Tear Down These Walls (28 page)

When they get into the truck, Teagan sighs, “I’m really nervous.”

“Well, what are you going to say to him?” Trent asks, as he pulls away
from the curb.

“I don’t know. Part of me wants to tell him the truth, and another part is
too scared to,” Teagan mumbles, her breath puffing around her face in a slight,
white cloud.

“Can that video be found on the internet still?” Trent inquires.

“No,” Teagan answers. “I have never been able to find it.”

Trent nods his head, “Then there is no way of him really seeing it, is
there?”

“No,” Teagan sighs. “It’s just….still a little raw.”

“That’s understandable,” Trent says. “I think you should be honest with
him. If he ever does anything, I will kick his ass.”

Teagan smiles at him. “Is that your answer to everything?”

“Well……no, but in this situation, it seems like a logical answer,” Trent
quips, grinning at her.

She looks out the window. “We will see how the conversation goes.”

“All right, babe,” Trent replies softly.

The coffee shop is pretty dead when they arrive. “It’s only open for
another hour,” Teagan declares, as they get out of the truck. “At least that
gives us a time frame.”

Trent chuckles and says, “We can leave whenever you want. Don’t be
uncomfortable.”

“Okay,” Teagan sighs, rubbing her hands together. They walk into the
coffee shop, and Teagan sees Isaac right away. He is sitting at a table alone
holding a white mug. Isaac looks up at her and smiles. When his eyes drift to
Trent all the color drains from his face. Teagan walks over to the table. “Hi,”
she exhales.

Hey,” Isaac counters, not taking his eyes off of Trent.

They sit down and Teagan nervously looks down at the table. “So…..” she
starts.

“Listen, I’m sorry,” Isaac spits out, gripping his mug. “I didn’t mean to
do that.”

“Yes, you did,” Trent snaps. Isaac shuts up quickly.

“Trent,” Teagan sighs, putting her hand on his. Trent takes it and
squeezes it.

Isaac looks at them and says, “Man, I didn’t realize you two were dating.
I would never have kissed you.”

“We aren’t dating,” Teagan states. “That’s not why I freaked out.”

“Okay,” Isaac replies hesitantly.

Nervously, Teagan takes in a deep breath and says, “I have issues with
guys.”

Staring at her, Isaac asks, “Since
when?”              

“Since my senior year in high school,” Teagan answers calmly. “I had
something horrific happen, and it changed the way I viewed dating and
relationships with men.”

“But, you have gone on dates,” Isaac points out.

She shakes her head. “I don’t let them touch me, and I hadn’t kissed a
guy since high school up until recently.”  Teagan feels Trent squeeze her
hand.

“You weren’t…..” Isaac mutters, his eyes widen a bit with concern.

“Not like you think, no,” Teagan replies. She takes in another deep breath
and says, “My ex-boyfriend videotaped me losing my virginity and put it on the
Internet.”

There is dead silence as Isaac stares at her. “You have to be fucking
kidding me.”

“No,” Teagan whispers. “It’s a long story, but that’s why I sort of
freaked out on you.  I’ve almost had a phobia of being physically touched,
especially if I’ve been drinking. I never let a man get close to me because I
don’t know if they’ll hurt me like my ex did.”

“That’s understandable,” Isaac agrees. He looks at Trent. “But, you can
let him touch you?”

“Yeah,” Teagan says. “Trent and I are very…..close.”

“But not dating,” Isaac states.

Teagan shakes her head.

“So, I take it you won’t be dating any time soon,” Isaac sighs.

“Isaac, you are my friend, and I care about you, but not in that way,”
Teagan declares softly. “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in a relationship.”

“It has to do more with me than this issue, huh?”

Shrugging her shoulders, Teagan says, “I don’t know. The thought of
dating anyone freaks me out, and I keep my romantic interests at a distance.”

“I think you two should date,” Isaac suggests, looking between Trent and
Teagan.

“What?” Teagan gasps.

“Come on,” Isaac chuckles. “We all saw you two together. It’s very
apparent. There is something going on here.” He looks between the two of them.

Teagan vigorously shakes her head. “It’s not like that.”

“All right,” Isaac teases, with a smirk. “Either way, I’m sorry that
happened to you. I had no idea.”

“I know you didn’t. And I am sorry it happened, too.” Teagan snorts. “But,
it happened, and I am moving on, slowly.”

“Good,” Isaac assures her.  “So…..”

“Yeah?”

He leans back and asks, “Are you ready for that test tomorrow? I swear I
am going to bomb it.”

Looking up at him, Teagan stutters, “What…are you talking about?”

“Dude,” Isaac emphasizes. “We have a major test tomorrow.”

“Oh, I know, I just…..”

Isaac smiles, “I get it, you don’t want to date. You’re still my friend,
and we have a class together. So, I hope I don’t epically bomb this test
tomorrow.”

“Me too,” Teagan sighs, relieved he took that as well as he did. “I hate
art history.”

“Especially since I didn’t let her study much on Saturday,” Trent
interjects. “I made her watch a fight.”

“Oh man, you got to see that!” Isaac exclaims. “So jealous!”

“I know Jed, one of the fighters,” Trent states.

Teagan leans forward and says, “He won! I had never seen a fight before.
That was crazy!” She looks at Trent. “I can’t believe you did that for a
profession.”

“See,” Trent laughs. “Would you really want to see me fight?”

“Probably not,” Teagan replies. “I would cover my eyes most of the time.”

“Oh my gosh,” Isaac groans, “You’re such a girl.” Everyone laughs and
then talks about Trent’s fighting career.

Later that night, Trent pulls up to the dojo. He looks at Teagan. “That
went well.”

“It did,” Teagan agrees. “Thank you for going.”

“No problem,” Trent says. “I would gladly help in any way that I can.”

“Thanks,” Teagan whispers. She looks at him. “I should go home. Get some
last minute studying in or try to at least.”

“Okay,” Trent replies. He pauses and then says, “This week sucks for me,
so I probably won’t be able to see you at all.”

“Oh,” Teagan replies, trying not to sound disappointed. “That’s fine. You
have a life to live.”

“I do,” Trent chuckles. “I should have Saturday free. If you aren’t busy,
we can do something.”

Teagan thinks about it for a second. “Well, it’s the harvest festival at
the university.  We could check it out. I also have to do some last minute
shopping for the wedding, especially if I’m supposed to look smoking hot. I
have to get the wedding present, too.”

“Where are they registered?” Trent asks.

She bursts out laughing, “Get this…..Target, which is all right, and
Macy’s. Who can actually afford Macy’s?”

“His name is Dwayne Riggs, correct?” Trent asks, glancing over at
her.   

“Yeah, good memory, wow,” Teagan snorts.

“I will take care of the wedding present.”

Shaking her head, Teagan says, “You don’t have to do that.”

“Teagan, do you have money for a wedding present and clothes?”

Reluctantly, Teagan whispers, “Not really.”

“That’s what I thought,” Trent laughs. “I will take care of the wedding
present.”

“Well, thank you,” Teagan replies. “Now, I am on a mission to look good.”

“Want a guy’s opinion?” Trent inquires.

A smile spreads across Teagan’s face. “You’re volunteering to go shopping
with me?”

“Sure,” Trent replies, with a smile. “Watching a hot girl try on sexy
outfits -  I think I can handle that.”

“You’re unreal,” Teagan giggles. She grabs her purse and looks at him.
“Well, I’ll talk to you this weekend.”

He gives her a quizzical look. “I can’t
see
you, but we can
talk
.
Text me if you are bored.”

“Aren’t you busy with work?” Teagan asks with a grin.  

“Yeah, well, that’s what I have employees for,” Trent laughs. “I’m not actually
guarding anyone this week.”

“Then why are you so busy?” Teagan inquires curiously.

The smile on Trent’s face disappears, and he looks out the window. “I
have family business.”

“Oh, okay,” Teagan replies, hesitating. “No pushing. I’ll text you this
week and bug you.”

“Sounds good,” Trent says. “Drive safe.”

“I will, thanks.” She leans over to kiss him on the cheek. Trent turns
into her and kisses her gently on the lips. Teagan pulls back and looks at him,
slightly in shock.

“Have a good night,” Trent whispers.

Gulping, Teagan murmurs, “You too, see you later.”

“Bye,” Trent whispers softly, as she gets out of the truck.

Teagan shuts the door and whispers, “What was that kiss for?” She shakes
her head and walks to her car.

*            
*            
*            
*             *

“You know, if you don’t text him, he texts you. If he didn’t hear from
you, he called you this week to make sure you were okay,” Victoria says over
the phone. “I’m telling you, you guys have something going on. He likes you
Teagan.”

“What is with you!?” Teagan exclaims. “It is
not
like that!”

“Whatever, I have had boyfriends who didn’t talk to me as much as he
talks to you,” Victoria states. “Just saying.”

Rolling her eyes, Teagan groans, “Whatever.”

“Tell me…honestly…you like him.”

Teagan frowns, “I don’t know. I keep it out of my head. We had that
incident in his bedroom, and I know he doesn’t want anything to happen.”

“Wait a second….what incident in
what
bedroom!?” Victoria yells.

“Ugh,” Teagan exhales, pulling her hair behind her ears. “Me and my big
mouth. It’s a long story, but Trent dared me to pin him. I won’t get into how,
but I got him pinned, and he flipped me over and kissed me.”

“…AND!?”

“And nothing. I kissed him back, and he jumped off me like I had
leprosy.”

“Oh,” Victoria retorts. “That’s not cool.”

Shaking her head, Teagan says, “No, you have it all wrong. He wanted me,
or wants me, but he doesn’t do casual sex or anything. He doesn’t want to ruin
what we have. So, I can
guarantee
he doesn’t want me as his girlfriend.”

“I don’t know….” Victoria starts out. “I still say he has a thing for
you.”

“Whatever Victoria,” Teagan groans. “You just
want
something to
happen between us.”

“Hell yeah!” Victoria exclaims. “You would make an awesome couple. He’s the
only guy that has been on your radar for four years.
Yes
, I want
something to happen. You do, too, even if you won’t admit it.”

“AGAIN, WHATEVER VICTORIA!” Suddenly, there is a knock on the door. “Oh
shit, he is early. I have to go!” Teagan hisses.

“Okay, see you tonight,” Victoria replies. “At the commons at 7!”

“We will be there,” Teagan says. “See you then.”

Victoria shouts, “Bye!”

“Bye.” Teagan hangs up and quickly goes to the door and opens it. Trent
is standing there, looking as good as ever in a grey t-shirt and black jeans.
Teagan’s heart melts for a second, and then she forces herself back into
reality. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he replies. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah,” Teagan says. “Come in. I’m going to get a jacket.”

Trent steps inside and sighs, “Yeah, it’s starting to get cool already.”

“Wait until we go to Michigan,” Teagan laughs. “You’ll freeze.”

“Probably,” Trent chuckles. “What prompted your friend to have her
wedding in the late fall anyway?”

“It’s what she always wanted,” Teagan sighs. “I don’t know.”

When Teagan turns around with her jacket, Trent gives her a small smile.
“You look quite beautiful today.”

Teagan looks down at her outfit. In her white button down and blue jeans,
she really isn’t wearing anything special. “Thanks,” she says hesitantly. Looking
back up at him, she quips, “You’re gorgeous, as usual.  That isn’t
anything new.”

He bursts out laughing. “Thanks.”

“Come on
stud
,” Teagan emphasizes. “I have to buy some new
outfits.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, we need to make Justin want you more now than ever,”
Trent states. “And then we are going to knock him into the ground.”

“Right
honey
,” Teagan teases.

“Yes
darling
,” Trent laughs right back.

They leave and go to the mall. When they get there Teagan stops and says,
“Where to go first?”

“Macy’s,” Trent states without hesitation.

She turns and gives him a look. “You think I can afford
anything
at Macy’s. You have got to be kidding me.”

“We want you dressed to the nines,” Trent replies, looking at her.

“Wonderful,” Teagan shoots back. She turns and points out the door. “Let
me go sell a kidney on the black market, and then we can go shopping at
Macy’s.”

Trent gives her a look. “I got this. Just find something that you like.”

“No. You’re not buying me clothes.”

“
Yes
, I am,” Trent emphasizes.

“
No
, you are
not
,” Teagan snaps.

“
Yes, I am
,” Trent says sternly. “
Relax,
and go with it.”

Teagan glares at him, “No.”

“You can work at my office to pay me back,” Trent rolls his eyes. “If you
feel the need.”

Crossing her arms, Teagan spits out, “I’m not stepping foot into Macy’s,
damn it.”

“Oh really?” Trent replies, obviously feeling a challenge coming on.

“
Yes
,” Teagan snaps. He looks at her for a second, and then he
bends down and picks her up into his arms. She screams, “What are you doing!?”

“Taking you to Macy’s,” Trent laughs as he pats her on the butt.

Teagan bursts out laughing. “You’re such an
asshole
.”