Page 26 of Perfectly Wrong
But… he’s just here for the weekend and then he’ll leave. It could be another year before I see him again. How much harm could come from one night? Just one night. I exhale slowly, focusing on my wine glass. A lot of trouble could come from one night. The attraction between us is ridiculous. I don’t see it getting better. Giving in? Just makes it worse. Then I know what I’m missing once he’s gone again. Besides, I don’t want him to know he’s on my mind all the time. I don’t want to talk about it or even think about it really. I don’t want him to know every time I go out with someone I compare them to him. To an eighteen-year-old boy I fucked a year and a half ago. I just…haven’t gotten over it. Chemistry is chemistry. It’s always been the reason I don’t let age bother me. If it works, it just does.
I’m handed the bowl of mashed potatoes and pile some on my plate. Against my best judgment, my eyes linger on Tristan’s in between bites of food. Trinity sits next to him, leaning close, occasionally whispering in his ear. It drives me nuts, her attention on him. Is he doing it on purpose? Does he know itmakes me jealous? Or does he think, what should be the truth, how could I be jealous of a nineteen-year-old girl hanging on a boy who’s clearly gay, but… I’m still jealous.
I don’t know shit about the zodiac signs, but she was right. I’m definitely possessive. Deep in my head, somewhere back in my mind, Tristan is mine. He shouldn’t be. God knows, I shouldn’t think that about him, but I do. I haven’t stopped thinking about him. I don’t know when I will.
“What do you think?”
I glance up when I hear Rocco’s voice. “About?”
He grins. “The food, obviously.”
“Oh. It’s good.”
He nods. “Where’s your head at today?”
“Work.”
“Whatcha working on?” Tristan asks, chewing a dinner roll.
“Big project downtown. New luxury condos.”
Trinity’s eyes widen. “You’re working on those?” I nod. “Doing what?”
Rocco jumps in. “He’s the owner of the construction company.” He knows I don’t like to brag. “He’s running all of it.”
“Wow,” she says. “Those are so beautiful. I would love to live in one.”
Tristan laughs. “Sure. If you have two million bucks.”
“Starting price,” I add.
“It’s amazing you’re the builder though,” Trinity continues. “Any way we can see one on the inside?”
“Models aren’t ready yet. It’s not safe, but if you come back at Christmas, it might be ready. It will for sure by Spring break.”
“You’d let us come in?”
“If you kept it a secret.”
She grins. “Oh I’m very good at secrets, Bishop.” She nudges Tristan’s arm. “Right, Trist?”
Rocco frowns. “Trist?”
Trinity laughs. “Just a nickname.”
“If I didn’t know better,” Rocco starts, “I’d think you two were dating.”
Tristan laughs so hard, he almost chokes, causing Trinity to shove his arm. “You don’t have to act like it would be so awful.”
“It would be. Unless you’re hiding a dick under that dress.”
She shakes her head, then gazes at Rocco. “We’re definitely not dating. I tried at first until he told me. Awkward. And every girl on campus gets her heart broken as soon as they find out he’s batting for the other team.”
“I bet,” Rocco says, glancing at me. “Ah, to be young again, huh?”
“We’re young enough. We still know how to have fun.” My eyes catch Tristan’s. He smiles seductively. “Do you guys party a lot?”
“No,” he says softly. “I mostly hang out with Trinity or read.” He stirs his potatoes. “I think college parties are lame. It’s like everyone just wants to see who can drink or fuck the most.”
