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Quinn steps in behind me, and just as he is about to sit near me, Bridgette corners him. “Come sit here, Theo,” she purrs, patting the seat near her, leaning forward so her boobs are on display.
I clench the leather seat underneath me, my fingers about to tear through the fabric. But I quickly remind myself to chill out. Quinn looks at me awkwardly, and I roll my eyes, snatching Lucky’s lead from his hand and positioning him near me.
“I hope you guys like eighties music!” shouts the driver, taking off while Bon Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” drowns out my curses.
“They won’t know,” I whisper to my only companion in the car who feels my pain.
Lucky gazes up at me, looking as pained as I do, and as we’re being subjected to Bret Michaels for the fifth time, I revisit my idea of banging my head repeatedly on the window, hoping to knock myself unconscious.
We’ve been in the car for nearly two hours. The whole trip, Quinn has received the complete, undivided attention of his fans—Bridgette, Tonya, and Pippa—who have fawned over his accent, asked repeatedly what he likes doing, did his piercings hurt, does he have any unseen piercings, what’s his favorite food, who is his favoriteSesame Streetcharacter. The list goes on and on…and on.
Quinn is uncomfortable with their attention and only playing along, but I still hate it. However, deep down, I know that I’m jealous.
But Quinn isn’t mine, per se. We’ve fooled around and made out but haven’t spoken about where we stand. And who knows if we evenstandanywhere. It was complicated enough before all this shit happened, but now, I don’t even want to think about what this means for “us.”
Our kiss yesterday was filled with desperation, two inconsolable people trying to make the pain go away. I won’t read into our reckless union because what kind of life can I offer Quinn?
A life of crime and that’s about it.
Looks like plan B with a twist will be set into motion earlier than I planned.
My decision made, I’m going to encourage Quinn to flirt and hook up. God knows he won’t have to try very hard. I’d rather eat glass than do this, but it’s for the best.
I’m really starting to understand the meaning behind that phrase now.
“Everything okay?” Quinn asks softly, turning toward me as Bridgette whispers with her partners in crime through the gap in the front seats.
I give him the best fake smile that I can and reply a little too happily. “Never better.”
His eyes narrow, not believing a word, but he turns back around as Bridgette passes her hand over his thigh, making him jump in surprise at how forward she’s being.
As I envision cutting off her fingers, I remember the promise I made to myself thirty seconds ago and take a deep, calming breath.
“So, Mabel…” Pippa, the driver, looks at me in the rearview mirror. “How do you know Theo?”
I’m surprised that after two hours, they remember my name, as none of them have spoken a word to me.
Quinn begins without pause, “I’m her bo—”
“He’s my brother,” I cut him off, disregarding the dirty look he gives me.
I ignore the satisfaction I feel at the fact that Quinn was about to refer to himself as my boyfriend. And under any other circumstance, I would be thrilled, but now, now I just feel undeserving.
Three sets of shoulders depress, thankful I’m not a threat.
“Oh, that’s awesome,” purrs Bridgette, running a long fingernail along Quinn’s bicep, which is poking out of his gray T-shirt.
I try not to scowl, but my heart is ready to explode. But as Quinn subtly pulls back his arm, not at all impressed with her touching him, my lips tip up into a small smirk.
“Woo-hoo!” yells Tonya, sticking her head out the window. “We’re here!”
My eyes snap up to witness what Tonya hollers about, and I see the blue Welcome to South Carolina sign.
Woo-hoo!I internally cheer. I can finally get out of this suffocating environment, which has just become a lot more uncomfortable when I see Quinn mulling over my comment.
We roll into town, and Pippa finds a parking lot. She spins around to face us. “So did you wanna tag along? Come see the band with us?” she asks, looking at Quinn, not really caring if I go or not.
“Sure thang,” I reply before Quinn can decline.
