Chapter 12 - Im going to kill you.

Edited 05-08-2020.

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Chapter 12-

I stared at my phone, mocking me on the dresser across the room. I put it there to avoid the temptation of calling Trent for the 20th time in 5 days. That's how long it's been since we've really talked. He texted me once or twice...but not much else. I'm scared a little bit, maybe alota bit.

What if he doesn't like me anymore?

What if I was that horrible in bed?!

He's making me feel like a needy teenage girl and I don't like it one bit. Paige even asked if we were going to see him again, and I felt my heart tug a little bit when she did. He was letting us both down, me more so than her- but still.

Asshole.

I want him to just kiss me again.

No. Fuck him.

...Mmm, yes please...NO! He's a jerk.

I planted my feet on the ground after swinging off my bed and straightened my shoulders. I am getting to the bottom of this, even if it makes me look like a stalker! I don't care.

I walked over to my phone and called the one person I could count on. Maybe I was overreacting, but I refuse to sit there and let myself lose a good relationship.

"Hello?"

"Elise, I need you to watch Paige while I find Trent and kill him."

"Oooh, can I come?"

"No, I don't want witnesses, what if you turn on me?"

She gasped in mock horror "I would never!"

I laughed and shook my head "But seriously, can you watch her for like an hour or two?"

"Sure hun."

"Alright we'll be there soon, thanks." And I hung up to go grab Paige.

I walked into her room and saw her playing with her dolls "Hey munchkin, I have to drop you off at Elise's for an hour or so, okay?"

"Okay daddy."

"Alright grab a couple toys and let's go."

"Kay."

I left her room to find my wallet and keys and Paige ran out a minute later with her dinosaur bag. I buckled her into the car and drove to Elise's, I gave Elise a hug, said goodbye to Paige and got into my car. Okay. What the hell is my plan? Might as well try the bar first. I started my engine and pulled out of the driveway to head over to the freeway. I pulled up in front about 20 minutes later and looked at the doors. Well, I've got nothing to lose and I deserve answers. Or I'm a psychopath. We'll decide that later.

I mean, I slept with him, we were dating. Right? I leaned back against my seat, unsure and nervous now.

Oh, forget it. I threw my door open and slammed it. I shoved the door to the bar open and winced when it slammed against the wall. A little dramatic, but oh well. I looked around and finally spotted him at the bar.

He looked up at the same time and his eyes widened before his face became a mask.

This just made me angrier. I strode to the bar and leaned into him with a glare

"I don't know whether to punch your face in or kiss you."

"What are you talking about?"

I scoffed and leaned back a little before I gave in and kissed the asshole. "Don't play dumb. We can do this right here or somewhere private."

He looked around and so did I, noticing that everyone was looking at us, even the other bartender who gave me a disgusted look. I didn't have time for his shit, so I turned back to Trent. He sighed and motioned me to follow him. We ended up in an office, which I assumed was his. He sat in the chair behind the desk and motioned me to sit down.

Why the hell did he want to distance himself from me?

I leaned back "So what the hell is your problem? Why are you ignoring me?"

"I'm not."

"No, you will not make me feel dumb! I know what I'm seeing, and I don't get why! Was I that bad in bed or something?" I spat.

His eyes widened and I swear I saw a glance of guilt before...nothing. Nothing there.

He shrugged "There is just a lot going on right now."

I shook my head in confusion "Why the fuck are you lying to me Trent?"

He sighed angrily "Why can't you just leave me alone?"

My head snapped back as if he had hit me "Is that really what you want?"

He gulped and nodded. I don't know what happened or why it did, maybe desperation, or fear but I leaned across the messy desk and grasped his neck roughly to smash my lips against his. After a second of him not responding I was afraid he really meant it before a small moan escaped his mouth and he kissed me back just as roughly.

I leaned back, my chest billowing, and glared at him "How can you kiss someone like that if you don't want them anymore?"

He let his head drop between his arms, which propped him up on the desk and sighed with a little moan.

"I'm trying to protect you, asshole."

"I'm not the asshole here Trent. Protect me from what?" I gave him a confused look and he looked up into my eyes. All I saw was fear, guilt, and a little sadness. I walked around the desk and threw my arms around his neck and leaned in to hug him. He just stood there and put his head on my shoulder, so I repeated my question.

"Protect me from what?"

He took a step back and ran a hand through his hair "You won't want me around anymore if I tell you."

"I can't imagine that." I said with a small smile. It couldn't be that horrible. He gave me a small grin too before a frown overtook his face again. I sat down again to give him space and leaned back.

"Okay, tell me what's going on Trent."

He ran both hands through his hair again before nodding.

"I told you my dad wasn't the best pop, right? He had this bar, and he was never home, almost never."

"Yeah..."

"Okay, well my brothers and I were all in high school at the same time. I was a senior, Wes was a sophomore, and Casey was a freshman. The baby."

I nodded and decided to let him finish without interrupting.

"I fell into a bad crowd, which isn't that shocking, considering how arrogant and angry I used to be. One of my friends Jace, if you can call him that, was a part of a street gang. He asked me to help him one day, and I did. Later, I realized he was a drug dealer. Or more of a delivery guy for the boss. I had helped him deliver some coke. To be honest, I just thought about how many drugs I could get."

I looked at him and he looked up into my eyes.

I grabbed his hand and squeezed it "I know you're not that guy anymore, Trent."

He nodded and squeezed my hand back.

"Pretty soon Jace had somehow gotten me involved, as well as my brothers. I did not care; I was a shitty brother. I was taking drugs by that time, and I didn't care about anything at all. After 2 years, I realized I just was not meant for that life. I wanted to be better than my Pop, have a better life. So, I tried to leave. The boss had plenty of volunteers, but it must have wounded his pride because he didn't let me leave without a souvenir."

I looked at him, knowing I wouldn't like this answer too much.

"He shot me in the leg and said I would never forget him. I was in the hospital for a few days, but I was free. Wes and Casey didn't want to quit though, they liked the drugs and the money too much. About year later though, Wes was shot by a guy who did not want to pay. The others didn't call for help, they just ran."

I saw his jaw clench and knew he hated talking about this part.

"Somehow, he got help, and he just disappeared a week later. With thousands of dollars. He left a note in my mailbox, saying he couldn't be seen anymore, and that he was sorry for leaving. I haven't heard from him since. Anyway, Casey stayed and continued with the drugs to pay off some of that debt to their boss, and I told him until his life was straight, I didn't want him around me. I don't know, I guess I was hoping he cared enough about me to try. But he didn't. He still hasn't."

He rubbed his hands down his face and sighed heavily before leaning back and groaning.

I waited for a minute, and he started talking again.

"He called me a few days ago, said he owed a lot of money to his boss again- a lot of money. That he needed my help because they were looking for him. He said he's in town. The next day a couple assholes showed up here, telling me I was going to be responsible for his debt if Casey didn't pay up."

I finally had an idea of why he was avoiding me "You think they would hurt you to find him?"

He nodded "I don't put anything past these guys, at all. Nothing, and I couldn't stand it if you or Paige were hurt because my brother is a dumb drug addict. I don't even know why I'm telling you all of this."

"Maybe because you care about me a little bit, and you need someone to tell."

I pulled him up and hugged him again, and this time he hugged me back.

"You know I love spending time with you, but it's not just about me, I have Paige too." A part of me wished I did not have to worry about these things, but I would never regret Paige- and it's my job to make sure she is always safe. I took a step back, knowing I had a troubled look on my face.

He nodded and looked at me with a sad look" I know, and I would never want anything to happen to her. So maybe just keep our distance for a week or so, until I can figure this crap out."

I groaned "This isn't what I pictured happening when I left my house in a rage."

He chuckled "A rage?"

I nodded sheepishly "Yeah, I was mad, I thought you were trying to ghost me, or hated me or something."

He grabbed my hands and shook his head with a scowl "I could never hate you, I like you too much."

and we both smiled at each other. I shook my head at him and grabbed his face to pull him in for a short rough kiss. God, I loved his mouth, the way he kissed. Hopefully, I wouldn't have to miss it for long.

"We'll figure it out, okay?" I tell him before giving him a tight hug. "Call me, alright?"

"Yeah, I will."

We kiss again, this time less rough and then I squeeze his hand before walking out the door and through the bar, passing the other bartender who still doesn't look like he likes me.

I stop and look at him, confused "What's your problem?" I ask him.

He snorts "You."

"Well alright then, have a nice day."

I walk out to my car and when I get in, I slump forward to put my forehead on the steering wheel.

Part of me hated his brother without even knowing him, and that thought just depressed me a little bit more.

Fuck.