Loyal

Chapter 31

Colin's POV

            "What the fuck are you doing here?" I try to keep my voice down because Vera is still sleeping, but my voice is shaking in anger. Trish cocks her head to the side, giving that same feigned look of innocence. Bitch. 

                        "Oh come on Colin, you're not the least bit happy to see me?" she asks, moving forward to come inside. Just as steps onto the threshold I widen my stance.

            "You're not coming in here. Get the hell out, I never want to see you again," I yell, angrily pointing out the door. Trish puts a hand on her hip, refusing to move.

                        "Colin. I miss you, and I was in town.....so I got in touch with Cam and he said you're here. I figured your code would be the same as it was for everything else....So I let myself in," she shrugs. I put a hand to my forehead. Why is this happening to me? Why. Why the fuck now, when I'm finally getting my shit together. 

            "Get. The. Fuck. Out," the words come out as harsh as I want them to, and she steps back in surprise.

                        "Wow, after all this time, that's how you greet me?" This bitch has the audacity to come up here like I owe her something. After all the fucking shit she put me through. I step back into the house and get ready to slam the door into her face, but she presses it open with a perfectly manicured hand. 

                        "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she says, holding up a disc.

            "What the hell is that Trish?"

                        "Oh, just a little sex tape of a certain quarterback for the San Francisco Forty Niners. Remember that night? And your violent outburst?"

            I freeze.

            "Cam said he got rid of them," I say through gritted teeth, opening the door all the way.

                        "I knew I'd have to keep at least one copy for leverage," she says, tucking the disc back into her purse. "So, what do you say? Let's discuss things over lunch?"

            I hesitate before grabbing a sweater and closing the door behind me. One thing's for sure, Trish is still the same bitch I dodged in college.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

************************************************ 

The cafe down the road from the house is nearly empty, and I find a seat near the back. My legs can't stop moving under the small table, and I can see Trish revel in the tension unfolding between us. 

            "Relax Colin, drinks should be here shortly," Trish smiles. That fake ass smile. I scoff, the anger stirring inside of me almost pushing me to flip the table in her face. She reaches out to grab my hand and I pull it away just in time.

            "Look, Colin," Trish rolls her eyes at my reluctance, "I miss you. I know you miss me too. Let's just, try to figure things out. We ended on the wrong foot." 

             "The wrong foot? Are you fucking kidding me Trish?" This fucking bitch. "You have the audacity to tell me, we ended on the wrong foot when you fucking blackmailed me?"

             "Oh come on Colin.."

                        "You run out of money? The lawyer you dig leave you? Why am I not fucking surprised," I snap. Trish is conniving, deceitful, and dishonest. I cheated on her in college, but she had just as much fault in her hands too. She's controlling, manipulating, and used me to get what she wanted. I know that's why she is back here trying to talk to me. She's broke, and I'm a fucking gold mine.

            "Colin, sweety. I would change that tone of voice if I were you. I have quite a few tabloids that would pay a pretty penny for me to push your little tape their way," Trish says, smiling. "I'm pretty sure your pretty little girlfriend wouldn't appreciate that either." I tense at her words. How the fuck does she know?

                        "Leave Vera out of this," I say, the heat rising in my throat, I'm about to break something. Anything. 

            "Hmmm. I'll play nice, if you play nice," she says. "I saw her at the stadium. Cam said something about you having a new girlfriend and I had to see her for myself.  She is very pretty, but it didn't seem like she has any idea of who I am. Did you even tell her about me Colin?" Trish bats her eyelashes and gives me a feigned look of surprise. My nostrils flare as I clench my fists, feeling my nails dig into my palms. 

                        "She doesn't have to know about my fucked up past, or about you, the most fucked up part of it," I say under my breath.

            "Hmph. You're not being very nice to me Colin," she says quietly, sitting back in her seat.

                        "How much fucking money do you want for the tape?"

            "I didn't ask for money...."

                        "How much?"

        "I mean, I guess we would have to work out the details. But if that's how you want to settle things...."

                        "I'll have my lawyer call you. I swear, if you fucking leak that video...I will give you hell Trish."

            "Oh I don't doubt it Colin. But just remember who has the power here," Trish is smiling at me over her cup of coffee. "Where are you going?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. No matter how pissed I am, I cannot deny how beautiful she is. Dark brown skin and beautiful features. Her appearance fooled me in college, but that shit won't fool me now. After all the shit she put me through. 

            "I'm fucking leaving. I'm done here. Don't you dare step foot near my house, or her. I fucking mean it," I place a twenty on the table. 

"Well that's not very polite. I was hoping we would be able to chat a little while longer!"

            "Fuck you Trish," I say, turning and heading towards the door.  It started to rain as I made my way out onto the street.