Chapter 54: Damon Reid vs. Tristan Thomas: An explosive encounter…Calm tempers!

***

Tristan threw stones into the clear blue water, the moon brightening up everything beautifully. But he couldn’t even notice the beauty around him. He was angry. Angry at Damon, angry at Chloe, and most of all, angry at himself.

He knew if Chloe hadn’t been drunk, she wouldn’t have acted as she had. But it was also obvious that the drink had made her bold to let him see just how strongly she felt about him. He was still surprised though because he had never given her reason to expect anything more from him than what they had. He had even told her more than once, that he didn’t think he was capable of falling in love.

Tristan smiled sadly. Look at him now. Irrevocably in love with a moron.

Yes, he liked Chloe. A lot. He had never treated her as dismally as he had other girls. They got along very well and had fun together whenever he was in town. Now that he knew how it felt to be in love, Tristan felt bad about Chloe. He didn’t know how he would survive if Damon didn’t love him back. Tristan knew he had surprised Damon with all that rubbish that had spewed out of his mouth during their argument. He had only wanted to hurt Damon back. He was as sure of Damon’s love for him as he was sure of his love for Damon.

“Why did you have to go and do that Chloe?” Tristan muttered.

He had to let her know his heart belonged to another, no matter how brutal it was going to sound. His heart belonged to HIM…

Damon! Now that was a name Tristan didn’t even want to mention out loud. What the fuck had he meant by respecting his decision? Had he implied at any point, that he was going to choose between him and Chloe? He was supposed to be his boyfriend, his lover, his friend…right? And what do such people do? Help their partners make a decision, help them understand issues better, help them solve problems. And what does Damon do? Leave him in a lurch with some bullshit excuse. Well, he was going to do this on his own. Damon Reid could go to hell for all he cared.

By the time Tristan got back to the chalet, it was past two a.m. and he was still fuming. Damon was already in bed. He had gotten into bed beside Damon, and for the first time since they started sharing a bed, he didn’t snuggle against Damon. He slept on his side of the bed and thought about all that had happened. What Tristan hadn’t anticipated, was just how difficult it was going to be, to sleep without Damon’s arms around him.

When Tristan felt Damon’s arms go around him, he sighed, relaxed, and immediately went to sleep.

***

Damon wheeled the food trolley into their bedroom and sat beside Tristan on the bed. Tristan stirred and stretched, opening his eyes to look at a showered and dressed Damon.

“What time is it?” Tristan asked groggily, turning to look at the clock on his bedside table. “Shit!” He exclaimed swinging his feet off the bed.

“Relax.” Damon held him back. “I spoke to the guys. Everything is running smoothly.”

“Why didn’t you wake me up, dude? It’s almost twelve noon for goodness sake. I have a job to do Damon.” Tristan groaned.

“I love it when you go all workaholic on me. It’s sexy.” Damon grinned teasingly. “Come on let’s eat lunch.”

Damon started uncovering the dishes. And not only did they look good, they also smelt good. Tristan’s mouth watered. After making a quick dash to the bathroom, Tristan came back and ate with Damon.

Throughout the meal, Tristan kept looking everywhere but at Damon. He wouldn’t meet Damon’s eye.

“Hey,” Damon said reaching out to hold Tristan’s chin, getting him to finally meet his eyes. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good.” But the look in Damon’s eyes said he didn’t think he was.

For some reason, none of them wanted to mention their argument. They both remembered all too clearly the pretty harsh words they had flung at each other and were not ready to bring it up.

“So what are you planning on doing today, before dinner with Étienne and his family?” Damon asked, wiping his lips with a napkin.

Tristan was silent for a long time, the only sound, his soft breathing. He had already finished eating. Finally, he breathed in deeply and muttered, “I have to go and see her Damon.”

“Okay,” Damon said, his voice quiet. “Relax for a while. I’ll call Étienne to pick you up when you’re ready.”

Tristan turned his head to look at Damon and was shocked at the look on Damon’s face. He looked scared shitless.

“Damon?”

“Uh-huh?”

“Do you trust me?”

“Yes,” Damon whispered without hesitating. God, he was terrified.

“Good.” Tristan stood up. “Now let’s get this over and done with. I’m going to take a shower. Please tell Étienne I’ll be ready to go in the next thirty minutes. Thanks.”

Then briefly running his fingers through Damon’s short hair, Tristan disappeared into the bathroom.

***

Vous êtes les bienvenus Monsieur Reid – You are welcome Mr. Reid

Excusez-moi – Excuse me

Continuez à faire tourner le compteur – Keep the meter running

Merci mon ami – Thanks my friend

Mon Dieu – My God

C'est quoi ce bordel – What the hell

Vous faites une grosse erreur – You are making a big mistake