Quinn

 

“I have no idea what to get Channing for his birthday,” Ash says as we eat our lunch in the breakroom at the salon. The twins’ birthday is Friday, and we’ve all made plans to celebrate at the pool hall that Ash, Harper, and I had visited a few weeks back.

I dip my spoon into my yogurt and shake my head. “The four of us have never done the gift thing. Actions have always, and will be, more important than presents. I wouldn’t suggest buying him anything, and instead, make Friday the best day he’s had in a long time.”

Her eyebrows draw together. “Really?” she asks a bit doubtfully.

I smile. “Yep. It’s completely up to you, though. If you’d feel better getting him something, then do what you feel is right. If you’re still not sure what to get him, you could always do something special for him,” I suggest.

Ash turns thoughtful as she takes a bite of her sandwich, and I can practically see the wheels turning inside her head. She reaches for her water. “How are you doing?” she asks, switching the topic.

I look at her questioningly as I finish off my yogurt.

“With the Slade situation,” she clarifies.

I shrug. “I can handle it.”

She studies me.

“It’s aggravating as hell,” I add. “Colt insisted on checking my car this morning before he’d allow me to go anywhere near it.” As annoying as that was, it was more frustrating watching him act as if we hadn’t had sex. Not that I’d expected him to act any other way, but it’s still disappointing.

“After what happened to Harper, can you blame him? Channing’s concerned about you.”

I roll my eyes. “Channing’s always worrying over me.”

“And you’re lucky to have him, Quinn. Some people never had that growing up,” she gently reminds.

“You’re right,” I quietly agree. Ash had grown up an only child, and her parents had been superficial assholes with only one goal in mind—making their bank accounts bigger.

“They love you, so try to accept their acts of concern with a little patience. I don’t want anything to happen to you, but if God forbid it did, those that love you need to know that they did everything they could to help you.” Her forehead wrinkles. “Totally morbid, I know, but remember how Gabe beat himself up for not being around that morning when Harper was grabbed?”

I fall silent. Even now, weeks after it happened, I’ll catch Gabe staring at Harper’s cast, and I’ll see the self-condemnation in his gaze. I slowly nod. “I get what you’re saying, and I’ll keep your advice in mind.”

Ash smiles. “Good. Did you know that Gabe’s beginning to look at houses?”

“Get out. Really?” I’m so happy for Harper, and I’m beginning to think the sooner they move out, the better. I don’t want her near this mess with Slade. Now, I’m anxious for her to leave. I want nothing but the best for her, and right now, that’s not me.

“Gabe had his laptop out last night and was looking at houses,” Ash informs me.

“Good, they deserve a new beginning.”

“I agree.”

Our break is about over, and we clear off the table and go back to our jobs.

“I thought I’d make sure you get home okay.”

I scowl, but then I remind myself of Ash’s advice. “Did Colt put you up to this?” I ask, struggling to put aside my annoyance.

“No, Harper did.”

I blink. “Harper?”

He nods, his eyes serious. “You can never be too careful.”

“But it’s daylight, and I’m in public,” I say, waving a hand at the building behind us and the parking lot.

“Not really,” he counters. “This parking lot is for employees only, and it’s behind the building. Something could go down back here and no one from the street would know.” His eyes flicker back to the building. “That, and there are no windows facing the lot.”

I rub my temple. “Gabe… Ugh, never mind. Let’s just go.” It’s impossible to argue with his logic.

The entire drive home, I am conscious of Gabe following me in his own car. Once we arrive at the house, he wanders off, and I head to the kitchen for a snack. I’m not hungry enough for a full meal, so I grab a bag of chips and take it to my room.

I’ve just finished changing when someone knocks on my door. My heart leaps in my chest, hoping that it’s Colt. “Come in.”

Harper opens the door and comes in, closing it behind her. “Are you mad at me?” she asks, eyeing me.

I plop down on my bed, shoving a hand into the bag for a handful of chips. Harper sits down beside me, and when she tries to slip her good hand into the bag, I playfully jerk it out of reach. “Nuh-uh. No rewards for your underhandedness.”

She laughs under her breath. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry, but I love you and I want you to stay safe. Now may I have a chip?”

I hold the bag closer to her so that she can take a handful. “Someone told me today that I’m blessed to have you all breathing down my neck,” I say dryly.

Harper finishes the chip she’d just popped into her mouth. “You are. Please tell me this isn’t your dinner.”

“It’s not.” I inspect my nails on my left hand. “I need to have my nails redone, so I think maybe I’ll do that and then grab something to eat while I’m out.”

“I could use a manicure. Want a tag along?” she muses.

I glance at the tips of her fingers that are peeking out of her cast. Her nails are looking pretty rough. I’m also certain she could care less how her nails look, she just doesn’t want me to go out alone. I don’t mind the company, so I smile. “Sure.” I give her a look. “Does that mean Gabe has to come with?”

“Oh,” she murmurs, obviously not considering that Gabe might insist on coming too.

“We’ll be in public. Nothing’s going to happen,” I point out.

“Just leave him to me,” she decides.

I arch an eyebrow. That was easy considering she’d sent him to the salon to follow me home.

She notes my look. “I owe you. I know how it feels to have people hovering, and it’s frustrating. I’m glad he made sure you made it home safely, but I think we can handle the nail salon and a restaurant on our own. Though it would go over a lot better with Gabe if we promise to be home before dark,” she lightly suggests.

“I can agree to that. Let’s go before Colt gets home,” I say, standing. “If anyone’s going to want me to stay put in the house, it’ll be him.”

We leave my room and go in search for Gabe. He’s out by the pool, using the net to clean the bugs and leaves from the water. When he looks up and spies us walking towards him, the net stills as his eyes narrow on us. “You both look like you have trouble on your minds.”

“We’re going to get our nails done and grab a bite to eat.” Gabe’s already beginning to frown, and Harper adds, “We’ll be home before dark.”

“I don’t mind coming with, I can always hit up one of the other stores while you girls are doing your thing,” he offers.

“That defeats the purpose of coming with. If you join us, you join us at the salon and get a pedi,” she informs, giving him a stern look.

“A what?” he asks, his expression confused.

“Pedicure. That’s when they do your toes,” Harper explains with a straight face.

I’m enjoying this, and I struggle to contain a snicker when Gabe looks at Harper with abject horror.

“Pedi, or you’re staying home,” Harper warns in an uncompromising tone.

Gabe’s eyes slide to me, and he doesn’t look happy.

“If I thought we’d be in any sort of danger, I wouldn’t go out or take her with. I can’t put my life entirely on hold, and it’s not fair of you to ask me to,” I say lightly.

He sighs. “You’ll be back before dark?”

“I promise,” I assure.

“Fine, just stick together.”

We agree, and then Harper and I leave the house and climb into my car. “I feel like a teenager asking for permission to go out for the evening,” I grumble as I back into the street and drive away from the house.

Harper gazes at me with compassion. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

“Me too.”

“There isn’t much that can be done at this point.”

“You’d think there’d be something,” she says.

I shrug and slow for a stop sign.

“The possibility is there, Quinn.”

“It is,” I agree. “But do I think it’s likely? At this point, no.” I glance at her briefly. “Looking in from the outside, I get how bad it looks. The thing is, I know more about Slade than you guys do, and I’m familiar with his twisted ways.”

She shivers. “He sounds creepy.”

I grimace and flip on the blinker so I can switch lanes. “Looking back now, I would have to agree.”

We both fall silent, and when I pull into the plaza, I have a tough time finding a parking space until I spy a car backing out. Once we’re in the nail salon, we’re separated as we’re led to separate cubicles.

Afterwards, we drop by a restaurant, and while Harper orders a salad, I order a grilled cheese sandwich.

Harper sips her water. “We haven’t talked about Colt in a while. How are things going?”

I’m relieved that she’s the one to bring him up, so I feel better about confiding in her. I would like to keep some of my interactions with Colt private, but I could use someone to talk to. “I’m taking your advice.”

“You are?” she asks, looking pleased.

“Yes, and he’s being extremely difficult,” I say sourly.

“So you’re not getting anywhere?” she asks with disappointment.

I reach for my soda and arch an eyebrow. “Does sex count?”

Her eyes widen. “You had sex with Colt?”

I nod, taking a sip of the soda before setting it aside. “Yesterday.”

“I thought you weren’t getting anywhere.”

“He’s still pushing me away, and he told me we can’t have sex again.” I look at her with amusement. “He can’t close the door on what we have, so I plan on seducing him every chance I get.”

She looks impressed. “You must be doing something right, because I didn’t expect you to get him into bed quite so fast. I mean, I knew it would happen sooner or later with as stubborn as you are, and look at you, you’re gorgeous.” She leans in, her eyes mischievous. “How was it?”

“Mind-blowing, and that’s all you’re getting out of me,” I say lightly.

Harper’s expression sobers. “He’ll come around, Quinn.”

“I hope so, because I’m in deep, Harper.” I decide it’s time to switch the topic. “I hear Gabe’s been looking at houses on his computer.”

Once we’re inside, Harper goes to find Gabe, and I head for my room, leaving the door open as I sit on the bed and begin taking off my high-heeled booties. I’m already bored and contemplating going to bed early. Colt needs a break from me, so I have no intention of tracking him down. Usually, I relieve my boredom by going out, but I know that’s a bad idea—mostly because everyone in the house will give me a hard time.

I hear movement in the doorway, and I look up to see Colt standing there, a frown tugging on his lips.

I release a sigh. “I don’t want to hear it. I didn’t go out alone, and I came home before dark,” I tell him before he can lecture me.

He regards me silently, and I watch as his usual mask of indifference slides into place.

“What?” I ask, disappointed that this conversation isn’t going to lead anywhere.

“Just checking on you,” he says after a long pause.

I stand and look at him with amusement, thinking it might be wise to lighten the mood. “No, you came to yell at me.”

“A little,” he agrees.

“It was worth it. Look at these beauties,” I say, flashing my newly painted gold fingernails.

He just shakes his head and turns, walking away and disappearing from sight.

I release as slow breath, wishing he would have stayed longer, but I can’t complain. At least he’s not avoiding me like before. I can work with that.

The rest of the evening goes by at a snail’s pace, and I end up in bed by ten. I’m just beginning to doze when my phone rings.

I turn and lean over, picking it up from the nightstand. The number is unknown. I calmly turn off the phone and lie back down.