Chapter 39
Preston
The clink of the weight room sounded in the distance as I made my way to my office. We had a light practice today, just weights and rehab since we didn’t have a game this week. Walking into my office, I fished my phone from my pocket, checking it for the fifth time in the last two hours.
Preston: What time does your shift end?
Trinity hadn’t responded. She’d been off all week since her mom showed up.
I was starting to really despise that woman.
It pissed me off the way she treated her.
The way she clearly manipulated her. It was hell watching someone you cared about realize the person they counted on to love them unconditionally turned out to be a fraud.
“Hey, man.” Shaw stopped in the frame of my open door. “Want to grab something to eat at Laces Out?” He glanced behind him as Theo approached. “Theo’s buying.”
“The fuck I am,” he grumbled. “You lost the bet. Remember?”
“What bet?” I shoved my phone into my pocket.
“He bet that I couldn’t go two weeks without sex.” Shaw grinned.
“Why are you smiling if you lost?”
He shrugged. “He said sex. As in penetration. Not other forms of—”
“Okay.” I held up a hand. “Spare me the details.”
“Pig,” Theo muttered.
“There is nothing wrong with a healthy sex life,” Shaw defended. “It’s the best cardio you can do.”
“I’m leaving.” Theo pointed at Shaw. “And you’re paying.”
Shaw flipped him off as he disappeared down the hallway.
“You ask Wes?” I flipped off my light.
“Yeah. He’s with the girls. Rain check.”
I wasn’t really that hungry, but I wasn’t about to turn down a chance to see my girl. “Let’s go.”
Sitting at a corner table, I watched Trinity swipe the sweat from her temple. She’d caught my stare a few times but kept herself busy. Landry was our server, but Trinity had the table next to us, which housed a rowdy group of college guys I was about ready to strangle.
“Hey, sweetheart. How about one more round?” A blond guy in the corner smiled, his eyes dropping to her chest.
“No can do, Ken. Bartender says no more.” She picked up his empty bottle.
“Ken, huh? Does that make you Barbie?” He flirted.
My girl rolled her eyes. “No. It doesn’t.”
A bunch of ooohs rumbled as she stacked the empty bottles on her tray.
I gripped the glass in my hand, my knuckles turning white. I wasn’t prepared to have to sit here and watch these douchebags make innuendos at her all night.
“Don’t be a tease, sweetheart. What time does your shift end?” Ken reached back, resting his arm along the top of the booth.
“Ease up on that glass, man.” Shaw smirked. “What’s got you rattled?” He surveyed the room.
“Fuck off,” I muttered.
Last thing I needed was for anyone here to catch on to me and the strong feelings I had for the beauty in those sexy-as-fuck glasses. But my patience was wearing, and I was getting more agitated the longer the night went on. Maybe this was a mistake.
“Need another?” Landry asked.
Her blonde hair was piled on top of her head with a glittery pink flower square in the center. She was the total opposite of Trinity, but I was glad she had a friend. Landry was from a good family, and J.C. was lucky she tolerated his ass.
“Nah, I’m good.” I kept my eyes on Trinity as she told the table she would bring their check.
Thank God.
“We’re good, darlin’,” Shaw answered.
When Landry walked away, Trinity returned to her table with the check. She leaned over, dropping the ticket to one of the customers when I saw it. It was in tortuous slow motion.
Red-hot fury exploded in my veins as Ken reached up and planted his palm on the globe of her round ass.
I was out of my chair before I could rationalize the thought, the legs scraping against the floor, causing it to topple over. I took three strides and my hand wrapped around his wrist.
“Get your fucking hands off her.” My voice was lethal.
The low warning caused Trinity to suck in a sharp breath, her eyes widening when he stood from his chair.
“What’s your problem, man?” He pushed my chest. “She’s been flashing her ass to me all night.” He swiped at his mouth before looking over my shoulder at Trinity. “Ain’t that right, baby?”
My hands moved on their own, gripping the collar of his shirt. “Stop talking.”
He grinned. “I think she liked it.”
“This is your final warning to stop fucking talking.” My hold tightened, lifting him from the floor as the table erupted in panic.
I felt Theo at my back, his hand on my shoulder.
“Preston,” he warned. “Drop him.”
“She your girl or something?” Ken’s smile widened. “Oh shit, she is?”
I didn’t deny it.
“What she is, is a human being. Not something for you to grope or manhandle.” I shoved him backward. “Get your drunk ass out of here.”
Just as he stumbled against the table, Landry showed up. “Let’s go. You’re out of here.”
I flexed my hands, turning to face Theo and Shaw. They both eyed me but didn’t dare ask. I swiveled my head, searching for Trinity, but she was nowhere to be seen. She was gone.