Tear Down These Walls (27 page)

“Why?” He asks, looking confused.

“You said I had free reign of the house, and your bedroom door was open,”
Teagan mumbles.

Trent bursts out laughing….loudly. “You went through my stuff!”

“No, not drawers or anything,” Teagan whines. “Your closet was open, and
I was curious.”

“And what did you think of my bedroom?” Trent inquires. “Did you roll
around on my sheets naked? Please tell me yes.”

Pouting, Teagan goes, “No. I did want to use your bathroom.”

“The bathtub or steam room?” Trent asks.

“Both,” Teagan whispers, turning a dark shade of red.

“Well, come here,” he says, taking her hand. “I want to show you
something.” Trent starts to drag Teagan out of the room. When they get to the
steps, he leads her up to the top floor.

“What are we doing?” Teagan giggles.

Turning around, Trent smirks, “I am going to show you what kind of a man
I am.”

“What!?” Teagan squeals.

“I’m kidding,” Trent sarcastically snorts. “I don’t get to share this
often, so come here.” He leads her into the bedroom and then the closet.

“What are we doing?”

Trent pulls her down to the fighting stuff. “I am going to show these to
you. This pair is from my first official UFC fight,” Trent states, pulling a
pair out.

Teagan takes them and looks at them. “These are pretty plain.”

“Yeah, well, I won that one and every one after that,” Trent sighs
happily. “The farther I went along, the more endorsements I had.” He pulls out
another pair. “This is the pair that I wore when I knocked that guy out.” She
can feel his pride in sharing these with her.

“So, saying you are undefeated, does that mean you have never lost a
fight ever?” Teagan asks, pulling out another pair.

“Ppppssshhhhh,” Trent scoffs. “Of course I lost, but not once I entered
the UFC.”

“That doesn’t happen often, does it?”

Trent smiles. “Nope.”

“So, how much do you make when you win a fight?” Teagan asks.

“Depends on the fight, the endorsements you get,” Trent answers. “These
are the shorts I wore both times when I beat Jed, the guy fighting tonight.”

“I would have liked to see you fight,” Teagan says, looking up at him.

Trent smiles down at her. “Have you ever seen a fight?”

“No,” Teagan replies.  “Why?”

“Wait until you see the fight tonight and then tell me you would like to
see me in the ring.”

“Don’t you always win?” Teagan teases.

“I did…..” Trent trails off.  “That was a long time ago.”

Teagan reaches over and tugs on his shirt. “I can always spar with you.”
Trent looks at her. “Naked.” A devilish smirk passes over his face. Teagan
giggles and backs up, “I was kidding Trent.”

“Nope,” he quips, grabbing at her. Teagan turns around and runs. She
isn’t quick enough because Trent has her up in the air and he throws her on the
bed.

“Trent!” She squeals.

He climbs on top of her and sits on her, pinning her down. “Oh no, no
take backs,” he laughs.

“Get off of me,” Teagan gasps between laughs. “I was kidding!”

“Come on, if you can pin me, I will buy you a car,” Trent laughs.

“Shut up,” Teagan snorts.

Leaning over, Trent says, “I have enough money to buy you multiple cars. Come
on, girl. Let me see what you got.”

“Trent, I don’t know the first thing about trying to pin someone,” Teagan
states, giving him a look.

“Just try,” Trent laughs.

She pauses, thinks about it and says, “Okay.” Teagan reaches down and
takes off her shirt. Trent quickly gets off of her.  “What are you
doing!?”

Teagan grins and gets up on top of the bed. “It got you off of me.”

“Put your shirt back on,” Trent sternly says, though the corners of his
mouth are twitching.

“Lay down,” Teagan quips.

Trent squats on his knees and says, “Hell no.”

Teagan steps over by him, “Lay down.”

“Make me,” Trent laughs.

Reaching around, Teagan grabs the back of her bra and says, “Lay down.”

“Teagan,” Trent breathes quietly.

She steps up to him and presses her knee against his chest. “Lay down,”
she whispers breathlessly. He doesn’t move but stares straight up at her.
Teagan falls down, so that she is straddling his lap. Her fingers are still on
the back of her bra. She bends over and whispers, “Lay down,” in his ear. They sit
there pressed up against each other. She murmurs, “I said….lay down.”

“Teagan,” Trent gulps.

“Lay….down,” she breathes against his ear.

He grabs her and falls backwards. Teagan lands on top of him. She grabs
each of his wrists and holds them next to his head. Her chest presses against
his, causing goose bumps to flutter across her skin. And his. Bending over, she
barely brushes her lips against his.  “Trent…..”

“Yeah….” He whispers.

“I want a BMW,” she exhales, biting his ear lobe.

Before she knows it, Trent grabs her and rolls her over onto her back.
Teagan can’t even catch her breath before Trent’s lips are on hers. It shocks
the hell out of her, but she melts into him anyway. She bucks against him, as
she grips her fingers in his hair. Trent presses against her hard. She
instantly meets him and lets a soft moan escape from her mouth.

Trent quickly pulls away and sits up. “Holy shit.” Teagan lays there in a
stupor, staring at him. “I’m so sorry Teagan.”

“Why….I mean….what?” Teagan stutters. “Why are you sorry?”

“You didn’t ask for that,” Trent stammers, running his hand through his
hair. “I just….lost it.”

“I say, lose it some more,” Teagan replies, reaching for his hand.

“No,” Trent sternly says, getting off the bed.

“Yeah, of course,” Teagan snaps, sitting up. She grabs her shirt. “I
forgot how much you don’t want me.”

“Teagan, that’s not it,” Trent moans.

“Whatever Trent,” Teagan mutters, pulling her shirt back on. “I have to
go study.”

“Teagan,” he sighs, reaching out for her. She jumps off the bed and walks
straight out of the room. “Teagan!  Stop!” Trent shouts.

Trying not to cry, Teagan turns around and gasps, “WHAT!?” The first tear
falls down, and she wipes it away.  “Crap!”

“Oh shit, don’t cry,” Trent says. He grabs her and pulls her back into
the room.  Teagan can’t help but burst into tears. “Teagan, baby, it’s not
you. God, it’s anything but you.” He draws her into his arms and pulls her back
to the bed. Trent sits down, holding her in his lap. “Hey, it’s not you. I
would have sex with you right now if you would let me.”

Teagan starts laughing. “You’re such a liar.”

“No, honestly, I’m telling the truth. You are one of the sexiest women I
have ever known. It’s not that I don’t want you, but I don’t do casual sex
anymore. You’re important to me, and I wouldn’t want to ruin that. I am a guy
and still think with my other member once in a while. I need to stay focused.”

“You wouldn’t want to have sex with me anyways,” Teagan whispers into his
neck.  “I have no clue what I am doing, and you had all these women
traipsing through your bed.”

“Teagan baby,” Trent sighs. “I would gladly sweep you up in my arms and
teach you everything I know, but where will that get us?”

She sniffles into his shirt. “You would miss your fight.”

He hums, “Great sex with a hot chick or a fight…..gosh, I’m so torn.”

She giggles and looks up at him, her eyes still wet from tears. “Promise
it’s not me.”

“It’s not you baby,” Trent whispers, brushing her tears away with this
thumbs. “You mean a lot to me, and I would never want to jeopardize that.”

“Okay,” Teagan mutters.

“Gosh, I wish you could see yourself through my eyes,” Trent sighs. “You
are beautiful and smart, so smart. You’re the total package. It doesn’t matter,
at all, that you don’t have any experience. That isn’t a bad thing.”

Teagan looks at him and tears up again. “I don’t want to be alone
anymore. I have spent four years alone.”

“God, I know how that feels,” Trent murmurs. “But, seriously look how far
you have come. I can touch you. Hell, I can kiss you, and you are okay with it.
This means you have come a long way.”

“So…..you would have sex with me right now if I asked?” Teagan sniffles.

He laughs, “Yes, I would.”

Putting her head back on his shoulder, Teagan whispers, “I like that.”

“Good,” Trent replies, holding her close. They sit there for a minute
just like that.  Finally, he whispers, “I can start you a fire, and you
can study by the fireplace.”

That peaks Teagan’s interest. “Fireplace?”

Trent points over to the wall where a single bookcase sits. “There’s a
fireplace behind that.”

“No way!” Teagan gasps. “Let me see!” He taps her leg, and Teagan springs
up.  Trent walks her over to it and then pushes the bookcase. It slides to
the left to reveal a large fireplace. “That is so cool!” She looks at him. “Why
do you have it hidden?”

“Kya doesn’t know it’s back there,” Trent answers. “Out of sight, out of
mind.”

“Good thinking,” Teagan replies. “We need to make some cocoa and roast
some marshmallows.”

“And tell ghost stories,” Trent laughs.

With an excited look, Teagan yells, “Yes!”

“Dork,” Trent snorts. “We can get marshmallows another day. We have a
fight to go watch and pizza to eat! I want to see Jed take this guy down.”

“You will have to explain to me what’s going on,” Teagan says. “I have
never seen a fight before.”

“I will gladly share all of my knowledge,” Trent assures her. “Come on,
you need to get some studying done.”

Teagan grabs his hand and he leads her from the room. “Hey, can I ask a question?”
Teagan quips.

“Sure,” Trent replies.

“Can I move into your room?” She inquires, running her hands along the
wall.

He stops and looks at her, “Excuse me?”

“I mean,
come on
, you have a whirlpool bathtub, steam room shower,
and a fireplace in your bedroom. I would never leave there if I were you.”

“You can use it anytime that you want to,” Trent laughs. “It can be a
slumber party.”

“Sweet!” Teagan exclaims, clapping her hands. “Fuzzy warm pajamas and
popcorn.”

“Or negligées and strawberries,” Trent teases, turning off the light to
the bedroom.

“Okay, Fredrick’s of Hollywood and aphrodisiacs,” Teagan giggles, as they
head downstairs.

Teagan’s cell phone whistles, and she looks down at it. She pulls into
the parking spot before picking it up. It is a text from Trent telling her not
to be late. Teagan rolls her eyes. “I’m outside.” She throws all her stuff in
her purse and turns the car off. “Time to kick ass,” she snickers.

The dojo is lit up brightly like usual. This time there are other groups
of people there. Teagan smiles as soon as she sees Trent across the room. She
falters a little bit because he is surrounded by a group of girls, but as soon
as he sees her, a grin spreads across his face. He brings his hand up and waves
his fingers at her. Teagan returns the smile and steps forward to walk over by
him.

Suddenly, Teagan’s cell phone rings, and she stops. Answering it, she
says, “Hello?”

“Hey honey!” Georgia yells.

“It’s the bride to be!” Teagan exclaims. “How nervous are you?”

“Oh, I am pulling my hair out. There is so much to do, and I swear I will
never get it done in time. Things keep popping up of course.” The frustration
is apparent in her voice.

“Isn’t that how it works?” Teagan giggles, trying to lighten her friend’s
spirits.

There is a snort and Georgia sighs, “Yeah. We already have come across a
big snafu.”

“What’s that?” Teagan asks.

“Your groomsman fell and broke his leg,” Georgia states. “He can’t stand
up in the wedding.”

“Oh,” Teagan pauses. “So, you need me to sit out. That’s fine. No big
deal.”

“Well no…..” Georgia starts. “We found a replacement, and he fits into
his tux and everything.”

Smiling, Teagan says, “Awesome! That’s good news. Do I know him?”

“Yeah,” Georgia replies quietly. “It wasn’t my idea, but Dwayne asked
Justin.”

It’s like a punch to the stomach; Teagan can’t even breathe. “You
want…..you want me to…..I can’t. Oh god, I can’t do that.”

“I knew it,” Georgia sighs. “Dwayne really wants him to stand up, but I
really want you, so we aren’t sure what to do.”

“You asked me first!” Teagan exclaims, covering her mouth when she
remembers she is in public.

“I
know
!” Georgia emphasizes. “Dwayne keeps saying how bad Justin
feels. I guess he keeps trying to apologize to you.”

“Yeah, my bodyguard told him to leave me alone. How am I supposed to
purposely talk to him now?!”

There is a pause, and then Georgia chirps, “Your bodyguard?”

“My date is a bodyguard,” Teagan mutters. 

“Your boyfriend’s a bodyguard?” Georgia quips. “Seriously?”

Teagan looks over at Trent still talking to the group of girls. “Oh, he’s
not my…..” Teagan starts and then stops. “Yeah, actually he is. He looks like a
Greek god, too. Trent used to fight in the UFC.”

“Really?” Georgia squeals. “Dwayne may know who he is.”

“He would if he knows anything about fighting,” Teagan replies. “But
don’t tell him.  People tend to make a big deal out of it, and Trent isn’t
really into talking much about it.   Anyway, I can’t stand up with
Justin. I don’t want him anywhere near me.”

Georgia sighs heavily. “I knew that would be your answer. I will talk to
Dwayne.”

“He really can’t expect me to be okay with this!” Teagan raises her
voice. “That asshole ruined me!” She quiets down when everyone in the gym turns
and looks at her. Teagan’s face turns red. She sees Trent look at her
quizzically. “I mean really Georgia. He put my virginity on the fucking
internet!”

“I know, I know,” Georgia sighs again. “I will talk to Dwayne.”

“You know maybe I don’t want to stand up in a wedding where the groom
wants me to stand up with a guy that practically digitally raped me.”

“Those are harsh words,” Georgia whispers.

“How else would you describe what he did?” Teagan snaps.

“He feels awful,” Georgia sighs. “He talks about you all the time.”

Now that pisses Teagan off. “Well, you know what, you guys can talk about
me all you want because you won’t be seeing me! Have a nice wedding!” With
that, Teagan hangs up the phone. She grips her phone, and a lump instantly
forms in her throat. When her eyes drift up, Trent is staring at her with a concerned
look on his face. Tears well up in her eyes, and Teagan turns to run outside.

“TEAGAN!” She hears bellowed behind her.

She ignores him and runs out the door, around the corner of the building,
and leans against the wall. Unable to control it, she lets the flood of tears
flow down her face, clenching her hands to her chest. The chill in the air
bites her tear-stained cheeks.

Suddenly, two hands are grabbing her. “Teagan, what’s wrong!?”

Teagan looks up at Trent and just shakes her head. “I can’t.”

“What can’t you do?” Trent whispers, pushing her hair out of her face.
“What’s wrong?”

“Dwayne wants me to stand up with Justin in the wedding,” Teagan
whimpers. “I can’t. I can’t do that.”

“Why in the hell would he want that!?” Trent yells. “That asshole shouldn’t
even be at the wedding.”

“My groomsman broke his leg,” Teagan replies. “Justin fits into his tux
and everything.”

Trent exhales, “That has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever
heard.”

“I can’t do it Trent. I can’t. Not after what he did!” Teagan exclaims,
grabbing his hands. “What am I supposed to do!? They are my friends!”

Looking lost in thought, Trent stares at her. Finally, he narrows his
eyes and says, “Maybe we are going about this the wrong way.”

“What do you mean?” Teagan sniffles.

“Justin has had control over everything this whole time. We need to take
that
away
from him.”

“Huh?”

“You have let him ruin the last four years of your life. Don’t let him
ruin this, too.  Let’s start with this, how do you feel about the video
now?” Trent asks, squeezing her hands.

Teagan giggles, “Justin’s horrible in bed.”

“Right, so…..he lost control there. You need to go about this in a
different way. You need to show him that you are fine and past it. BETTER YET,
you need to shove it in his face.”

“How?”

“Make it perfectly clear that you have moved on. Act like it’s not even a
blip on your radar.”

“Show that he isn’t even a blip on my radar,” Teagan echoes.

Trent smiles and nods, “Exactly.”

“Okay, then you may be mad about one thing,” Teagan states, looking up at
him.  “But it makes this workable.”

“What?” Trent replies.

“I said you were my boyfriend,” Teagan whispers, grimacing.

His eyes soften, and he asks, “Why would I be mad about that?”

“I don’t know,” Teagan mumbles. “You were so anti-dating, pro-platonic
friends.”

“This is different. We’re still friends…just with more benefits.” Trent
smiles suggestively. 

“Raunchy sex in the back seat of your truck?” Teagan giggles.

“More along the friendly make out line,” Trent chuckles. “But if raunchy
sex comes up, sure why not.”

“Shut up!” Teagan exclaims, poking him. “You’re such a liar.”

“I guess you will never know,” Trent sighs happily. “So, that’s beside
the point.  You’re going to stand up in the wedding, and we are going to
be one smoking hot couple.  Make sure every outfit you have is dynamite,
and we will make sure Justin knows he doesn’t have a chance in hell with you.”

“You are sure you are okay with being my boyfriend for the weekend?”
Teagan asks.  “I just want to make sure.”

“Shit, I will buy you a ring and be your fiancée,” Trent laughs. “We will
do whatever is necessary.”

“I think that’s going a little far,” Teagan laughs back. “But I think
this is the best idea ever! What better way to stick it to Justin than revenge?
I don’t care if he’s sorry or if he misses me or talks about me all the time.
I’m over his pathetic ass.”

Brushing his fingers down her cheek, Trent says, “Exactly.”

“Thank you,” Teagan whispers, putting her hand on the side of his face.
“This means the world to me.”

“I would do anything for you,” Trent whispers.

Teagan stares into his eyes and steps up closer to him. “Thank you.” She
stands up onto her toes and kisses his cheek. Trent pulls her into a hug and
holds her tight against him.

“We will get you through this, and you will come out much stronger. I
promise,” Trent murmurs into her hair.

“I should call Georgia back,” Teagan states.

“I have to start the class soon,” Trent replies, glancing at her phone.
“Don’t take too long.”

“I won’t,” Teagan says. Trent kisses the top of her head and then walks
away.  Teagan dials Georgia’s number and holds the phone up to her ear.

Georgia answers, “Are you ever going to talk to me again?”

“Well, I am calling you, aren’t I?” Teagan laughs.

“True,” Georgia sighs. “I will talk to Dwayne. We did ask you first.”

“No, you know what, I talked to my boyfriend, and he made a point. I have
moved on from Justin, and I can do this for you guys. It’s your day, and if
that’s what you want, then that’s what I will do. Trent will be there to put
Justin in his place if need be.”

“Are you sure?” Georgia asks hesitantly. “It’s a lot.”

Teagan holds her head up. “It’s fine, but I won’t do anything with him
more than necessary. I will walk down the aisle with him, I will take pictures,
and do the grand march, and dance. I won’t do more than that.”

“Thank you,” Georgia sighs. “Dwayne will be happy. You know, Justin is
back to his old self. You did love him once.”

“Don’t say shit like that,” Teagan’s voice rumbles. “He means nothing to
me. He’s not my friend, Georgia.”

“Okay, well, I will let Dwayne know. Are you still the least bit excited
about this?”

 “I am excited that you are getting married, and I get to be part of
it.” Teagan smiles.

“Good.”

“But, I have to go. Trent is starting his self-defense class, and he’ll
be mad if I miss it.”

“Okay, I will call you next week, just to go over everything,” Georgia
replies. “Have a good night, and thank you again.”

“You’re welcome and bye.” Teagan hangs up the phone and exhales loudly.
“I can do this.” Nodding her head, she goes back into the building.

Trent is standing to the side of the mat. Teagan walks over to him and
sets her stuff down. “Everything set?” He asks.

“Yeah,” Teagan replies. “We are good to go.”

“Good.” Trent says. He leans over and gently kisses her on the lips.
“You’ll do fine.”

Raising an eyebrow, Teagan whispers, “Why did you kiss me?  Aren’t
you and I supposed to be professional here, Mr. Grayson?” She grins.

He leans in and murmurs, “Those girls over there are literally trying to
hit on me now. So, we are going to play boyfriend and girlfriend for the rest
of these classes.”

Teagan laughs, “Okay stud. Go teach class.”

“Sounds good babe,” he teases back.

When he turns to walk away, Teagan smacks him on the ass. With a shocked
look, Trent turns around. “Have fun, honey!” She teases. Trent points at her
and playfully glares. Teagan grins.

Emily finally shows up five minutes into class. “Sorry I’m late,” she
whispers to Teagan  “I lost track of time.”

“Where’s Victoria?” Teagan whispers.

“She has a study
date
with Patrick,” Emily replies, rolling her
eyes. “He’s much more entertaining than this.”

“I don’t know,” Teagan murmurs. “Trent can be pretty entertaining.”

“Especially for you,” Emily giggles. Teagan smiles and laughs with her.

Trent starts to talk in front of the group. Emily leans over and
whispers, “So, you’re talking to Isaac tonight?”

“Yeah,” Teagan replies. “Trent’s going with me.”

“I hope not to beat him up.”

“No!” Teagan retorts. “Moral support. He knows everything.”

Stepping closer to Teagan, Emily murmurs, “Yeah, Victoria told me. She
also said you wouldn’t tell her much about what you and Trent did.”

“Yeah, because it is our relationship. I wouldn’t be telling your secrets
to him. I’m not going to tell you guys what he and I talk about or do.”

“Do…..what exactly do you
do
?” Emily teases.

“Nothing,” Teagan giggles. “It’s not even like that.” She glances up at
Trent in front of the room.

“Well, I will be royally pissed if you don’t spill a little bit if
something finally does happen,” Emily declares quietly, with humor.

Giving her a playful look, Teagan says, “Well, supposedly he is very well
endowed.  I’ll give you that little tidbit of info.”

“Have you seen it!?” Emily hisses. “Teagan!”

“No,” Teagan snaps. “I have
not
! He just told me that because I
said that Justin had a small penis.”

“He did?”

Teagan rolls her eyes. “I don’t know. That is what the rest of the
cheerleading squad said.”

Emily pauses and says, “You have never seen another man naked?”

Glaring, Teagan answers, “No, I have not.”

“Honey, we need to rip that band aid off,” Emily states seriously. “We
can go to the male strip club.”

“WHAT!? NO!” Teagan yells.

Everyone, including Trent stops and looks at her. “Are you all right?”
Trent asks, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes,” Teagan spits out. “Sorry.” She turns her attention to Emily and
glowers at her.  Emily just shrugs her shoulders.

“Why don’t you come here,” Trent says to Teagan, sticking his hand out.
“You can save your gossiping for later.”

“Yes
honey
,” Teagan sarcastically quips back. Trent smirks, and
Teagan can’t help but smile back.

At the end of class, Emily says good-bye and wishes Teagan luck with
Isaac, and Teagan waits for Trent. When he meets her at the door, he asks, “Do
you want me to drive?”

“Sure,” Teagan replies. Trent opens the door, and they walk outside. It’s
getting cooler as it gets darker, and she pulls her jacket around her to keep
out the chilly fall air.