“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.
I cleared my throat. “If it’s okay, I’ll take Quinn home. I’m supposed to be at home by nine, so Coach doesn’t freak.” It sounded so silly, so frivolous, to be talking football when Nate’s life was teetering on the brink. I added, “But if you need us to stay, we will. Curfew be damned.”
Sheri lifted her face and shook her head. “No, honey, you go home and get some rest. Both of you. Nate would want that.” She ran one hand through her hair. “And he’s going to be fine.” She gave us a watery smile. “And once he’s all better, I’m sure he’s going to be happy for both of you. You’ve always been such good friends to him.”
Quinn bent to give Sheri a quick hug. “We love him, you know that. Just let me know if you need anything.”
We took the elevator back downstairs, where I forced myself to walk slowly, even though I wanted to sprint out of that place. Quinn squeezed my hand.
“Thanks for coming with me, Leo. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“Hey.” I stopped just outside the doors, gripped Quinn by her shoulders and brought her in front of me. “I would do anything for you, Mia. Anything. This was nothing.”
She gave me a faint smile. “If you say so.”
“I do, and I mean it.” I linked our hands again as we walked to the car. It was dark, even though it wasn’t quite eight yet, and I paid close attention to the road. “I wish I could take you out eat, but Coach is serious about the curfew. I have to check in that I’m home by nine, and even though we’re on the honor code—there aren’t any second chances.”
“I understand. And honestly, I’m too tired to think about going anywhere.” She reached over the gear shift to touch my knee, and my body jumped at the feel of her hand. “But I did promise you a treat, didn’t I? If you were a good boy at the hospital.”
“And I was a very good boy.” I gave her wide eyes and a nod. “Very good.”
“Hmm. What kind of treat do you think you deserve?”
“Well ...” I turned my car into Quinn’s driveway and clicked off the headlights. “I’d start with your lips.” I pointed at my mouth. “Right here.”
She smiled. “We’ve been together almost twenty-four hours now. Aren’t you tired of kissing me yet?”
I shook my head. “Mia, the day I tell you I’m tired of your kisses will be the last day of my life.” I skimmed one hand over her hair. “And even then, your mouth on mine will be what I want as I open up the pearly gates.”
Quinn’s eyes glistened again, but this time, the tears weren’t sad ones. “You say the most wonderful things. How can you be so sure now, when last week you were pretending I didn’t exist?”
“Because I finally gave in.” I laughed. “I thought I didn’t deserve you, Mia. And I was right, I don’t. But I got tired of fighting how much I need you, and even though I know I’m not good enough for you, I’m never going to stop trying to be better.”
“Okay.” Before I knew what was happening, Quinn had flung one leg over my lap, straddling me, her back against the steering wheel.
“Whoa.” I caught her by the hips. “What’re you doing, babe?”
“Giving you your treat.” She leaned down, touching her lips to mine. “This is where you wanted me to start, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” I tilted my head up to give her better access.
“Mmmmm.” Quinn hummed, as though my mouth was the best thing she’d ever tasted. “Can I ask you something, Leo?”
“Baby, when you’re sitting on me like this, you can ask me for the world, and I’d give it to you. What do you want to ask?”
She sighed a little, and her breath fanned over my cheek. “Can you tell ... how inexperienced I am? I don’t want to be boring for you.”
“Boring is the last thing you are. And I’m going to be a total male chauvinist pig and say I love the fact that you haven’t been with anybody else.” I ran my hands up her sides. “When I kissed you outside the hospital last month, was that your first kiss?”
Eyes averted, Quinn nodded.
