‘Yes, but that was before he was my boyfriend.’
Boyfriend?
BOYFRIEND.
A choir of angels sang, a halo illuminated his skin, world peace had been achieved.
‘Boyfriend?’
Noah looked worried, like maybe he misread their kiss earlier.
‘Boyfriend.’ Quinn smiled, and he held out his hand to Hermione.
She played along, looking at Noah. ‘You know, I prefer him to the last one.’
There would be a time to find out what Matty had been like to Noah, but now wasnotthat time.
The drag queens took over the pub, much to the chagrin of the local men that had never seen a drag queen in their life, yet softened when they found their humour to be the same. More drinks flowed, food was served, and everything would be okay. The joy, the pure elation, was enough to keep Quinn going. He stayed at Noah’s side, feeling like leaving him would mean losing him again. As the evening went by, everything seemed to be how it should be: perfect and harmonious.
That was until the door opened, letting in a draft of billowing cold air.
Harold stood at the door, his small eyes finding Quinn’s. ‘I’ve come to collect the keys.’
ChapterForty-Two
‘You can’t take the keys.’
‘Yes, I can.’
‘Really, Harold, after all of this?’
‘Definitely.’
Harold may as well have taken a book and ripped it to pieces. The crowd fell silent, their eyes on him.
‘Shame on you.’
‘Boo!’
The people heckled, and Quinn could have let it happen, could have watched Harold suffer.
Instead, he raised his hands, silencing the crowd. ‘You’re not letting me keep it?’
‘No, absolutely not,’ Harold said. ‘I think the eviction notices should have made that very clear, Quinn. It’s just…’
He couldn’t hear it. Not again.
‘Just business, yeah.’ Quinn took the keys out of his pocket. Worn with chipped black paint and well used. It was a heavy key, one that took a bit of a push to lock into place and twist. It had a green bow attached to it, to help him differentiate it from the others, not that it needed help to stand out.
He didn’t realise how sentimental he got over something so small. The first time holding the key had been a life-changing moment for him. His own shop. His future. His happy place.
Now, with one motion, it was in the hand of another, and it would never be his again.
‘You won, Harold.’
Harold put the key into his pocket, clearing his throat. ‘Yes, well. I hope this doesn’t have to come between us.’
He held out a hand, and Quinn, dumbfounded, shook it. He didn’t know why. In moments like that, he couldn’t think straight. It was a cold, tense shake, and then Harold left to boos from those behind Quinn.
