Trey gripped the back of the couch trying to bring some focus to his chaotic mind. All he saw was June with her date. He hated the picture and despised the feeling of another man being close to her.
The thoughts had driven him to coming here tonight. He couldn't let her leave her apartment without touching her, tasting her.
A good twenty minutes passed before he left her apartment, keeping hold of the spare key.
He stopped as he saw Dale stood outside of the tattoo parlor, flicking open his phone. His friend turned to him, looking at the building and then looking at him.
"Do I even want to know what's going on?" Dale asked.
Walking to his front door, Trey kept his thoughts to himself even as he set the two keys down on the counter by the front door. Dale was close behind him.
"I wasn't imagining it. You were coming from June's place, right?"
Sighing Trey turned toward Dale.
"I need a drink."
He went to the kitchen, hearing Dale ask a lot of
questions from behind him. Trey rubbed at his temples, wishing there was something he could say.
"You're seriously not going to tell me what's going on?" Dale asked.
Uncapping the bottle, Trey took a long gulp of the beer.
"Nope."
"I told you about Molly. I gave you a part of myself and you're going to cut me out?"
"I'm not doing this on purpose. I can't tell you anything."
"I've got two fucking kids with the woman that I love, but because of the shit I've done I can't be with her. I told her to get rid of my kid, and she keeps pushing me away. When she first told me she was pregnant, I laughed. I told her I wasn't going to be bound to a woman my whole life. When I saw she was telling the truth, I proposed. At every turn I've fucked up, Trey. I've fucked up that much that I can't have her. Molly doesn't trust me at all, but that's between us. I've told you the truth!" Dale's voice kept getting louder.
Staring at his friend, Trey knew he was being unreasonable.
"I get why you don't want to talk to Max. He's a great friend but a fucking gossip. I get it. I'm not Max. I'm Dale, and you should talk to me."
Dale hit his chest. He was red in the face, and his eyes were wet.
"I'm fucking June Armstrong, and she doesn't want anyone to know about it. Right now she's on a date that her parents set up. I was just buried balls deep inside her, and she's with another man. A man who she could take to her mom and dad." Trey stopped, taking a gulp of the beer. "I've been in love with her for a long time. I had to hurt her when I was younger. These feelings she causes scare the shit out of me, so yeah, I don't want to talk about it."
"Well, shit," Dale said, taking a seat.
Trey stood by the refrigerator sipping at his beer. "She doesn't want anyone to know about you?"
"I bullied her in high school. I can't make her see me in a different light."
"Yes, you can. You're different, Trey. You've changed.
Tell her how you feel. Better yet, show her."
"I wouldn't have the first clue what to do."
"Does she like this guy she's on a date with?" Dale
asked. "No."
"Then let's go, together. She won't suspect a thing. You can keep an eye on her, and we can hang out where our idiot friend isn't."
"Max out fucking again?"
"Yeah. The two women he was fucking want him. They're always coming around, begging for him to show them a good time. It's creepy, and I was wondering if I could crash here tonight?"
"You want to stay at my place?" Trey asked. "It's quiet with no chance of pussy."
"I'm in love with Molly. This is the best idea. I can't keep pretending to be someone I'm not."
Nodding his head, Trey agreed for his friend to stay the night. "Are we getting old before our time?"
"I'm the father of two kids. I feel old. A lot of guys would have loved for their woman to send them away without the pressure of raising kids. I want to be in my kids' lives, and I want to be in hers."
"What are you going to do about it?" Trey asked, putting the empty bottle in the recycle bin.
"Work things out with her. Show her I'm not backing down or going away." Dale stood. "Let's go and check out the guy your woman is with."
Trey looked down at his jeans. "We're going to need to put on our Sunday best."
Twenty minutes later they were out of his house and heading in the direction of the French restaurant.
The maître d' let them inside, and Trey ordered a beer while Dale ordered a soda.
"It must suck being the designated driver," Trey said, smiling.
When the bartender told him the cost of the drink, Trey almost spit out the beer.
Dale smirked. They paid for their drinks, taking a seat.
"I don't know about you, but I'm going to make sure this drink lasts me all evening," Dale said.
It was another kick to the balls letting Trey know how unsuitable he was for June. She was used to this world of luxury while he gulped at the prices.
Taking a deep breath he searched the room looking for his woman.
"Can you see her?"
"I'm looking."
"Okay, I'm scared to look at the price of some nuts or snacks. After we're done here I want to get a burger. A burger that doesn't cost me the earth and fills me up."
"You were the one who wanted to come."
"I know. I didn't think I'd be broke because of it." "This is June's world. I need to know who my
competitor is," Trey said, spotting June. He had a clear view of the table and the guy sat opposite her. Martin, he remembered the name from June telling him. The bastard was sat, munching his way through the French food. His lips were constantly moving.
Trey saw her moving the food around her plate. She hated French food. There was a grimace on her face as she listened and an occasional nod of her head.
He kept staring at her, and before long she was looking in his direction.
"She's seen me," he said.
"Goody."
A new glow settled inside her. He saw it and knew he was the cause.
They were talking about something, and he wished he knew what the other guy was saying. "I'm bored," Dale said.
"She's coming here. Please, pretend to be surprised."
Trey wrapped his fingers around his glass trying to hold on for dear life.
"Hello, Trey," she said. He watched her turn to Dale and said the same to him. The desire to reach out and touch her was intense. He held the feelings at bay as she ordered another water. She didn't need to leave the table for that.
Had she come on purpose to speak to him?
"Dale knows about us," Trey said.
He expected some outburst or sharp tongue lashing from her. Instead, she smiled. "Molly knows as well. I also know about Dale and Molly."
"How's the food?" he asked, not wanting the moment to go.
"Disgusting and the company is awful. Wish me luck, and I'll see you later." She touched his arm, moving away as she did.
"She likes you," Dale said.
"Shut up." Trey felt like a high school kid again.
"I'm not joking, man. She likes you."
Smiling, Trey stared at her ass, watching her sit down with the asshole. Good, now all he needed to do was get her to love him.