Chasing The Impractical (Brian Quinn Story)

What Now - Q

"Oh Bri, you have no idea how happy it makes me to see you two happy again" my mom gushed as I watched her prepare coffee after dinner.

"We're just friends ma. She's dating some other guy at the moment" I groaned and took a seat at the breakfast table.

"Yes hun, but he's not here right now is he. You're  like a father to Bella, no man will have that. Can't you both just work it out".

"I don't think ma".

Just as my mom sighed Apple came into the kitchen with a big smile. "Need any help Carol?" She asked as she stood next to me and leant into my side.

"No, I'm good hunny" she replied.

Without even thinking about it I wrapped my arm around her back and placed my hand on her hip. Apple didn't move away though and continued to lean up against me.

"Bri tells me you have a new boyfriend?" My mom asks

"Jesus mom" I groaned.

"It's okay, yeah I've been dating this guy called Miguel. He's back home in Venezuela for Christmas, but I've not heard from him since he left yesterday, so, you know" she shrugged as I watched her twist her perfect lips to the side and sigh.

"You need a good man. Like my Bri" she smiled whilst turning around to place two cups of coffee on the counter in front of us.

"Mom" I groaned again and quickly moved my arm from Apple.

"No, I don't deserve him" Apple winked back before grabbing my arm and wrapping it around her again.

Everything between us felt so natural, so right. But it wasn't, we weren't a couple anymore and we couldn't be, that thought began to bubble in my head as I felt become suddenly angered by the entire situation. With a deep breath in a quickly moved away and headed back into the living room to watch TV with my pops.

Later on that evening, Bella had refused to go to bed. In the end it was me who ended up getting her upstairs and finally to sleep. She was sharing a room with a few of nephews and niece's, and as soon as I closed the door I could hear giggling and laughter. Heading back down the corridor I found the room which Apple was staying in wide open. As I passed it, I went to close the door but then found Apple sat on the bed in tears.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked as I quickly walked in and closed the door behind me.

"Still fucking nothing. I am literally not even worth a text. I can see that he's arrived, posting pictures up on Instagram without a care in the world. I don't fucking get it".

As I sat down on the bed, she flopped her head on my shoulder and sniffed. "We've been dating for nearly two months. That twice as long as we lasted. I'm not expecting much, just a fucking message".

"Fuck Apps, I'm sorry. I didn't know you liked him that much, getting all upset" I sighed and wrapped my arms around her.

"I don't, sure he's sweet and good looking. But it's not that Q, fuck him if he wants to play games".

Her face was nuzzled in my chest now as I felt her warm wet tears soak through my t-shirt.

"What is it then?"

"We dated for a month, nearly over a year ago. I fucking loved... love you and I don't get it. Why is it not the same with him, why can't I have that again".

I didn't know how to answer that, but I didn't need to. "I'll tell you why Q. It's because he's not you. No one is ever going to be you and I'm never going to have what we had ever again, and it's all because I fucked everything up".

"Hey... Hey Apple look at me okay" I begged and quickly cupped her face in my hands to move.

"I love you Apps. Always have, since you fucking walked into that deli store and tried to order some lunch...  I'm never gonna stop loving you either. You didn't fuck up - we both messed up. I should of been there for you, believed you. Maybe I just found an excuse to leave because I couldn't believe I was really that happy, or maybe it's just because I'm a fucking idiot. Either way, I never stopped caring about you. If you want to move on and try and find that with someone else then fine, I promise you one day you will, but it won't change a thing for me".

Finally Apple looked up to me wide eyed, her face red and went from the tears. Without warning she quickly launched forward and smashed her lips against mine. I instantly kiss back as I wrap my arms around her even tighter and pull her into my lap. Within seconds Apple is straddling me as she weaves her hands through my hair and deepens the kiss.

Only when we were both desperate for air did we finally pull back.

"What now Apps?"