Fallacy (Apprehensive Duet Book 1) (4 page)

“Hello, dear,” my mother says, her public façade in place, pretending we actually like each other. I have no respect for my mom. It’s hard to have respect for someone who doesn’t have respect for herself. My mother and I have perfected this little act. Have to keep up appearances in this world, and heaven forbid anyone know the level of disdain I have for my parents.

“Hello, Mother. Gram, how are you?” I smile at her, effectively ending any interaction with my mother. “It’s so great seeing you out and about.”

She smiles at me, gesturing to my black polka-dotted dress while gripping my hand instead of a hug. “It’s good to be out. You get out as much as you can while you’re young. One day you’ll be my age and have to wait for someone to help you get out of the house and get stuck wearing these pantsuits instead of pretty dresses because no one wants to see these legs anymore.”

“You look fantastic. And don’t you worry, Gram, I get out plenty.” I smile back, returning her hand squeeze with one of my own.

She smirks with a devious little look in her eye. “So on any of these trips out, have you met any young men who sparked your interest?”

I chuckle. “No, not yet. I’m not interested in anything serious.” I feel the need to make sure everyone knows how I feel so they won’t be disappointed when they realize I don’t intend to settle down.

My mother chimes in. She’s always quick to find any situation where she can remind me she doesn’t approve of my opinions on marriage and children. Namely, that I don’t want either. “You’re not getting any younger, Quinn. Maybe if you didn’t work so much.”

With proving to my father our business is my primary focus, I have no time to devote to a relationship even if I wanted to. I work ten to fourteen hour days. Most men aren’t going to be okay with that. There’s the needy whining and complaining, followed by the fighting and the cheating. It’s all a crock of shit. In my experience, never trust a man. They’re just waiting for a reason to stray. I haven’t met a man yet who I’ve deemed to be trustworthy. “Oh, stop,” Gram says, smacking my mother’s hand. “Let her enjoy her youth. There’s no need for her to settle down yet, especially if she doesn’t want to. It’s her life, Marian, she only gets one of them. She should live it how she sees fit.”

I just stare in shock as Gram turns and slowly walks toward my cousin as if she didn’t just put Mom in her place. “You need to really let go of the idea of me getting married and having children. I’m not going to change my mind,” I reiterate to my mother.

“I wish you would. You’re father isn’t too happy with your choice,” she sighs.

This right here is why I don’t want to be like my mother. She never thinks for herself anymore. She doesn't ever have her own opinion on things. It’s all about my father and what he wants. I don’t want to have to hold myself back. I don’t ever want a man to affect the person I am. My mom doesn’t do a thing without thinking about my father first. She wants to be perfect for him. The perfect wife, the perfect mother, the perfect woman who is in complete control of her life. But she not. And my father’s not either. My dad only cares about himself. Does whatever he wants. The fact my mother knows this and still cares kills me. There will never be a time when I don’t stand up for myself. I won’t ever be a doormat for anyone. I won't ever let my life revolve around a man’s.

Gram gives me a wink before she has my mother lead her off to other relatives. I can’t help but think that was her way of telling me she has my back. I take the opening provided and start my farewells. I made an appearance today, so at least no one can say I didn’t try.

I say goodbye to those I believe warrant one before heading out to have the valet pull my car around. Shutting the door, I heave out a huge sigh. I don’t like feeling boxed in. In my experience, committing your life to someone else forces you into a box whether you want to be or not.

Ugh. After that, I need a strong drink. And some cock. I don’t care it's only four o’clock in the afternoon.

Driving through Hoboken, I stop off at the first of my regular bars I come across. One of the things I love about living in this little city is all the bars. Hoboken is a little over one square mile but has over fifty bars. It has one of the best night lives in northern Jersey. Having lived here since college, I’ve had plenty of time to vet all the bars and know where all the good ones are. And by good ones, I mean the ones with the best guys.

Walking through the door, I find the bar decently packed. Then I remember it’s a Sunday, and thanks to Ashley’s new man, I know football season is underway.
Perfect
. More cock to choose from.

I take a seat at the bar and notice Jimmy is working today. Jimmy is cute and fun to flirt with. I’ve never taken the man to bed, but if he ever left here, I totally would. Never fuck the bartenders. It’s a rule of mine. You know, don’t shit where you eat. I’d never be able to come back here after fucking Jimmy.

Already knowing what I’m going to order, Jimmy places my dirty martini in front of me and smiles, “How’re you doing today, Quinn?”

Groaning, I answer honestly, “I’ve had better. It’s been a rough day.”

“Looking to relieve some stress?” he laughs with a knowing look in his eye. Jimmy has seen me leave with plenty of men over the years.

“You know it,” I say raising my glass. “Looks like a younger crowd in here today.”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Aren’t the young ones always eager to please? Like they have something to prove?” he asks wiping down the bar.

“No!” I scoff. “They’re usually bumbling idiots. Whoever told you that?”

“My ex when she left me for one,” he says sheepishly.

I take a sip of my drink before touching that one. “Well, your ex is a moron. A moron for leaving you, and a moron for messing with inexperienced men.”

“Thanks, babe. Good luck finding a decent one today. Give a holler when you need another,” he winks before heading to the other end of the bar to help customers.

I spin around on my stool and survey the crowd. Most are younger guys in football jerseys.
No, thanks.
A few old burly men are occupying a corner table away from the crowd.
Negative again.
I’m about to give up when I spot a table with decent looking guys who look to be in their early thirties. I check them out for a few minutes before one of them glances up and notices me. We lock eyes for a moment before he slides his chair back and heads in my direction.

He runs a hand through his sandy brown hair before stopping next to me at the bar. “Can I buy you another drink?”

He seems like he fits the bill for today. Button-up shirt, nice jeans, and casual dress shoes. He’s got style, points for him. “Sure you can.”

I watch his brown eyes take me in as he signals for Jimmy. “Another drink for the lady, please.”

Jimmy gives me a smirk knowing after this drink I’ll be leaving with this man. “I didn’t catch your name?” my stranger says while we wait on my martini.

“It’s Quinn. And yours?” I ask, playing this little game for the time being.

“Mike,” he responds, offering me his hand.

“Live nearby, Mike?” I ask him as I shake his hand.

“Just around the corner.” Perfect.

“What do you say to getting out of here after this drink?” I ask getting right to the point.

His face lights up before answering, “Absolutely.”

I pull into a spot in front of the liquor store two blocks from my condo so I can grab a few bottles of wine before heading home. I’m in and out in less than five minutes, three bottles of chardonnay in my bag. I feel exponentially better after working out some of my frustrations on Mike’s cock. He was a good, but uninspiring lay.

I got the feeling he just got out of a relationship. In my vast knowledge of men, I find the boring ones are boring because they just ended things with someone. Most of the time people break up it’s because the sex is bad. It takes them a little while to find their groove again.

Throwing my bag and keys on the table after walking in the door, I yell out for Ashley, “Hey, bitch, you home?”

“Yup,” I hear her call out as she steps out from her room.

Walking into the kitchen, “I restocked us,” I say while holding the brown paper bag up.

“Uh oh,” she says behind me. “That bad?”

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but it also wasn’t a pleasure,” I answer as I begin uncorking the wine.

Pouring two glasses, I hand one to Ash and head into the living room as I recap my afternoon.

“Well, it doesn’t sound like it was as bad as it could’ve been. I’m shocked by Gram, though. I didn’t think she had it in her to get after your mom. I bet you were super stoked to see that happen,” she smirks, knowing how much I can’t stand my parents.

I nod while I polish off the rest of my wine.

“Want me to refill you?” I ask before getting up to head to the kitchen.

She nods her head. “I’m guessing since you left the party hours ago and are just getting home now that you stopped off somewhere to have a little fun.”

I laugh on my way to the kitchen; the woman knows me and my habits so well.

When I return, our fresh glasses in hand, I see Ash’s head buried in her phone. “Superstar?” I ask, knowing there’s only one reason Ashley’s face lights up like that.

“Yes,” she nods happily.

“More dirty sexting?” I ask. I’ve helped to create a new sexual deviant, bringing my innocent Ash out of her Puritan shell.

“No, actually,” she says, cocking her head, “He told me to invite you to hang out with us this weekend.”

“What’s going on this weekend?”

A huge smile takes over her face as she sets her phone down and starts explaining her plans. “Well, the team has a bye week, so Tanner and I decided to spend a full weekend together like a typical couple. You know, a couple whose schedule doesn’t revolve around football.” She rolls her eyes before continuing. “We’re going to a restaurant and bar on Friday and then to the festival at Jones Beach on Saturday.”

“Aww, isn’t that cute,” I say in my faux swoony voice.

“Well, then don’t come,” she snaps. She doesn’t like the fact I can’t get into the romantic couple thing she has been enjoying over the last few weeks with Tanner. I don’t have time for romantic dates and spending the weekend together.

“Why does he want me to come anyway?” I ask perplexed as to why he would want company on their first full weekend together.

A scheming smirk slides onto her face as she raises her eyebrow and says, “Alex is coming along.”

“A setup? Really? You know me better than that.” She knows damn well I’m not one to be pushed onto someone. Especially someone I’ve already fucked. But what a good fuck it was. I may just bend my rules for him.

“Who said anything about a setup?” she questions, feigning her innocence by throwing her hair over her shoulder and smiling sweetly. Yeah, because I can't see right through it.

“I’m not a moron, you know? But the man was definitely a good lay. Much better than the two-pump chumps I’ve been dealing with lately.” I laugh. I have to laugh, or it’s just pathetic. I’ve been with some real winners lately. This weekend could wind up with a good fucking for me if I play my cards right. Fuck my rules. I could totally use a good release, especially after boring Mike.