BASHing Trinity novel Chapter 9

BASH

I am frustrated. That's what I exactly feel right now. I walk away from Trinity, frustrated.

The moment her door closed behind me, I felt I was helpless. I release an exasperating sigh. Running my fingers on my hair, I walk away without looking back because once I look back, I know myself I will knock again, and this time I'll grab her head and press her against the door and kiss her to release all my frustrations away.

I meet Edmund waiting for me at the parking lot wearing a goofy smile, but he doesn't say anything. A song by Collective Soul is playing when I enter the car.

"Shut off this fucking song, Edmund!" I fasten my seatbelt. Our gazes meet at the rearview mirror. He changes the song to a pop song saying something like I'm without your kisses. I'll be needing stitches. I roll my eyes.

"Seriously, Bash. What's the scowl for? I thought you and Miss Mallory had talked?" he asks while driving out of the parking lot.

A song by Papa Roach blares through the speaker.

"I don't think it's any of your business, Edmund. Don't stick your nose to my personal business. You're too old to be nosy." I look out the window.

The weather starts getting cold, but that doesn't stop the people from walking their dogs as we pass along the residential area. The leaves start to pile under the trees at the sidewalk.

I visited places with my family and grandparents. We took pictures, but it didn't get into me to even take a closer look at my surroundings. I've seen beautiful places. I've met beautiful people, but none really got my attention. I have never been an observant like this, and it makes me chuckle.

I shake my head for my amusement. Perhaps I have only an eye to one person?

I went out with friends like a normal college boy, dated girls, but I had only one serious girlfriend, and now I have none.

***

Stripping off my clothes, I walk to my bathroom to take a cold shower. My skin shivers as soon as the water drops on my bare skin. I ignore how cold it is. I squeeze my eyes shut when my mind lingers on to a certain redhead, and I'm instantly hard.

Shit! I'm not supposed to think of her like this—of fantasizing her. I shouldn't be a boner, but when I think of Trinity, my heart thunders on my chest as well.

I walk down the stairs to my kitchen to grab something to eat when my doorbell goes off. My hair still slightly dumps, and I just toss my shirt on my shoulder. That must be Lizzy because she left a message for me asking how did my meeting with Trinity go.

Before I reach the door, it already swings open. Mom and Dad with Lizzy walk like they own my penthouse.

"What if I'm walking naked around here?" I ask, walking closer to them.

Mom's smile widens and squeezes me into a hug. "I've seen you naked, Baby Bash."

"When I was a baby, and now I'm a grown man, Mom. And stop calling me baby," I demand.

"You're still our baby, Bash. And stop scowling every time your mom calls you," Dad says.

I move to Lizzy who's busy with a phone call. I kiss her on her cheek.

"Why are you here, guys?" I walk to the living room and put my shirt on.

"Wow! When did you get a tattoo?" Mom's surprised voice makes me stop.

Shit! I'm in trouble. Nobody saw this except Trinity and Edmund, and now my family.

"And you have K's name tattooed on your back, baby Bash," Lizzy says with a wicked smile on her face.

"I was drunk when I got this, and I can barely remember what happened that night. So whatever in your head, Lizzy, don't go there," I reply flatly because I know her. She won't stop until I admit that I was drunk because of Trinity.

"It looks good on you, although, I don't see you as a tattooed guy. It looks cool, though," Dad agrees, slapping my back.

"What can you say, baby?" Dad asks mom, slipping his hand around my mom's waist. She smiles at him, kissing him on his lips.

Jeez! These two, even in front of their children. I cough, and Lizzy giggles. I cock my brow on Lizzy.

"You've never been in love if you find that gross, Bash." Lizzy grabs my arm, squeezing it.

I roll my eyes. "Whatever."

"So, how did the meeting go?" Mom asks after we settle on the couch.

I sit beside Lizzy. She leans her head on my shoulder.

"She'll be back." I shrug.

Mom and Dad give me a look that they're waiting for more.

"What?" My brows raise quizzically.

"That's it?" Dad asks.

"Yeah," I reply, and my parents are exchanging looks.

"We want details, Bash," Lizzy demands, elbowing my side.

I roll my eyes. "What details? She agreed to work with us. That's it. There was a guy when I went there, I thought—" I stop talking when somehow I get their attention.

I raise my brows. "Is that really why you're all here? Wanna know the gory detail?" I stare at them one by one. "Unbelievable. What's with all of you and Trinity?"

"Then who is that guy?" My sister ignores me. Instead, she asks back.

"Whatever you guys are thinking, stop it now. Nothing is going on between me and Trinity. We're best friends." Really? nothing is really going on?

"I know, and we're not doing anything. We're here just to know if you were able to convince Kiara to come back," Dad says dismissively.

I'm not convinced, though, and I can feel that there's a hidden agenda in all of these, or am I just overthinking?

"I know you and K are just best friends because the last time I checked, K was asked out by Ranjiv," Lizzy responds, picking up her phone on her purse.

My chest constricts. My jaw clenches. I feel the blood rushing through my veins. "Who the fuck is Ranjiv?" I feel my parents' gazes on me.

"Language," Dad scolds.

Lizzy doesn't answer my question. She's busy tapping on her iPhone's screen.

"Sorry," I say silently, but I'm cursing under my breath.

Lizzy flashes her phone screen on my face, showing the photo of Trinity and a man who looks like an Indian wearing a black suit and tie.