Trent winces. “You’re right.”
“He’s a good guy,” I tell him. “You know that better than anybody. It’s one of the reasons you fell in love with him. I’m sure this is hurting him as much as it’s hurting you.”
He flinches again, and his shoulders sag. “I’m such a jerk,” he mutters.
“Call him. Now.”
Trent looks at me. I shove him a little when he doesn’t make any effort to pull out his phone.
“Do it.”
He looks… scared. His hand shakes when he dials. I’m sitting close enough that I hear Oriel answer.
“Hey. Where are you?”
For the third time, Trent winces. “I’m in Winnipeg.”
A beat passes. “Why?”
“Because I thought you were cheating on me.”
Another beat. “With someone in Winnipeg? Trent, I haven’t left New York State in three years. What do I need to do to convince you?—”
“I’m sorry,” Trent interrupts. “I love you. I’m sorry.”
Oriel sighs. “Come home.”
Trent nods. “I will.”
“Now, Trent. We need to talk.”
“If you’re going to break up with me, do it over the phone so I don’t have to cry in front of you.”
I grip Trent’s arm in support.
“I’m not breaking up with you. I told you just two nights ago that I’m spending my life with you. But, Trent, this needs to stop.”
“I know,” Trent whispers.
“Come home, baby. Please.”
Trent nods. “Yes. I’m coming home. I love you.”
“Love you more.”
A smile touches Trent’s face, and he hangs up his phone. “I wasn’t really going to cry,” he mutters.
I laugh. “I’m still amused that he knows you go out looking for his nonexistent lovers. How long has he been humoring you?”
“Longer than I deserve.” He picks his head up to look at me. “Thanks.”
I shrug one shoulder. “He’s right. This needs to stop. You need to trust him.”
Trent takes a breath and holds it, his eyes closing as he exhales. When he meets mine again, I can see that he’s ready to change the subject. There’s a twinkle in his eye, and his lips curve into a smirk as he shifts on his stool to look down the hall I’d come from.
“So… What’s back there, Shively? Who are you hiding?”
Rolling my eyes, I huff. “No one. My boyfriend was demanding a dick pic, and I have a very short window to get it to him. You just came at the wrong time.”
