Page 19 of Busted Dreams

Trinity: What do you say we ride together today and ditch my brother?

She didn’t mention Astrid at all, but there was no way in hell she conveniently left her out.

Me: Sorry. I promised Astrid I’d ride with her.

Not exactly true, but Trinity wasn’t catching the hint. We’d had a short fling when I hit a dark patch over a year back. She was cool…most of the time, but I wasn’t about to jeopardize my friendship with Thatcher over it. Or any of the others.

Her response came immediately, killing my high from the pain.

Trinity: Oh, come on! It’s one ride. I literally can’t with Thatcher right now. He’s acting like my dad, and we both know that never meant anything.

Literal anger seared the back of my neck as I read her text. She was damn lucky to have someone who cared about her, and she was barking up the wrong tree if she wanted to complain about Thatcher to me. He wasn’t anything like her dad, or any of the parents I was acquainted with.

Even Rhys’ golden family was far from one I’d want to be a part of.

The constant buzzing suddenly shut off, and I glanced down at the outline and minimal shading on my thigh. Not bad. I could already tell it was going to be a great fucking tattoo.

After paying for the session, I shoved my wallet in the back of my jeans, only to find the source of my recent irritation at my car. Trinity leaned against the hood in black, ripped skinny jeans and a black crop top, silver reflective sunglasses shading her eyes. She had always come across as fun, cool, and a little reckless. Everything I never wanted in my life. But lately, she was turning into a spoiled brat.

“Trinity,” I sighed.

“Jonah,” she purred in return as she skipped toward me, attempting to throw her arms around my shoulders. Fortunately, I was able to grab her wrists and redirect them back to her sides.

“Why are you here?” My voice wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t welcoming either.

Her face twisted into an unattractive scowl. “Why are you being such a dick? We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Are we? We haven’t talked in about a year. And we really didn’t talk when we hung out before, so I’m not quite sure that qualifies us as friends in even the loosest sense of the term.”

“Stop sounding so snooty. You know I hate that.”

I rolled my eyes and released her wrists. At least she seemed like she wasn’t going to try and touch me again.

“Why are you here?” I repeated.

“Thatcher’s going off the rails trying to tell me who I can hang out with and who I can’t. I needed some time away for a bit.”

“Okay, but how did you know where I was?” I unlocked my car and tossed my keys in the seat, hoping the action would make her feel like I needed to leave so she should too.

This time she rolled her eyes. “Come on, Jonah. This was the first place I looked. For someone who’s not your friend, I know a lot about your habits.”

Ice prickled down my spine. I didn’t share with anyone about my “habit” of getting tattoos. Or why.

It wasn’t that I thought I could keep it hidden forever. I knew the first time I ever took my shirt off around one of the guys or Astrid, they’d have a million questions. It had been damn difficult with Beck at his house as it was.

The only reason Trinity knew about it was because I’d met her at Mollie’s shop. She got a belly button piercing during one of my sessions, and she’d asked me out for a quick meal. For some insane reason, I’d accepted.

And she’d seen me naked, so naturally, she probably had some idea about what I was doing, though I never confirmed it.

“I’m supposed to be at Thatcher’s in an hour, so I’m the wrong choice if you’re looking to avoid him.” Turning around, I leaned back against the hood of my car, crossing my arms.

“Why are you so stuck on riding with Thatch? And honestly, I’m a little surprised you’re friends with Rhys. He’s not your type of person.” She shoved her thumbs in the waistband of her jeans, revealing a strip of smooth skin.

“You can thank Astrid for that. She brought the four of us together.” I regretted saying it almost as soon as I said it.

“What the hell?” She yanked both hands through her hair. “You guys act like she’s this precious kitten you need to cuddle and be around nonstop. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I like her, she’s nice, but seriously. Every time I’m in a room with Astrid and you guys, it’s like I don’t exist. She can’t be that amazing.”

I suppressed a snort of laughter and choked on my spit instead. After a several seconds, I caught my breath. “I don’t even know what you want me to say. She’s my friend. She’s Thatcher’s friend. Astrid went through some serious shit recently, which you ought to appreciate.” I pinned her with my glare. Thatcher would have told her at least surface level what Astrid had experienced before introducing her. “And it’s made us all protective.”

---