Page 82 of Love or Leave

Elliott nodded and pulled down his zipper. "I needsomeonestronger, too. Fran's too delicate, you know?"

Antonio kept his face neutral and told himself to say nothing. Elliott and Fran were in his past, and all he cared about was his future. With Cara.

He inspected the rash on Elliott's ass. It hadn't got worse, but it certainly wasn't getting any better. The stronger cream would definitely help.

"Okay," Antonio said, signalling that they were done and removing the gloves. "We'll try a different cream and a course of antibiotics. That should clear it up."

Elliott zipped his pants up and smiled. "Thanks," he said. "How long do you think it will take?"

Antonio shrugged. "A few days to a week."

Elliott sighed. "I was hoping it would be quicker. I don't think I can last another week under Fran."

Antonio's brows pulled together. He tried to ignore Elliott's words but couldn't any longer.

"Are you and Fran… over?"

Elliott nodded emphatically. "Oh yeah," he said. "She's horrible. I've never met someone so… Well, you know how she is."

Antonio knew he should shrug it off, walk away, ignore everything. But he didn't.

"Why are you staying with her, then?"

Elliott gave him a slimy smile. "I'm not going to break up with her yet. I'll do it after my rash clears."

"You said she's not helping you."

"Well, she does my laundry and cooks," he said. "She's not a good cook, but my ass is burning like a bitch. I can't do it on my own."

Antonio stared at him for a moment, wondering why he was acting like they were friends. And wondering why he even cared. "So you're just using her?"

Elliott shrugged again. "What choice do I have?"

Antonio opened his mouth, then closed it.

None of this was his business. He didn't want to be with Fran. What she did and who she did it with weren't even on his radar anymore.

But Elliott's face and general attitude sickened him. Why would he take advantage of her like that?

He wordlessly scribbled the prescription on his pad, ripped off the paper, and tossed it on the bed.

"You're a piece of shit," Antonio said. "Don't ask for me again."

Elliott's eyes widened in shock, but Antonio didn't stick around long enough for a response. He turned, pushed through the curtain, and walked away.

What a douche bag.

He was happy to move on from Fran. Being with Cara made him realize they’d never been a good match for each other. It was so obvious how much better suited he and Cara were.

But Fran had been his best friend growing up, and his wife for ten years. He didn't want her to be taken advantage of.

He thought back and forth for a moment, then finally decided he would at least relay the information Elliott shared. So he sent a text to Maria telling her what had happened. Maria replied, asking if he wanted her to tell Fran, and he said yes.

There. Done.

His good deed for the day.

Now he could move on, focus on his new apartment and his new girlfriend, and figure out what he was going to say to Max. It was all uphill from there.

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