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“I’m sorry, Trey. You have a good heart and I already told Harris that he’s barking up the wrong tree. I told him everything is legit,” I explain.
“And he didn’t believe a word of it,” Trey replies flatly.
“No, he didn’t… but that doesn’t matter,” I assure him. “As far as I’m concerned he is wasting his time and there is nothing more for him to pursue.”
“I know. Liv told me about your conversation with him.” A smirk re-emerges on his face. “She heard you telling him that you hadn’t found anything.”
“She told you that?” I’m stunned that she would do that for me.
“Yeah. She wanted me to know that in spite of your initial intentions, you had done the right thing by me.” He finishes off his drink. “I need to check on her.”
Trey gets up from the bar and pulls the phone from his pocket. He dials her number and it immediately goes to voicemail. He turns to take a few steps toward the corner of the bar looking for a bit of privacy, but I can still hear his words.
“Hi Liv. Give me a call. I’m sorry for what Mom said to you.” He pauses for a second or two. “It’s true that I was attracted to you because of Vanessa, but we have had some good times. Anyhow, I’m sorry it had to end this way.” He pauses and rubs his forehead with his free hand. “Call me when you get a chance or at least send me a text to let me know you’re okay.”
My heart melts as I listen to him. Liv is a first class pain in the ass, but he obviously does have some room in his heart for her. Even though he doesn’t think that he is relationship material, he is definitely a man who has a conscience. I made the right choice; he is nothing like his father.
Chapter 14
Trey
I never thought I would have to worry about Mom sharing secrets about my past, but I guess I should’ve known better. I feel like shit thinking about how everything went down with Liv. I really should’ve had a talk with her myself. When I turn around and see the look on Mandy’s face, however, I know things are going to get better from here. Our eyes lock and I know deep down that there is more than just lust between us.
“Let’s get out of here and go have a nice meal,” I suggest, since everyone else had basically abandoned us.
“Nah. Sit down and order another bourbon. I want to try the oyster sliders and deep fried pickles; everyone raves about them on Yelp,” she says, flagging down the bartender for another Guinness and a menu.
“Deep fried pickles, huh? I’ve never even thought of eating something like that.”
“My Mom’s family deep fries everything. I think you will like them,” she says with a twinkle in her eye. “Have you noticed that blonde girl sitting across from us? She has been staring at you ever since you sat down,” she huffs, her voice taking on an annoyed tone.
“Yeah, I’ve learned to ignore those stalkerish types.” I have to laugh at how much it seems to bother her. “What would you suggest I do about it?”
“I don’t know,” she says with flustered look on her face. “Nothing, I guess. It’s not like she’s really doing anything wrong, but it’s rude.”
“Yes, it is.” I reach forward and slowly pull her toward me. “You have nothing to worry about,” I tell her before giving her a long, steamy, heartfelt kiss.
Her eyes remain closed for a few seconds after I pull back. She opens them just in time to see the woman on the other side of the bar collecting her purse and vacating the barstool in a huff. “I was going to suggest that,” she whispers with a devilish look in her eyes.
As we sit here enjoying each other’s company, I get an overwhelming urge to get everything out in the open. I would rather let her hear it from me than someone else. After all, the thought of Mom dropping a bombshell on Liv is still bothering me. “I have a confession to make,” I finally say, running my fingers along the length of her forearm.
“Dead bodies to reveal?” she quips, leaning toward me and raising an eyebrow.
“No, but the tabloids weren’t totally wrong. When I first moved out to California I wasn’t a very nice guy.” I take another drink of bourbon. “In fact, I was kind of a self-centered asshole,” I tell her using Tyler’s description.
“So the articles weren’t completely off-base?” She forces a smile but instantly grows more subdued.
“No, not completely. When Papa died late in my freshman year of college, I inherited five million dollars. I went nuts trying to kill the empty feeling that kept eating at me from deep inside.” I take another gulp of my drink.
