actually let him hit me in the face because then
it will look like he started it.”

“Will that work?” Teagan asks.

“It’s worth a try,” Trent laughs.

With a huge smile, Teagan reaches up and strokes his cheek. “But I don’t
want your beautiful face tarnished in any way.”