“Don’t worry. I’ll be ready.” Liar.
She studied me, not knowing if I was serious or telling a fib. Either way, the disgusting look she was giving me made me want to poke her with one of my crutches.
I had a good mind to do just that because she was blocking my path to the booth, and I needed to sit down. My underarms were on fire, my ankle throbbed to no end, and I was hungrier than a bear coming out of hibernation.
She sighed, sliding out of my way as if to say she would let me pass just this once.
The people around us started up their conversations again, but I tuned them out. In fact, I didn’t even notice who Tessa was sitting with or who from school was watching. Maybe because as I passed her, she said Maiken’s name.
I slowly turned around to find Tessa’s hand on Maiken’s chest. My anger morphed into a raging river of fury. I definitely understood Maiken’s jealousy over Chase, but I wasn’t about to walk away like Chase had.
“We’re still on for tomorrow after school?” she asked Maiken in a flirtatious yet bragging tone, most likely because she knew I was listening.
The tables on the other side of the restaurant probably heard her too since her voice had been elevated to make sure I didn’t miss a word.
Stars coated my vision. The greasy odor that permeated the air turned rancid. I refused to believe the worst, but my mind couldn’t dismiss the thoughts I was having. I’d missed the basketball game, and the world seemed to have shifted on its axis.
Maiken set his big blue eyes on me as though he were pleading with me, or maybe he was trying to tell me he was sorry. “I’ll be there.”
My anger turned to fury as a deep, throaty noise erupted from me.
Tessa let out a cold-hearted laugh as she pivoted on her two-inch-heeled boots. “I told you that night at my party, you haven’t won anything.”
Don’t cry. Don’t you dare shed a tear. If you do, she’s won. Then Chase’s words rang in my ears. “The more you challenge her, the more she’ll move onto someone else.”
As I stood before my enemy, I knew she wouldn’t back down, not when it came to Maiken. She’d wanted him even before she knew I liked him, way before he and I had started dating. In some respects, I couldn’t blame her for trying to get the boy. After all, Maiken was every girl’s dream—tall, sandy-blond hair, blue eyes, and muscles in all the right places.
Not only that, whatever I said next wouldn’t matter. My words wouldn’t change her belief that she’d won. Actions might, though. So despite how mad I was, I waltzed up to my boyfriend, gave him a huge smile, and tugged on his shirt as best I could on crutches. My intentions were to kiss him and drive my message home to Tessa that she hadn’t won anything.
Yet when I craned my neck upward, he shook his head ever so slightly. Then he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tried to guide me to the booth.
I hated to look around. I hated to see all the expressions on people’s faces. The good news was the chatter had started up again, taking the attention away from Tessa and me. The bad news—I felt small, embarrassed, and seethed with so much anger that I wanted to explode. And at the moment, my anger was directed at Maiken.
Suddenly, I didn’t want to be there with him or around anyone.
“I need to use the restroom,” I said in a low voice to Maiken. “I’ll be back.” I retraced my steps until I was standing at the hostess podium. I didn’t need to use the bathroom. I needed a moment alone to collect my emotions.
The sign for the restroom hung overhead. I started in that direction when Chase came out of the men’s room.
He cocked his head. “What’s wrong? You look pissed.”
That was an understatement.
“My sister?”
And Maiken.
I shrugged.
“Want to get out of here?” he asked.
“Can you take me home?” The words flew out without me thinking.
He beamed as though he’d won the grand prize. “Come on.”
I all but ran out of Shakers, inhaling the fresh, clean winter air as tears burned their way to the surface.
“Wait here,” Chase said. “I’ll get my car.”
I leaned on my crutches as he jogged off and out of sight. I’d barely taken in my next breath when Maiken came out.
“What are you doing?” he asked. “I thought you needed to use the bathroom.”
“Really? Why did you n-not want to k-kiss me in there? And what is going on between y-you and Tessa?” I was shivering rather than stuttering.
Celia buttoned up her coat as she came out of Shakers. “Quinn, are you okay?”
No. No. No.
“Celia,” Maiken said. “Can you leave us alone?”
She raised her hands. “I just want to check on my friend.”
“I’m fine, Celia,” I said.
She huffed as she rolled her eyes. “Right. We’ll talk tomorrow.” She hurried back in.
“I haven’t seen you since I got back from Georgia, and you weren’t at the game tonight. So how could I tell you about Tessa? She wants to sell those discount cards tomorrow for the fundraiser.”
I’d forgotten all about that. Liam and Brianna had sold most of theirs to Granny and her friends, so I couldn’t use that angle anymore.
“As far as kissing you…” He inched closer to me. “I want to so badly. Hell, that’s all I thought about on the drive up from Georgia. But you only wanted to kiss me to show Tessa something. That’s not a reason to kiss me.”
Chase drove up.
Maiken looked at him then at me. “You’re leaving with him?” He sounded so hurt.
“He’s just giving me a ride home,” I said, feeling like I was the biggest harridan on the planet.
Maiken mashed his lips into a thin line and studied me for a brief second that felt like hours as the pain oozed off him and onto me. Then he slowly backed away.
“M-Maiken,” I said.
He raised his hands, shook his head, and walked away.
I couldn’t help but cry. In that moment, I hated feeling like I couldn’t control my emotions. I hated feeling like the world was crashing down around me.
Why is liking a boy so hard?
The rink was teeming with people hooting and hollering at the men’s hockey game. I’d had the worst day possible with the exception of one. My chemistry teacher had gone out of his way to grade my test that day after school, and I’d passed with a seventy, thus making my overall average a passing grade in the class, which meant I could play in tomorrow’s night game.
Aside from that, my stomach was a wad of knots. One moment, I was angry with Quinn, and the next, I was kicking myself in the butt for walking away.
It had taken all I had not to devour her lips and kiss her until someone had to call the paramedics. But she didn’t need to use me to get to Tessa, especially not in front of a burger joint full of high school kids who’d probably had their phones ready to snap pictures.
I’d run out to talk to her, but when Chase had pulled up, I’d lost all train of thought. Or rather my only thought had been to start a fight with Chase. That wouldn’t have accomplished anything. Besides, he hadn’t forced her to get into his car.
Surprisingly, he’d gone out of his way at basketball practice earlier to let me know he’d taken Quinn straight home last night and nothing more. I would’ve decked him if he had tried something. He was becoming a walking contradiction as of late. When I’d found him walking into Shakers with Quinn, he’d given me one of his fuck-off attitudes, but on the other hand, he’d voted for me for team captain. At the moment, though, Chase was the least of my worries.
Ethan had said to give Quinn space, to let her be for a day or so then talk to her. But honestly, I didn’t know if that would work because Tessa would always be a thorn, pricking and pricking and pricking until she got what she wanted. But she wasn’t getting me, and it was high time she left Quinn alone. The million-dollar question was how to get Tessa to leave both of us alone.<
br />
I stared at my phone on the table Tessa had set up to sell the discount cards. I’d forgotten all about the fundraiser when I’d found out about my aunt Denise. But I was obligated to do my part for the team, even more so now that I was captain. I couldn’t let them or Coach down.
I tapped out a text to Quinn. Hey babe, can we talk? I didn’t know how much space I was supposed to give her, but if I didn’t talk to her, I was going to flip out.
The noise in the rink grew louder with some of the fans screaming at the tops of their lungs at the game.
I couldn’t help but remember how the fans at the basketball game the night before had been shouting with excitement every time we’d scored a basket. I’d been bummed I couldn’t play. Yet watching Chase as point guard had been an eye-opener. He’d been great at that position. Maybe now I could have a shot at my sweet spot of shooting guard.
An older lady passed by, scanning the table and the sign we had posted. I set my phone down and straightened in the plastic chair.
Tessa piped up. “The cards are twenty dollars, and proceeds go to support our sports department at Kensington High.”
We had the cards scattered around the table, and Tessa had sprinkled gold stars here and there. She’d said something about making the table look inviting.
Whatever. I didn’t want to be there. We had another thirty minutes before we closed up, or sooner if we sold all the cards. I counted five left on the table. Maybe the lady would buy all five.
To my dismay, she said, “I’ll take two.”
Tessa took care of the transaction while I again became fixated on my phone, waiting impatiently for Quinn to reply.
When the lady left, I spotted Celia at the concession stand. What’s she doing here? Surely she wasn’t there to spy on Tessa and me. Quinn would never do that. Tessa, on the other hand, would.
Celia bounced over, her dark-framed glasses sliding down on her nose as she held a drink in her hand.
Tessa sighed, or maybe groaned, as Celia approached. “Spying?”
“Are you into hockey?” I asked Celia.
Tessa giggled. “What he said.”
Celia sipped on her drink. “I’m doing another sports article for the school newspaper.”
“The hockey team has nothing to do with our school,” Tessa fired back.
Celia gave Tessa a cocky smirk. “But it does.” She pointed out at the ice. “See number fifteen in orange and black? He goes to our school. You know him, Tessa. Dustin Lane. Your old boyfriend. The same boy you continue to drool over.”
Interesting. I assumed the teams were made up of older men, but upon a closer look, I realized some of the guys were young, as in my age or a little older. Maybe Tessa was only using me if she was trying to make her ex jealous.
“Have you forgotten, Tessa, that Dustin plays for Kensington?” Celia said more than asked.
I didn’t know much about hockey, but I’d seen a couple of games on TV. My fourteen-year-old brother, Marcus, had recently expressed interest in the sport after watching an NHL game on TV.
“Whatever,” Tessa said.
Celia slurped the contents of her drink. “Maiken, have you talked to Quinn today?”
I hadn’t since she’d left Shakers the night before with Chase. “Not yet. Is she okay?”
Celia hiked her shoulders. “You should call her.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Tessa’s voice hitched as she swiveled in her seat.
Run, dude. Run far away.
“Not at all.” Boy, that was a big, fat lie.
Celia scrunched her nose at Tessa. “Maiken isn’t into you. So don’t get your hopes up.”
Tessa stood, smoothed her hands down her leggings, and poked out her chest. “We’re working. So leave. We don’t need you causing trouble or spying on us.”
Celia threw her head back and laughed. “I don’t spy. That’s something you would do, though.”
Tessa stuck her hands on her hips as she circled the table. “I would trust my boyfriend.”
I pushed to my feet. “Tessa, I’m leaving. You can sell the rest of the cards.”
She whipped her head at me. “What? You can’t leave.”
Watch me. “Here’s the thing. I’m tired of your attitude. It sucks. It zaps the life out of a person. You can’t come between Quinn and me. And stop bullying her. It’s low and not cool. And this is the last time we work together.” I grabbed my coat and stalked out. I wasn’t waiting for her to cry or plead or say something sarcastic.
I’d barely gotten out the door when I heard Tessa’s voice right behind me. “I’m telling Coach.”
I pivoted so hard on my heel, I almost slipped on the icy pavement.
Celia was right on Tessa’s butt.
I clenched my jaw as I came to a stop a foot away from Tessa. “You can tell Coach anything you want. I. Don’t. Care. And whether Quinn beats you at ice-skating or not, you’ll honor the deal you both made. You know why? Because the next time you spread a rumor about Quinn or do anything to embarrass her or hurt her, I will spread rumors of my own about you.” I’d never been into gossip or drama at any school. Frankly, I stayed far away from all that. But I was willing to get my feet wet if it meant getting Tessa off my back and Quinn’s.
“No one will believe you,” she said in a defiant tone.
“Do you want to take that chance?”
Tessa pursed her lips as steam came out of her nose.
Celia’s mouth was hanging open, although her wide eyes were cheering me on.
I left Tessa standing in the freezing cold as I hoofed it to my car. Adrenaline spiked through me faster than an F5 tornado. Within twenty minutes, I was ringing the doorbell at Quinn’s house. As I waited for someone to answer, I suddenly got cold feet. What if she didn’t want to see me? That would kill me. I checked the time on my phone. It wasn’t too late, but her parents might think otherwise.
Mrs. Thompson answered, and her brown eyebrows lifted slightly.
“Is Quinn here?” I was certain she was.
She frowned. “It’s not a good time.”
I dropped my head briefly. “I won’t be long.”
“I’m sorry, Maiken. It’s a school night.” She had that motherly tone, but underneath, a thread of disappointment came through.
I fidgeted where I stood on the wooden porch. Arguing with Mrs. Thompson wouldn’t get me far, and I didn’t want her to slam the door in my face.
“I texted Quinn earlier, but she hasn’t responded. Please tell me she’s okay.”
She held up her finger. “Wait a second.” Within a beat, Mrs. Thompson came out, shrugging into a bulky sweater. She closed the door behind her. “I know you adore my daughter. I know both of you are finding your way through how to date. I know high school isn’t easy when it comes to the social aspect. Frankly, the high school environment is probably more difficult than when I went to school. But when you’re in a relationship, both parties have to communicate. Do you understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” While I truly did, neither Quinn nor I communicated. “Quinn told you what happened?”
She wrapped her bulky sweater tighter around her. “I’m not sure she told me the whole story. Regardless, I know feelings are involved. You’re a good boy, Maiken. You’re going through some hard times, and if now isn’t the right time to be dating my daughter, then I want you to tell her before the relationship gets even more serious.”
Whoa! Who said it wasn’t the right time? I’d never wanted to get involved with girls before Quinn. I’d always believed that girls were a distraction. But Quinn wasn’t a distraction. Quinn was everything. Maybe I was crushing hard. Maybe I was naive to all the dating stuff and rules. But one thing I knew was that I wouldn’t give up on Quinn and me.
You might move at the end of the school year. There was that. But that wouldn’t be my choice.
“Mrs. Thompson, I have no intentions of breaking up with Quinn. Her and I had a misunderstanding. That’s all.” I’d seen my p
arents argue, and it wasn’t like they’d split up over a misunderstanding. Granted, Quinn and I weren’t married, but couples fought and made up.
She shivered. “Good to know.”
I tucked my hands into my coat pockets. “Is she okay?”
Mrs. Thompson smiled. “She will be. Head home. It’s late, and you can talk to her tomorrow.”
Every bone in me screamed that I should protest, argue, and run into the house to find Quinn. But I was thinking with my heart and not my head.
Using your heart as a guide is the best way to say what you feel and show how you feel, but not at the expense of disrespecting an elder.
I inched down the porch steps, taking my time. Maybe on a whim, Mrs. Thompson would have a change of heart before I reached my car.
But as I climbed in, she went into the house and shut off the porch light. I scanned the farm, homing in on the barn, but even it was dark.
Sighing, I prayed Quinn and I could work things out.
I peeked out the window of Carter’s room since it faced the driveway. Maiken sat in his Suburban, looking around. I couldn’t see him that well, but it seemed like he was struggling to leave. I was tempted to disobey Momma and run outside, but she’d been adamant about me finishing my homework and resting my ankle. I’d been hobbling all day at school, and then I’d helped Daddy and my brothers with chores around the farm as best I could.
I’d strained to hear the conversation between Maiken and Momma, but all I’d heard was Momma telling Maiken I was okay.
I was far from okay. My heart hurt more than my ankle. I was glad I hadn’t seen Maiken during school. I hardly did most of the time anyway since we had different schedules. If I had, I might have started crying, and with my luck, Tessa would’ve been around.
Maiken scanned the farm. I was sure he was wondering if I was in the barn. Daddy had closed up an hour ago. Sometimes we didn’t get to chores until later in the evenings after dinner, but not that day.
The floor creaked outside Carter’s room. “Quinn,” Momma called.
My Heart to Hold: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book Two Page 8