Trystan
CRACKING OPEN A beer, I am relieved to be home tonight. The last few months have been grueling, to say the least. Every time we get close on this case, something fucks it up. Sadly, we continue to have cases all over Savannah of girls being slipped that date rape drug, rohypnol, and then being taken advantage of. Every time we get a call about another, I am at a complete loss. This needs to end, and I will spend as much time as necessary to see that it happens. This case is personal to me.
Exhaustion has been my constant state. Work and Caleb have occupied all of my time, and that leaves me missing Camryn and desperate to see her. I have only seen glimpses of her and I am getting anxious. God, I sound like a pussy. But fuck if I care when it comes to her. Too many years have passed when she should have been here with me. Mine. As much as I love her stubborn nature normally, it is driving me crazy that I haven’t had the chance to talk to her. Really talk to her and get her to understand some things about our past. Having her so close, but still out of my reach, is sweet torture.
Avery’s voice comes out of nowhere, and I am more than a little surprised to see her.
“Did we have plans that I forgot about, Ave? Shit, I wouldn’t be surprised as my mind is certainly all over the place lately.”
“Your favorite sister comes bearing gifts,” Avery says enthusiastically, while wagging her eyebrows at me.
Her mischievous look is all I need to see to know she is up to something.
“Gifts, huh? What the fuck did I do to deserve a gift?” I ask her unsure.
“Absolutely nothing. But you’re my brother and I happen to love you. A certain brown-eyed girl you happen to love is at Maggie’s now, or very shortly, for a speed-dating event. Speed dating. I mean really. Any who, it is the perfect opportunity for you to chat with her. Convince her to listen to you. So I am taking Caleb for the night, and you are going to go and get the girl. Or at least get her to talk to you. Use that charm.”
“Jesus fuck, Avery. Speed dating. What is she thinking? I will kill any motherfucker from around here who thinks about dating her, laying a hand on her, or anything of the sort,” I snap while pulling my hair in frustration.
Laughter falls from my sister’s mouth, which only annoys me.
“Calm down, killer. It isn’t a good look for a lead detective in the Savanah PD to threaten murder. Plus, orange is really not your color, so settle down. Where is my favorite nephew, CT, anyway?”
She is one of the few people who refer to him as CT. She picked up the nickname from watching one of those damn challenge shows on MTV. Obsession with one of the players led her to call Caleb Trystan—CT—and she has been doing so since he was a baby.
“He is glued to the damn TV playing his Xbox. Fortnite or some bullshit. He only has an hour, and then we were going to watch the baseball game, eat some dinner, and hang.”
She walks away without responding, and I hear her padding down the hall, making her way to Caleb’s room. Avery has always been really close to Caleb and has taken on pseudo-motherly role for him over the years. She and my parents have helped me since day one, when I was lost and terrified, with a newborn son alone. Without them assisting and pushing me to still go after my dreams, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Grateful is an understatement. Not quite able to hear the conversation, I hear murmurs and mumbling. Pulling him away from that damn game will not be easy, but if anyone can do it, it’s her.
My thoughts drift back to the fact that Camryn is speed dating. This disturbs me something fierce. When she was across the country, I could barely stomach the idea of her with other men. But if she was happy, I was willing to sacrifice my own. In front of my face—in the same town—isn’t going to happen, however. Not a fucking chance. At least not until she hears me out, for once and for all. After our history together, I am deserving of that chance. Even if she thinks otherwise. It looks like my night of relaxing with Caleb will be turning into me heading out for the night. Honestly, I am concerned about her being at bars with the rash of sexual assaults, which have taken place all over the city the last several months. But besides that, Avery is right, this is a perfect chance to be in her face for at least fifteen minutes and convince her to give me more time.
“Avery! Caleb! What did you all decide?” I ask yelling. If Caleb really wants me to stay in with our plans, I will. But I am hoping my little sister worked her magic, and he has agreed to spend the night with her.
Feet pounding the floor, sounding like a wild horse, I know Caleb is making his way toward me. That kid doesn’t have an off switch and his energy level is truly something I envy.
“Dad, Auntie Avery is taking me to her place for the night! We are going to get pizza, have ice cream, watch baseball, and she promised to play Fortnite with me. She may have mentioned something about you and Camryn. You know I love Cam, so do what you need to do,” he says this without barely taking a second to breathe.
“Slow down, Bud.” Laughter spills from my lips. “I am glad you are excited. Go pack a bag and make sure you listen to your aunt.“
With that he takes off again. Caleb is so mature for his age; sometimes when he speaks I am in awe. I have always been very honest with my boy, and while he may not know all the details of the situation, he knows my heart belongs to Cam. He knows her well because of Avery, and even before she moved back home, he used to FaceTime with her often and is her number one fan. One thing about Cam is that she never treated Caleb differently or poorly because of our situation. On birthdays, holidays, or for big things she would always send a gift. Caleb would often talk about being on the phone with her or something she had gotten him. It really speaks to the kind of person she is.
Looking up, I see Avery standing over me with a smile.
“Go get the girl, Tryst. Make things right. I know when she hears your side of the story—she will get it. All these years wasted. So many times I have wanted to let her know what was up, but it wasn’t my place. I know you were embarrassed for a long time, but you did not do anything wrong. That woman was pure evil. The only good that came from that whole situation was my handsome nephew.”
“Thanks, Sis. I really owe you one. Do you think she will finally listen to me?” I ask worriedly.
“Make her listen to you. It’s fucking time. She’s my best friend, but damn if that girl is not as stubborn as a fucking mule. I love her, but Jesus H. Christ, she is a tough nut to crack.”
“What exactly does the H stand for, Ave? You have always added that initial, and I never quite understood why.”
“Hector, of course,” self-assuredly she exclaims.
“Fucking Hector? That is not his middle name, you idiot.” I can’t help but crack up in laughter.
“How do you know what his middle name is? I say it is Hector. Jesus H. Christ it is. Now go get ready and make me proud tonight.”
With that final statement, Caleb makes his way to the living room with all the necessary things for his night out.
“Bye, Dad. Have fun!” With a parting goodbye, he is out the door without looking back.
“I guess that is my cue to leave. Reach out if you need to, T, but I have a good feeling about tonight.”
After a shower, I contemplate my plan of attack while getting dressed. Opting for a basic V-neck tee in black, a pair of khaki shorts, and my Chucks, I am ready to. My nerves are setting in and I have no idea why. My want and need for her to hear me out is so strong. What if she won’t? Will a drink end up being thrown in my face by her? A slap? Cam doesn’t like attention, so I am thinking none of those will happen, and seeing her in public will at the very least give me a few minutes.
Maggie’s is packed when I pull up. My surprise at how many people ventured out to this first ever speed-dating event is very high. Do people really do this shit? From the number of cars in the lot, my answer is a solid yes. Unless they are here for a show, which I guess could be possible. This bar is a new hot spot in Savannah. It has recently been renovated and it was closed for about six months to get a complete update. They modernized everything. The look and feel is modern, crisp, and clean. A famous chef was added to the kitchen and the food is amazing. Adding events has been surprising at drawing the crowds. From live music, to comedy shows, sporting event themed nights, and now speed dating, the clientele has been coming out in droves.
Making my way in, I recognize a few people. Perks of my job and living in the city for my entire life, I guess. The crowd is heavy and I have no idea what I need to do. Assuming I need to register or something for speed dating, I peruse the room for a table. The need to keep my presence unknown to Cam is important. If she sees me, she may make for the exit quickly. I want her in a seat, and surprised, when I sit in front of her. My eyes search the room and I spot her and Hunter, laughing at the bar, on the other side of the room. They are focused on one another and throwing back the drinks.
Gazing around the room, I see what looks to be about thirty private tables set up. They are all in the same room but spaced out enough so each ‘speed-dating’ session will be somewhat secluded. They are far enough from the bar so people who don’t want to participate can still have a drink and enjoy themselves, without getting in the way. I find the registration table and fill out the necessary paperwork to be entered as one of the daters. This is the most awkward shit I have ever done, but Whatever it Takes is my motto. And with her, I will do just that. Whatever it takes to talk to her, make her realize what truly transpired, and that we belong together.
The DJ comes over the speakers and announces we are set to begin in a few minutes. The ground rules are laid out for all participating.
1. All women will remain seated and only the men will be swapping tables.
2. Each date will last ten minutes. Use your time wisely.
3. At the end of ten minutes, you will hear “SWAP” over the speaker. At that time, you will move to the next table in line.
4. Ladies, use the scorecard provided and makes notes about each man, and if you are interested in more time with them.
5. Men, you will also use the scorecard provided to determine if you want more time with any of the ladies.
6. If there is a mutual match, we will let you know, and from there it is up to you to arrange future plans.
7. Last, but not least, have fun. Be respectful and make your time count.
My expectations coming here were very unclear. My mission was to talk to Cam solely. What I didn’t expect were the ground rules and for this operation to be set up so thoroughly. I wouldn’t say I am impressed, but I feel better about this whole thing than I did when Avery told me about it. Going through the motions of talking to these random women is going to absolutely suck, but to get my time with her it will be worth it. Looking around, I spot Camryn at her table and do a quick calculation. I need to make it through seven tables before I get to her. She looks amazing. Her hair is wavy and frames her face. The bright blue tank top she is wearing leaves little to the imagination about what is underneath. My blood pressure rises at the thought of these random men with their eyes on her. In reality, she is not mine to claim, but she is most definitely mine. Always has been, and if I have my way, always will be. My temper will need to be kept in check for an hour before I get to her. This will be sweet torture but I am ready. Game on!