***
“Now wait a minute Tanesha,” Chris had cut in, “you should know better than anyone how much we care about you. How can you even call our friendship pretense?”
“Guys?” Tanesha heard Ty call from behind her and briskly walked past the two men.
In the Blue Room, she’d gone to her mother and told her that she had a blinding headache so was hitching a ride with a friend back to the house. She’d lied about a friend giving her a ride but had been dead serious about that headache. Her eyes felt as though they were about to pop out.
“Oh, honey. Why don’t I go with you?” Her mother had asked with eyes full of concern and something else Tanesha couldn’t fathom. “Simon can come back to pick your father and brothers after he drops us home.”
“No mum.” Tanesha had insisted. “My friend is already going that way so it’s no problem at all.” She’d given her mother a hug and then gone to her seat for her clutch. Then she’d quickly walked out.
“Tanesha?” Tristan had called, running after her.
“I don’t want to talk to you, Tristan.” Tanesha had said loudly to his hearing, not even pausing for a second. She just wanted to get as far away as possible from the White House and the man who had hurt her so much. “Actually I don’t want to see any of you.” Tristan was by then beside her.
“Where are you going?”
“Home.” She’d replied simply.
“How?”
“In a cab. How else?” Tanesha retorted.
“Let me take you.”
Tanesha stopped walking and turned to face Tristan. “Did you hear the part about not wanting to see any of you guys?” Tanesha asked. The fact that she’d been crying was not lost on Tristan.
“We adore you Tanesha and you know it,” Tristan said quietly. “We didn’t all have to befriend you. One of us could have kept an eye on you for Ty and it would have been okay. But we all heard what Dean had to say about you the first time he met you and wanted to meet you too. You are a lovely person Tanesha. And at this point, it’s not because you’re Ty’s girl. We all love you as a friend because of you. Do you understand?” Tristan took Tanesha’s trembling hand into his. “You should know by now that we don’t abandon our friends when they need us most. So you’re going to get into my car, we’re going to drive around for a bit, spoil ourselves with some junk food, and then I’ll take you home. How does that sound?” He asked, reaching up to catch the tear that had escaped Tanesha’s eye, with his thumb. “Come here.” Tristan pulled a trembling Tanesha into his arms and held her.
“I still don’t want to talk to you.” She sniffled against Tristan, causing him to laugh softly.
“Alright, I’ll try not to talk.” Tristan stepped back and took Tanesha’s hand. “Shall we?”
And for the past hour and a half, they’d been driving around, listening to soothing classical music. Tanesha felt a bit calmer than before they left the White House. She was grateful to Tristan for understanding her need for peace.
“I know I promised not to talk but I’m hungry Tanesha. KFC? McDonald’s?”
Tanesha started to laugh despite herself. “KFC.” She replied. “God, I’m famished.” She added, turning to look at Tristan. Both burst into laughter.
“KFC it is,” Tristan said, picking up his phone and quickly sending a text.
***
“What was that all about?” Ty asked Kyle and Chris as they all watched Tanesha disappear through the door.
“She’s pissed,” Kyle muttered, staring at the imprint of a hand on Ty’s cheeks.
“Tell me about it.” Ty rasped. “Fuck, I should have…”
“Hey, none of that,” Chris said sternly. “You did the right thing. She’ll come around.”
Damon and Dean joined them with concerned looks on their face… at least till they took in Ty’s obviously rattled appearance. “Well, well, well…looks like someone didn’t waste time,” Dean smirked. “I hope you didn’t cry again.”
“Fuck off, Dean,” Ty growled, making the guys burst into laughter. “I still can’t believe she told you guys I cried.” He muttered.
“Well according to her, you crying proved that you’re not all bad.” Damon chuckled. “Everything okay here?”
“Not really,” Kyle answered. “Tanesha is pissed.”
“She’ll be fine. Tristan is taking her home.” Damon informed them. “Are you okay?” He asked Ty who shrugged. “Give her time to get used to it. At least till tonight. You can try and talk to her this evening at the dinner.”
“Oh I intend to,” Ty growled. “She’s not going to leave till I’ve told her my piece.”
“Yeah. Show her you’re the man.” Chris mimicked Matt’s voice, making the five men burst into laughter.
“Have the others left?” Ty asked as they headed towards the Blue Room.
“Yep. They all had to get back to the office.” Kyle responded as they entered the Blue Room. “As do I. See you guys this evening. Congrats once again Ty.” He said, hugging Ty. “We’re all so proud of you.”
“Yeah. This mission was obviously your best yet. You got a promotion and a hot chic. Boom!” Dean flicked his fingers out, depicting an explosion. “Talk about a rewarding mission.” The guys laughed.
“She’s hot isn’t she?” Ty grinned. “Thanks, guys. I really appreciate all you’ve done for us.”
“Hey, that’s what brothers do,” Chris said hugging Ty. “See you tonight.”
And even as Ty watched his friends go, his mind was already zeroing back onto Tanesha. Damn, that was some kiss. His lips were still tingling from it. Now that he’d tasted that sexy mouth, he wanted it again…couldn’t wait to have it again. It looked like for the first time in his life, he had to grovel. Fuck! But if that was what he had to do to get his woman back, why the fuck not?