Marley stayed calm, though. She understood Henry’s concern, but Henry was misinformed about Trevor. The guy Trevor was in rumor might be a little concerning to any boyfriend, but Marley just needed to explain to Henry what Trevor was really like. Then, Henry would surely understand. “He’s actually a lot different than you’d think.” Marley said truthfully. “You’d be surprised, Henry. He’s a pretty cool guy. Actually, he’s very quiet, not at all wild.” Then Marley added, “I think that you two could be good friends.”
Henry seemed unappeased. He scoffed, “I doubt it. That guy’s a prick.”
Marley was persistent. “Trust me, H. He’s a good guy. Definitely not the spoiled, partying playboy you made him out to be.”
Henry seemed to only get more agitated. “He’s tricking you. Don’t be stupid enough to fall for it, Marley. I don’t want you hanging out with him anymore. He’s no good. Stay. Away.”
“You sound like my mother.” Marley replied, annoyed.
“At least your mother isn’t a fool.” Henry spat. “You should listen to me more often. I have your best interests at heart, Marl.”
“Don’t treat me like a child and don’t treat me like I have no mind of my own. I’m perfectly capable of deciding on my own who I want to keep as friends. If you don’t like Trevor, fine, but I won’t let you ruin my friendship with him.”
“I’m just trying to stop you from doing something stupid.”
“Well, how about you stop trying to save me from things that aren’t hurting me. Because right now, you’re hurting me more than Trevor ever could. Just give the guy a chance. That’s all I’m asking, Henry.” Marley got up from the couch and stormed out of the door. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with Henry any more. Most of the time, he was incredible, but sometimes, Henry was a nightmare. Maybe he was just stressed or something. Everyone had bad days. Though, that didn’t mean that Marley was going to stick around listening to Henry’s angry tirade.
“I can’t stand when Henry treats me like a child.” Marley fumed to Trevor the next day. “It’s like I don’t have a mind of my own!”
“Then, why are you still with him, Marley?” Trevor asked with an edge to his voice. He was trying to stay calm and be a good friend, but it was not an easy task. Marley always complained to Trevor about Henry and Trevor could hardly stand it! He liked Marley and hearing her talk about her relationship with Henry was arduous for Trevor.
“Because I love him. He just irritates me sometimes.”
“Because he’s a jerk.” Trevor mused.
“And Henry says the same thing about you.” Marley sniped.
“I’m sorry, Marley. I shouldn’t have said that. I was out of place, I know. It’s just that Henry doesn’t treat you like an equal. You shouldn’t have to submit to everything he wants. It’s those kind of ideals have imprisoned woman for years. I don’t want some misogynist to hold you back because he still believes that men have supremacy over women.”
Marley’s eyes softened. She couldn’t stay mad at him. Trevor had the right to his opinions. Besides, it wasn’t like he was telling her to break up with Henry. Trevor just gave advice. He didn’t expect any one to share his opinion, but he still gave it. That’s what was so great about Trevor. While Henry demanded, Trevor suggested. In the end, Trevor was supportive of Marley’s choices, though sometimes reluctantly. Trevor trusted Marley’s judgement and that meant a lot to Marley.
Marley chuckled, “What are you a feminist?”
“And you’re not?”
“I suppose I am. Being a woman, I feel obligated, but I don’t believe that women are superior that men or anything like that. But I definitely believe that women should be treated equally to men.”
“I can’t say I disagree with that.” Then, Trevor grinned cheekily. “Not in front of a woman, at least.”
Marley slapped him playfully across the arm. “I didn’t ask for your sass, Trevor.”
He smirked impishly. “Who said that I was giving you sass?” That was what it was like talking to Trevor: easy. Everything with Trevor seemed easy, but at the same time, they couldn’t be more than friends because, well, there was Henry, but also, being more than friends could complicate things. That’s what Marley told herself, anyway. Though, in the back of her mind, Marley wondered if she was being completely honest with herself. Maybe dating Trevor would complicate things, but it wouldn’t complicate things between her and Trevor. She was sure that things with him would be the same. What really scared Marley, though, was the possibility of a love triangle. Dating one guy was simple, but being stuck between two was complicated.
One Friday night in April, Marley went on a date with Henry to a bar. It wasn’t particularly romantic, but Henry had raved about the band that would be playing there that night. So, Marley had reluctantly agreed to go. Give and take was important in a relationship. Next time, they could do something that Marley wanted to do. That’s what Henry had promised, anyway. Marley assured herself that she would have a good time. Marley would have preferred going to a romantic restaurant, yeah, but she would be spending time with Henry and in the end, that’s all that really mattered.
Marley did not have fun at the bar. Henry had left Marley alone to talk to his old high school buddy. That had been twenty minutes ago. So, Marley sat by herself at the bar, annoyed. She hadn’t agreed to go on a date and be ditched. So much for spending time with Henry, she thought. Marley sat there, scrolling through her Twitter feed until a man, who looked to be around twenty-five sat next to her. Marley’s eyes were immediately drawn to his muscular build and tall frame. He gave her a sexy grin and said, “Can I get you a drink, beautiful. The name’s Thad, by the way.”
Marley knew that the man was flirting with her, but accepting his drink wouldn’t hurt. She didn’t have a fake ID. So, she couldn’t get her own drink, but she could get one from Thad and since Henry had abandoned her, she could use some alcohol. “My name’s Marley and a drink would be great, Thad. I’d love a rum and coke.”
Thad laughed, “Good choice, beautiful.”
Thad went down to the bartender to get Marley’s drink. Not long later, Thad was back by Marley’s side, giving Marley her drink. Marley grasped it in her hands thankfully, eager to take a sip. Marley felt like gulping it down in one drink, but alcohol didn’t react well with her. So, she figured that she should pace herself; it was going to be a long night. But just then, Henry appeared right beside Marley, looking angry. Just as she was about to take a sip from her drink, Henry snatched it away.
He turned to Thad. “Hey, man,” Henry seethed. His face was blotchy, streaked with red and his eyes were cold. Marley had never seen Henry so angry. Usually, Henry was all smiles, laughing and joking, but right then, he was cold and angry. “She’s nineteen. You can’t give her a drink, asshole.” Henry’s fists balled up.