Seeking Escape

26. Out of the Box

*** Joyce's POV ***

"And if that's what makes me special to you, we can't be together." I said with vicious conviction. I hated the look on his face. He knew how fragile I was in that moment, that he needed to tread lightly. And fuck me, it wasn't even his fault.

"Joyce..." He started to say, but I didn't want him to ruin it, to ruin us by answering to my insecurities. I rushed him and kissed him hard to shut him up. He met me with fervor, both of us channeling the emotions of the moment into our kiss. I wanted to forget my doubt and my anger and Quinn could sense it.

We finally backed off, breathless and a bit bruised from the whole ordeal. Quinn offered to take me home. "My mom will understand, Joyce."

"Nonsense. We have food and we're almost there." I argued. He pushed the remaining tears from my cheeks before I shooed him away and put my helmet back on. Did I feel better?  Not particularly, but I knew it was largely my self-doubt that was keeping me drowning in pity and negativity.

Once we arrived at Ruth's, I busied myself with carrying in the food and greeting her with cheery exuberance. I could feel Quinn watching me as I immersed myself in conversation. Ruth had just asked about me coming over on Saturday morning.

"I need you both days, Quinn." Ruth informed him.

"I have work on Friday, ma." He retorted.

Ruth dropped the item she was ticketing with a clatter. "Are you fucking kidding me? You're going to cheat on your girlfriend?"

My head spun to her as Quinn's dropped. I could tell he was over this conversation before it even started. "No, Mom. It's not like that."

"So you aren't going to fuck anyone for profit anymore?" She asked bluntly.

Quinn glanced at me with desperation in his eyes. I looked back to Ruth who was staring him down. "Ruth, I understand Quinn's profession. And he and I aren't...intimate yet."

Ruth looked at me with her mouth hanging open. I instantly felt her scrutiny. She sensed my embarassment and shut her mouth.

"Okay. I'm staying out of it." She picked up the item she dropped and then seemingly couldn't help herself. "Although, I know I raised you to treat women better than you are, Quinn."

"Ugh." Quinn groaned.

"Joyce deserves to be the only one receiving your attention." She continued.

"Mom, I thought you weren't getting involved?" Quinn challenged her. "Look we're figuring it out. I have expressed interest in moving out of acting, but that doesn't happen over night. One of my co-stars has been married for 12 years to someone outside of the industry and they make it work."

"Damn it, Quinn! Is that what you want? To be a part-time husband because I can assure that that route did not work so well for your father!" She yelled at him.

Quinn's face got super stoic and he pointed a finger at his mom. "Don't you dare compare me to him. Ever!"

He then turned and stormed into the house. The silence was stark suddenly. I was torn. Should I go in the house or give him space?

"Quinn is nothing like his father. I shouldn't have said that." Ruth broke the silence. "Are you really okay with him continuing in this profession if he's with you?"