Watching Trin by Freya Barker

Chapter 31

Trin

“I’m okay, I promise.”

Since that was the twentieth time I’ve been asked the same question in the past forty-five minutes, I can barely keep an eye roll at Vic in check.

I’ve been looked over by EMTs, despite my assurances I didn’t get hurt. This time at least. I’m sure they acted based on the state of my face, which is still pretty much a mess from the rollover. I think I’ll lock myself up for a week or so for it to heal, because I’m getting tired of explaining what happened.

We’re in the lobby at the lodge, and I’m ready to get going. The ambulance took Jeannie under police guard, and VanDyken—who was the first to arrive—is huddled on the other side of the reception area with Bodhi and Hayden. He already had me go over events.

I’m in a seating area sharing a lumpy loveseat with my sister, along with the boys and Anika who are taking up the couch across from us. Every time I glance that way, I find Tucker’s eyes on me. He’s been quiet and I keep sending him reassuring smiles. I can’t wait to get him home so we can get on with the business of his birthday celebration.

I’ll admit, for a while there I wasn’t sure I’d be around for any more of his birthdays. I got lucky, again. Although this time, if not for Bodhi and Hayden, I don’t know if I’d have walked away. I was terrified when Bodhi suddenly stepped into the open, mad that he’d put himself in harm’s way, but at the time I wasn’t aware Hayden was behind us.

I didn’t see her since my back was turned, but apparently she took Jeannie out with a piece of wood. I was a little stunned by the shot going off right beside my ear. It was so close I could feel the air move by my face and my ear is still ringing from the loud crack. Thank God it didn’t hit anything.

Across the lobby I catch Bodhi watching me.

“Hey, where are you going?” Vic wants to know when I get to my feet.

“I’m just gonna talk to them for a minute. I’ll be right back.”

I brush my hand over Tuck’s shoulder as I pass him. Conversation stops when I approach the group.

“As much as I understand the need to gather as much information as soon as possible,” I direct to the detective. “I have a kid whose birthday has been traumatic enough, I’d like to take him home and get back to celebrating, if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah, Bodhi pointed out the same thing a second ago,” Jay acknowledges. “I won’t keep you any longer. I’ll be in touch.”

Bodhi throws his arm around me as we walk back to the others, pressing a kiss to the side of my head.

“You okay?” he whispers.

“Yeah.”

“I’m so sorry,” he says right after. “I should’ve known.”

I stop and turn to face him.

“That’s just stupid. There’s no way you could have known.”

He bends his head for a quick kiss and smiles when he straightens, but I notice the shadows haven’t moved from his eyes. He must be reeling. I can’t even begin to think about having known someone most of your life only to discover you never knew them at all. I get why responsibility weighs on him—especially after discovering innocent people were murdered in his name—but it doesn’t belong there.

Anika’s gaze holds the same shadows. I have a feeling there will be a lot of ‘what-if’ or ‘if-only’ scenarios played out in her head as well. I just hope we’ll be able to get the full picture as the pieces are fit together and perhaps that will bring some closure to all involved.

But oddly enough, my previous rabid pursuit of an article seems to have dissipated. Maybe it’s because somewhere along the way I became part of what turns out to be a tragic story. One that impacts so many lives.

“Ready to get this show on the road, bud?” Bodhi asks Tucker, who nods gratefully.

It’s almost six thirty and I’m sure those guys are starving. Anika has been in touch with her parents to let them know what was going on and that we’d be late. Nira said she’d keep the food warm and to call when we’re on our way so they could meet us at our place.

We file out of the lodge and into the parking lot. Anika assures us she’s fine to drive and that she’ll call her mom. Hayden gets in the car with Vic, and the boys pile into the back seat of Bodhi’s Jimmy.

I put my hand on Bodhi’s thigh, palm up, and once he pulls out of his spot, he covers it with his, linking our fingers.

“Dude,” I hear Ravi whisper in the back seat. “Good party.”

I surprise myself when I burst out laughing. Bodhi looks at me oddly, but then the corner of his mouth starts twitching and he cracks a grin.

“Wait until you get a load of my mother’s cooking,” he says, his eyes on the rearview mirror.

Nira and Chuck’s car is already parked at the curb when we get home. My feet barely touch the driveway when Nira is right there, pulling me into a tight hug. Then Chuck takes her place while she does the rounds.

“Ma!” Anika snaps at her mother when Nira goes to hug Ravi. “You don’t even know most of these people and you’re freaking out the boys.”

Nira shoots her daughter a glare before turning to the kid—who, by the way, is almost a foot taller already—she’s still holding on to.

“I’m not freaking you out, am I?”

From the look on his face it’s clear she totally is, but like a trooper he shakes his head.

“Nah.”

Chuck steps in and procures his wife by grabbing her hand.

“Tucker,” he calls to my son, and tosses him his keys. “Food in the trunk. You two wanna eat, you’re gonna have to bring it in.”

Even though Tuck hadn’t met Bodhi’s dad yet, the man’s almost curt manner seems to work on him.

By the time we sit down at the table—a little tight with nine—with a veritable feast spread out in front of us, this afternoon’s episode seems like a distant memory. I’m a little sad Pops can’t be part of this, but maybe tomorrow Tuck will want to come with me for a quick visit.

I look over at my son. He grins at Chuck, who just made a joke about boys and appetites. The conversation is lively, Bodhi’s warm hand on my thigh grounding, and the sense of family so strong, it makes me want to cry.

“What’s wrong?” Bodhi asks under his breath, leaning into me.

I turn my watery smile his way.

“Nothing, I’m counting my blessings, that’s all.”

* * *

Bodhi

The house is quiet when I sneak downstairs.

After an eventful day, we seemed to crash one by one, not long after my sister and parents left, and Tse came by to pick up his son. Ravi had still been flying high on all the excitement, and probably the sugar in that giant piece of my mother’s cake he inhaled. That was after two healthy helpings of the dinner she cooked.

Tucker was the first to call it a night, dragging his loot upstairs. Since my mother was here, needless to say he was spoiled rotten. Not that she was the only one. Presents were opened after dinner and before cake, and the kid seemed pretty pleased with the gifts we piled on the table. Trin started tearing up again, but assured me they were happy tears again.

She was exhausted by the time we went upstairs and fell asleep in seconds, curled into me.

Of course, I can’t fucking sleep.

All I see when I close my eyes is that barrel pressed against Trin’s pale skin. I hear the shot, and then I involuntarily relive the endless seconds it took for Hayden to pull Jeannie off Trin.

Don’t think I’ve ever been as relieved as when I was able to ascertain for myself she wasn’t hit by the bullet. Unfortunately, the thought of a possible, alternative outcome will not leave me alone. It’s making me sick to my stomach.

I see it all the time in my line of work, people whose lives from one moment to the next completely tilt on their axis. That’s what this feels like. An experience that brings everything you thought you knew into question.

What’s real and what isn’t?

For years I assumed Tasha had run off on me. It wasn’t hard to imagine; she was an addict, we’d had words about that, and the next thing I knew she was gone. Now I find out Jeannie admitted to having killed her too. It’s hard to wrap my head around.

I pour myself a shot of rum in the kitchen and take it into the living room, sinking down on the couch. Behind me I hear the door to the study open.

“Hey,” Hayden whispers and I turn my head.

“Sorry if I woke you. I tried to be quiet.”

She smiles. “You didn’t wake me. I need a sanitary intermission and then maybe one of those.” She points at the tumbler in my hand.

I get up to fetch her one as she heads for the bathroom. A couple of minutes later she sits down on the other side of the couch, tucking her legs under her. She grabs the glass I hand her and takes a sip, sighing deeply.

“Thank you.”

Surprised, she glances over.

“I can’t help think what would’ve happened if you hadn’t been there,” I admit.

Her mouth tilts in a faint smile.

“I can say the same thing. Trin and I both would’ve been toast if you hadn’t distracted her.”

My turn to take a swig, letting the alcohol warm me up as it slides down.

“I love her,” is all I can think to say.

“That much is obvious and I’m glad, she deserves someone like you. Someone who gives her back what she shares around so generously. Someone who looks out for her.”

It shouldn’t matter what anyone thinks, but I can’t deny coming from Trin’s good friend, those words mean a lot.

We sit together quietly, sipping our drinks, only today’s shared experience and the woman sleeping upstairs in common. Still, by the time she whispers goodnight and I carry the glasses to the kitchen, my heart feels a lot lighter.

“Can’t sleep?” Trin mumbles sleepily when I slip back under the covers.

I hum and she immediately turns and curls against me, hiking her leg over mine. She presses her lips against my skin, then she lifts her head, resting her chin on my chest. Her eyes reflecting the sparse light as she looks at me.

“Wanna talk about it?”

I trace her spine with my fingertips, feeling her shiver at my touch.

“I think I’m okay now. Had a drink with your friend, she was up too. Guess we both needed a moment to process.”

“I’m gonna miss her,” Trin shares, pursing her lips in a cute little pout.

I love that she doesn’t push me, though. I wonder if she even needs to, she seems to read me pretty well.

My hand slides down her ass, round and soft, probably one of my favorite parts of her. I like the way my fingers sink into her flesh with the slightest pressure. I’ve never considered myself an ass man before, but I love her full one.

“I have the week between Christmas and New Year’s off. We could fly down for a few days. Wouldn’t mind seeing that ranch of theirs,” I suggest. “I bet Tuck would get a kick out of it.”

I’m rewarded with a smile so bright I can almost feel the warmth of it on my skin. Then she pushes up from my chest, shifts her weight so she’s straddling me, and leans in for a kiss. Teasing at first, a slight nibble, a brush of lips at the corner of my mouth, and then a leisurely lick along the seam.

She plays with me—her mouth busy and hands roaming—and I’m happy to let her take the lead. I don’t do anything to stop her when she pushes down the waistband of my sleep pants and wraps her fingers around my shaft. But when she rocks her hips along my cock—teasing with her slick heat—I’ve had enough.

I deepen the angle of our kiss, move both my hands to her hips, and ease up into her body.