Page 48 of Whatever It Takes

“Can you please stop pacing?You’re making me dizzy,” Mackenzie said as I continued to walk in circles across my living room.

I turned and glare at her. “I think I really fucked up.”

When I received the text from Quinn telling me he was going to be late getting home, and that he was sending Mackenzie over to sit with me until he got here, I assumed it was because of work.

Imagine how stupid I felt when he told me he was meeting Bree for dinner. At her hotel! Bree, his ex-girlfriend. Bree, the one who looked like a blond Barbie doll.

I didn’t even know what to say, so I said nothing. I’ve checked my phone all night, stared at the clock, and prayed that he would actually walk through my front door tonight.

What if I pushed him too far? God, I was so stupid sometimes.

“Charlotte, you need to stop getting yourself so worked up.”

I sighed and flopped down on the couch next to her. “I just got him back after all this time. If I lose him over this, it’s my own damn fault.”

She casually sipped her wine, like she didn’t have a care in the world. “It’s been an emotional day.” She set her wineglass down and reached for my hand. “Just calm down and take a deep breath. You’ve been through more than most people could ever comprehend. Was your reaction perfect?” She paused, picked her wine back up and brought it to her mouth. “No, it wasn’t. You’re allowed to have bad days. You’re allowed to make mistakes. Quinn knows how you feel about him. I’m sure he probably just needed time to cool off. You guys will get through this.”

I prayed that what she was saying was true. I just wish he wasn’t withher.

We haven’t spoken since he left here earlier today. He was so angry with me, but more importantly, I hurt him. I was pissed at myself for letting Grant slide under my skin so easily. For making me feel weak and questioning my loyalties.

The second Quinn walked out the door, I knew I had made a mistake.

“Why don’t you call him or text him?” She gestured to my phone that was sitting on the table.

My leg was bouncing with nerves as I picked up the phone and sent him a text. Thirty minutes went by, and I still hadn’t heard from him.

Mackenzie gave me a weak smile and poured me a glass of wine. It felt like my life was unraveling right before my eyes. The situation with Grant was already stressing me out, and I hadn’t realized how much it was impacting my relationship with Quinn until now.

He wasn’t even back in my life for a hot second and I had already pushed him away. Quite possibly into the arms of another woman.

Another hour went by, maybe more. I lost count.

There was a commotion outside my front door. I thought I was prepared for this, but I was wrong. Guilt and a mixture of nervous energy formed in my gut. I paused the TV and opened the door.

I wasn’t prepared for the sight in front of me. My eyes slid from the intoxicated man who had stormed out of my house earlier to the familiar giant in the red plaid shirt, who was trying to fit them both through my doorway.

Brody had his hand hooked around Quinn’s waist, his head struck the doorjamb as they stumbled into the living room. “Watch my fucking head,” Quinn mumbled.

I rushed over to help Brody keep him steady. I placed a hand on Quinn’s back and wrapped the other around his middle.

I was thankful that Brody was on the other side, considering he was a heavy son of a bitch. There was no way I would have been able to handle him on my own.

Quinn rolled his head to the side and squinted his bloodshot eyes at me. “You don’t look happy to see me,” he slurred. “Were you expecting someone else? Like your husband maybe?”

Brody slapped him on the stomach with his free hand. “Don’t be an asshole, Quinn.”

“You’re drunk?” I asked the obvious.

He stumbled, almost sending me crashing to the floor with him. Brody’s grip was strong enough to pull us both back. “I needed to forget about our problems for a few hours. What can I say, you drove me to drink.”

I tried not to let his comment get to me, but it was hard. What hurt the most was thinking of him and Bree together. They obviously did more than just share a meal tonight. He was with her for hours doing God knows what. I could practically smell her perfume on his clothes.

There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for Quinn, but if I found out they did more than just talk tonight, I might end up sharing a cell with my estranged husband.

The three of us moved up the stairs, while I held Quinn close to my side. Mackenzie started to clean up the living room while I directed Brody to my room and helped him plop Quinn down onto my bed.

“Jesus. I haven’t seen him this trashed in a long time,” Brody grumbled as he ran his hand over his jaw. His long fingers scratched the stubble of his well-trimmed beard.

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