Love Takes Time Read Online Free Page B

hospital?”
    Quentin shrugged from the man’s touch and then waved him off.
    â€œSuit yourself,” the paramedic said, turned and left Q where he sat on the floor.
    A second later another set of footsteps strolled over to him. A large hand jutted out in front of his face. “Finished bleeding on my floor?”
    Q tried to broker a smile, but it hurt too damn much. Putting his pride aside, he slid his hand into his cousin’s and was grateful that with one firm jerk he was back onto his feet. Now all he had to do was stay on them. He didn’t look directly at Xavier, but squinting his eyes around the periphery, he saw his best friend looking around and shaking his head. Following Xavier’s lead, he took in the scene himself, or at least he tried to with eyes that were ready to swell shut. The crowds were gone and the club was apparently closed. It looked like a wrecking ball had leveled the place.
    â€œAww, man. Sorry about this.”
    â€œSorry?” Xavier snapped, his tone nearly the same decibel as a roaring lion. “Sorry doesn’t fix our crib.” He drew in a few deep breaths and seemingly regained control of himself.
    â€œHere you go, boss.” One of the female employees approached and handed him something before flashing Quentin a sympathetic smile and then sauntering off. The old Quentin would have followed up an open invitation like that. The new Quentin wanted to stay the hell away from women.
    Far away.
    â€œMan, I’ve never seen anyone get their ass handed to them like that since the Tyson-Holyfield fight,”Xavier said, wincing and handing over a handmade ice pack. Since he was Quentin’s favorite cousin, he felt free to make such a flippant remark. “I might be mistaken, but I think that brother was trying to reconstruct your face.” He chuckled, a clear sign he was getting over his anger.
    â€œVery funny,” Q mumbled, limping his way. He tilted his bruised and bloody head back and put the ice pack back on his throbbing temple. This must be what it felt like to be run over by a Mack truck.
    â€œI wasn’t trying to be funny.” Xavier stepped back. “And don’t drip blood on my shoes.” He snickered and followed his cousin over to the nearest bar. He walked around the counter and grabbed two glasses.
    Q moaned and groaned about his injuries.
    â€œYou know you could have blocked a few of those punches,” Xavier said. “Haven’t you ever heard of stick and move?”
    â€œYou’re not helping.”
    Xavier shook his head. “Seriously. What’s up with you? You haven’t been yourself for a while. We either need to talk this out or I’m going to have to ban you from coming in here.”
    â€œI’m part owner.”
    â€œI know. Awkward, huh?”
    Q snorted.
    â€œI’m waiting.”
    â€œIt’s about this…woman.”
    â€œNow why aren’t I surprised?” Xavier’s laughter exploded, shaking his entire frame.
    â€œTrust me. She’s not just any woman.” Quentin sighed, lowered the ice pack.
    Xavier winced and twisted his face as if he was viewing a crime scene. “Put that back on. And you might want to reconsider calling a doctor. That nose is going to need some serious reconstructive work.”
    Q moaned but did as his best friend suggested. The ice pack felt good against his tight, throbbing skin anyway.
    â€œWhat can I get you?” asked Xavier.
    â€œI’ll have what you’re having,” Q croaked. “But make it a double.”
    Xavier filled the second glass to the rim with good old reliable Jack Daniel’s. “I think I’ll leave the bottle out,” he said. “It looks likes you’re gonna need it.”
    Quentin agreed.
    Xavier turned away briefly to put away some glasses, but by the time he turned back, Q had already emptied his first shot glass.
    â€œWhoever this chick is, she’s done one