Five words. That’s all I could get out. I don’t think; I just act. Starving for time by myself. Needing to protect Quinn from seeing me like this anymore than she already has.
“Uh…” She hesitates.
I second-guess ever calling her.
“You know what, I’m sure you have plans. I’m sorry. Have a good night, Summer.” I hang up.
I’m praying for green lights and cursing at red ones. Everything is against me. The trees, the air, my own breath. Gasping and begging for space, I steer the Bronco down the historic street. Passing Tim’s old house—the boy who asked me if I was stupid when he saw my flunked English essay on the bus ride home in sixth grade. I come up on Amy’s who turned me down for Senior Prom after she heard I ran out on my date junior year. Moments I’ve buried are bursting free.
“Summa!” Quinn shouts when she sees her.
She’s already in the driveway as I’m pulling in. Her hair is down in long waves, sweeping her exposed back. She’s wearing a tight black dress that cuts off mid-thigh with a top that fuses to her skin. Her bare legs are on display. Long, lean lines peeking out from a slit on the side of her thigh. There’s only one explanationfor that outfit.
“You have a date,” I say as I shove against the car door. It shuts harder than I intended it to.
She jumps and then folds her arms across her chest, wrapping her hands around her biceps. “Had.”
The second I let Quinn out of the back seat she runs to Summer and jumps in her arms. They both squeeze each other tight.
I’m still staring at her. Trying like hell to remember why I even called her in the first place.
“Are you okay?” she asks, snapping me back to focus.
“I’m fine. I’ll be in around ten,” I bark.
I abandon them both in the driveway for the only place I’ve ever felt like me.
18
SUMMER
Ifed Quinn some Annie’s macaroni and cheese before we turned onWish. It felt very reminiscent of the evening I was planning to have: dinner at an Italian restaurant followed by a movie at The Flicks theatre. Except my intended company was much older.
Joe took it decently well when I called and canceled. Not so well when he asked to reschedule and I turned him down. I don’t know what happened to Everett today. I don’t know what happened between us the other night. But I do know my priorities lie with him and Quinn. I’ve never been more sure of anything. Which is strange because three weeks ago I would have jumped at the chance for a free meal and a fun night out with a new guy who had everything going for him.
But beyond this being my job, I care about Everett and Quinn’s well-being more. If he needs me, whether or not in the way I was hoping for, I’ll be here. Nothing is going to stand in the way of that.
“Okay, Quinn. It’s time for bed,” I tell her as the credits roll.
She yawns, tucking her small fists beneath her cheek and snuggling intomy side.
“I know. I could fall asleep here too. But I’ve also sat on your bed, and I promise it’s cozier.”
“Otay,” she says.
I pick her up and carry her with her arms draped around my neck. She nods off against my chest, but jostles awake as I swim through a mountain of stuffed animals to get her tucked beneath the covers.
“Bunny?”
I sift through fur and stuffing, hands coming up empty for a bunny. “I don’t see it. Where’d you leave it?”
“Da-eee woom.” She points across the hall. His door’s shut. I’ve been in there before, but that was when he invited me in. This time it feels like an invasion of privacy.
“Do you think we can get Bunny tomorrow? Look at all of these other cute friends you have… Mr. Chicken, bok, bok.” I swing his bird legs so they brush the covers. She giggles. “Or Mrs. Piggy, oink, oink.” She scrunches her nose, creating tiny creases on the sides that I lean forward and kiss.
She shakes her head.
“No? It has to be Bunny?”
