Page 66 of End It All

Quincy grinned as he shrugged off his coat, revealing a bright green button up that was open. Underneath was a soft blue shirt paired with a darker blue set of slacks. His shoes incorporated every single color he had on, even the pink from his hair. Call me crazy, but Quincy’s colorful wardrobe was actually starting to look good. Only on him. No way was I trading in my all-black aesthetic.

"I'm just surprised the place isn't nearly burned to the ground, that's all."

I huffed. "That's all, huh?"

He moved to me quickly, closing the space between us as his hand caressed my cheek. "Don't be upset, baby girl. I'm just fucking with you."

The warmth of his hand was almost comforting. After the day I'd had, I was way more in my feelings than I had everbeen before. I was softer. The rational part of me knew that I should walk away and compose myself, but I missed my mother comforting me. I craved a gentle touch that would soothe all the turmoil inside. As I leaned into him, I remembered who the fuck I was cuddling up to and yanked myself back.

"Go fuck yourself," I snapped. "Now you can starve."

I turned on my heels and walked back over to my cooking. On the stove were the steaks that were just about done. I'd also made a salad and some homemade mashed potatoes. I wasn't sure if those things went together, but my mother and I never had any rules. Whatever was in front of us, went together. It was better than starving, that was for sure.

"Ah, come on," Quincy protested as I took up my spot in front of the stove and flipped the steaks over again. I added some butter and thyme to the pan before arms wrapped around my waist. "It does smell fucking amazing. God, I could use a good meal after today."

My back stiffened. The swirl of emotions in the pit of my stomach wouldn't stop moving. I sucked in a shuddering breath before I focused on the food in front of me.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

Quincy was quiet for a minute, the sound of his breath rushing against my ear the only thing that filled the silence. Sparks danced over my skin as his hand shifted inside my shirt and up my abdomen. He laid his palm against my stomach and sighed softly. I could hear the exhaustion in his voice.

"Quincy? What’s wrong?" I asked, knowing that for once, I actually gave a bit of a shit about how someone felt.

"Nothing," he answered before he slowly peeled away from me. "When is dinner done?"

I hesitated before I glanced over my shoulder. Quincy had an odd expression on his face as he stepped back and stared at theground. I was used to the confident, crazy, asshole that I had met. However, this guy looked different.

"Quincy?"

He glanced up and the worries melted from his face before his lips cocked into a smile. "Yeah, doll?"

I stared at him, unsure of how to go forward. My day had been relatively good, but for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that his had been hell. I could also see he wasn't willing to talk about it.

"I just have to put the steaks on the cutting board to rest and then I can make our plates. Find us a movie to watch. I don't want to have to scroll forever while we argue about it."

He grinned. "It's not my fault you have shit taste in movies."

I rolled my eyes. 'Yeah, sure.I'mthe one with shit taste."

Quincy's lighthearted chuckle filled the air as he disappeared into the living room. There was definitely more about him than what met the eye, but I just couldn't put my finger on it.

As I put cups on the counter and filled them with ice, I froze. There was a letter on the floor. I picked up the paper, and stared at the red box on top. A shut off notice. But not for our place. The amount was staggering. Etta Adachi. Quincy’s last name.

Is this someone who’s related to him?

I trailed my fingers over the name and frowned. Whatever had happened there, it put Quincy on edge. Maybe he would want to talk about it later.

Once the steaks had rested, I sliced them and piled them alongside mashed potatoes and the salad that I'd made. Quincy pulled the plate to him as soon as it was handed over and slapped the couch cushion beside him. I had no idea how he'd gotten a new one so quickly, but I was grateful for it. At least we could eat in the living room and watch a movie together.

"Holy fuck!"

I jumped before I turned to stare at Quincy. He shoveled more potatoes into his mouth along with several pieces of steak. The groan that left his lips stoked a fire in me.

He likes my food.

The pride that filled my belly was a rare feeling. My mother was the only one that had ever given me that before. Okay, well once upon a time Cesare too, but it had been ages. I smiled as I stabbed a piece of steak.

"Glad you like it."