“They gossip like old ladies. No, I just don’t know what to do yet. Come on in. grab a box.”
Quinn threw his leather jacket off, grabbed a flat box and started folding. “I just missed you at Axis Management. I’m supposed to be training new recruits for Team Stealth. We’re going to get busier this year.”
“That’s what I hear.” Gabe taped the next box.
“You’ve had enough?”
“Never, man, you know that. I got to get my girl.”
Quinn threw the box down and clapped Gabe’s shoulder. “Thank fuck for that. I’m going to miss you like crazy.”
“An hour away by plane.”
“You hate them.”
“Not so bad when I’m not jumping out of them,” Gabe said.
From the fridge, he passed Quinn an energy drink and took one out for himself.
“What really made you knock on my door?”
Quinn pointed at him, raised his bottle in cheers and hopped on the kitchen stool. “I’m sorry.”
“No, Quinn. It’s not on you.”
“Listen, my head was so messed up after Jordan, I didn’t see how much….”
“Mine was too?” Gabe grinned.
“Yeah.” Quinn looked away.
“You did. You talked to me about being too angry, about needing a break. I blew you off.”
“Okay. You’re right. It’s not my fault at all.” Quinn grinned.
“Not having Ivy has been torture. I got to give it a fair chance with her, and I don’t think it’s ever been fair.”
“I think we all owe her an apology,” Quinn said. “She was there when you got home, every time.”
“Yeah. And I didn’t realize how seriously she took her career, how her doing this marketing storytelling thing she does, it’s like her mission. Ivy risked a lot to try and protect me, and she was right. And I nearly lost her, for good. Who knows what would have happened if they had tossed her on that plane?”
“Has she talked to you about it?”
“Not much. She says she is fine. She took a new job, an executive position.”
“Your girl is impressive.”
“A couple of times, she’s let herself be angry at me, but I don’t know, I feel like that’s the Band-Aid, you know? I’m not sure what the cure is.”
“Being honest, probably or something. I don’t know. You got to tell her how you feel.”
“I know. At least I get away from my brother and father, as much as I will miss the Bandit Brothers.”
“Have you spoken to your dad?”
“I’ve told my dad to lose my number. I might try to reconnect with my mother. I understand her better now, you know?”
“Yeah. Does Ivy know you’re doing this?”
