Chasing The Impractical (Brian Quinn Story)

Sick - Apollonia

October 2018

Bella and I had been back in Staten Island for the past month. I still didn't hear anything from Q, but Zoe and I had slowly started talking again.

Today, I had been out in the city, doing some shopping and meeting Kate for drinks. I had agreed to let Bella go back to Bianca's for dinner and at 6pm I headed back over to collect her.

When I got to Zoe's the cars weren't on the drive and all the lights were off. "What the fuck" I groaned, trying to open the front door.

Pulling out my phone I hit dial on Zoe's name and sat down on the front porch.

"Fuck, Apps. Im sorry, I totally forgot to call you. It's been crazy" Zoe spoke quickly as soon as she picked up.

"What's going on? Is Bella with you?"

"Sal called earlier, they'd just finished one of their early shows in Jersey. Fucking Bri had a stroke on stage, he didn't know it at the time, but they've taken him to hospital. I got here about an hour ago, brought the guys some food"

"What, is he okay? Shit!"

"He's okay, the docs are running some more tests though, he's apparently not been feeling too good for a while. Bella seems to have lifted his mood though, she's in there with him now". 

I knew I was the last person he would want to see, but I had to get Bella. Zoe agreed and told me how to find them, before I ordered an uber and headed across the city.

When I arrived at the hospital, I found Joe, Sal and Zoe stood in the corridor outside Qs room. Sal wouldn't look at me as I walked up to them.

"How is he?"

"He's alright. Come on, I'll take you in. Bellas still with him" Zoe replied whilst taking hold of my hand.

"Apple" Bella beamed as I walked into the room.

I quickly smiled at her then looked over at Brian. He looked so poorly, laying in bed, his completion pale and shiny.

"Hey Bell, why don't we get a hot chocolate. Let these two catch up, huh?"

Bella let go of Brian's hand and quickly hopped off the bed before following Zoe out. Once the door was closed behind them I stepped further into the room.

"How you feeling?" I asked whilst swaying on the balls of my feet.

"Headaches pretty shit, but I'm okay".

"I should go, don't wanna make it any worse".

"Don't, just... Come here will ya" he pleaded as slowly pulled himself up in bed.

Slowly, I approached the bed, with caution you would apply to a sleeping lion, not a sick New Yorker. Sitting down on the edge of the single bed I finally looked at Q.

"Bella seemed to like play nurse" I shrugged after an awkward moments silence.

"Yeah, I've fucking missed her".

"She misses you too Brian. Forces me to watch your show every night".

Finally he smiles and leans a little further up in bed. "Sorry about that".

"You literally have not one thing to apologise for. Not any more".

"Yeah I do Apps. I fucking... I should of believed you when all that shit with Colin went down. I should of been there for you. I fucking regret that every day".

"Yeah and youbapologised for that in LA. That night on the beach, I should of accepted it, accepted you. I was a complete idiot. Then on the cruise... Sal".

Tears were slowly falling down my cheeks now. I had done everything I could to forget what happened, but I never accepted it.

"I was a complete dick to you on that ship. I've forgiven Sal, I should forgive you".

Slowly, Q reached out his hand and wiped away the tears on my cheek with his thumb.

"I just want you back in our lives. In whatever way, I just fucking miss us all together so much" I continued to cry now as Q took hold of my arm and pulled me into his chest.

"Me too Apps".