Tear Down These Walls (30 page)

“Deal,” Trent agrees. “Let’s go find you some killer heels to wear with
these dresses.”

“Sounds good to me.”

An hour and a half later, they are driving over to the university. Teagan
looks at Trent. “I’m going to have to work a lot to pay off all this stuff.”

“I’m still saying, if you had let me pick out lingerie for you to wear
underneath it, we could have called it even,” Trent replies, laughing
sarcastically. “But, NOOOOO, that wouldn’t fly.”

“It’s not like you would be able to see me in the lingerie,” Teagan
giggles. “So, it really wouldn’t matter anyway.”

“But the knowledge that you were wearing it would be payment enough.”

“Shut up,” Teagan playfully snaps.

“So, what is at this harvest festival anyway?” Trent asks.

“It’s almost like a carnival,” Teagan replies. “It’s entertaining. I
promise.” Suddenly, her cell phone starts ringing. “Geez Victoria, we’re
coming.” Teagan picks up her cell phone and says, “Huh, that’s weird, it’s a
private number.” With a shrug, she answers, “Hello?”  There is nothing but
dead silence. “HHHEEELLLLLLLOOOOO?” She draws out.

“You better watch your back bitch. You will get what you deserve,” a
deep, menacing voice fills her ears.

Teagan’s heart stops. “What?”

“You heard me, you bitch. You better watch your back.”

She looks at Trent with a panicked face. “Who is this!?”

“Your apartment was just the beginning.”

“WHO IS THIS!?” Teagan yells. When the phone goes silent, Teagan throws
her phone down. “Holy shit!”

“What’s wrong?” Trent asks quickly.

Tears start pouring down Teagan’s face “Whoever trashed my apartment just
called me!” She exclaims. “They said I had to watch my back! Oh my god! Someone
is really after me!”

“What!?” Trent snaps. He pulls over to the side of the road.

“Oh my god!” She cries. “What am I going to do!? They know where I live!”

Trent grabs her and grips her in a hug. “Calm down; I won’t let anything
happen to you.”

“You can’t protect me all the time!” Teagan exclaims. “What am I going to
do!?”

“We are going to put a security system in at your apartment,” Trent
declares. “I will have it installed tomorrow.”

“But what do I do the rest of the time!?”

“I’m going to give you a Taser,” Trent says. “I will teach you how to use
it.”

She buries her face into his chest and cries. “This is insane. Stuff like
this doesn’t really happen!”

“I know,” Trent murmurs, kissing her head. “We will change your number
tomorrow, too.”

“I want to go home,” Teagan says, shaking. “I just want to go home.”

“We’re going to swing by my place. I’m going to grab some stuff and stay
at your place tonight. I don’t want you there alone until we have a security
system activated,” Trent declares, as he pulls away from Teagan. “You should
call Victoria and tell her you aren’t coming.”

Sniffling, Teagan whispers, “Okay. He called me a bitch.”

“You’re going to be okay,” Trent states. “We’re going to make you safe. I
promise.  Even if I have to give you a security detail.”

Teagan starts laughing. “I’m going to have a bodyguard?”

“If necessary,” Trent’s voice is back to being all business. “I’m not
going to let anything happen to you.”

“I think as long as I feel safe at home with the security system, I’ll be
fine,” Teagan mutters. “Do Tasers really take people down?”

“Takes them down and makes them piss their pants,” Trent says. “You will
have pepper spray and a Taser. You can always Taser them and then spray that
crap all over their face. They won’t be able to get off the floor.” Teagan
picks up her phone. Trent points to it.  “You should put me on speed
dial.”

“You are.” Teagan smirks, holding it up. “Batman…..see, in my favorites.”

He gives her a thoughtful look. “I didn’t know that.”

“Yeah, you are important to me,” Teagan mumbles. “I’m going to call
Victoria.” She hits her number and holds the phone up to her ear.

Victoria answers right away. “Where are you girl!? Did you get side
tracked making out with each other?”

“No!” Teagan snaps. “The guy who broke into my apartment just called and
threatened me over the phone!”

“Holy crap, you’re kidding, right!?”

“No,” Teagan whines. “I’m scared shitless. Who would want to hurt me?”

“I don’t know! Is Trent with you?”

“Yeah,” Teagan says. “He is going to stay with me tonight and then put in
a security system tomorrow.”

Exhaling, Victoria asks, “Do you want us to come over there? We can skip
the festival.”

“No, have fun,” Teagan sighs. “I will probably just make us dinner.”

“Get a bottle of wine…..let him be your
hero
,” Victoria whispers.

“Shut up Victoria!” Teagan snaps. “This isn’t funny.”

“I wasn’t saying that it was!” Victoria exclaims. “I was trying to make
you smile.”

Teagan releases a breath of air. “I know. I am just so….frazzled. I don’t
get it! I haven’t done anything to anyone! What in the hell is this!?”

“I don’t know,” Victoria replies. “It’s like a sick joke.”

“If my apartment wasn’t so badly damaged, I would say it was, but they
must mean business,” Teagan says. “It scares the shit out of me, Vic. I don’t
know what to do.”

“I will protect you,” Trent interjects softly. He grabs her hand and
squeezes.

“Well, the sooner he gets the security system in the better,” Victoria
states seriously.  “This isn’t something to screw around with.”

Shaking her head, Teagan agrees, “Yeah, I know.”

“Get home and be safe,” Victoria instructs. “Call me if you aren’t around
Trent. One of us will meet up with you. At least you will have another person
by your side.”

“Trent is getting me a Taser,” Teagan tells her. “He is going to show me
how to use it.”

“I will find mine, too,” Victoria replies. “Then we both are armed. You
should get a gun. That’s what I think.”

“A gun!?” Teagan squeaks. “I would shoot myself in the leg!”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Trent says, rubbing his chin. “I can teach you
everything there is to know about using a gun.”

With an appalled look, Teagan says, “I’m not getting a gun!”

“I think you should,” Victoria emphasizes. “A gun will protect you.”

“I have never held a gun in my life!” Teagan stammers. “I would shoot an
innocent person or myself!”

“Not if you were taught properly,” Trent states.

“NO,” Teagan emphasizes. “NO GUN!”

Trent puts his hands up, “All right.”

“Well, get a good Taser,” Victoria says.

“I will.”

“All right, call me tomorrow please and let me know they put the security
system in,” Victoria sighs. “I am worried.”

“Trent’s with me,” Teagan whispers. “I’m not safer anywhere else.”

“That’s good to know,” Victoria replies. “I will talk to you later.”

“Bye,” Teagan exhales. She hangs up and looks out the window  “Ugh,
I feel like I am going to throw up.”

Looking at her, Trent asks, “Do you want me to pull over?”

“No,” Teagan says. “I didn’t mean literally. My stomach is just doing
back flips.”

“I’m going to get you a Taser that you shoot like a gun. That way you
don’t have to be right on top of the person,” Trent states. “It’s what the cops
use. It will take the person down in a second.”

“Can you get me more than one?” Teagan inquires hesitantly. “You know, a
few for my apartment, one for my purse, my car, for shits and giggles.”

With a chuckle, Trent asks, “How about I get you four? Will that make you
feel safe?”

“Yes,” Teagan answers. “Will you teach me how to use them?”

“Of course, you need to be comfortable with them.”

“Are you sure about spending the night?” Teagan whispers. “You don’t have
to.”

He shakes his head. “No, I will. I can have my guy come over in the
morning to install the system.”

“Shouldn’t I ask my landlord?”

“I don’t give a shit what your landlord thinks. He obviously is not
concerned with the safety of his tenants, at all,” Trent snaps. “We can take it
all apart when you move. He can sue you. I will pay the damages.”

“I would say that is a slight overkill, but I want the system, so I agree
with you!”  They both laugh. Teagan looks at him and says, “I had no idea
this would become such a pain in the ass.”

“Relax. We can stay at my house if you want. I don’t care where.”

“No, I want to be home,” Teagan says. “Let’s go get your stuff.”

“Okay.” Trent reaches over and takes her hand into his. He intertwines
their fingers.  “You are going to be okay. I promise.”

Teagan looks out the window, feeling less confident than he is, “I sure
hope so.”

“Okay,” Trent says, his voice dripping with patience.  “Let’s try
again.” He hands Teagan another Taser gun.  “Remember to relax, aim and
then shoot.”

“Yeah, that’s easy to do,” Teagan mumbles. She points the gun toward the
dummy.

“You don’t have to be perfectly accurate like a gun. Use the laser to
line it up to your target,” Trent reminds her. “You can get them up to fifteen
feet away.”

She nods, lines the gun up to the target and shoots. The pops from the
gun echo off of the empty dojo walls. Teagan nails the shot perfectly. “I did
it!” she exclaims.

“I think you have the hang of it,” Trent replies with a nod. “One more
time for good measure?”

“Yeah,” Teagan says. “Let me change the cartridge this time.”

“Sounds good.” Trent hands her another one and watches Teagan put it in.
“Good job. I think I feel confident that you will know how to use this in case
something happens.”

Shaking her head, Teagan whispers, “I hope I never have to use them.”

“Me too dear, me too.”

“So…..my alarm…..”

“Is connected to my office and cell phone,” Trent continues. “If I don’t
respond within a minute, 911 will be called.”

Teagan nods, “Okay.”

“The only people that know the code are you and me,” Trent states. “No one
else knows, and no one else has a set of keys.  It’s just us.”

“I know,” Teagan exhales. “I’m still going through my list of people and
giving out my new number. I didn’t realize that I knew so many people.”

“Miss popularity,” Trent smiles.

She gives him a look. “And dare I ask how many girls’ numbers you have
had over the years?”

“No new ones except yours in five years,” Trent raises his eyebrows. “So,
feel special.”

Putting the gun down, Teagan inquires, “Five years? What happened five
years ago?”

“I started dating my ex,” Trent mumbles. “We will leave it at that.”

“But you broke up two years ago, right?” Teagan asks.

“Yup, I have been single for two years…two long years.”

“Haven’t you been lonely?” She whispers, “I have been lonely.”

Trent stops what he is doing and looks at her thoughtfully. “I was lonely
until recently.”

“What happened recently?” Teagan asks. Trent furrows his eyebrows and
looks at her like she is dumb. “OH!” Teagan exclaims. “You are talking about
me!”

“Yeah,” he chuckles. “You have filled a very big void in my life.”

“You have, too,” Teagan replies softly. “You’re very….special to me.”

“The feelings are mutual,” Trent whispers, not looking at her. “All
right, one more time, just in case.”

With a nod, Teagan aims and shoots. “I nailed it again,” she gives him a
high five.

“Bravo!” Trent cheers. “Do you feel comfortable with it now?”

“Yeah, totally,” Teagan responds. “I have one for my car, my purse, and
two for my apartment. One in my kitchen and one next to my side of the
bed.”    

Putting his hand on her, Trent says, “I give you permission to use it on
a guy if he ever gets frisky.”

“What if I want the guy to get frisky?” Teagan quips, looking at him.

“Then I will personally shoot him with the Taser,” Trent teases.

“But….what if it’s….you?”

“Are you saying you want to get frisky with me?” Trent inquires with a
sly smile.

“I’m still under the presumption that I won’t get lucky after the
wedding,” Teagan sighs.  “But maybe one of these days, I will get you to
throw your morals to the wind.”

He steps over to her and murmurs, “No one is going to be in this dojo for
another two hours. There are locker rooms in back.”

“Should we get all hot and heavy in the shower?” Teagan giggles. “Steam
up the mirrors?”

“Sounds like fun to me,” Trent whispers in her ear, as he presses up
against her.  Teagan’s breath starts to get shallow, and her heart rate
skyrockets. Trent traces his fingers up her back. “You smell divine.”

“Okay,” Teagan gasps, stepping back. “Whoa.”

There is a deep chuckle from Trent. “What did you say on Saturday,
nothing about me turns you on?” He steps up to her again and whispers, “I bet I
could make you putty in my hands.”

“I bet you could,” Teagan gulps. “But you aren’t.”

“Awwwww, damn it,” Trent retorts in a humorous tone. “I was even going to
do this.” He reaches down and pulls off his shirt.

“Trent,” Teagan hisses and laughs at the same time.

“Yes, Teagan,” he replies softly. “I think you made a comment like my
body doesn’t turn you on.” Trent grabs her hands and puts them on his chest.
“Do you feel that muscle?  That doesn’t turn you on in the slightest?” She
giggles uncontrollably. Trent smiles, his eyes twinkling, and says, “Tell me I
turn you on.”

Yelling, Teagan shouts, “Yes! FINE! Yes! You turn me on!”

“Good.” Trent pulls her into a hug. “I win.”

“You are such a jerk!” Teagan laughs hysterically. “
Huge
jerk.”

“I just wanted to make sure,” he replies. “The other day you made it seem
like a one way road, and I felt left out.”

Rolling her eyes, Teagan groans, “Trent, you are so drool-worthy hot,
it’s scary. You should know that already.”

“I do, but I hadn’t heard it from you.”

“Full of yourself much?” Teagan snorts.

He smiles and says, “Do you want to be full of me?”

“Trent!” Teagan exclaims. “Oh my god! What has gotten into you!?”

“I’m just being playful. I feel like I can loosen up around you.”

“You can,” Teagan replies. “I don’t mind. It’s just so different than
when we first met.”

Trent’s face turns serious; his eyes lose their sparkle. “Do you not like
it? I will stop.”

“Oh no,” Teagan says. “That’s not it at all. This side of you is great!”

“How great?” Trent inquires, grabbing at her.

She crosses her arms and retorts, “What would you do if I said fine and
came onto you?”

“You won’t, so I’m not worried,” Trent sighs happily, grinning.

Teagan starts to slowly back up, “See, that’s the thing. I’m calling your
bluff.”

“Where are you going?” Trent asks, looking confused.

“To the locker room,” Teagan murmurs. She stares at him as she continues
to back up.

“Bullshit,” Trent laughs.

Turning Teagan casually walks away from him. When she gets to the door,
she turns around. “Are you coming?”

“You are so full of shit!” Trent laughs. With a smirk, Teagan walks
through the doorway and turns to the right. Giggling to herself, she takes off
her hoodie and holds it into the doorway. She throws it to the ground. “Oh my
gosh, you took of your sweatshirt.  How daring!”

Teagan scowls. She takes in a deep breath and takes off her shirt. Nervously,
Teagan holds it in the doorway, waves it and throws it on the ground. There is
nothing but silence.  Now she knows she has him. Teagan takes off each
shoe and throws them on the pile of clothes. Then her socks come off and take
their place on the pile. Still, Trent doesn’t say anything. “What in the hell?”
She whispers ever so quietly. Leaning forward, Teagan listens and can’t hear
anything. “What is he doing?” Suddenly, a pair of pants comes flying into the
room and lands on her pile of clothes. “Holy shit,” Teagan squeals. “Trent!”
There is still no sound. “Trent! What are you doing!?”

“The question is….
what are you doing
?” She hears from right
outside the door.

“I didn’t take my pants off!” Teagan shouts in shock.

“Yeah, I know,” Trent replies. “But I did. Now what are you going to do?”

She stomps her foot and giggles, “Put your pants back on!”

“I will have to come and get them,” Trent chuckles.

Turning around Teagan says, “Fine, I’m not looking.” She covers her eyes
with her hand. After a few seconds, Teagan senses Trent behind her. “Are you
putting your pants on?” Teagan asks hotly.

“No,” Trent whispers from behind her. He brushes her hair away from her
neck and kisses her shoulder. “You said you were calling my bluff,” he breathes
out against her skin.

Everything in Teagan tightens, and desire starts to grow. She can’t even
talk. Trent slides his hand around and places it on her stomach with his
fingertips tracing along the top of her jeans. Teagan gulps and backs up into
him. Trent starts to kiss up her neck. “Trent,” she exhales.

“Mmmmmm,” he hums in reply, as he traces his other fingers down her arm.

“What are you doing?” She asks quietly.

“Calling
your
bluff,” he murmurs against her skin.

There is a moment of hesitation, and then Teagan whispers, “And if I
don’t want you to stop?”

Trent pauses and then says, “Then I don’t stop.”

Teagan’s head starts to spin. There is a deep ache in her, and she just
wants to let go.  “Trent,” she exhales.

“Yes.”

“What are we doing?”

“Getting in the shower,” Trent exhales as he unbuttons her jeans.
Teagan’s breath hitches in her throat. “Do you have a problem with that?”

She waits a few seconds and then whispers, “No.”

“Good.” He sweeps her up in his arms. Trent carries Teagan into one of
the shower stalls. He pulls the curtain shut and then sets her down.

“Are we really doing this?” Teagan squeaks.

A wicked smile passes over Trent’s face. “I’m still waiting for you to
chicken out.”

Teagan’s jaw drops, “Whatever!”

“Oh come on,” Trent whispers, as he slowly pulls down her zipper. “When
are you going to make me stop?” Her breath quickens from anticipation, and she
stares at him. Trent only smiles back, as he starts to push her jeans down. He
gets them past her butt and raises an eyebrow. “Should I stop?” Teagan barely
shrugs her shoulders. Trent’s eyes light up, and he completely pulls her pants
off. Teagan steps out of them. “Wow babe, you really are calling my bluff,
huh?” Trent laughs, as he stands back up. “How far are we taking this?”

“I don’t know,” Teagan barely breathes out.

Trent looks at her mischievously.  “All right.” He turns on the
shower, and it hits them both. Teagan gasps. “Holy crap that’s cold!” Trent
laughs.     

“Turn it off!” Teagan yells, as she backs away from the water.

“Nope,” Trent chirps, grabbing her. “It will get hot in a second.”

“Trent!”

He only laughs and holds her against him. Finally, the water does get
hot. “See….not so bad,” he murmurs.

Looking up at him, Teagan declares softly, “I have never been in a shower
with a guy before.”

“Hmmmm,” Trent hums. “There is a lot you haven’t done.” He bends down and
brushes his lips against hers. “Are you ready to give in yet because I am going
to kiss you in about a second.” Teagan stares at him. He studies her for a
moment and then bends down, placing his lips on hers. Something inside of
Teagan unfurls. She wraps her arms around his neck and pulls him tight against
her. For the first time, Trent parts her lips with his and gently grazes his
tongue against hers. Teagan moans into his mouth. He lifts her up and puts her
against the wall. Teagan wraps her legs around him tightly. They kiss each
other madly, passionately. Every wall she has built up comes crashing down. She
feels like she could get lost him in forever.

Suddenly they hear, “Trent!  Are you in the shower!?”

They quickly pull away from each other, and Teagan looks at Trent in
horror.  He puts his finger up to his lips. Teagan freezes, and Trent
yells, “Yeah! Meet you out front in a second!”

“All right man!” The voice responds.

“Trent,” Teagan whimpers. “My clothes are out there! Whoever that is will
know!”

“Shhhhh baby,” he murmurs. “It’s fine.” He turns off the shower and says,
“Stay here.” With that, Trent disappears around the corner. He comes back with
Teagan’s clothes and a towel. “Get dried off and dressed. I will distract
Kirk.”

“Who is that!?” Teagan hisses.

“One of my sparring partners,” Trent replies. “He must have seen my
truck. I will try to get him to leave. Don’t worry.”

Teagan jerkily nods. Trent bends over and kisses her forehead. Then he
walks out of the shower and disappears around the corner. Teagan listens for a
second and then hears Trent talking to someone outside the locker room. Their
voices grow fainter. She quickly dries herself off in record time. Not so gracefully,
Teagan pulls her clothes on. It’s hard with a wet bra and underwear. When she
is finally dressed, she sits down on one of the benches.

A single tear falls down her cheek. Teagan wipes it away and realizes
someone almost walked in on her. Someone almost saw. There is an instant
burning and pain in her chest. More tears start to fall. She scrambles and
feels the pockets of her hoodie. Her keys and cell phone are in them. Teagan
quickly stands up. “There has to be a back door,” she gasps in between sharp breathes.

She heads to the farthest corner of the building and finds a metal door.
Looking around, there doesn’t seem to be an alarm on it. Teagan pushes the bar,
and the door opens to the alley in back.  She steps out into the brisk air
and lets the door close behind her.

Her car is parked on the side of the building. She quickly gets into it
and pulls out of the dojo parking lot.  She turns down the opposite way on
the street from the front of the building. With painful gasps, Teagan cries all
the way back to her apartment. When she is only a few blocks away her cell
phone rings. Teagan looks at it and sees that it’s Trent. She presses end,
ignoring the call. 

When Teagan parks her car, she puts her face in her hands and cries, “Why
did I do that? We aren’t even together! What is he going to think of me now!?”

Again, her cell phone starts ringing. It’s Trent. She shakes her head and
presses ignore. Quickly, she gets out of the car and runs to her building. When
she gets into her apartment, she slams the door and locks it.