Every Chapter

Chapter Four

"Look I don't want to be here, just as much as you so let's just get this over with."                     
I said as I sifted through a rack of men's shirts. I know we'd have better luck if we went to one of the new department stores further into town, but I meant what I said. I don't want to be with him any longer than I need to be.

So, we just stopped into a store on the boardwalk that is usually one of my favorites, except for in the summer when they begin gearing towards tourists. I understand why they do it, I appreciate their business strategies. But that doesn't make the amount of 'I vacationed in the OBX' shirts any less repulsive.
"It's fine, just get what you're searching for, and we can leave." He retorted.
"Oh, no. We're not looking for me. We're looking for you." I crossed my arms across my chest and planted my feet, ready to take on anything he had to say about this endeavor.

"What?" his lip recoiled.
"I'm going to the kickoff to summer bonfire Saturday, and I know there's no way of escaping you, so you need to blend in."
"You think all I have are suits?"                               I just shrugged. I know he likely has more than suits, but I also know it is unlikely by his attitude he will have anything that will fit in. I'm all for self-expression styles, but I wanted him to be a fly on the wall this weekend.
"And have you asked your father about going?"

"I'm 24. I will deal with you for safety, but I will not put my life on hold."  I turned back to the clothing rack and continued sifting through.
"Now, what are you? XL?" I asked, craning back to look at him. He let out a long breath and flexed his jaw. His arms flexed in his jacket, bulging against the already tight fabric. Too much to fit in a shirt that has no give. I walked past the rack of jean jackets, finding one to fit his arms would be way too time consuming if they even had one. 

"Have you even considered you might be in danger?"    I cut my eyes back to him, then to a new clothing rack.
"You're pretty tall, maybe a 2x."  He is tall, very tall, however I only said this because an XL would be tight and distracting on his broad shoulders and would definitely show off the muscular pecs that I am sure are hiding beneath that white dress shirt.

Or were they? Maybe for science I should make him chase me through a sprinkler till the fabrics see through.
"Unbelievable" he murmured, shaking his head in aggravation.          
I tensed, had I said that out loud?
"What?"
"Quinn, I have clothes."                                                                                            I blew out a sigh of relief and chose to ignore him and continued sifting through clothes, avoiding the tourist merch like the plague.

I don't like him, but there is no way I am going to force him to wear that. I reached a section of polo shirts and craned my head back to him. Taking in his angry expression and returning it with a tight squint.

I looked back to the rack and pushed past all of the polos. I won't force him to wear that either. I know they can be tasteful; Tanner wears them well. But I can tell just by looking at him he was not a polo type.

Not like Tanner, who dressed casually classy. His wardrobe during the summer would pretty much qualify him for any event in the OBX. Barbecue? Bonfire? Press conference about his girlfriend being attacked? Anything, he is ready.   

Not Ian though, he is probably a T-shirt and jeans kind of person, and I can respect that. I'm the same way, at least I am at home and with Rina, at events I dress up because I have to. Don't get me wrong, I love my sundresses, but sometimes going out in jeans or just my pajamas feel right. Most of the time I'm not allowed that luxury though.
"If you insist on going, despite the fact you were just attacked." Ian gritted through his teeth, clearly trying to remain employed.
"I have something to wear."                        
I turned back to him with a cocky smile on my face. I won. Not that he ever had much choice in the matter. His entire job is to just follow me wherever I go and protect me if I need it. He has no say in what I do.
"Fine."                                       This store is basically hopeless for his build anyway. Not to mention their men's section was seriously smaller than the women's. Something I detest so much, we're in an era of very fashionable men. So why do they have to buy everything online?
Not to mention I love shopping in the men's section for shirts and this section- it sucks.