The Love We Hate

CHAPTER 5

“God! Did you fall into the bottle of cologne?” Trick exclaimed, pinching his nose and looking at Trey up and down appraisingly. “What’s with the get-up? Got a hot date?”

Trey dusted invincible dirt off his Henley shirt. It was gray and had long sleeves, which he had pulled up halfway to his elbows already. The shirt was just the right size and hugged his muscles in a way that ensured women would take a second look when he passed. Actually, he was certain even a third look was possible. Trey did own several mirrors, so he knew he looked good.

A tiny smirk played around his lips. “Since when does dressing well translate to a hot date?”

“Since a man finally learned that you can’t throw a woman over your shoulder and carry her to your hut and call it a relationship,” Trick retorted with a snort, without missing a beat. He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall, still watching Trey.

A momentary silence filled the room as Trey lifted his head slowly, a smirk now fully engaged on his lips. Then his eyes darted towards a picture frame that held a picture of all the guys standing around a barbecue grill at the beach house. It was one of those photographs Abigail had insisted on taking, but no one really minded. Trey could see the smiles on every one of their faces.

For a second he forgot the reason his eyes had even moved to the picture, and just let a warm feeling of belonging wash over him and wrap around him like a protective shield. Trey never doubted he was lucky. Not even when one of the guys tried to get on his nerves.

Just like that, he recalled the reason his eyes had gone to the picture; Trick’s ridiculous response. Trey looked at Lorenzo in the picture with his possessive arms around a pregnant Abigail. “Are you sure about that?”

Trick followed his gaze and immediately got where he was drawing from. He immediately pointed at him and lowered his voice. There was a serious look in his eyes, but his voice held humor. “Don’t let Edward and Lorenzo hear you. I won’t defend you when they beat your ass.”

Trey scoffed. “I’m more scared of Abigail, actually.”

A second of silence passed, then they both burst out laughing like two silly boys gossiping about their siblings.

When they had both sobered, Trick looked at Trey again. The curiosity was obvious in his eyes. And he clearly couldn’t hold back. “So? Where are you going?”

Trey humphed. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Kind of hard to do, especially when you are dodging so smoothly.”

“Apparently not smooth enough,” Trey grumbled under his breath before he spoke up and looked at his friend. “I’m going clubbing. I need some fun.” And maybe Abigail’s advice to get laid hadn’t been totally crazy, he mused.

Trick didn’t hesitate. “Cool. Just give me half an hour and I will be ready to go.”

Trey grimaced. He didn’t look at his friend, but it was obvious his reaction hadn’t gone unnoticed.

Trick had been in the process of leaving the room with his laptop. Obviously on his way to his room to dress up. He suddenly paused, his mouth gaping as realization hit him that Trey didn’t want company. Then his lips thinned with hurt and a touch of anger.

“You don’t want company.” It was a statement, not a question.

Trey attempted to smile to lighten the mood. It felt like he had just landed himself in one of those delicate conversations one had to tread through carefully. He didn’t want to lie, but he also didn’t want to hurt his friend with the truth. “I want the women to look at me. You are too distracting.”

A loud scoff escaped Trick. They both knew Trey was just trying to make an excuse. Needless to say, it was a lame excuse. Trick was as handsome as a model in a GQ magazine, but Trey was no troll. He had the height, build, and face to stop traffic. Especially with the tattoos decorating his body. Even with the Henley long-sleeved shirt on, he still had ink peeking out under the sleeves and around his wrists and around his neck. It was enough to get anyone’s attention and just make them crazy curious to see where the hell all that ink went. He wore the definition of sexy bad boy a little too well, according to Abigail and Talia.

However, as much as it was obvious Trick wanted to argue with his friend’s sloppy excuse, he let it go. He was a good friend. Somehow he understood Trey needed some space and even though he didn’t want to, Trick was going to honor it.

That was why they shared the penthouse. It hadn’t only been because they were both still single. Gabriel was also single, but unlike Trick, he never knew just when to shut up and give a person room. Hence why the young doctor stayed with Lorenzo and Abigail. Although, it perhaps also had something to do with how close Gabriel was to Abigail. And since Gabriel had been the youngest of the five, Lorenzo had always been extra protective of him.

“Have fun,” Trick said quietly, even though his eyes still studied Trey with an unnerving intensity.

Trey gave his friend a short salute and made a quick exit before he caved and took his words back and ended up going clubbing with the entire clan, including the dog.

***

The club Trey had chosen for his relaxation therapy was called Purple crystals. One would wonder at the inspiration behind the name, considering there was nothing purple or crystal-like about the place. The club was located in a massive two-story old-like building that had been renovated but still held the touch of its past life and charm.

Purple crystals was tacked right in the busy, overcrowded part of the city. It was even kind of hard to tell from the outside that it was a club, much less that it was a classy place.

The inside, however, left no doubts about what exactly he had walked into. There was a dance floor on each level and six bars scattered strategically around to make sure the patrons were kept well hydrated and intoxicated. Comfortable long couches lined the wall on one side. While other regular tables and mini half-moon seats in different colors were strategically scattered close to the bars. The majority of the space, however, was bare and prioritized for dancing.

Although it was still a little early by club standards, the population was already at half capacity. It was loud and a heavy scent of sweat was already saturating the air.

Some infectious music he couldn’t recognize thundered through the speakers hidden in the walls and Trey felt it beat in his bones as well, tempting his muscles to twitch.

It was the first time he was visiting the club. He hadn’t had the time to try it out when it opened because of the kind of lifestyle he led. But he held no regrets. He was now there, and he was going to have a great time, Trey mused as he took in more details about the place.

The orange and purple lights were kept just dim enough to give the place some mystery without making it creepy or creating the perfect environment for some sick-minded individuals. However, more light brightened up the dance floor, which seemed to be the principal attraction of the place.

Several bodies were lost in the throes of the music and danced their troubles away in several styles. Even the awkward stiff-legs-only-my-arms-can-move kind of dancing was on show. Trey chuckled to himself and looked away before someone noticed him criticizing the dance moves.

His mind unavoidably immediately went to Edward and the rest of the guys. He made a mental note to bring them here. It was certainly the kind of place they could have a lot of fun in even if dancing wasn’t their favorite activity.

Yep, he nodded to himself. He could definitely see him and the guys having a stag night in the place.

Just then, the music changed, and the crowd went crazy with excitement. Trey chuckled and shook his head. He needed a drink before he would get that excited. Calmly, he made his way towards the nearest bar and dropped himself on a vacant stool before catching the bartender’s attention.

When he took the first sip of his drink, Trey sighed with relief. This was exactly what he needed. He quietly watched the intoxicated, happy people around him. He needed a moment to just shut down his mind and relax. All thoughts about Danielle Marvick and why the woman refused to leave his thoughts were pushed to the far corners of his brain with a determined shove.

Trey took a large gulp of his drink. He hissed as the burn traveled down his throat to his stomach. He, however, realized it would take him more than one glass to fully disrupt his thoughts and relax. Trey stood from the bar and took a seat at one of the tables. He made himself comfortable. This was going to take a while.