Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I thanked him for the cutlery and napkin, and gaped at the feast…to avoid gaping at him. “Holy crap, this is a ton of food.”
Trinsky shoveled three enchiladas onto his plate and spooned rice and beans on as well. “Uh-huh. Bianca spoils me. She has a huge family, like five kids and fifteen grandkids, and the minute I tell her I’ll be in town, she doubles whatever is on the menu and stuffs my fridge with the best Mexican food you’ve ever had…guaranteed. Don’t be shy.”
I was pretty hungry and there was a lot of food, so I went for it. We made idle conversation about the beautiful weather, the fat seagulls stalking beachgoers, and Bianca’s amazing culinary skills.
“I didn’t know I liked enchiladas this much. Please pass my compliments on to the chef,” I gushed.
“You got it. Her chile relleno is even better. And don’t get me started on her tamales.” Trinsky dragged a chip through sauce mixed with beans and rice. “I’m lucky and I know it. If Bianca ever gets tired of me, I’ll be reduced to cereal and mac and cheese. Thank God she loves me.”
“You sure you aren’t dating her?” I teased.
He kicked my chair and scowled. “Show some respect. She’s old enough to be my grandmother, and she’s more like a second mom to me…who I pay to cook and clean. My house and my mom’s.”
I pushed my plate away with a contented sigh. “Your mom lives close by?”
“Yeah, just a few blocks away.”
“Hmm. Do you have other siblings, or is it just you and Eddie?”
“Just us. I never knew my dad, and Eddie’s dad fucked off a week after he was born,” he replied.
“Sorry, that sucks.”
“Meh, you can’t miss what you’ve never had. My mother has epically terrible taste in men, so I really doubt my bio dad was a standup guy. And Eddie’s…” Trinsky let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disgust as he sat back in his chair. “That dude was a scumbag. I know he wouldn’t dare make a surprise appearance, but if he tried, I’d fucking tear him apart, limb from limb.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Some people shouldn’t be allowed to procreate.” He scooted forward, leaning an elbow on the table. “If you ask me, there should be a mandatory test for any prospective parent. Maybe no one is perfect, but if you’re a human disaster zone, you pass your parent card to someone worthy and move on. No exceptions.”
“I want to agree with you, but I think my dad considered himself a human disaster zone before I was born.”
“Your dad? No fucking way. He’s like…the original Mr. Perfect.”
I chuckled. True, my dad was a perfectionist, and if Trinsky noted that I’d followed in his footsteps, I wouldn’t deny it. But my dad was pretty awesome, and everyone knew it. Including Trinsky.
“He’s a good man, but he had demons to conquer. Everyone has baggage, I suppose.”
“What’s yours?” he asked.
“That’s a little personal.”
Trinsky huffed. “I just shared my enchiladas with you. Be nice. You don’t have to tell me what’s in the large suitcase. I probably can’t handle that shit anyway. Give me something from your travel-sized bag.”
I pursed my lips in amusement. “Easy. I’m bi, and I had a sexual encounter with my rival.”
“Funny thing…I got the same problem. And you know what’s worse?”
“What?”
“I don’t think I hate him. Not that I ever really did. It was more that I was annoyed as fuck with him, and I thought his face was totally punchable.”
I barked a laugh. “Oh, yeah? He sounds terrible.”
Trinsky nodded solemnly. “Very fucking terrible. The dude is hot, though. I just wish he didn’t get on my last nerve. Weird, ’cause I’m usually a pillar of patience—very reasonable, very chill. He, on the other hand, is allergic to fun.”
“I am not allergic to fun,” I grumbled.
“What makes you think I’m talking about you?”
“Good question. Are you?”
He flashed a devilish half grin. “I am. Want to know something wild?”
“Yeah…what?”
“I’m not sure that I like you, but I’m kind of obsessed with this queer sex stuff. I’ve done my homework every night since I left Elmwood. I started with basic definition and graduated to video tutorials. It’s been enlightening.”
I swallowed hard, my gaze tracking his tongue gliding across his lower lip. “I bet. So, you’re really fine with what happened…in the forest?”
“Fine is not the right word. I’m…horny.”
I snickered. “Good to know.”
“I’m not kidding. It’s been two weeks. I hoped the feeling would fade or that I’d be interested in hooking up with a woman, but…” Trinsky blew his cheeks out and released a slow stream of air. “My head is stuck in that tent. With you.”
My heart pounded against my rib cage. It was so like him to casually discuss our hump-and-grind fests over lunch with the soundtrack of screeching seagulls, giggling children, and a mishmash of music on the beach. There was so much static in the air and yet, he had my undivided attention.