Temporary Fix | 18+

33

"Are you fucking insane Quinn?" I take a sip of the vodka tonic before giving him my worst side-eye.

"First of all, calm down, please. Second, don't raise your voice at me." I twirled the small straw in my cup, watching how the ice clinked against the sides of the glass. I'd been sitting for all of five minutes before the man started bombarding me with questions.

"Calm down? We're engaged!" I narrowed my eyes at him before turning in my seat to take another calming gulp. I didn't know why, but I had a feeling that the answer to why Antony was acting weird was in the files in the folder.

"Since when is the engagement such a big deal? I have it under control."

"So you're choosing him? Over me?"

"What?" The conversation just kept getting more bizarre.

"You still haven't answered my question. I asked you weeks ago to give this a shot— is that why you couldn't answer?" He leans towards me narrowing his eyes, "Have you been fucking him the entire time?"

"Ant... what? Me not agreeing to be your girlfriend after fifteen years of friendship when the conversation was never a topic is suddenly because of him? This has nothing to do with Nico, okay?" I couldn't help how my voice raised and it's a relief that the small tavern was mostly empty. The bartender was my only concern and I could tell the poor guy was uncomfortable.

"Nico..." The way he said his name was enough to show how disgusted he was. He scoffed, "it cannot be him. Anyone else but not him." He seemed dead serious and my annoyance only grew.

"Why? Why do you even care. Things can remain the same. It won't be an issue when... when it's time." The lump in my throat stole the words that wanted to escape my mouth and I had to look away from his fiery eyes.

"I care because I love you Quinn." He reached a hand out taking mine and squeezed as he wrapped his fingers around my own. "I think I've always loved you, so I want you to give me a fair chance." I let my head drop against the bar top and wished I could just disappear.

Sadly, the main feeling I felt growing in my chest was annoyance. Annoyance at the fact he would even think I'd believe some bogus story about his newfound love. It had to be some male-complex jealousy. You don't want it until you see someone else with it type shit. Because the man sounded insane, at least to my ears.

I pulled my hand from his, standing abruptly to stare him down. "Ant, I love you and I don't want to say something I'll regret." I looked down at my watch, "it's almost midnight. We can finish this conversation tomorrow."

His anger was growing, I could see it in how his right eye twitched slightly. It was one thing he had in common with his father. I'd picked up on the small trait. He stood and stepped a bit closer and I scoffed at his attempt to intimidate me.

"I'm leaving." He stepped closer shaking his head and I had to fight every urge not to punch him in his face. "Move. Now."

"I can't protect you forever. If you're smart you'll let me take you home. To our home."

"Protect me from who exactly? Do you hear yourself Antony?" I forced myself to play dumb, to keep things normal until I at least figured out why I'd been given the lawyers card and what was on the drive. With the roll of my eyes I turned back to the counter, finishing my drink before I threw a fifty on the table. "Go home Ant."

I pushed past him slinging my bag over my shoulder as I grabbed for my phone. Niccolò still hadn't replied and I wasn't in the mood for any more excitement for the night. I wanted to go to sleep, with him.

I pulled up our chat, trying to find the best way to type that I was on my way back. I pushed the door open, shivering at the night breeze before I was back in my phone as I walked out to my car.