Page 9 of Perfectly Wrong

FOUR

TRISTAN

Bishop frowns. “Nothing to think about. We should go back out there.”

“Kiss me again, Bishop. One more time.”

Bishop searches my eyes before using his finger in my belt loop to pull me into him.

I open my mouth to him, moaning when his tongue finds mine.

He kisses me as though he’s taking my breath for his own.

Guys my age kiss nervously, shallow fast kisses, but Bishop kisses like we have a thousand years to do it.

He kisses like he can steal my secrets with it, and I guess he can because right now I’d tell the man anything he wanted to know.

Even the secrets I share with Trinity. Even the secrets I keep from my dad.

Even the secrets I hide from him. About him.

His lips move down my neck as his hand slides under my shirt, pinching my nipples.

God, I want him so bad right now. I press against him, palming his cock through his jeans and nibbling the edge of his earlobe.

He moans moving back to my mouth and kissing me softly, sweetly sucking my bottom lip before releasing me.

“Your kisses, Bishop, so amazing.”

He cups my face, but his eyes are conflicted. “You undo me, Tristan. You bring out this hunger, a side I’m not even familiar with. You’re wild, untamed, uninhibited, and you’re bringing that out in me. Nothing about what we’re doing is right, but I can’t help myself when you’re near.”

“It is wild, isn’t it? What happens when we come together.

” I nod, gazing at the floor for a moment before meeting his eyes again.

“I wish I could tell you I’m sorry, but I can’t.

Or won’t. I can’t get enough of you, and I’m okay with that.

” I squeeze his hands in mine. “Just remember, Sunday morning I’m gone again.

You won’t see me for who knows how long. ”

Bishop nods. “I know.”

“I’ll say it again. Think about it. If you want to see me, I’ll make it happen.”

He runs his fingers through his hair. “Got it.”

I nod, before unlocking the door and slipping out of the bathroom. I find Trinity in the living room, drinking wine as she studies my dad’s DVD collection.

“Hey.”

She turns and smiles. “How did it go?”

“He said no.”

“Boo.”

“But then he kissed me like he wanted to say yes.” I grin. “And then there was the parking lot.”

She squeals quietly. “You weren’t joking. You can feel the attraction between you. It’s amazing actually. I’ve never witnessed anything like that before.”

“Now you know why I’m so fucked up over him.”

She nods. “Yeah. He’s beautiful too. Why is he being so quiet?”

“He asked if we fucked.”

“We? You and me?”

“Yeah.”

Trinity laughs. “Where the hell did he get that?”

“He thinks we’re too intimate to be friends.”

“Could you die he’s jealous?”

I nod. “It’s the best feeling. I know he’s into me.”

“Definitely. Did you tell him our deal?”

“No. I figured I’d tell him if he lets me come over. I told him to think about it, and he looked like he would.”

“Good idea. He might not understand at first.”

“He will. He’s super open-minded. Dad is too. If he wasn’t best friends with him, I think Dad would be totally cool with it.”

“But he’s worried he’ll fuck you over.”

“Yeah.” I glance over my shoulder as Bishop exits the hallway. He glances at me and Trinity, a serious look on his face, then turns to go toward the kitchen. “It’s just that he’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met. He kisses like…girl, I can’t even describe it.”

“Jealous. He’s so attractive.”

“Tell me about it.”

“So, what are you gonna do about tonight?”

“Don’t know. I hope he’ll text. After that kiss…whew.”

She pats the bulge in my jeans. “Give him time. I’m sure he’s worth the wait.”

I laugh. “I already know he is.”

“Tristan?” I look up when my dad calls me. “Come in here.”

Trinity and I enter the kitchen to see all the desserts out on the island and the cake she made in the middle with candles glowing.

I smile, glancing between my dad and Bishop standing next to him. “This is awesome. Thank you, Trinity.” I kiss her cheek as she rubs my back. “Let’s cut.”

“No,” dad says. “First blow out your candles and make a wish. You’re never too old for wishes.”

I nod, glancing at the cake and then making my wish. I wish, somehow, Bishop can be mine. Out in the open. Forever. I blow the candles as everyone claps for me. Dad starts cutting the cake as Trinity giggles.

“Real quick, just so everyone knows. Those are special brownies.”

“Special brownies?” Bishop asks with a furrowed brow.

“Special,” she says. “Laced,” she whispers.

“Ah.” He nods. “Been a long time since I’ve had brownies like that.”

“It’s a special recipe,” she continues. “I perfected it. It won’t make you crazy. Just takes the edge off a little.” She grins. “You know, if you’re stressed or anything.”

A smile pulls at his lips, bringing a smile to my face. I want him to like Trinity. We both watch as Bishop cuts into the brownies and takes a bite of one. He chews, keeping his eyes on hers, before grinning.

“Really good actually. Can’t taste anything but chocolate.”

Trinity smiles. “Thanks. I like to bake.”

Bishop turns to my dad and feeds him a bite, annoying me more than a little. I know they’re friends, but come on, he should do that to me. As if reading my mind, he steps closer to me. “Open your mouth, Tristan.”

It’s such a quiet request, I’m almost not sure I heard it, but I step closer to him, opening my mouth like I’m taking communion.

He puts a bite of brownie, the same piece he ate from, on my tongue, searching my eyes the entire time.

I chew slowly, watching his mouth, but snapping out of it when I catch my dad’s eyes. Dammit.

I turn to Trinity. “Really good, sweetie.”

“Thanks. Let’s have some cake though. I’m really proud of it.”

“What kind is it?” Bishop asks.

“Tristan’s favorite. Marble with Bavarian cream filling and a whipped marshmallow frosting.”

“Mmm, that sounds amazing.”

Trinity grins. “Thank you.”

Bishop helps my dad pass slices of it around to everyone. I take a bite, chewing as a full smile spreads across my face. “Oh my god, Trinity. This is fucking delicious.”

She nods, chewing her bite. “It came out so well.”

“It’s perfect,” Bishop says. “Maybe you can make my birthday cake too.”

“I’d love to.”

We eat quietly for a few minutes, washing it down with this gorgeous red wine Bishop brought. Trinity leans on the island in front of Bishop.

“Where do you live, Bishop?”

“Downtown near the arena.”

“Oh.” She nods. “Like in a condo?”

“A loft,” dad says. “You should see it. Sexy bachelor pad space. Perfectly matches Bishop.”

I swear to god my dad is some kind of Bishop fangirl.

Bishop chuckles. “Thanks, Rocco. I got a deal being the builder and all. I like it though. It’s close to everything I want and need.”

“But far from the suburbs,” dad adds.

“Well, I didn’t have a son to raise.”

“Do you want kids?” I elbow Trinity, rolling my eyes. “What? It’s just a question.”

Bishop smiles. “No, I don’t. I like my life like it is.”

“You don’t want to fall in love?”

My eyes immediately meet his, but he looks down at his plate of cake.

“I don’t even think about it, Trinity. I don’t want it or not want it.

I haven’t met anyone who challenged that.

I guess if it happened, I’d deal with it, but if it doesn’t happen, then I’m good.

” His eyes shift up to her, barely glancing over mine. “Do you?”

“Want to fall in love?” He nods. “Sure. I’m nineteen. I guess I still believe in love.” Trinity leans on my arm. “Like, Tristan here. He’s got almost every quality I would want in a man.”

“Except?” dad asks.

She leans in, whispering, “He likes dick.”

The four of us laugh. “A minor issue,” I say.

She nods, eating a bite of cake. “But other than that, Tristan is the perfect boyfriend. He’s passionate and kind, complimentary, romantic.

He likes to stay home more than he likes to party.

He’s read books I’ve never heard of. He’ll even watch a chick flick with me.

” She puts her arm around my shoulder and kisses my cheek.

“But I’ll have to take friendship instead. ”

My eyes meet Bishop’s, watching the interaction intently, a questioning look in his eyes. Ask me. I’ll answer anything you want.

“And you?” He finally speaks. “Do you want to fall in love, Tristan?”

“Yes.” With you. “I guess I still believe in love too. No one’s broken my heart yet.”

“I hope it stays that way,” he says, softly, with more than a little sadness in his voice.

“Me too, but…” I glance at my dad, knowing he’s paying attention, but I don’t care. “That’s just part of it, isn’t it? It’s a risk you take to love someone. If it happens, if it all falls down, you just have to remember how awesome it was while it was. It’s part of it.”

“Sometimes you never get over it,” Bishop says. “The pain stays with you like a wound that won’t heal. It prevents you from opening your heart again. I’d hate to see that happen to you.”

“So would I,” dad says, noticing the innuendo between us.

I roll my eyes. “You can’t shelter me forever, dad. I might get hurt out in the world, but I might not. Maybe when I do fall in love, it’ll be amazing and last forever. You ever think of that?”

“Of course I do, and I hope that’s what happens for you. You’re still young. You have your whole life to fall in love.”

I exhale slowly. “Stop saying that. You already had a kid at my age. You were married and buying houses and shit. I’m not too young to be in love.”

An awkward silence falls between us until my dad speaks. “I’m sorry, Tristan. You’re right. You’re old enough to make your own romantic decisions, but I’m your father. It’s my job to try and impart what little knowledge I have. It’s always been my job to protect you. It’s a hard habit to break.”

I smile. “It’s okay, dad. I just think parents forget sometimes how much they wanted to live their own lives at this age. All the freedom you wanted, we want.”

He nods. “Yeah.” He nudges Bishop’s arm. “Can you believe what a man he’s become? Just in a year being gone from home, it’s like a whole new Tristan.”

“Independence can be powerful.”

“Definitely.” Dad walks over to me and pulls me into a big bear hug, then kisses the top of my head. “I’m proud of you, Tristan.”

“Thanks, dad.”

Bishop grabs two dishes. “Let me help you clean up, Rocco.”

“Thanks, man.”

Trinity and I leave to walk out back. As I walk away, my eyes linger on Bishop. I hope he understood what I was trying to tell him. He might hurt me, but I know every minute with him is worth the risk.