What About Us

ENTHRALLING | FOUR

[Tris]

Another man has never caught my attention more than Four. He doesn't speak much but his eyes talk for him, you can tell when he's upset or intrigued in a conversation. He holds me in a friendly stare when he talks to me, sometimes our conversations are short and the other's are long and deep about work. I feel myself falling for him each time I see him and it upsets me knowing that I'm being weak and selfish enough to fall into my cravings.

This week was filled with nice encounters between the two of us and I found myself staying back longer 'to go over' finical issues with their company―Four joining me. We usually ended up laughing about our friends and co-workers. Eric picks up the girls from Christina or my parents. I feel bad for leaving them and coming home later but it's nice to talk to Four.

"Tris, do you want to go out for a drink? I hope your husband doesn't mind--"

"--Yes, I would love to." He chuckles at my enthusiasm and heat floods my cheeks, "Sorry, Camryn has enough bottles and London is straight she'll probably eat and fall asleep watching The Little Mermaid, I just never really get a break." I pout and he laughs and starts packing up his things. It doesn't take us long until I am following behind him. He pulls up to one of Chicago's local bars, The Pit. I haven't been here since College.

I look at myself in the rear-view mirror, I pull my hair out of my bun and fluff my hair. I put a fresh coat of lipstick on my lips and take off my blazer and unbutton a few buttons on my top. I don't want to walk in the bar looking uptight. . . like a mom who shouldn't be here. I'm still young, I am a mother and a wife but I don't like being the center of attention. I get out of the car and smooth my skirt down before giving Four a smile, he widens his eyes at me and I follow behind him into the Pit.

Even though it's mid-day the music is vibrant along with the people and conversations. I don't feel left out when I see men in suits and women in prestigious work clothes. Others are in laid-back clothing and loud with their friends. Four grabs my hand and excitement bubbles up in my chest and through my veins, he leads me to the bar and we both take seats at the bar stools. A man walks up to us with dark brown hair and light brown eyes, his skin is lightly tan and he has deep dimples. . . he's handsome. He gives Four a smirk and glances at me, "What can I get you?"

"The same." Four says suddenly gruffly at the man who looks like he's desperately trying to hold back laughter, I feel heat flood my cheeks and I look down at my hands. Maybe Four normally doesn't come here with people like me, their probably used to him bringing hot girls that aren't married. Not people like me; a girl that desperately needs to pump so her boobs can stop being a restraint.

"Excuse me, Four." He tilts his head, laughing a little bit, "What would that be?" Four shoots him a cold glare and I go to tell the man that he might not want to test him when he reaches down and pulls a cold glass, filling it with ice and an amber colored liquid―most likely scotch or whisky. . . maybe Jack Daniels. "Oh I'm just ruffling your feathers. What can I get you pretty lady?" Four face falls and I think he is about to actually jump across the bar and ring this man's neck.

"Just a Coke please."

"Ice?"

"Yes." He fills my glass up with Coke and walks away, "What was that about?" I question Four who looks much more calm now.

"That's my bestfriend, Zeke, he can be an a*shole sometimes." Four lets out another sigh as, 'Zeke' apparently, coos down the bar, hearing Four. Four sticks his middle finger up at him. I laugh as Four turns towards me, "Okay, Tris, tell me about yourself."

"As you know, I am married and have two kids. You know where I work at, I'm 24, young I know. I went to college and nothing is really crazy about me. I would guess I would tell you that I live a pretty normal life." I shrug my shoulders, sipping my soda. "What about you?"

"Well, I haven't been in a relationship for almost two years now. It seems like everyone I seem to be with breaks my heart. That was deep, but I can trust you with that. I live alone and I busy myself with work." I give him a smile, placing my hand on his thigh, "Don't worry, Four. You'll find someone." Me.

"Thank you so much for inviting me. My husband tends to fall asleep and leave me to take care of the kids, cook dinner, and clean. It's not like he lives a stressful job or anything, he will come home and fall asleep. Typical guy, I would like a break some time," I see Four's look and he looks furious once again, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't trouble you with my worries at home."

"No," Four face turns light, "It's fine, I understand. You want to vent, that's understandable."

"Yes, I would love to vent."

+++

We spent our time at the bar, talking and laughing about my life at home. I tell him all about the girls and before I can process it, I am standing outside my door. I push it open and I see Eric sitting there, the girls in no sight, "Wow, you actually decided to come home." I hear Eric say, I furrow my eyebrows at him, walking inside the house and I shut the door behind me.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I cross my arms over my chest, glancing at him. He rolls his eyes at me and pushes himself into a standing position, he stands over me and even in my heels he towers over me in an intimidating manner.

"You're late." He says in a deep voice that would normally make people cower back from him, instead I raise my eyebrows at him, "I had to make dinner, put the girls down and clean up. You know Camryn doesn't like bottles, do you know how much of a hassal it was to feed her?"

"Wow! Did you break a nail?" I tell him sarcastically and I go into the bedroom after peaking at my girls, Eric shuts the door behind me and I grab one of Eric's t-shirts, I go into the bathroom and undressed, I brush my teeth and get dressed while Eric drones on and on.

"Seriously Tris, staying at the office doesn't take that long."

"Calm down, I just went out with a friend after finishing up at the office. You stay out later plenty of nights and I don't question it, who know's what you do." I took a calming breath before leaving the bathroom, I was too tired and now pissed that I didn't even want food to accompany the coke and cashews in my stomach, "Just give me some space, you know, the thing you always ask for. Yeah, I would like some of that." I rolled my eyes at him before I got under the covers and blocked everything out around me, it was my only option.