Between the Lines

by Renee Harless

  “Are you okay, Quinn?” Izzy asks as she peeks around the door, and I’m thankful I had the chance to throw the covers over my body.

  “I’m fine, thank you. I’m just hanging out in here.”

  “I didn’t expect you home yet. How did the read-through go?”

  “Really well. Trevor was very helpful.” Amongst other things.

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it. I’ll make sure Mom knows. Anyway, did you eat? I was going to call in a delivery.”

  “I did, actually. Trevor cooked me dinner.”

  “He did?”

  My eyes widen in surprise at the callousness of her tone.

  “Well, he made it for himself, but he had some left when I got there and I hadn’t eaten yet,” I try to explain with a smidgen of a lie that burns as it escapes my lips.

  “Hmm… okay. I just know how my brother is and I mean, you’re my best friend. I’m not entirely sure it’s so smart for you both to spend time alone together.”

  “Why would you say that?” I sit up straighter on the bed as Izzy rests against the doorjamb.

  “I mean, if he acts like the usual asshole he is, you may leave earlier, and I want you here as long as possible.”

  “Well, he was nothing but nice to me, so no worries there. You have nothing to worry about, Izzy. You know I’m married to my career. I don’t have time to deal with a playboy.”

  “That’s true. Hey, do you want to head into town with me tomorrow for all-you-can-eat tacos at the Taco Stand?”

  “Tacos? Girl, you know I’m there.”

  “All right, well I know the storm is going to keep you up, so if you want to borrow my Kindle, you’re welcome to. I have a few paperbacks I plan on diving into.”

  “I brought a few books with me, so I’m good, but thank you. Oh, where can I find some candles?”

  “Oh, right. There are some in the hall closet. I’ll grab them for you.”

  A few minutes later, the bedroom is illuminated with the help of a few matches and some strategically placed candles. Izzy takes a minute to glance around the space, her eyes narrowing and then widening in surprise when her gaze lands on the bright pink vibrator I tossed on my duffel bag.

  “Do I want to know?”

  I laugh and then joke, “It keeps me calm during the storm.”

  “Well, don’t let me get in your way. Just… be quiet.”

  I continue laughing as Izzy exits the room and loudly closes the door.

  That night I toss and turn as the storm continues to roll outside the window. It must’ve triggered something inside of me, because I spend the night dreaming about the last time Izzy, Trevor, and I had made it out to the clearing in the middle of the fields.

  We kick up dirt as we step along the worn tracks left by a tractor. Behind us, Trevor carries a small bag with our confiscated items inside, while Izzy and I both carry a blanket.

  Finally making our way to the clearing, Izzy and I set up the blankets while Trevor uncaps the bottle of Boone’s Farm. I’m mesmerized as the sinewy muscles in his forearms twist with the corkscrew, each vein popping with the movement.

  “Hello, Quinn,” Izzy remarks, trying to get my attention. When she notices my eyes trained on Trevor, she snaps her fingers. “Don’t even think about it. You know how he is.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about anything,” I reply innocently as I walk over to a level spot and lie down on my blanket beside Izzy’s.

  “Sure you weren’t. He would destroy you, Quinny. You’re inexperienced, and he knows more than most adults.”

  “Izzy, that’s your brother, and you’re just as inexperienced.”

  “I know, but he’s still a man whore. Plus, how awkward would it be? Remember when Kelly started dating her brother’s best friend?”

  “Yeah, they broke up six months later and her parents had to send Liam to military school after he practically strangled Mike.”

  “See? How awful would it be if I had to choose sides? He’s my twin, we share something special, but you’re my bestie.”

  “I know,” I hesitantly concede. “Plus, it’s not like he would want anything to do with me anyway.”

  Trevor bends over to grab the plastic cups from the bag and fill them with the cheap berry wine, then stalks over to us, two cups and his flask dangling between his fingers.

  “I’d like to make a toast,” he states as he takes a seat next to me on the blanket. “To the start of our sophomore year and to a lifetime of friendship.”

  We finish the two bottles of Boone’s Farm while Trevor takes sips from his flask filled with an amber liquid. The stars seem brighter this night as we lie on our backs, gazing up into the sky. Suddenly a shooting star passes across the blackened horizon and I make the wish of all wishes, that one day Trevor and I could be together without destroying Izzy. It’s a silly wish, full of hope and dreams and a schoolgirl crush, but it was my hope and dreams, and my heart knew what it wanted.

  My spirit soars when at the same time, he reaches over and laces his fingers through mine. A gesture not unfamiliar, but this time it feels very different. Perhaps my wish will come true after all.

  Unfortunately, two weeks later when school begins, I’m faced with the reality that my wish is like those of many before—a waste. Though Izzy and I are as close as ever, Trevor pays us no mind while in school, even when he and I share classes together. It hurts the way he ignores me in the hall, and even more so when he doesn’t join Izzy and me in the clearing any longer.

  When I ask her what changed, she shrugs, “I told you not to crush on him. He was bound to hurt you, Quinn. Especially with the rotation of cheerleaders he’s been keeping occupied recently. Just be glad you didn’t fall in love. Imagine how that would have ended.”

  With a start, I wake up and gasp for air. I had forgotten the details of that night, just remembering that Izzy had laid down the line on Trevor and me ever pursuing anything together. He had made it clear that he wanted nothing from me, except now I’m confused with the hand holding. It had felt different that night. His thumb had brushed my knuckles as we all stared into the twinkling sky, but my experience was too limited to know what to do with the fact that he was touching me in more than a friendly manner.

  “Shit,” I murmur into the dark room. It’s only an hour past midnight and I need to get some sleep, but I’m not sure I can rest after that. From the nightstand, I grab one of the candles and strike a match, holding it to the wick to illuminate the room.

  I move into the living room and peer out the window. Luckily the storm has stopped. Just as I’m about to step away, I notice a flame flicker in the upper window of Trevor’s house. Strange that he would be awake at the same time I am. I wonder if he was plagued by the same dream, or if something else keeps him awake at night.

  Resting my head on the cool glass, I imagine what would’ve happened had Izzy not called Trevor while we were on the bed. I’ve never had one-night stands or slept with a man I didn’t have a relationship with, but with the way I was losing the fight against my body, I would’ve allowed Trevor to devour me completely. Body and soul.

  I always knew he was more than he let people see, especially after learning that he took the blame for actions he didn’t commit. And in the past two days since I’ve been back, the town seems to sing his praises. A far cry from how they acted toward him as a teenager. They had treated him like the town pariah at sixteen, but to me, he had always been that shy thirteen-year-old boy who stood behind his overzealous sister as she welcomed me to Dale City.

  With my eyes trained on the window overlooking the front yard, I move toward the couch and curl up under one of the blankets. I had promised him that my feelings wouldn’t get involved, and I pray I’m able to keep that promise, but I fear I’m going to fail.

  I’m not sure they ever went away to begin with.

  Chapter Eight

  Trevor

  THE OFFICE IS EERILY quiet for a Tuesday evening. Paperwork stacks high on my desk with no end in
sight as I begrudgingly reach for another file. Having to carry the weight of two other officers we have yet to hire is starting to drain me. But tomorrow I finally get a day off, and I told the chief that I have no intentions of turning my phone on. And if all goes to plan, I’ll be spending the day in bed with Quinn.

  She had surprised the hell out of me when I realized how sensitive she was to my touch. My fingers yearned to feel every millimeter of her skin, and her kiss… God, her kiss was as potent as any drug.

  The chair squeaks as I lean back, paperwork long forgotten as I tug at my pants to give space to my growing erection. I guess it’s a good thing the office is empty, or my coworkers would be getting an eyeful.

  Taking a few breaths, I calm myself down and focus back on the stack of papers on my desk when I hear the door chime.

  “Hey, man,” a male voice greets.

  “Hey, Vic. Come on back.”

  Vic’s been here enough that he knows how to get to my office. He actually works part-time with the police department and spends the rest of his time taking care of his ailing grandmother. He looks menacing, with his heavily tattooed body and dark gaze, but he has a heart of gold.

  As Vic enters the office, his eyes triple in size at the stack of work in front of me.

  “Busy day?”

  “Busy month. With the shortage, I seem to be in charge of picking up the slack.”

  “Well shit, that sucks. You need some help?”

  “I’m off tomorrow, finally. It’s been like two months without a single day of rest and relaxation. If you want to come in on Thursday, I really would appreciate getting through this stack.”

  “No problem, but only under one condition.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You come with me to the Taco Stand tonight.”

  “Why?” I ask skeptically.

  “Because they have tacos and half-price beers.”

  That does sound good, and my stomach must agree because it grumbles loudly, causing Vic to laugh.

  “I guess I’m in.”

  We duck around the crowd as we walk into the restaurant. Luckily they part ways when I pass, either from fear of knowing I’m a cop or because I’m generally that intimidating. A few women who had warmed my bed previously send winks in my direction, but I ignore them. Those women can’t hold a candle to Quinn.

  And as if I conjured her up, I see my fantasy woman sitting at a table with my sister. I had thought about her all day, and my thoughts didn’t do her any justice. Her blonde hair is tied high on her head with loose curls trailing down her back. Today she’s wearing a simple T-shirt with a college emblem emblazoned across her chest and a pair of black shorts. I actually find myself grinning as I take her in, her appearance reminding me so much of the girl I grew up with.

  Vic follows closely behind me as I make my way to their table.

  “Good evening, ladies. Mind if we join you?” I ask, but my attention never wavers from Quinn, whose eyes have grown double in size.

  “Sure,” she whispers just as Izzy says, “No.”

  “Come on, Iz. We’ll behave. And look, I even brought a friend.”

  The girls were sitting across from each other, leaving an open chair on either side. My focus rests completely on Quinn until a waitress comes by to take Vic’s and my drink order.

  “So, what are you girls going to eat?”

  “Uh, tacos,” Izzy rudely announces, irritation seeping through her tone. But as I glance up, I’m surprised to find Vic enraptured by her. Which sort of freaks me out because although Isabel and I are fraternal twins, we look very similar. Luckily, Quinn takes that moment to ask me how my day at work was, and my ruminations regarding my sister are put to rest.

  “Good. Busy.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” She takes a hearty sip of her oversized margarita with a beer tipped over into the glass. “Do you get a break anytime soon?”

  “Why, Quinn? Are you propositioning me?” I twist my body completely in her direction and lean into her space. Her cheeks flush with a beautiful pink color and her plump lips hang open in surprise.

  “N-no. I was just won—”

  “It’s all right, Quinn. I’m just messing with you. But yes, I do have a day off tomorrow, and I told the chief that he isn’t allowed to contact me for anything unless it’s an absolute emergency.”

  “Oh, I don’t have plans for anything tomorrow. Would you want to practice the script with me?”

  “Sure.” I lean closer to her body, her breath hitching the closer I get. “And I plan on doing a lot more than just read through a bunch of words with you.”

  Her face reddens even further, and I chuckle as I lean back in the chair, completely content with how she reacts to me.

  “Hey, Trevor,” Izzy pipes up.

  I turn to face her and raise my eyebrow for her to continue as I take a sip of my beer.

  “Are you still off from work tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, why?” I skeptically ask, praying she isn’t about to squash my day of having Quinn in my bed.

  “Don’t forget you’re joining me at the Dale City Assisted Living Facility tomorrow to volunteer.”

  “Ah, fuck.”

  I’d completely forgotten, which is a shock because volunteering there is one of my favorite things to do. Some of the seniors are the funniest people I’ve ever met. I thread my hand through my hair, gripping the ends before sliding it down my face in exasperation.

  “Shit, I’m sorry, Iz. I forgot. But I’ll be there.” Begrudgingly I turn my attention back to Quinn, who has her straw between her lips, pretending she isn’t paying attention to the conversation. But knowing her the way I do, I can tell she’s disappointed.

  My shaking hand reaches out and grasps her elbow, pulling her attention toward me.

  “Hey,” I coax softly. “I’m sorry, Quinn. Maybe we can get together after?”

  “Sure, yeah. It’s totally fine. I’ll probably just spend the day sleeping in. I haven’t done that in a while.”

  Absentmindedly, I run my fingers up her arm and then trail them back down.

  “Hey, why don’t you join us?” Vic proposes.

  “Us?” Izzy scoffs, but I can see the gleam of interest in her eyes.

  Her and Vic? That would be an interesting pair. All-American cheerleader and the leather-clad bad boy. At least I know he would take good care of her.

  “Well, I mean I’ll be there with my grandmother anyway. They can always use more volunteers,” Vic explains to a stunned Izzy while I train my attention back to Quinn.

  “That’s a great idea, Vic. What do you say, Quinn? Want to spend the day helping us?” I grin.

  “Sure, that sounds like fun. I enjoy volunteering.”

  “And hey, I bet they’d love a live performance from the amazing Quinn Miller. We could do the read-through there for a bit.”

  Before Quinn can shoot down the option, Izzy perks up and announces what a great idea it is just as the stack of fifty tacos makes its way to the table.

  “Were you planning on feeding an army?” Vic asks as he grabs a taco from the top and I reach for one in the middle, almost as if we’re playing an adult version of Jenga.

  “We were hungry, and whatever we had left over we were going to bring to your office, brother dearest.”

  “Really? That surprises me, Iz, since rarely do you think of bringing me dinner.”

  “Oh, don’t worry, I haven’t changed my stripes. It was all Quinn’s idea.”

  The taco crunches in my mouth as I take a hearty bite and focus on Quinn, who daintily holds her taco over her plate, taking small nibbles.

  “You were going to bring me food?”

  Her narrow shoulders move up and down in a shrug, and damn if I don’t feel warm inside knowing she was thinking of me. I stare at her until her eyes peek from their corners and focus on me, then smile broadly and flash her the lone dimple on my right cheek.

  “Thank you, sweetheart.”

  Forty-f
ive minutes later, we all slouch back in our chairs, table littered with beer bottles and a few extra-large margarita glasses, as well as two lone tacos sitting on the silver platter.

  Enjoying the bickering between Izzy and Vic as they fight over someone needing to finish the last two tacos and not letting them go to waste, I turn my head to watch Quinn as she sits back with an oversized smile on her face. On its own accord, my hand slips from my lap and moves onto Quinn’s bare thigh. I squeeze the muscle gently until her gaze slides over to meet mine.

  As much as I want to slide my fingers up between the apex of her thighs, I can’t risk Quinn’s privacy. Instead, I smirk at her until she places her hand over mine to stop my fingers from creeping higher. Itching to touch her, I flip my hand over and intertwine our fingers together. Many previous girlfriends had tried to hold my hand, but none had ever felt right. Nothing like how it feels to hold Quinn’s.

  Her soft delicate palm pressed against the rough skin of my own takes me back to the last time I held her hand, the last time we were together, the last time we were just friends. Because I knew that night in the clearing as we peered up at the stars that she would never again be just a friend. She had a place in my heart that I would keep locked away tight, a precious piece of me that I never wanted to be destroyed.

  Our eyes lock once more, and she smiles that beautiful, innocent smile I’ve come to love. Not the one she shares with her millions of fans, the one she keeps secret. The one that speaks of joy and love.

  At that moment, the loud bustle of the restaurant dies away and it’s just me and Quinn, two kids who couldn’t have been more different but were the best of friends at one time. I want to lean down and kiss her, but with Izzy sitting across from us, I hesitate.

  Quinn lowers her eyes to our hands and squeezes our fingers gently. Then, surprising me and probably the rest of the restaurant, she scoots closer to me and leans over to rest her head on my shoulder. Her eyes are closed, making everyone believe she’s just tired, and she very well may be, but she’s also an incredible actress, and by the way she strokes the side of my hand with her thumb, I know she simply couldn’t control her desire to be closer.