“Whatever,” Miles says, rolling his eyes before he turns to Quinn. “He doesn’t know who you are. I swore the band to secrecy, and no one’s gonna say anything.”
Quinn nods. “Thanks, Miles, I really appreciate that.”
“He’s still here, you know,” I say, figuring Miles probably deserves to know that given his history with Quinn’s ex. “Sean.”
“Seriously?” he asks, his eyes widening as he looks from me to Quinn.
She nods in confirmation. “Yeah. I’m guessing he didn’t like my post and is hanging around to prove a point. I’m really hoping he doesn’t show up here tonight,” she adds, looking around the bar as though she half expects him to be here already.
“Dude would get his fucking ass kicked if he did,” Miles mutters, and once again, I can’t help but wonder about all the shit that went down when they toured with them.
I know he said a lot of stuff the other night, but I get the feeling there’s still more to the story, especially because Quinn hasn’t spoken to Dean or Sutton or Lacey. Maybe it’s better we don’t know everything. Who the fuck knows, but if it’s going to help her get rid of him, then maybe she needs to know.
“Maybe you should tell the others,” I say, tipping my head in the direction of his bandmates.
“Yeah,” Miles says, breathing out. “I’ll let the guys know.”
“And Lace?” I ask.
Miles turns to where she stands with Jonah, the two of them still deep in their silent conversation. They’ve always been like this—part of the group, but always slightly outside of it too. And it’s not just because Jonah is deaf. We’ve always made sure to include him and make things as easy as we can for him.
It’s more that these two have always been in their own little world, and the rest of us just watch it from the outside.
“I don’t know,” Miles eventually says. “Maybe.”
“Did something happen with her and Sean?” Quinn asks, worry in her tone.
Miles shakes his head, still looking at Lacey. “No, I mean, I don’t think so,” he says, rubbing his hand over his head. “But something did happen with her. It’s just that none of us know what it was.”
Quinn turns to where Lacey stands with Jonah, the two of them smiling as they watch something on Jonah’s phone. “Should I talk to her?” she now asks, glancing at my brother.
He takes a deep breath as Daze walks over to join us, giving Quinn a quick hug before doing the same with me. “Not tonight,” Miles says, slinging an arm around his fiancée.
“Babe, Lisa says you’re on in like ten minutes,” Daisy says, smiling up at him.
“Well, shit,” Miles responds, dropping a quick kiss on her lips. “I guess I better go get ready.”
“Please,” Daze scoffs. “Like you need to get ready.”
Miles grins, the smile that seems to be permanently on his face these days, as Daisy smacks him on the ass. He kisses her neck before giving me a quick wink and then turning to his bandmates. Dean, Sutton and Lacey all walk over to the small stage at the back of the room, the crowd of people instantly quieting down, even as a few people whistle and cheer.
“Wow, they are really popular,” Quinn says as she looks around the room at all the people whistling and clapping.
“Local kids who made good,” I say, moving Quinn so she’s standing in front of me. I wrap my arms around her shoulders, pulling her close so her back is resting against my front. “Plus, this is who we are,” I add, kissing the side of her neck.
She turns and looks up at me. “I really love that,” she says, and all I can think in this moment is...
I really love you.
I don’t even know where it comes from because it’s not something I’ve ever said to a woman that wasn’t my mom, much less felt. I have never been in love because I’ve never wanted to be.
But right now, with Quinn, with everything I know and learn about her. With the way she makes me feel and the way I want to spend every second of every day with her. Always.
Maybe that’s what this is.
Love.
Holy shit.
