I know that you're hiding something from me

'Cause I used to be the one who was lying (lying)

Oh (oh), is there someone else or not?

I don't deserve someone loyal to me

• Is There Someone Else? By The Weeknd

Quin clicked his tongue after Theo ended his call. He tried calling back, but Theo did not answer. 

He grew more annoyed when he remembered hearing another voice over the phone before Theo ended his call. After his fourth call ended with the call tone, Quin clenched his phone tighter as he switched to texting. 

Quin: Are you going to keep ignoring me? 

Quin counted the minutes before he saw that Theo had read his message and started writing back. 

Theo: Stop acting like we are together; last time I checked, we are not together, and I do not have to answer you every second. 

Quin: You are the one who hung up after someone stopped you. Where are you? 

Theo: On a date. Worry about your boyfriend instead of bothering me. 

Quin continued to ignore every hit Theo took about his relationship: That quick and with whom? 

Theo: Are you ignoring my words and going to continue to bother me? 

Quin: With whom? 

Theo: If I give you a name, would you stop blowing up my phone? 

Quin: Yes. 

Theo: His name is Jon. Now back off so I can enjoy my date. 

Jon? Quin thought with a raised eyebrow. He knew a Jon, which was one of Nine's best friends. The man was like a player who was quick to date someone he found cute. So, it could be Nine's friend or someone with the same name. 

His fingers were ready to type, 'can I have a picture of him,' but he paused, clicking his tongue as he exited the chat. He already said he would stop bothering Theo; Quin did not want Theo to block his number like he did a year back when he kept bothering him. 

The front door opened as Nine walked in, closing the door behind him. He took his shoes off, getting ready to go to the bedroom for a shower when he noticed Quin sitting on the couch. 

He silently jumped, grabbing his chest, "You scared me; when did you get home?" 

Nine wanted to take out his phone to check the time and see if he had come home too late, but his cell phone kept vibrating since he left school. He knew who was on the other end and did not want to answer. But, the persistent messaging is a second away from breaking him. 

Quin glanced up before returning his attention to his phone, "Where were you? It is eleven." 

"Ah," Nine carefully and nervously scratched his neck, ensuring that the marks on his throat did not show, "I was out with Jon; he wanted someone to hang with." 

Quin paused, his brows scrunching as he murmured, "It seems like everyone is hanging out with a Jon."

"Huh?" Nine questioned, not hearing Quin clearly since he spoke lowly. 

Instead of repeating his words, Quin threw his phone down on the couch before standing up and making his way to the kitchen. He passed Nine, not once uttering a word to him. 

Nine followed Quin's movements with his eyes, "Quin?" He questioned once more, trying to get Quin's attention. 

Quin continued to stay silent, bending down to reach the bottom cabinet as he pulled out whiskey. Once he stood back up, he did not grab a cup; Quin opened the bottle and drank straight from it. 

Nine's eyes widened as he rushed over, grabbing the bottle from Quin, "What the hell are you doing?" He never minded Quin drinking alcohol; who doesn't drink? But, he never approves of Quin drinking hard liquor or straight from the bottle. 

It brought back the early years of their relationship when he had terrible memories of Quin getting drunk. He helped Quin control himself back then and started allowing hard liquor back into their place three years ago when he knew Quin wouldn't fall back into his old habit. 

And here he was, doing the exact thing that caused them problems long ago. 

Quin allowed Nine to pull the bottle away as he laughed, rubbing his face. "I am not having a good day, so I thought I should take the edge off." It started with Theo trying to put his attention on someone else, to Nine lying to him. And Nine could be telling the truth, but isn't it too coincidental of Nine and Theo to hang with a Jon around the same time, especially when Theo did not mention being near Nine? 

He is many things, but stupid is not one of them. 

Nine closed the bottle and set it on the kitchen island, "You do not need to drink to get the edge off. I thought we talked about this, Quin. Do I need to get rid of the alcohol in this house?" 

Quin finally looked closely at Nine, noticing that his clothes looked more wrinkled than this morning. He grabbed Nine's hand, pulling him close. Nine stopped them from getting closer, resting his hand on Quin's chest. 

"What's wrong with you?" Nine asked, almost getting annoyed but concerned with how Quin was acting. Did the alcohol already get to his head? 

Instead of answering, like he has been doing since Nine came home, he leaned down for a kiss. Nine avoided the kiss, causing Quin's lips to fall on his cheek. 

"My breath doesn't smell good. Let me brush my teeth first." Nine excused. Quite honestly, he didn't feel right kissing Quin after what he just did before coming home. It made it feel like he didn't care that he was cheating. And he did care. 

Nine knew what he was doing was wrong, so he wanted to set some boundaries. 

After Nine turned his neck, Quin noticed two things: Nine had someone's else cologne over him, and he had a light red mark on his throat. 

Pulling back, Quin let Nine go and took two steps away before walking past him without glancing toward him. "I am sleeping on the couch tonight." 

Nine frowned, not understanding what was going on with Quin. His mood seems all over the place, and he won't tell Nine anything; he practically ignores him. Nine turned around, reaching for Quin's hand, but Quin quickly moved his away. 

"Quin?" Nine called, staring at his ignored hand in the air. Nine began to wonder if he did something wrong by coming home late without telling Quin. Is it my fault? He thought. 

And he was half right; Quin's mood did involve him, but it also involved Theo too. Only Nine did not know any of that. 

He made his way toward Quin, who returned to the couch. Nine held a confused expression, "Are you mad at me for returning late without saying anything? I am sorry; I won't do it again." 

Quin snorted while grabbing the remote, "You are just like me; you will do it again." 

Nine wanted to raise his hands in frustration! I don't know what he means!

But before Nine could spill his thoughts, Quin cut him off, and so did the sound of the TV turning on. "I am not in the mood to continue talking. Good night." 

Nine stared at him with one eyebrow raised to the max, practically in disbelief. He couldn't understand Quin. After seven years, he was lost in translation of their conversation. 

Do we really not know each other at all? Lee can tell what's wrong with Cassy at a single glance, but I cannot with Quin. We've been dating at the same timeline as them! 

He clicked his tongue, walking away without saying a single word. If Quin doesn't feel like talking, then Nine won't say anything to him. 

Maybe tomorrow would be a better day.