Our Love

Wade

"You look as handsome as ever." She smiled. The blonde hair I remembered now was more of a reddish blonde. I couldn't pinpoint exactly what she'd had done, but it was clear there had been some alterations to her face in the form of surgery. I shook my head fighting the urge to jump up and leave.

"I'm meeting someone," I mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

"Yes, I'm aware. Jonathan was gracious enough to extend an invitation to me as well." Denise smiled with her bright red lips. I shook my head in anger, I should've known that this was a setup. I was angry with myself for even giving the man the benefit of the doubt, that he would want to have a civil dinner with me.

"That's nice of him. I hope that you two will enjoy your meal. I'll be leaving now." I stood and turned to go just as my Father walked up.

"My apologies for running behind. How are you, son?" He smiled, not even acknowledging the snake sitting at our table.

"Suddenly not hungry at all and ready to leave." I spat.

"Sit; we need to do this, to get this over with." He responded coldly with a most serious look in his eyes.

"Fine, let's do this. We're ending this tonight. This is absurd." I returned to my seat as Denise smirked over at me, Father greeted her and then took his seat ordering beverages for the two of them as the waiter appeared.

"Denise, Wade, I'm glad we're finally doing this." He spoke with authority. "I've wanted a meeting with Scholts for some time now, and well, Denise here has insisted that you join in that meeting. Obviously..."

I held my hand up for him to stop. "I know the details; I don't need to go over it again. What do you want from me?" I spat toward Denise just as the waiter brought their drinks.

"A second chance. I can make this deal happen with Scholts, and all I want is another chance with you." She spoke pointedly, never taking her eyes off of me as she sipped her wine.

"That's not happening, and it's disgusting that you think that a deal like that could be made. It only shows me that you are exactly the same woman I left and thank fuck that I did. I'm not involved in my Father's business. I left that life, and I'm happy where I am. Now, we've met, you've got your answer, good luck to you both."

I stood up, glaring at them both as they watched me. Denise with a smirk across her face. My Father with anger in his eyes.

"This is absolutely the last time this will be addressed; I'm done. You're done now too, do you understand?" I attempted to make it clear to them.

"Christopher." My father scolded. "I'm not sure that you realize the importance of getting Scholts to work with our company." He attempted to explain. "This could be a make-or-break situation." He spoke through gritted teeth.

I tried to process his words as I stood there, noticing the glares from others in the restaurant. I couldn't imagine that the company was in such a financial state that they needed Scholts' commitment or they would go under.

"I suppose you're in quite the predicament. Good luck."

I stormed off and out of the restaurant, fuming in frustration at the setup I walked right into. I drove straight to the Route and decided to throw back a few beers to take the edge off. After a few rounds, I sat with some of the guys, just bullshitting when a few ladies approached. Of course, all the guys were more than welcoming, and I found myself next to an attractive blonde. She introduced herself as Hailey or Heidi, maybe, it was hard enough to hear over the loud music then adding to my slightly inebriated state. Ben showed up not long after our new friends made themselves at home and joined the group. He eyed me warily the entire time, and I couldn't quite figure out just what his deal with me was. I excused myself to the men's room, and when I came out I saw Ben and the blonde awfully cozy as he leaned into her ear.

Looks like we gave up on Quinn pretty quickly, eh?

I made it back to my seat, where said blonde quickly returned to my side. She leaned into me, whispered all sorts of wicked things that normally would turn a man into mush, and cause him to jump at the chance to take her home. All I could think about was how much fun it would be to hear Quinn saying those things and to be spending my evening with her. Blondie reached up, touching my face numerous times each time, I gently pushed her away. She was quite persistent, though, and on the last time she reached up, as I went to push her back, she leaned in, slamming her lips onto mine.

"What the fuck?" I growled, jumping up.

"What? You said you wanted to fuck me. Figured I'd get it started." She giggled.

"I said nothing to you, nothing at all. Not interested." I stormed away from yet another table and waited for a ride home. The next thing I knew, Ben was at my side, offering a lift. I rode along in silence as he weaved the winding roads to the house.

"So, I guess you and Quinn aren't a thing?" He blurted.

"What? No, I mean, we haven't been. Not yet." I mumbled.

"You and Stacy were getting pretty close there, figured if you were into Quinn, you'd be out with her instead."

"Who the hell is Stacy? Quinn is out of town for work; otherwise, maybe I would be out with her." His question and the slight accusation were really starting to piss me off.

"The blonde you were so comfortable with, that one you kissed." He sneered. I realized then what he was doing. He was trying to plant me with Stacy so that he could go for Quinn. He'd already tried and failed, I suppose assumed she and I were an item. Of course, we weren't, at least not yet, but he didn't have to know that.

"I didn't kiss her. She was all over me, and I finally had enough. I wouldn't do that to Quinn. I like her, and I just, I just wouldn't do that." My words tumbled out as he pulled into the drive.

"Whatever you say, man." He shook his head in annoyance. I made my way into the house, locking up behind me before heading straight to my bed to sleep off the drunken and angry state I had found myself in.