Upon hearing his question, the waiter promoted enthusiastically, “Our boss only provides the best. In this case, it’s the Firestone Walker Parabola, an imperial stout with intense flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate, and roasted coffee. This Parabola beer pours with black color and has a silky finish and sweet profile.”
Tobias waved him away and glanced at Skylar whose face had already gone red. She plonked her glass heavily on the table, the action causing the beer to slosh over the rim.
“Tobias Ford, you’re a jerk. You know that? It’s bad enough that you always treat me like a ragged doll, but aren’t you a man? Out of thirty days in a month, it’s like you’re in a bad mood ninety percent of the time. That’s even worse than a PMS-ing woman. But you know what? It’s fine. I understand that you don’t wanna fully commit. That’s why you string me along like that. You said you don’t wanna get married and don’t like kids. I’m fine with all that. Really. But aren’t you worried that I might kick you to the curb one day if you keep taking me for granted like that? I’ve been very patient with you, you know? But just you wait. One day, when I’ve finally had enough of this, I won’t let you walk all over me like that anymore.”
Skylar was slumped in her seat as she used the liquid courage coursing through her veins to pour out all her pent-up frustrations, forcing Tobias to listen.
Even after Tobias finished the remaining beer in Skylar’s glass, she grabbed the empty glass, placed it against his lips, and tilted her head back, unwilling to waste even a single drop.
“It seems like you’re very dissatisfied with me. What else are you dissatisfied with? Say it all out while you still can.”
By then, Skylar was already sprawled on the table. “Oh, there’s plenty more. Couples call each other sweet things like baby or darling. But you? You always force me to call you daddy in bed.”
Tobias closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath because Skylar had spoken in a loud voice, as though she was afraid the other patrons couldn’t hear her.
Opening his eyes, he denied in a flat voice, “You must’ve confused me with someone else. I’ve never made such a dirty request.”
Skylar snapped in an agitated voice, “Who said you could speak? Just shush it and listen to me. You’re mean, cold, and heartless, and I have zero sense of security being with you. It’s good to maintain a distance, you said? Well, screw that. That’s not love. Love is when you can’t stand the thought of being away from each other. How can what we’re doing be considered dating? I’m just your f*ck buddy. You don’t know sh*t about dating.”
Skylar’s voice grew more slurred toward the end.
Tobias merely listened in silence, not refuting at all.
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