“Hey.” I breathed the word, leaning into him. “Mmmmm, you smell good.”
He chuckled. “Guess it’s better than the alternative.” He glanced over my shoulder. “What happened with Nate? Didn’t you drive him today?”
I dropped my forehead onto Leo’s shoulder. “No. Sheri texted my mom this morning. Nate’s back in the hospital with a fever. They don’t know what’s wrong.”
“Shit.” Leo rubbed his hands up and down my back, absently.
“Yeah. I know.” I slid my arms around his waist, my hands traveling over the muscles beneath his snug T-shirt. “Leo, we can’t let him find out about us until he’s feeling better.”
“No, I get that. But we don’t have to hide. No one’s going to go running off to the hospital to tattle on us.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” I rested my head on his chest, listening to the reassuring thump of his heart.
“Hey. You still . . . you’re sure, right?” He sounded tentative, like he was afraid of what I might say.
I tilted my head back to see him better. “Me? Of course I am. I was kind of scared this morning that you might have, um, regrets.”
“Not one.” He kissed me firmly, and giving a little growl, teased my closed lips with his tongue until I opened for him. He explored me lazily, setting my blood on fire. I moved closer, standing between the solid columns of his legs. My boobs were crushed against his chest, and my nipples hardened.
“God, Mia. I’m not going to be able to walk into class.” Leo groaned and dropped his head into the crook of my neck. “I just want to drag you into my car, drive out . . . I don’t know, somewhere we could be alone.”
“Me, too.” I laughed a little. “But I’ve got a math quiz this morning, and I have a sneaking suspicion that ‘hot for my boyfriend’s rocking body’ isn’t going to cut it as an excused absence.” Boyfriend. I loved to say that word. I loved it even more that I was talking about Leo when I said it.
“Probably not.” He smoothed my hair back from my face. “Okay. I guess I have to let you go to class. I’ve got English and study hall this morning. But I’ll see you at lunch, right? And then maybe we could both go over to the hospital after school and check on Nate. I’ve got practice, but it’s a short one, since tomorrow’s game day.”
“That works. If I hear anything before then, I’ll let you know.” I took a step back, feeling instantly colder. I wasn’t sure if Leo wanted me to walk in before him, but my question was answered when he took hold of my hand firmly and began to stroll across the school lawn.
“Taylor! Hey, asshole.” Matt Lampert jogged up beside us, smacking Leo on the back of the head. “You never texted me last night. I was waiting for you to come over.”
“Yeah, sorry.” Leo sounded anything but. “Something came up at home.”
Matt frowned. “Okay. Everything . . .” He stopped, both talking and walking. And he stared at our joined hands. “Anything you need to tell me, Lion? Something new?”
“Something right.” Leo eyed his friend, as though he were daring him to say anything. “Something finally right. Quinn and I are together.”
“Oooookay.” Matt glanced from my face to Leo’s. “Um, congratulations?”
“Thanks.” Leo’s tone was wry. “Hey, man. I’m sorry about last night. It was a family thing. But I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.”
“Yeah, no problem.” He gestured toward the door of the building. “You coming to English?”
“Yep. Be right there.” Leo tossed him a look, and Matt laughed.
“I get you. See you inside.”
I glanced up at Leo. “What was that all about?”
“That was about me wanting to kiss my girl before we have to go into class.” He combed his fingers into my hair, holding my head still, and slanted his open mouth over mine, kissing me thoroughly. “There. That should hold me a few hours.” He dropped one quick kiss on my forehead. “See you at lunch.”
***
By lunch time, apparently word about Leo and me had swept over the campus. I might not have noticed if it hadn’t been for the cheerleaders being more hostile toward me than usual and more than a few curious looks from other students. Still, nothing really bothered me until we were in the cafeteria.
Leo met me at my locker, coming up from behind and startling me with a kiss on my neck as his arms circled my waist.
“Hi.” He released me, grinning. “Did you have a good morning? How was the math quiz?”
I smiled back. “Morning was good, quiz was so-so. I hate math so hard.”
Leo laughed. “Some things never change, huh?” He slid his hand down my arm to link our fingers. “C’mon, let’s eat. I’m starved.”
“Some things never change,” I teased back. “Are you still the guy who’s going to take my slice of pizza when my back’s turned?”
“No.” He touched the tip of my nose with his index finger. “I’m the guy who’s going to buy us each an extra slice so I can eat them.” He patted his flat stomach. “Gotta keep up the energy. Big game tomorrow.”
“That’s right. This one determines whether or not you guys make round one of the playoffs, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, but I’m trying not to think of that.” Leo led me into the cafeteria, and we joined the food line. “Coach says a game’s a game. We play them all hard.”
We didn’t talk much in line; it was loud and difficult to hear. Leo was good to his word, loading up both of our trays with pizza. After we’d paid, I hesitated.
“What’s wrong?” Leo balanced his tray on one hand and glanced back at me.
“Are you sure it’s okay for me to sit with you?” I could see the table Leo and his friends usually occupied, and it looked full. Maybe just room enough for one more, and for sure that one more wasn’t the girl who wrote newspaper columns.
“Of course it is. Come on.” He grasped my hand again and tugged me over to the table, dropping his own tray first and then taking mine from my arms to set down next to it. “Hey, guys. Make room.” He slung one leg over the bench and gave the guy next to him a little shove. “Move over, Simpson. My girl doesn’t need much space, but you take up half the bench.”
“Nice, Taylor.” Dylan glanced back at me and then did a double-take. “Oh. Hi.”
“Hi.” I felt tremendously self-conscious as the group fell silent. Keeping my head down, I mimicked Leo’s moves and climbed over the bench, trying to make myself as small as possible as I sat down.
“Oh, hell no, Leo. Hell no.” Trish Dawson slammed down her can of diet soda. “No way. I’m not eating with her.”
Down the table, Matt sighed. “Trish, c’mon—”
“Matt, you might be the quarterback, but you’re not going to win this one.” She pointed at me. “She hates us. Have you read what she writes in that stupid school newspaper?”
“Trish, sit down and shut the hell up.” Leo didn’t raise his voice, but Trish’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Quinn’s with me. If you have something to say to her, discuss it like a normal person and stop screaming like a banshee.”
“Hey, speaking of banshees, you know who’s hot?” One of the other guys leaned up, smirking. “That chick who plays the banshee on Teen Wolf. Am I right? Smokin’.”
And just like that, the conversation shifted—now there was a pun—to which female on that television show was the sexiest. Trish sat down across from me, glaring, and I knew this was far from over.
***
And that was just the beginning. By the end of the day, I’d been shoved from behind by a group of cheerleaders, jeered at by two girls . . . and then I stopped at the newspaper office. Gia looked at me and shook her head.
“Quinn. I thought you had more smarts than this.”
I pasted on a smile. “What do you mean?”
“Leo Taylor? Really? I get that he’s built like a freaking god, and his face sure is pretty to look at, but God, seriously. A football player? You’re better than that.”
&n
bsp; I rolled my eyes. “You know, I expected to get shit from the cheerleaders and all their buddies, but I figured my own friends might actually have my back.”
Gia sighed. “But . . . but Quinn. It’s like you’re defecting to the other side. How can I bitch about the football team when you’re hooking up with their chief?” She dropped her voice. “Is it just the sex? Because I can get behind that. If you’re just using him for his body, I mean.”
“Oookay then. And this conversation is over.” I turned to leave, but she snagged the handle of my bag.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I know. On principle, as a feminist, I need to support your choice to be with whoever you want. And I’ll admit, hearing you bagged the Lion right from under a cheerleader’s nose gave me a little happy.” She held up her right hand. “I promise, I’ll be good. I respect your right to choose.”
I shook my head. “I didn’t bag anyone, Gia. Leo’s been my best friend forever. It’s just that now we know there’s a little something more between us.”
Her smile turned wicked. “I hope it’s not just a little something, babe. Looking at that guy, I’d lay a bet nothing on him is little.”
Great. I could tell my face was flaming. “Anyway, I didn’t steal him from Sarah. They were just seeing each other casually, and he’d ended it before—well, before.”
“Well, that’s less satisfying but more honorable.” She folded her arms on the counter and leaned her chin on top. “I gotta give you credit, though. Dating a guy like Leo Taylor would be too much for me to handle. I heard his friends were talking shit already. And Trish Dawson says there’s no way you’ll ever hang with the team and their girlfriends. You two are like the fucking Romeo and Juliet of Eatonboro High.”
I dropped my head back and blew out a long breath. “I know. But it’ll settle down. They just aren’t used to the idea.”
“If you say so.” Gia wheeled her chair around and picked up a pile of paper. “Hey, you here to work? Want to help me fold papers?”
“Sure.” I took my share and began folding. “I’m waiting for Leo to finish practice, then we’re going to the hospital to see Nate. He’s pretty sick.” I felt a stab of guilt; how could I worry about my own petty crap when my friend was fighting to recover? “My mother just texted that he’s awake, so we can see him for a few minutes.”
“God, I’m sorry, Quinn.” She was quiet for a minute, folding. “He’s always been kind of sickly, right? I remember that from grade school.”
I nodded. “He was born prematurely, and he has a degenerative muscle disease that has lots of complications with it. It affects his lungs, and it makes him vulnerable to all kinds of viruses and infections.” I fought back the gripping fear that always niggled in my heart whenever Nate was sick. “He’s been doing pretty well the last few years. Sometimes I forget how sick he can get—and how fast it happens.”
We’d just finished the papers when Leo appeared in the doorway of the office. He filled the space, taking my breath away as he leaned on the jamb, grinning. His hair was still damp, and the long-sleeved thermal shirt hugged the roped muscles on his arms. Faded jeans stretched over his long legs. My mouth went dry and all I could think was . . . damn.
Next to me Gia sniffed, but I didn’t miss the gleam of appreciation in her eye. I gave her shoulder a little nudge. “Behave yourself.”
Turning to Leo, I smiled. “Hey. I’m ready to go. Just let me grab my bag.”
He was too fast for me. “I got it.” He slung the canvas carryall over his back. I thought he’d just head for the door, but he stopped, offering his hand to Gia. “I’m Leo Taylor. Nice to meet you.”
Her mouth dropped open a little. “Uh, Gia. Gia Capri. Yeah, nice to meet you, too.” She took his hand, and I was fairly certainly there was a little bit of swooning going on. I tried hard not to giggle.
“When Gia lets go of your hand, we should leave. If we get over to the hospital in the next hour, we can see Nate for a few minutes.”
Leo nodded. “I talked to Coach, and he said as long as I was home by nine tonight, I’m cool for curfew. Let’s go.” He winked at Gia as he freed his hand. “See you around.”
I glanced back at Gia as we left. She gave me wide eyes, fanned herself and mouthed, “WOW.”
Clearly even feminist journalists were not immune to the charms of the Lion.
Leo
I hated this fucking hospital. We’d been coming to it for way too many years, almost always to see Nate; although I’d had my share of broken bones and mild concussions, none of them had called for a hospital stay.
“I hate this place,” I muttered to Quinn. “It smells funny and people die here.” As soon as I said the words, I could’ve bitten off my tongue. I knew how worried she was about Nate.
But to my relief she only smiled and shook her head. “Tell you what. If you’re a good boy, I’ll give you a treat when we’re finished here.” The sideways glance she shot me gave a hint about what that treat might be. Oh, baby.
The ICU was on the fifth floor. We were silent in the elevator, although Quinn gripped my hand a little tighter the closer we got to that floor. I could practically feel her nerves.
“Baby, remember, I need to use this hand for catching the football tomorrow night. Don’t break my fingers, okay?”
“I’m sorry.” She tried to tug her hand free, but I wouldn’t let her go.
“I didn’t mean I don’t want to hold your hand. Just let the blood get through.”
She sighed out a breath between clenched teeth. “I hate hospitals, too. And every time Nate’s here, I’m afraid.”
“I get that.” I wrapped my arm around her just as the elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into a small waiting alcove. I was surprised to see my mom there, along with Quinn’s. Sheri and Mark were sitting close together, their hands gripped tightly. I couldn’t miss the way Sheri’s eyes darted to my arm around Quinn’s shoulder.
“How’s he doing?” Quinn glanced around the room. I felt her body tense.
“Better than this morning. Oh, my God, I was terrified. I couldn’t wake him up.” Sheri pressed her face into her husband’s chest. “He’s at least conscious now. He caught some kind of virus, and then there’s an infection . . . they’re treating him with IV antibiotics and fluids.”
“Can we see him? Just for a minute?”
Sheri nodded. “But one at a time, and . . .” Her eyes flickered to me.
As if she’d read her mind, Quinn nodded. “Don’t worry. We’re not going to say anything.”
I took one step back, shoving my hands into my back pockets. “Go ahead. I’ll wait for you here.”
She glanced back at me as Mark stood up. “I’ll show you where to go.” The two of them headed down the hall, and I was left alone with the three mothers. I dropped into one of molded plastic chairs and sighed.
When I was a little kid, these three women had been almost interchangeable in my mind as authority figures. I’d obeyed Sheri and Carrie as fast as I did my own mom. And now, sitting among them, I waited for the onslaught.
I didn’t have to wait long.
“I hear there was news I missed out on last night.” My mother was the first to speak. “Luckily I have friends who tell me things.”
“Hey, you were asleep when I got home, and I didn’t see you this morning, either. I would’ve told you.” I glanced at Sheri, but she had her head leaned against the back of the chair, with her eyes closed.
“Hmm.” Mom didn’t say anything else, but her eyes rested on me for a long while. And Carrie leaned over to pat my knee.
“You know we’re here for you, no matter what.” She whispered the words, and I wondered if they hadn’t told Sheri yet about my mother’s diagnosis. It would make sense; she had enough on her plate just now.
We sat without speaking for the next ten minutes. I stared up at the tabloid-style talk show that was playing on the television, idly watching as two men argued over who wasn’t the father of the baby held
by the woman between them.
When Quinn came back into the waiting area, she was blinking rapidly and sniffling. Mark beckoned to Sheri.
“The doctor wants to give us an update. Come on down and you can sit with Nate for a while, too.”
Quinn inclined her head, motioning for me to follow her. I stood up, and we moved a little way down the hall, into a shadowed doorway. She leaned against the wall and exhaled loudly.
“I’ve never seen him this sick, Leo. Or not in a long time.” She cast her eyes up, and I could tell she was trying not to cry. “He held my hand and kept thanking me for coming to see him. God, it about broke my heart.” She twisted her mouth. “I’m sorry you didn’t get to see him, but they didn’t want him upset right now.”
I drew her close to me. “It’s okay, Mia. Nate’s getting the medicine he needs, and you know how these things go. In a day or two, he’ll be better. And then I’ll see him, and I promise—I’m going to make things right between us.”
“I hope so.” Her voice was muffled against me. We stayed that way for a few minutes, breathing in each other’s strength.
I almost turned when I heard Mark’s voice, but when I realized that neither he nor Sheri had seen us, I stood still, not wanting to interrupt.
“It’s going to be okay, Sher. The meds are doing their job, and Dr. Randall’s on the case. He’s never let us down yet.”
“Yet being the operative word.” Sheri’s voice was a cry of anguish. “Every time this happens, it breaks off another piece of my heart. I think, is this the time we’re going to lose him? We don’t know how long we’re going to have him here, Mark. Nothing’s guaranteed to us.”
“You could say that about anyone, babe. You know that. We’ve been climbing this mountain for almost eighteen years. Nate’s beat the odds every time. Just hold onto that.”
Quinn raised her face to me, her expression bleak. I stared down into her eyes until I was sure Nate’s parents had moved away, and then I led her back down the hall.
My mother was kneeling next to Sheri, whose face was buried in her hands. Carrie sat on Sheri’s other side, rubbing her back.
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