Quinn listened intently as he talked. Then he slipped his hand in hers. She didn’t pull away or move at all.
I ground my back teeth together. Take a breath. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. You’re at your job, your first job at that, and your boss is present.
Chase lowered his head to whisper in her ear.
The fire crackled, or maybe it was one of my teeth cracking.
Chase tucked strands of Quinn’s hair behind her ear.
I saw stars and my fist in Chase’s face. All sense of where I was vaporized as I stalked over to the happy couple with my hands clenched so tightly that my stubby nails pierced the skin on my palms.
Chase and Quinn rounded their gazes on me. Quinn had fear swimming in her pretty amber eyes. Chase had excitement in his.
Again, as though she could protect me, or maybe Chase, Quinn slid in between us.
Chase snarled. “You got a problem, Maxwell?”
“Yeah. You.”
Quinn was a head shorter than me, so it wasn’t as if she was blocking my view of Chase’s acne covered face.
Mr. Thompson ran over. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, Daddy,” Quinn said in a rush.
Mr. Thompson’s hand went around my bicep. “Doesn’t look like nothing.” His tone could’ve cut ice. “Son, I want you to sweep up the area around the baler. Chase, head on home.”
Chase breathed fire.
Quinn’s small hands landed on my abs. “Do as my father says.” There was no stuttering whatsoever on her part.
If it weren’t for her touch or her singsong voice, I probably would’ve made darn sure that Chase had a broken nose before he got into his car.
I sighed heavily before I marched over to the hut, snatched the broom, and did as I was told. Quinn followed me as Mr. Thompson said something to Chase that I couldn’t hear. Chase shook Mr. Thompson’s hand before driving off.
I swept as though I were trying to dig a hole to bury the baler. What is wrong with me? I was letting some dude who I barely knew get under my skin. You’re jealous. If that was what jealousy felt like, then I didn’t want any part of dating or liking a girl. I needed to go back to thinking girls were all created equal. At least then I could focus on working and not losing my job or feeling as though I was a second away from losing my shit.
Once the SUV’s engine faded, Mr. Thompson marched up to me with pursed lips and that mean look I was becoming accustomed to. “What did I tell you about trouble?”
Quinn jumped to my defense. “Daddy, he was only trying to protect me like Carter and Liam.”
So true. Yet my intentions weren’t brotherly. She’s my girl, and no one touches her. She didn’t know that. No one but you does.
Her dad let out a laugh that said he believed that was a lie. “Seems to me you’re jealous, son. Or you have a beef with a boy whose position you’re trying to steal on the basketball team.”
I stopped sweeping, and my face contorted. “Is that what he told you?”
So many swear words filled my head and were on the tip of my tongue. To think I had wanted to play nice with Chase. Not anymore.
Quinn’s jaw was on the tips of her boots.
Mr. Thompson considered his daughter. “So Chase invited you to the Stevenses’ holiday party?” He not only seemed surprised, but he didn’t sound happy at all.
Quinn held her bottom lip hostage, looking at her feet and anywhere else but at her dad or me, and nodded.
From the looks of Chase and Quinn’s exchange, I would bet she’d said yes, and for that, I screamed the word fuck to myself.
Her dad clutched the back of his neck. “Quinn, take Apple back to the barn. We’ll talk about the party later.”
She barely gave me a passing glance as she obeyed her father.
I wanted to ask her if she’d said yes but not with her father present. He already thought I was jealous. So what’s the harm? More humiliation. I would get a chance the next day when I could get Quinn alone. Right then, I had to finish sweeping and doing my job, not pine over my boss’s daughter, especially in front of my boss.
Quinn and Apple clobbered down the path.
Mr. Thompson wagged a finger at me. “Something like that happens again, I will not only fire you, but I’ll make darn sure that none of the Maxwells ever step foot on this farm. Are we clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
It wasn’t his threat of firing me that had me agreeing. My aunt Eleanor would be devastated if she couldn’t shop in the farm store or visit Mrs. Thompson, her best friend. I wasn’t the type to care what people thought of me, but I did respect my family and would never hurt them. On top of all that, my mom would be so disappointed in me, and that would gut me.
“Good.” He disappeared into the hut.
I resumed sweeping, thinking of how funny it was that I’d been invited to a party by Quinn’s enemy and she’d been invited by mine. Hell if I was going, though. But the comedy of it all was quickly replaced by the anger welling up inside me at how Chase had lied to Mr. Thompson. Then again, I shouldn’t have been surprised. As I dumped dried pine needles into the trash can, I decided on one thing—I would play basketball, and not in any other position but shooting guard.
School resumed the next day, and I was a bundle of nerves as I waited for Maiken to show up. I yawned as I fished my math book out of my locker. I hadn’t slept all that well, worrying about Maiken and how he was feeling after Daddy had reprimanded him. Between Daddy and Carter, Maiken would never talk to me again.
The hall wasn’t as packed as it usually was in the mornings. I suspected that some kids were running late because of the roads. A light dusting had left the landscape with more snow, although not enough to cancel school again.
Celia wasn’t around either. She’d texted me to let me know she would be late.
I was about to walk into math class when Tessa’s voice trilled through the hall. I swore her voice had a nails-on-the-chalkboard effect. Her laugh was even more grating on the nerves.
Tessa flipped her shiny hair over her shoulder as she made a beeline for me with her breasts out, head up, and wearing that look of disgust that she only wore for me. Normally, I would run in the opposite direction, but I was curious if she knew Chase had asked me to the party. I imagined he’d told her since they were siblings.
She wrinkled her nose. “My mom told me a wild tale that you were coming to my party. I told her it couldn’t be true, not a girl who works in pig shit all day and smells like one too.”
I could feel my hand close into a fist while my other hand clutched tightly to the strap of my backpack. The need to erase her repugnant look was so strong that I had to press my hand to my leg.
Her dark eyes homed in on my clenched hand. “You want to punch me?” She sounded surprised, which she should have considering we’d never physically fought. I usually cowered when she spat venom.
I was shocking myself, but this was one instant in which I couldn’t walk away. I was actually enjoying myself, even though I was a ball of nerves. I was dying to know how she felt about Chase inviting me.
“Did y-your m-mom—” Jeepers, Quinn, stop stuttering. I stood up straighter. This girl wasn’t going to reduce me to nothing or make me feel as if I were pathetic anymore. Okay, maybe my subconscious is braver than me. “Did she tell you who invited me?”
“She mentioned you were going as one of Eleanor Maxwell’s guests,” Tessa said.
I reared back. Suddenly, I was majorly confused. Mrs. Stevens had told Momma that her son had asked me. So why hadn’t she shared that with Tessa?
Lockers banged shut, snapping me out of my bewildered state.
Tessa inched closer, her minty breath breezing over me. “Is that not true?”
I hated to lie to her or anyone, but if I told her the truth, she wouldn’t believe me. Then we would argue. The kids in the hall would egg us on and possibly convince Tessa to do something drastic like hit me.
Despite that, Chase had t
o have a good reason for not telling his sister he’d invited me. I mean, even Mrs. Stevens had lied.
“Why would your mom lie?” I asked. It was a great question.
She puckered her lips. “My mom doesn’t lie.”
“That’s your answer, then.” I left her standing in the hall as I scooted toward my AP math class before I said anything else. I didn’t want to cause a ruckus.
I didn’t get far before her nails dug into my arm. “Just because you know Mrs. Maxwell doesn’t mean Maiken is going with you. I invited him. He’s my date.”
Now I knew why she was so edgy. She thought I would go with Maiken. Still, Tessa was making it more difficult for me to ignore her. Or maybe I had more confidence from knowing that two boys liked me. Maiken had never told me as much, but his jealousy was a good indication.
I tilted my head as I looked at her. “Does Maiken know that? He told me he doesn’t do parties. So you should check with him. I know how you hate looking like a fool.”
She gaped.
My work was done.
Walking into class, I gave myself several mental high fives for not stuttering. For the first time, I had rendered her speechless. Chalk one up for Quinn Thompson, shy girl.
The morning dragged by, and I was on alert for Maiken. But I had mostly advanced placement classes that he wasn’t in. In addition, I’d also wanted to confront Chase. It boggled my mind why his mother would lie to her own daughter… unless she was protecting her son for some reason. Maybe Chase didn’t want his sister to know he liked me.
The noise level in the cafeteria was at an all-time high when I walked in. Silverware clanked, students laughed, and chairs scraped along the tiled floor. Celia had texted me during my last class to meet her at our usual table in the far back of the cafeteria. Normally, that spot was quiet and out of the way of the craziness that happened at lunch.
I had my sights set on our table and didn’t see the tall boy who popped out and into the aisle. It took me a minute to realize it was Maiken.
“Hey, there you are. I’ve been looking for you,” Maiken said.
My belly swirled in delight at the handsome Maxwell who was rocking army boots, jeans, and a Kensington High sweatshirt. His hair was styled to perfection. James Dean came to mind only because I’d watched a movie or two of his while at Granny’s house. She loved the handsome actor. In my opinion, James Dean’s blue eyes were nothing compared to Maiken’s. Yum.
I discarded the inappropriate thoughts and tried to focus on Maiken, whom I was actually surprised to see. I was sure he would stay away from me after Carter had almost torn his head off two nights ago and my dad had given him a stern warning the night before about causing trouble.
Maiken tucked his hands in the pocket of his sweatshirt. “I was wondering if we could feed the horses again after my shift is over tonight?”
I could feel the stares in the room riveted on Maiken and me, or maybe it was just my imagination. The only people who might have heard his question were the kids at the table I was standing next to. I braved a look to find Ethan Maxwell grinning as his brown eyes swam with mischief.
I opened my mouth to speak when Chase came out of nowhere. “Hey, Quinn. Do you want to sit with me?”
I was living in another universe in which I was the most popular girl in school.
Ha! Me? The most popular girl? That wasn’t happening. I was shy and a nerd, and boys didn’t ogle me.
Because of your brothers.
Maiken sneered at Chase. “I was talking to her. Don’t be rude.”
Chase puffed out his chest at Maiken. “We could finish what you started last night.”
Maiken got in his face. “I would love to.”
I tried to slip in between the two tall boys like I had the night before, which was becoming a habit.
Ethan charged to his brother’s side, ready to fight off Chase. He was rather tall but not the height of Chase or Maiken, nor did he have broad shoulders like his brother. “Bro, let’s go.” Ethan placed a hand on his brother’s chest, turning his back to Chase. “Don’t you need to talk to Coach Dean?”
I slid out of the way, relieved that Ethan was taking control.
Chase rested his hand on the small of my back, and I flinched slightly.
Maiken tried to get around his brother, but Ethan blocked him. “Don’t ruin your chance to play.”
“You’re not playing ball.” Chase’s rabid tone made me quiver.
Maiken’s nostrils flared. “You’re not the coach.” Then his eyes softened, sucking me into a sea of blue. “Quinn, I’ll see you later.” Maiken and Ethan disappeared in the crowd.
Chase combed thick fingers through his floppy brown hair, shook off his ire, then held out his elbow. “Come on, gorgeous.”
Shock rumbled through me like a bolt of lightning. I seriously had to look behind me to make sure he wasn’t talking to someone else. I thought after I’d declined his invitation, he wouldn’t want anything to do with me.
“You look confused,” Chase said. “Let me make it clear again. I like you, Quinn. I told you last night I wouldn’t give up. Besides, you said we could be friends. Are you taking that back?”
I stared at him as if he had ten heads. “No. I want to be friends.”
He held out his elbow. “Good. Then let me escort you to a table.”
I giggled as I became lightheaded. If people were gawking, I couldn’t tell. I was afraid to look at anyone or turn around to see if Maiken was watching.
Chase stopped at the first empty table, which wasn’t far from the one where Celia and I usually sat. The surrounding area had thinned out.
He pulled out my chair. “Would you reconsider going to my party as my friend?”
Unhooking my backpack, I sat down. If I did go as a friend, I would feel as though I were hurting Maiken, even though we weren’t dating. Plus, I remembered what Celia had said: I don’t think boys know how to be friends, or at least I don’t get that vibe from Chase. I was new to all this attention from boys, and the more I studied Chase, the more I got the same vibe. He would want more from me than just friendship.
“I’m sorry. The answer is s-still n-no.”
Sliding into the chair across from me, he frowned.
My heart pinched with the dull pain of sorrow. This boyfriend thing or friends-with-boys thing was weird and odd. The first boy had finally asked me out, and my answer was a big, fat no.
Time for a subject change.
“Why doesn’t Tessa know that you invited me?”
He grinned, but it seemed fake. “I love my sister, but she can be a bitch. I didn’t want her to give you any trouble.”
“But if I showed up at your party, she would go—”
“Batshit crazy.” That time, his grin seemed real. “Is that why you don’t want to go?”
I shook my head, but maybe that was another reason I’d said no.
The bell rang. That was Chase’s bell to head back to class since he was a junior. I still had twenty minutes before I had to be in chemistry.
Combing his fingers through his hair, he stood. “If you change your mind, you know where I live.” Again, his gaze slid over me, giving me the impression he wanted to say or do something.
My cheeks heated until I glanced past Chase. I hopped up like a jumping jack. Chase followed my line of sight and straightened. Carter marched toward us with the scowl of the century. Fire flickered in his brown eyes, which were turning coppery.
I held up my hand as if I could stop my brother from attacking Chase. “Don’t make a scene. I have two plus years in this school before I graduate, and I would like to get by without anyone remembering how much of a bully my brother can be.” I never stuttered when it came to my brothers.
Carter looked down his long patrician nose, and his expression sent shivers down my spine. I was standing in front of a young version of my dad, and for that, I shivered again.
Chase intervened. “Carter, we’ve known each other a long time. You
know I wouldn’t do anything to hurt Quinn.”
Carter quickly and sharply jerked his head then glowered at Chase. “You’re right. I do. Because if you have any idea of making a spectacle of my sister or touching her without her consent, I will bury you. You would never make it to the NBA, let alone play college ball.”
I wasn’t sure how Carter could or would pull that off, but my brother didn’t make idle threats.
Chase didn’t react. There wasn’t even an ounce of fear in his expression. I didn’t know what to make of that. Maiken had run when Carter scared him off.
Carter addressed me. “I came over to tell you I’ll be taking you home. We need all the help we can get with the trees until Liam and Maiken get done with basketball practice. Meet me at my truck after school.” Then he swaggered off.
I wanted to cringe. All that needed to happen to make the day complete was for Tessa to show up and give us her two cents. At first, I thought the person Chase was eyeing behind Carter was Tessa until Celia called my name.
“See you later.” Chase scurried off and disappeared in the throng of students leaving the cafeteria.
I puffed out my cheeks. Maybe I shouldn’t date. My life was so much less dizzying without boys.
Celia stabbed a thumb over her shoulder. “What’s going on?”
I plopped back into my seat. “Boys. I don’t think I want to date.”
Giggling, Celia commandeered Chase’s chair. “So, dish, woman. How did Chase take your answer? Have you seen Maiken today?”
I filled her in on all the juicy details from the night before and that morning with Tessa, Maiken, and Chase.
She pushed her dark-framed glasses up on her nose. “You go from not having any boys notice you to two now.” She let out a dreamy sigh. “Chase is handsome, but Maiken beats him.”
I had to agree. But it wasn’t only Maiken’s sandy-blond hair and blue eyes that made him dreamy. His quiet demeanor was intriguing and drew me to him. I was beginning to understand why my brothers didn’t like pushy girls. Granted, it wasn’t as if I had a group of boys asking me out, but I wasn’t sure yet how I felt about Chase not giving up on us as boyfriend and girlfriend.
My Heart To Touch: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book One Page 10