The Unholy Trinity

Dinner for Eight (Zoey's POV)

“Are you punishing me?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Joey questioned.

“Is that why you’re hanging out with my ex boyfriend and setting him up? And why didn't you invite Tate and I to go out this weekend with you all? You’re punishing me for being suspicious of Marsden?”

“Believe it or not, Zoey, not everything is about you. Zander is my friend and he doesn’t want to be a fifth wheel at dinner and the Underworld.”

“Well there’s a way to remedy that.” I said.

“And that is?”

“Tate and I are a couple, let us come.”

Joey sighed. “We talked about this, Zo. I’m sorry but no one gets along with Tate. Even Cade finds him kind of insufferable. And I don’t want you two stressing my boyfriend out more than he already is.”

“What’s he stressed about?” I questioned. Maybe I can get it out of her what Marsden is up to. I mean she’s my sister, there’s only so much she’ll lie to me, right?

“Everything! His father is in prison and his mother miserable and his sister is lonely! He's under a lot of pressure to keep his family name from being slandered even more. And he doesn’t get an escape here because Tate Highmore is borderline harassing him!”

“Oh.” I whispered. The way Joey was describing it did make me feel a little bad for him. But still I know I can’t trust him. I mean otherwise what was he so worried about during Yuletide? What did he think Tate would see that he usually had hidden?

There were too many things about Marsden and Joey’s relationship that didn’t add up to me also. I mean it’s only been a few months and she’s sure she’s going to be with this guy forever? What has he said to her to make her feel like she needs him so badly? 

“Look I know you don’t like him and you think our relationship is too intense, but I love him, Zoey. More than anything. And he means the world to me. And I mean the world to him. I don’t think there's anything wrong with that.”

I sighed. “I know. And I want you to be happy, but I feel like there’s something you’re not telling me. We don’t keep things from each other, Joey, we never have.”

Joey was silent for a moment. “You and Tate can hang out with us. But Zander’s gonna be there with Charleen. I’m not gonna ditch them like that.”

“Really?” I smiled. She nodded. “You’re the best Joey! I promise Tate and I will be on our best behavior, really we will.”

“Alright, but you better be. Don’t let him ruin this trip.”

“He won’t, I swear."

--

I don’t think I liked Zander and Charleen together. I don’t know why, but they didn’t fit. Charleen is very pretty. She has dark hair and pretty eyes and a nice laugh. There’s nothing objectively wrong with her, I guess. They just don’t seem to go together. I seem to be the only one under this impression.

All us four couples sat down at a big table at The Modern Lily.

We sat in silence for a moment. “What’s everyone thinking of getting?” I asked.

“I think fish and chips.” Charleen responded. “But I mean they give you so much, I might want to share.” She glanced at Zander.

“You know I was thinking the same thing.”  Zander grinned. “Joey, wanna share with me?”

Charleen let out her perfect laugh. “Zander, you’re such a joker!” She lightly slapped his arm. 

“Share a three course with me babe?” Joey asked Marsden.

“Only if we can also get that chocolate trifle my love.” He smiled.

“We can get the chocolate trifle if I get your heart forever.”

“Done deal with or without it babe.” He kissed her. 

They are kind of cute I guess.

“Don’t you just love them together?” Charleen asked. “I never thought I’d see Marsden so smitten.”

“They really are setting the standard.” Chloey smiled. “I told Cade I want what they have.”

“Oh you guys are definitely almost there.” Charleen smiled. “You guys are the cutest!”

“You hear that love?” Cade asked. “We’re the cutest.”

“Only because you’re the cutest.” Chloey kissed him.

 “Ugh, I want a boyfriend so bad!” Charleen sighed.

“Good to know.” Zander commented. “I’ll keep that in mind.” 

“Hope you keep me in mind too.” Charleen said flirtatiously.

“Oh, believe me you’re very much on my mind.”

“I knew you two would be a good match.” Joey smiled. “You’re both hot, funny and sweet. I am officially the perfect matchmaker.”

“You didn’t set me and Chloey up.” Cade pointed out.

“Well that’s because you were the worst before dating her.”

“You were, what’s the word Chloey used?” Marsden asked. 

“Insufferable.” Chloey reminded him. 

“Sounds about right.” Zander chuckled.

“Oh shut it.”

I couldn’t help but notice how well they all got on. I was jealous. I felt almost replaced. I had to get Tate and I involved with this conversation. 

“I found Tate pretty insufferable before I started dating him.” I said. 

“I was wondering how you two got together?” Charleen asked.

A silence fell over the table. No one really knew what to say.

“Um, we got together after Yuletide,” Tate answered. “It was a little messy, but I’m glad it happened.”

“I’m sure.” Zander muttered. 

“Well, I think you guys are cute too. Really, any relationship that involves a Rosaria sister is amazing.” Charleen smiled.

Ugh why was she so nice? What did she gain from that?

“That’s nice of you to say Charleen.” I forced a smile.

I felt pretty left out of the conversation as dinner went on. How did I lose my place with my own sisters? And I hated seeing Zander being all cutesy with Charleen. They’re barely even dating, there’s no need for all the touching and giggling between them. 

Marsden and Joey whispered a lot. I could tell it bothered Tate a lot, because he wanted to know what they’re saying. They got up and walked a few feet, to whisper privately.

“Do they always have to go off and whisper?” Cade chuckled.

“Do they do that a lot?” Tate questioned.

“Oh yeah.” Chloey shrugged like it was nothing. “I assume they’re whispering dirty things to each other or something.”

“You don’t know what they talk about?” Tate asked.

“Hard to know when they’re whispering.” Zander pointed out. “I mean I think the point is we’re not supposed to know.”

“And no one finds that suspicious?”

“That a very intense and in love couple go off to whisper dirty things and sweet nothings?” Chloey questioned. “No, not really. Besides, it’s none of our business.”

“I agree.” Charleen stated. 

Who asked her?

Joey and Marsden return to the table. “Sorry about that. Just business.” Joey joked.

“What kind of business?” Tate asked. “The Vampiric Warlock kind?”

“Tate!” I scolded.

“Zoey!” Joey exclaimed. “You told me he wasn’t going to do this.”

“He’s not.” I assured her. “Right Tate?”

“I’m sorry Zoey,  but Thorton is up to something, and I want to know what!”

“You’re deluded, Highmore!” Marsden said. “You’re obsessed with me!”

“Obsessed is what Joey is with you. How’d you manage that by the way? A love potion? Must be a good batch the way she’s acting!”

“You’re insane!” Joey yelled. “A potion? Really? You’re acting like I haven’t been interested in him from the start!”

“Interested and in love aren’t the same thing. Look at how you’re acting because you think you’re in love with him! It’s ridiculous."

“You’ve got a lot of nerve talking about anyone acting ridiculous! You cheated on your girlfriend with my sister on Yuletide in my kitchen!”

“Oh is that how you two got together?” Charleen asked.

“Can you just butt out, Charleen?” I asked. “This really doesn’t concern you.”

“What is wrong with you Zoey?” Zander asked. 

“I don’t need your new girlfriend in mine and my sister’s business.”

“Are you actually upset that I’m dating someone? You must be joking.”

“I just think you moved on a little fast.” I crossed my arms.

“Not nearly as fast as you did! Zoey, you literally moved on while we were still together!” Zander exclaimed. 

“You’re always going to hold that against me, aren’t you?”

“Yes! Both you and Tate!”

“Look, Zander, really I’m sorry, but Zoey is meant to be with me.” Tate said.

Zander shook his head. “You talk all of this s**t about Marsden being a bad guy, but you’re the bad guy, Tate. You cheated and ruined two relationships and you don’t even care. What’s Marsden done lately that’s so bad?”

“He’s a Dark Vampiric Warlock!”

“Says you!” Cade interjected. “There has been no proof of that!”

“Honestly Tate, you’re being really inappropriate.” Chloey said quietly.

Tate turned to Marsden. “Lift your sleeve up.” 

“Excuse me?!” Marsden looked scandalized.

“Lift your sleeve up. Prove to me you don’t have the puncture wound.”

“You don’t have to do it.” Joey told him. “You have nothing to prove to them baby.”

“If you don’t have it, it should be no problem.” Tate shrugged.

At that moment I knew he had it. One look at Joey’s face told me everything I needed to know. She's terrified. I didn’t feel the fear, but I think it might have been what I felt the first time we had argued about Marsden. Somehow she’s keeping it down now.

“Joey, are you really dating a Dark Vampiric Warlockr?” I asked. “How could you?”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” She whispered.

“Marsden, are you going to lift up your sleeve or not?” I questioned. 

After a moment of silence he sighed. I was shocked when he rolled both of his sleeves up and there was...nothing. Just his pale arms.  Well this didn’t go the way I thought it would.

“Happy now you two?” Marsden asked. “Any other parts of my body you want to inspect?”

Tate was red with embarrassment. “No, that’s all.”

“You’re a real piece of work Highmore.” Joey started. “You think you’re right about everything and that you know everything and you don’t! You don’t know a f*****g thing about Marsden and yet here you are judging him and holding him to some school boy rivalry you two had. Grow up, Tate. There are bigger, more important things going on right now, and funnily enough they don’t involve you!”

“Yeah, what kind of things Joey?” Tate challenged. “Does it have anything to do with his little task?”

“Excuse me?” 

“You heard me. So what's the task?”

“You really want to know, Highmore?” Marsden questioned. “My task is to get the highest marks possible this year so I can get a good job after school and redeem my family name! Redwood was tutoring me and I didn’t want her to anymore because Joey is now. That’s what we do after classes. Joey helps me with homework and I teach mind spells. And we have a lot sex.”

“You didn’t have to explain yourself, babe.” Joey said, squeezing his hand.

“Clearly I did. So does that satisfy you two?”

Oh he’s good. He’s so good! No way any of that was true, but Tate and I couldn’t combat that because once again we had no proof. Marsden had just stumped us twice with his lack of puncture wound and sob story about his family. I didn’t  know why I was so convinced that he’s lying but I was. 

More than I was convinced, I was also scared. Joey was deeper in this than I could have ever imagined. Not only does she know about whatever his task is but I think she might be helping him too. 

The mind spells were true. I hadn’t been in tune with what Joey felt in awhile. I think she wanted it that way. So I never knew what she felt when she’s with him. 

“Yes I think that satisfies us.” I said quietly.

Joey ran her fingers through her hair. “I need a real drink. I’m going to the club.”

“I’ll come with, babe.” Marsden stated. “I don’t really feel comfortable here anymore.”

They stood up and Marsden helped her into her coat. “You lot are welcome to join us. Except for you two. I don’t want you near my boyfriend.”

“Joey, please, I’m sorry.” I said, though I didn’t exactly mean it. I mean I was sorry she was upset but not for accusing Marsden.

“I asked you to do one thing for me, Zoey. You couldn’t do it. You really let me down.”

Joey took Marsden’s hand and they left.

“She’s furious with me.” I sighed.

“As she should be.” Chloey said standing up. “That was completely out of order. We just wanted a nice night and you’ve gone and ruined it.”

“Chloey.”

“I’m sorry Zoey, but you are wrecking your relationship with Joey and you have no one to blame but yourself. I guess Tate too, actually. I guess we’ll see you later.”

She pulled Cade away as Zander and Charleen stood up. “You know at first I was kind of bitter about you two, but honestly, I think this worked out for the best. You two deserve each other.” Zander shook his head.

“Everyone says Joey is the mean triplet, but clearly they’ve never been around you.” Charleen looked pretty disgusted with me before Zander put his arm around her and led her away from us. 

“That didn’t go well at all.” Tate commented.

“No babe. No it didn’t.”