She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. “He might have kissed me a few weeks ago. But I set him straight.”
The urge to hunt the wee prick down was real, but there was a far more worrying thought in my mind. “Has he been alone with you in your dorm room since you discovered how he feels about you?”
She threw up her arms. “So what if he has?I’mnot going to cheat, and that’s what should matter to you.”
“Aye. What about you asking me not to speak to Kiera unless you’re there? So what? Only you can be trusted not to cheat? Is that the deal?”
Her expression slackened. “No.” Taran exhaled. “Fuck, no. You’re right. I know you’re right. I’m sorry. But … Quinn, you embarrassed me in front of my friends.”
“Iembarrassed you?” I huffed in disbelief. “You, who sits there and says nothing while they make derogatory comments about people who aren’t seeking a university education? You who sits there while another bloke paws at you in front of yourboyfriend like it’s no big deal? You who accuses me of being standoffish to your horrible, judgmental, pretentious arsehole friends, having conversations with them like I’m not even here? Dragging me out to a pub to be withthemon the only weekend I’ve gotten to see you in weeks, when you get to see those idiots all the time?”
Taran gaped at me in shock. Then a snicker nearby drew her gaze and she shook her head. “Let’s not have this discussion in public.”
“Fine, but we are having this discussion.”
We returned to her dorm room in tense, ugly silence and as soon as the door shut behind us, Taran let loose. “I can’t do this, Quinn!”
Her yell wobbled with her tears.
My heart sank into my stomach. “Can’t do what?”
“This.” She sobbed, gesturing between us, tears streaming down her face. “I feel guilty all the time for having a life here in Glasgow. You always seem mad or disappointed in me, and I can’t do it.”
“I’m not.” I took a pleading step toward her. “I just want you to remember that we’re in a relationship.”
“I do. But this is a big adjustment. And I feel like we’re on such different paths right now.” Taran ran a shaky hand through her hair and shrugged unhappily. “I think … I think we should take a break.”
Fuck.
Fuck!
Her words winded me.
“Mo luaidh… stop. Okay? Just take a minute. I know I didn’t handle the Julian and pub situation very well, but that doesn’t mean we rush into breaking up.”
Taran stepped forward, hiccupping with her tears. “I need some time alone. I’m not saying it’s forever. I just need time tofigure out what I want.” She looked really young. So young. Even though I was a year older, I’d never felt that young. Not since having to step into a role of responsibility after my dad left.
Was I holding her back?
Was I pulling her down?
Was I too old in mind and set in my ways?
I wasn’t adventurous enough for her anymore. I was just an ordinary bloke who didn’t want to leave the island I grew up on, who liked working with his hands, and hoped to have his own construction company one day. I was starting classes at a community college in Oban to help me get there, and that was the extent of my ambition.
Taran talked about traveling the world and maybe doing a PhD.
For months and months, I’d been denying the fact that Taran’s avoidance of talking about settling down on the island with me after her degree meant something.
Oh aye, it meant something all right.
Taking some time or breaking up … it was the same thing.
“Right, then. I’ll go.”
“Quinn.” She sobbed my name. “Please. I just need some time?—”
“Nah. I get it.” I couldn’t look at her. if I looked at her, I would fall apart. Snatching up my backpack, I turned and left to the sound of her crying out my name.
