My Only Virtue (lauren/you)

Chapter 35

"Hopefully everything's okay" Lauren said as she placed her hand over mine on the table

About 25 minutes and casual conversation quickly passed us by when I felt a rough tug on my wrist

"Connor?" Lauren moved her head to look up with wide eyes and a look that I've never seen before washed over her face

Connor just ignored Lauren and gripped onto my wrist tighter before telling me that I had to go with him

I obliged till we were outside so that no drama would occur in the coffee shop

As soon as we were out the door, I pulled my wrist back harshly. "What the fuck, Connor?" I yelled and looked at him with confused looks. He's never been aggressive with me before so what has gotten in to him now?

"I should've known it was her" Connor said as he shook his head and ran his hand through the front of his hair

"What are you saying?" I asked with irritation clear in my voice

Connor took a deep breath before he started talking, "I was talking to Matt and he was describing Lauren and the moment he said she has green eyes, I knew - I just knew it was her"

"Who? Lauren?" I asked still not understanding what he was trying to say

I heard the bell of the coffee shop's door ring and turned around to find Lauren walking out very slowly. She made eye contact with me and I could tell she was crying from the red in the corner of her eyes and her wet eyelashes. I was about to walk to her when I felt Connor grab my arm and pull me back

"Dude, seriously, what the fuck are you doing?" I snapped around with anger laced in my voice

"I'm protecting you from her!" Connor yelled and motioned to Lauren with his eyes

"Stop beating around the bush, just tell me what your fucking problem with Lauren is" I said as I pulled my arm away

He looked over at Lauren with clear disdain and spoke, "She's using you and I know this because she did it to me too" Connor said more calmly than I expected

I stared at him for a second before turning to Lauren who was in the same spot and had started full on crying at this point

I felt a little less angry and a bit more curious as to how and why they know each other

"What's he talking about?" I asked Lauren in a soft voice but she just kept her eyes on the ground. "Lauren?" I asked again a bit more commanding but with every ounce of care that I could muster in the moment

"Go ahead" Lauren said calmly as she inhaled sharply and walked closer to where Connor and I were standing. "Tell her" She said as she looked at Connor

I turned to face Connor as I awaited my answers

"Remember when I said that I met someone when I left town? Well that someone was Lauren.."

"So you guys dated?" I raised an eyebrow

"No" Lauren jumped in

Connor glared at her before continuing, "It was a casual relationship, we liked each other but I had just started my new job and I was busy for most of the time-"

"You were busy all of the time" Lauren interrupted with a soft voice and still focusing on the spot in the ground

"That's not the point. I just don't trust her okay? Leave it at that. I'm like your brother and I'm only trying to look out for you Y/N"

"Connor, you can't just tell me you don't trust Lauren. There has to be a reason"

He looked at me for a few seconds, probably contemplating on whether he should tell me his reasons or not. A moment after, he nodded at Lauren and spoke up, "She'll tell you, I can't go through this bullshit again. I'll wait for you in the car" Connor said and quickly turned to walk towards his car