better man

Lucy: HI OK I'M ORGANISING A SURPRISE PARTY FOR TREY. next saturday night at his place. 7pm. be there or don't be there.

Lucy: JUST DON'T TELL HIM OR ELSE 🔪😘

Quinn: oh shit awesome!

When the door opened, the nerves kicked in and she just stood there and looked at him. Taking a deep breath as she stepped inside his apartment, she took off her shoes and jacket. She couldn’t wait any longer, she had to tell him. “Quinn” turning around to look at him, she cleared her throat. “I have something to tell you” she added, clasping her hands together as she felt the room starting to spin. “I..I’m pregnant”

Shutting the door behind her, Quinn then looked at his sister, furrowing his eyebrows slightly when she said she had something to tell me. “O..kay?” The man replied uncertainly, sliding his hands into his pockets as he anxiously waited for her to speak up. At her admission, his eyebrows then rose. “W-what?” he asked in a surprised tone. “Is that.. are you happy?” he asked, not sure if she thought it was a good thing or not. He didn’t want to show her his feelings until he understood how Locasta felt about it.

Noah smiled. “Have you lived here for a while?” Noah asked curiously. “I’m pretty new here.” She added as she started to do her sit ups.

“You were.” She pointed out, a defeated sigh falling from her lips. “Did you see what time it is, though? There’s no point in even trying when we’re so… fucking late.” It wasn’t often that her father passed through Georgia, rarely making a point to travel a few states over with the only intention circling his daughter. He’d been on business, as usual, and had attempted to meet the girl in town, for a chance to catch up between the months of absence. Of course, these meetings were usually just two hour lectures, a reminder that her grades were more important than she realized and that she needed to buck up if she was ever going to amount to anything. I’ve seen the credit statements, Jacqueline. Wine and Spirits isn’t going to help you on your career path. Maybe it was better she didn’t see him. Spare her a morning of absolute ridicule at the hands of the only man that truly knew how to break her heart. 

Glancing over at his clock, he let out a sigh before looking back at the car. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m never the most reliable after a night of drinking.” Quinn shrugged. “Are you sure it’s too late?” he asked after a few moments of uncomfortable silence. “I can speed us over there.”

Noah shook her head with a smile as she laid down. “I’m not sure yet. Fifty? Seems like a good number.” Noah half-joked with a smile to the guy. “I’m Noah by the way.” Noah added with a shrug.

Vince sort of knew Quinn through his sister, always happy to have people stop by the shop. “Hey, Quinn. She isn’t scheduled to work today, no.” He says, leaning over to double check the week’s schedule, shaking his head. “Was there anything I could help you out with?” 

“Oh shit,” he sighed, shaking his head. “Guess that proves I should start checking before I decide to pay her a visit.” Quinn let out a small laugh, watching Vince momentarily. “Not particularly, unless you’re interested in eating this sandwich I just bought.” The man suggested, holding the meal up a little to show him. “I did buy it for Locasta, but since she’s not here, it’s all yours if you want it.”

“Please. I’m basically a pro.” Smirking, she gave a tug to their joined arms and lead them to her car, lights flashing as she hit the button on the keys she’d pulled from the pocket of her leather jacket. Sliding into the plush car, a few quick touches had Beyonce thundering from her speaker, bass shaking her side mirrors in their housings as he joined her. Almost the moment he’d closed his door she was pulling out of the parking lot with a squealing of tires and an exhilerated laugh from the brunette who set the glass top to slide back, opening nearly the entire roof above them. 

“I’ll believe that when I see it.” Quinn replied with a smirk of his own, climbing into the car on the passenger side. Not having time to put his seat belt on before the girl began driving, the man let out a laugh as well. “Damn, are we going to a street race or something?” he asked with a grin, finally clicking his belt into the buckle, looking up at the sky as the roof opened.

She hadn’t even bothered to look at the clock, taking the bright sunshine that fell past the curtains of the room as a sign that it was well past the time she had originally planned on waking up. She was certain she had set her alarms, a long string of intervals leading up to a 6 ‘o clock result. But, somehow she’d missed them all. It wasn’t unheard of, and she’d done it on more than one occasion, but that didn’t make it any less disappointing. Of all the things she could have been late for, this wasn’t supposed to be one of them. 

Running her fingers through her hair only to pull it into a ponytail, she peeked over her shoulder, his voice groggy and filled with sleep. “We’re not going anywhere.” She said softly, shoulders sagging as the words fell from her lips. She knew they were too late. And, calling the man would only lead to a string of discipline and belittling as usual, if he even bothered to pick up. Sometimes, it was easier to just leave things like this alone, where her father was concerned. 

His eyes were still closed as he sat upright, trying to focus on waking up properly to give the girl his full attention. When she spoke up again, Quinn furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her. “I thought I was your ride.” The man commented, repeating her words she had said just moments prior. Honestly, he couldn’t remember where it was he was supposed to be taking her, but he did remember agreeing to drive her.

Grin curling along her lips, Grace linked an arm through his as they headed out of the bar, her pockets already aching for the extra dollars she’d be adding to their lining. “Did you drive? I have my car in the parking lot, I swear, even if you feel like we’re gunna die, I got you.” If there was one thing Grace knew, it was how to handle a car. Driving was one of her favourite things in the world, and always had been. 

His arm linked in the girl’s, Quinn led them outside, a sigh leaving his lips as the cool air hit his skin. “Nah, I walked. You’re sure you’re not gonna get us both killed?” The man teased, a playful smirk on his lips.