She gave me all this information while tugging me along behind her from my truck to the front door.
I pulled her to a stop. “Why would I be jealous?”
“You’ll see.” She tugged on my arm again.
I pulled her back into me. “He an ex or something?” I growled, jealously instantly overwhelming me.
She laughed, but shook her head. “Down boy. No, just trust me, you’ll see.”
She took a step towards the door again.
“Quinn.”
She turned back to me. “Yeah?”
“Calm down.”
She giggled nervously. “I just really want you all to get along.”
“We will,” I reassured her. I’d get along with these people if it killed me.
Anything to see her smile.
***
Even I was surprised at how comfortable I felt. It helped that my best mate was here, but on the whole, everyone was really genuine and welcoming.
I’d gotten the once over from Rome, and Quinn had been bang on the money about him, he knew how to run his mouth, but he also knew how to have a good laugh and he didn’t take himself too seriously – and I could appreciate that.
I knew exactly what Quinn meant about Josh the minute I laid eyes on him. Now, I was as straight as they came, but he was one good looking guy.
It turned out that Quinn’s offer to make dinner actually meant she would have Lawson and El do it. Apparently, she couldn’t cook to save herself, something Ellerslie took great pleasure in informing me of. The two of them however, were incredible cooks, and dinner was the best thing I’d eaten in a long time.
We’d all been hanging out in the living area for the last hour or so; I was in an armchair, with Quinn sitting half in the seat, half on my lap. Rome was telling a story and she was laughing and smiling. I wasn’t following the story in the slightest. I was too busy watching the turn of her mouth, listening to her soft giggles and feeling the vibrations of her laughter through my body.
“You’re staring,” she murmured, tucking her face against my neck.
“Staring at what?” I feigned confusion.
“At me!” she hissed.
“Rate yourself,” I whispered in her ear.
She mock punched my thigh. “You’re such a douche sometimes.” She grinned.
“I do what I do well.”
She rolled her eyes.
“Are you having fun?” she whispered again.
The question was ridiculous.
“I’ve got the most beautiful woman in my arms; I’m in a room full of great people, I’ve got a full stomach and a beer in my hand. I’m having a great time.” I reassured her.
Her eyes shone and she looked thrilled about being where she was too.
How the hell did I get lucky enough to be here?
My phone vibrated in my pocket and Quinn scooted over so I could pull it out of my jeans.
“It’s fine, babe,” I told her, ignoring the message.
She settled back into my lap only for my phone to go off again two minutes later.
“You better check it,” she announced as she slid off my lap and strolled towards the kitchen. “I need another beer.” She tilted her head at my bottle. “You good?”
“I’m good.” I winked at her.
Everyone else was still listening to Rome telling some exaggerated and probably mainly fiction tale that had them all howling with laughter.
I slid my phone from my pocket and froze when I read the words on my screen.
“You were lucky, kid. You won’t be so lucky next time. Don’t come knocking. M.B.”
Max.
My eyes darted to the doorway Quinn had just disappeared through, my heart racing a mile a minute, the reality of my fucked up life crashing down on me.
I had this inexplicable urge to go and protect her. It was irrational – Max was warning me to stay away, not that he was coming for me, but still, I needed her safe.
My protectiveness surprised me. I had two brothers growing up, but both of them could take care of themselves if the need arose, which it rarely did in the small town we grew up in. I’d had girlfriends, but it turned out I was a pretty average boyfriend, certainly no knight in shining armor. So I’d never experienced these urges before.
My brain clicked into gear and I made the decision to get out of here. Max wasn’t coming for me, at least not yet, but I needed to get back to work on this. I’d let myself become so wrapped up and distracted by Quinn that I’d forgotten about the most important thing.
Ending him.
Keeping her safe.
I had things that needed taking care of... starting now.
25. Quinn
I gestured at El to follow after me – I needed to pick her brain.
She followed me down the hall and into Logan’s office.
“What’s up?” she asked.
I sat down in an armchair and she did the same.
“Did you think that was weird?” I asked her. “Him just up and leaving like that?”
She tilted her head to the side. “He had to go help Colt, right?”
“That’s what he said,” I replied as I fiddled with a framed football photo of Logan and Lawson from high school.
“You think he’s lying?”
I met her eyes. “I’m not sure what to think. His whole demeanor changed and he just took off.”
“Maybe it was a big problem?” she offered. “Or maybe it’s just the dynamic between him and Colt that made him tense up?”
“Maybe,” I mumbled, still caught up in my head about it.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, Q,” El told me, seeing exactly where my thoughts were going. “He loves you.”
I waved off her comment. “I know he cares about me, I just can’t help feeling like there’s something I’m missing... something big.”
“Then ask him.”
I crossed my legs. “Just like that?”
“Why not?” She shrugged. “Life’s too short to be feeling insecure about something that’s probably nothing.”
She’s not wrong.
“Ask him,” she insisted again.
I nodded. “You’re right.”
“Usually am,” she teased.
I rolled my eyes in response.
“Anyway... can we get back to the fact that he’s completely in love with you. What kind of voodoo magic did you pull this past weekend?” she teased, twirling a lock of curly hair around her finger.
“Don’t! You’ll jinx it.” I blushed.
“You’re crazy, it’s obvious he—”
“La, la, la.” I covered my ears as I got up and walked out the door and back down the hallway.
I wasn’t ready to hear that she thought Harrison was in love with me. That discussion could lead to me confessing that I was in love with him too.
***
I put down the dish that I was drying. “You know what? I’m gonna go ask him right now.”
El frowned. “Are you sure it’s the best t—”
“I just need to do it now,” I interrupted, already knowing that she was going to try and talk me out of it, but not wanting to hear a word of it. I knew she was worried Colt would be there, and she was probably right, but I would just have to do my best to avoid him.
“Your funeral,” she muttered under her breath.
Ignoring her, I grabbed my keys off the bench.
“I’ll be back!” I hollered into the living room. I waved off the chorus of yelled replies as I headed for my car.
The lights flashed as I hit the unlock button, lighting up the dark drive.
Just ask him.
I’d go to the bar, he’d be there... and we’d talk. Simple.
It’ll all be fine.
Now I just needed to believe that.
***
“Dammmn girl!” Tank wolf-whistled at me as I weaved my way to the front of the queue at the club. He lifted the rope for me to slip through. “Haven’t seen yo
ur fine ass around here lately.”
“It’s a long story,” I told him with a grimace.
He nodded in understanding. “Heard the boss man got burned.” He led me through the front door. “You come back for a crack at this?” He gestured to his body and I laughed loudly.
“You’re such a pig,” I tossed back over my shoulder as I headed up the stairs.
“You like it!” he yelled back.
“Yeah yeah...thanks, Tank,” I called with a smile at his retreating frame.
Every single time I’d come through that door I’d had to endure his relentless flirting. We’d got to the point now where we had a good banter going. It was totally harmless.
I passed the V.I.P area where the music was absolutely cranking. I waved to Mel, one of the waitresses and she gestured for me to head out back.
I’d been back here a lot when I was dating Colt, and truthfully, I felt a little guilty coming back here now. If it weren’t for the fact that I needed to see Harrison, there’s no way in hell I’d even be setting foot in this club.
It was a shame really; it was the hottest club in town.
I knocked on the door to the main office and heard a muffled reply.
“Come in.”
I pushed the door open, took two steps and then instantly wished I’d never come.
Colt was in there – alone.
Oh shit.
“Quinn?” he asked in a confused tone.
“Oh... ah... sorry. I wanted to talk to Harrison... is he? I’ll just look out back... sorry,” I stuttered, taking a step backwards.
He stood up and looked at me in confusion. “Harrison?”
“Yeah, look I’m sorry I shouldn’t have—”
“Harrison’s not here, Quinn,” he interrupted me.
Not here?
“Did he leave already?” I asked timidly.
I felt terrible. Colt had specifically asked for the two of us to give him space, yet here I was, in his office, asking for his brother.
He regarded me curiously. “He hasn’t been here since last night.”
My heart sank.
“Oh, okay. I’m so sorry, I thought a text he got was from you, asking for help... I must have got muddled,” I rambled, stepping back again.
He stepped around the desk towards me. “I haven’t contacted him at all tonight. Is everything okay, Quinn?” His face was a mask of concern.
I waved a hand in front of myself and plastered a smile on my face. “Oh yeah, of course. I just got confused... I’ll let you get back to it.” I pointed at his stack of order forms and backed up another couple of steps.
“Are you sure?” He took another small step in my direction. “You seem upset.” He frowned.
I choked out a laugh. “Me? Nah, I’m fine. I’m sorry. Night, Colt.” I turned and hurried out the door, not bothering to shut it behind me.
“Night, Quinn,” he called after me.
I hurried down the hallway, feeling confused and oddly frantic.
Hurt.
I was hurt. Harrison had lied right to my face.
Where is he then?
I fought back the thoughts that started flooding my mind.
Don’t do it, Quinn... just ask him.
I glanced back over my shoulder to check Colt wasn’t coming after me. He wasn’t.
I spun back around and crashed straight into Angelo, Harrison and Colt’s cousin who was a bartender at the club.
“Shit. Sorry.” I reached down and picked up some of the bar towels he had been carrying.
“Don’t be, it’s fine,” he reassured me kindly.
That was the moment the tears started to form.
I stood up and passed him the towels, all the while avoiding making eye contact.
He reached out and gently squeezed my forearm. “Quinn?”
I peeked up at him.
“What’s going on? You’re upset,” he stated gently as he peered behind me, looking in the direction of Colt’s office. “What did Colton do?”
I shook my head. “No, no, Colt didn’t do anything... I was looking for Harrison... I just... I’m gonna go,” I choked out.
His kind brown eyes looked into mine, even though he was a good few inches shorter than me.
“Harrison,” he stated, his lips forming a thin line.
“No, Angelo.” I patted his hand. “It was my mistake.”
I shrugged out of his grip and stepped around him. “I’ll see you around sometime.”
He called my name after me, but I pretended not to hear him over the music.
I need to get out of here.
26. Harrison
I should never have walked out.
The whole thing was stupid. Yes, I needed to get this situation back under control, but Quinn was in no danger, and running from her and lying to her was not my finest decision.
I’d looked her right in the eye and told her that there was a problem at the club and I had to go and sort it out. I would have used the lawyer excuse, but with Reeve in the room, that wasn’t such a great plan. Lisa had given up working at the club now that she’d become a qualified nurse, so I knew I wouldn’t get caught out in that respect.
I’d seen the way her face fell when I’d left, but hopefully it was nothing a night spent showing her what she meant to me wouldn’t fix.
I was all set to dial her number when my cousin, Angelo’s name flashed across my screen.
“Hey, what’s up?”
I could hear the noise of the club in the background, which meant he was at work.
“Why don’t you tell me?” His voice was tense, and I knew I was being accused of something.
“Might need you to be more specific,” I drawled.
“Quinn.”
My skin tingled at the mention of her name and a lump formed in the pit of my stomach.
“What about her?” I bit back quickly.
“Cut the crap, man. She was here, saw Colt, and left crying.”
Rage flooded my senses.
“What the fuck did he say to her?” I growled.
I turned the key and pulled out into the empty street, heading for the club.
“Don’t bother, Harry, she’s not here.”
Shit.
“When did she leave?” I snapped. I knew I shouldn’t be taking it out on him, it wasn’t his fault, but I was losing it knowing Quinn was out there somewhere, upset.
“About a half-hour ago.”
“She say where she was going?”
I’m gonna kill him.
“Nope.”
I pulled a u-turn and headed for her house.
“I do know one thing though.”
“What?” I demanded.
“She wasn’t crying over Colt. She was crying over you.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“Angelo...” I started. I still hadn’t found the balls to tell my older cousin that I was seeing Quinn. I knew he’d be pissed.
“Don’t,” he replied. “I don’t know what the hell has gotten into you... doing that to family... explains why Colton’s been in a foul mood and why we don’t see Quinn around no more. But I will say one thing.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t you hurt that girl. She’s a good girl. Helped me out all the time when she was around. She’s kind. Don’t you mess her up.”
“I won’t,” I mumbled. “I gotta go. I appreciate the call, man, thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah. It was for her, not you,” he grumbled before the line went dead.
***
I rapped my knuckles gently on the front door, I’d already tried the handle, but it was locked. I thought I could hear a T.V going behind the door, and I was hoping that it’d be Quinn that would open the door.
No such luck.
“Oh hey, what’s up?” Logan yawned and stretched. “I fell asleep, you been out here long?” He stepped back so I could come inside and shut the door behind me.
“I wanted to surprise Quinn after I took off earl
ier.”
Almost the truth...
“She here?”
He nodded. “Yeah, she’s upstairs.”
“Thanks, man.” I made it to the bottom of the staircase before he spoke again.
“Everything all good?”
I looked back at him in question.
“She headed out in rush a while after you left. Came back kind of upset, went straight to bed,” he explained.
I shrugged and tried not to look guilty. “I’ll check on her. Thanks, Logan.”
He gave me a nod.
I slipped into her room and quietly made my way over to her bed. The chicken-shit part of me was hoping she’d be asleep so I could keep her close and talk tomorrow. But the big bad lawyer in me wanted to hash it all out now.
I peeked at her; I couldn’t make out her features in the dark room.
Asleep or awake?
“What are you doing here?” she demanded quietly as I eased my weight down on the empty side of the bed.
Fuck.
“I wanted to apologize for leaving like that earlier.”
She rolled over to face me. She looked tired.
“What exactly are you sorry for? Leaving? Or lying? Or getting caught?” she asked with an airy quietness.
This wasn’t what I expected. Quinn struck me as the kind of girl that’d go to town on your ass if you fucked her off – rip you a new one. Not calmly ask rational questions.
“Shit,” I mumbled. “I’m sorry for all of it. Something came up, I panicked, reacted wrong. I didn’t want to upset you, so I lied... it was stupid. I shouldn’t have done it.” The words came out in a rush.
“Why’d you lie?” she asked, pushing up to lean on her elbow.
“Because I’m an idiot.”
“Who text?”
“It wasn’t important.”
I could see her frown. “Are you keeping something from me?” Her voice was fragile sounding, like the answer to her question might break a part of her.
“There’s nothing going on with me you need to worry about,” I reassured her.
It wasn’t a lie – Quinn didn’t need to worry about me. But it wasn’t totally honest either; I was keeping something from her.
And I think we both knew it.
27. Quinn
I had a choice – believe his words, forget it and move on. Or, make a big deal over something that was probably nothing.
Love like Yours Series (Box Set #1-4) Page 57