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Quinn takes a deep breath, his broad chest rising. “What are you playing at by trying to pawn me off to those girls? And to make matters worse, I find you chatting up some asshole the minute my back is turned! What’s the story between you two? Have youkissedhim?” he questions, disgusted. He stops pacing as he stands in front of me, waiting for an explanation.
“First,” I bite back, poking my finger into his firm chest, “I wasnotchatting Justin up. I was simply talking to someone I knew. And our ‘story,’ is none of your business, seeing as your ‘story’ could go on for a trilogy with all the girls you’ve been with.”
Quinn’s nostrils flare, and I dare him to continue because I sure as hell won’t shy away from bringing up Amber.
However, now that I’ve started, I can’t seem to stop. “And second, you weren’t complaining when you were sandwiched between those girls.”
Quinn’s mouth parts, surprised by my admission. And so am I. Wasn’t that what I wanted? Isn’t that why I called Quinn my brother? So those girls would make their best play for him, and Quinn would fall for it.
I should have known better.
“You think Ilikedbeing around those girls? How could you think I was interested in any of them?” he asks, taken aback.
I shrug.
“Red?”
“Because you didn’t seem to shy away from their advances.”
Quinn’s eyes narrow, clearly frustrated. “I’m doing all of this…for you. I don’twantanyone but you,” he finishes, imploring me to believe him.
And I do.
His admission touches me because he wants me. He really wants me. But I don’t reply because if I do, I know I’ll break down, forgetting the reason I’m being so horrible to him in the first place.
“Just in case you’ve forgotten,” Quinn says when I stand quiet, sounding hurt that I haven’t replied. “We’re on the run. I’m just trying to blend in and not cause a scene.”
What I’m about to do next will haunt me for the rest of my life. My heart breaks as I’m about to shoot him down after he confessed he wanted no one other than me.
But I have to.
“Oh, so using a lame accent is a waynotto stand out?” I question sarcastically, my heart shattering as the venom spills from me.
Quinn sighs, rubbing a hand down his face. “Okay, the accent was a dumb idea. I was just trying to make you smile. After everything that’s happened…”
“I don’tneedyou to make me smile or protect me, Quinn. I’ve survived a long time on my own, and I can take care of myself!”
Quinn steps back, looking as if I’ve slapped him. “You’re so fucking stubborn. I thought we were past this bullshit!”
I hate myself. I hate myself for what I’m about to say.
“Why? Because you got me off? You thought I would just back down and let you boss me around. It wasn’t a big deal. So get over yourself.”
Plan B has been put into full swing, and I want to be sick.
Quinn chuckles, but it’s not a pleasant sound. “Well, it was a big deal to me,” he says before storming out the door, it rattling off its rusty hinges when he slams it shut.
I rub my forehead, a headache pounding at my temples, but I deserve it. I hurt Quinn, and although it was intentional, it still sucks.
Plonking down onto the mattress, I raise my eyes to the water-stained ceiling, questioning whether plan B was a good idea.
Quinn made me promise to never run from him again, and I intend to stick to my word.
I promised not to run fromhim, but I can’t promise he won’t run fromme.
So plan B was a terrible idea.
But Quinn won’t let me go to the police, and my dad is no doubt still looking for me, forcing us to run, and therefore putting Quinn’s life in danger. I know he has some fucked-up notion that he has to protect me, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit it feels nice to have someone watch my back. But how can I live with myself, knowing yet another innocent person has given up their life…their freedom, to protect me.
