Quinn and I spend the next morning packing, getting ready for the drive home and once we’re done, she heads into the bathroom for a quick shower. I scan the room, checking that we’re not forgetting anything, and I happen to glance down at my left hand where my gold wedding band still sits on my finger.
I move to sit on the edge of the bed, staring down at it, twirling it around my finger. I know I should take it off, it feels like the right time to take the leap and begin the next chapter of my life... without her.
As much as my future with Quinn excites me, there’s still that little twinge of pain in my heart about letting Grace go.
I’m so deep in my thoughts, that I don’t head the bathroom door open until Quinn speaks. “Are you okay?” she asks, padding over to me dressed in just a white fluffy towel, her hair dripping wet and perching herself beside me. Her eyes fall to my hand where I’m still fiddling with my ring.
“I think it’s time I take this off.”
She inhales sharply, covering my hand with hers. “Don’t feel like you have to rush into it if you’re not ready.”
I meet her eyes and smile. Her patience and understanding is one of the reasons I love this girl so damn much. Not once since we’ve been together has she mentioned the fact that I still wear my wedding ring to another woman. I’m not stupid enough to believe that she hasn’t noticed it, because she’d have to be completely blind, but she hasn’t put any pressure on me whatsoever, she’s simply waited until I was ready.
And that time is now.
“I am ready. It’s just... strange, I guess. I’ve not once taken this ring off in seven years, it’s going to be very weird.”
“As long as you’re sure.”
“I am. Quinn, you’re everything to me and I want to give all of myself to you, and I can’t do that while I’m still wearing this ring.” I take a deep breath and slowly slide my ring down my finger.
My hand feels naked the second I pull my ring free, but in a strange way, my heart feels somewhat lighter, like a weight has lifted. I hold it in the palm of my hand and clutch it tightly, saying a silent goodbye to that part of my life, to my first love.
Quinn laces her fingers in mine and rests her head on my shoulder and I turn my head to kiss the top of hers.
Today is the first day of a new chapter in my life, with Quinn.
“Hey man, how was your weekend?” Logan asks when I enter the living room, placing my bag down on the ground. He’s sprawled out across the couch reading a newspaper, which he puts aside as I approach.
“It was incredible.” I beam, not managing to contain my smile. Thinking back over the last couple of days spreads warmth through my body. I can’t remember a time when I was this happy.
“How’s Quinn?”
“She’s great, she loved it there. Being able to be with her and not care about who sees us together was... incredible.”
“I’m glad man. And seeing as you’re not going to ask me howmyweekend went, I’m gonna go ahead and tell you anyway. Mel came over, and brought Jen along.Howthefuckdid it take me so long to have a threesome?”
“A threesome? Are you serious?”
“Yep. Those girls weremind-blowing. Fuck, all I’m gonna say is, three is definitelynota crowd. God, last night was like something out of every fantasy I’ve ever had. I swear they were sent from heaven, but after what we did, the three of us are going straight to hell.”
“Fucking hell,” I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m going to go unpack, I’ll be back in a minute.”
“Sure, man,” Logan says, lifting his newspaper and picking up from here he left it.
I’ve just about finished unpacking when Logan shouts my name from downstairs. When I walk back into the living room, he beckons me over to him. “Dwight, come here.” When I reach him, I come to stand behind him where he’s at on the couch. “Isn’t that the guy from the strip club, the one who hurt Quinn?”
I take the newspaper off him to inspect it closer.
Fuck me.
Itishim.
The photograph is of him and two others, standing tall and proud as they smile for the camera.
I see red. Rage burning my veins.
Flashes of the last time I saw him penetrate my brain, the thought of his hands on Quinn, forcing himself on her has my blood boiling. I wish I’d killed him when I had the chance. My eyes move down the page to read the article underneath.
