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(9:06 P.M. - Harlow's bar and grill)

Trent sat on a stool in the dimly lit bar. TV screens were the only bright light in the smoke-filled room, other than the coloured-glass shades over the lights that hung from the ceiling. He twirled a Corona bottle in his hand and stared at his reflection in the glass behind the decanters and bottles. He ran a hand over his now smooth jaw and through his wild back hair. He wore a long sleeve, navy blue buttondown shirt, open at the cuffs so they flared slightly over his hands and unbuttoned down the front one button too much and tight Levi's.



Trent was completely oblivious to the women in the room staring at him, whispering behind their hands and glasses about the "gorgeous man at the bar." He shifted, pulling his right sleeve up to look at his watch, then took a swig of beer.

Aiden was late.

Suddenly, Trent heard someone slid in beside him. A beautiful woman with long, thick black hair that matched her eyes, dark tan skin, and he could already tell with the slinky backless halter and tight jeans, a volutous figure. She eyed him, then gave a sexy smile. "Hey there."

Trent looked at her, felt nothing. Suddenly, Lauren's face came to mind. "Hi." He said simply.

The woman scooted a bit closer on the stood, running her hand over his forearm. Trent didn't flinch.

She eyed him, obvious want and desire glowing in her eyes. "I'm Adriana. And you are?" She asked in a sultry voice.

Trent tried not to look annoyed. His chest was tightening with displeasure, which completely surprised him. Had this been a month ago, he would have been open to her antics completely... with his hands, eyes, and mouth. Sure, they probably would've wound up in bed and afterward, never see each other again, but things were different now.



"Trent Grey." He replied, his voice rather flat.



"Ooh, Trent. I like that." She just about purred it out, and he knew if she scooted any closer, his arm would be between her breasts. He wanted to scoot away. This Adriana girl represented his resentful past and the things he wanted most to dispose of.

"Are you here alone?" Trent looked at her with amused sarcasm in his eyes. He half expected her to lick her lips slowly, considering the look in her jet black eyes.

"Uh..." A sudden movement by the door caught Trent's attention. Another gorgeous male walked in; Aiden. Trent grinned. "Actually... I was waiting for my boyfriend." He grinned.

Adriana crooked an eyebrow, her face completely devoid of all her earlier desire, now replaced by a look of total disbelief. "Huh?"

Aiden spotted Trent and walked over. He was still wearing his navy blue police pants but he wore a tight black shirt instead of the button up. "Trent," he began as he walked over. "Hey." He said, then spotted Adriana. "Hi. Um, who are you?"

Suddenly, Trent grabbed Aiden's hand and then stood up, his back to Adriana and widened his eyes at Aiden, hoping he'd get the message. He then leaned forward and kissed Aiden, long and hard, on the mouth. Then, turning back to Adriana, whose mouth was now slightly slacked, asked, "Would you like me to buy you a drink?"

Adriana stood up. "Um, you know what, I better go. See you around."

Trent grinned at Aiden, who wiped his mouth quickly. "What the fuck was that about, man?"



They took their places at the stools, and Trent turned his head, motioning for Aiden to do the same. Aiden and Trent watched her make her way back to her friends, stand with her hands on her hips and say something to them. All at once, the group went, "Oohh!"

Trent snorted and began to laugh and Aiden chuckled. "Dude, she was hot." Aiden said, nodding at the bartender who looked at him. "Guiness."

Trent sobered. "Yeah, well, no interest on my part. That's why I called you here."

Aiden raised his eyebrows. "Huh. You ARE gay?" He emphasized, taking a sip of the Irish beer the bartender had just placed in front of him.

Trent laughed. "No, man, hell no. I, uh... I wanted to talk to you about Lauren."