August had never heard Quinn speak so coldly before, and he was eternally grateful that the full bite of that tone had never been turned on him—not even when he still blamed August for breaking his heart.
“This is what’s going to happen. I will hang up, and you are never going to call August again or contact him in any way. August is going to file a restraining order against you, and I’m so petty that I’m not going to let him block your number so that if you call, I’ll drag your fucking ass to court. I know it’s probably too late for him to get justice for the pain you caused him, but at least from this point on, you’ll be out of his life.”
A pause, followed by Quinn’s low chuckle.
“Aw, Mrs. Snow. Do you really think I’m still using my father’s lawyer and paying for legal advice with his money? That’s cute. I haven’t spoken to that bastard in years. I have myownlawyer I pay with myownmoney. What August makes is pocket change compared to what’s in my accounts, so don’t try to twist this into something it’s not.”
Judging by how angry Quinn was, August was glad his mother hadn’t been stupid enough to show up at his house. Quinn probably would have killed her, and August would be stuck in the bath because he hadn’t been permitted to move. He would have to listen to his mother’s ugly screams, and that would end up making his migraine worse when he was just beginning to feel better.
The thought had a giggle bubbling in his throat, and it must have been loud enough for Quinn to hear because he popped his head into the room to check on him.
August gave him a little wave, and Quinn flashed him a smile before disappearing again.
“I’m going to end the conversation here because I need to get in contact with my lawyer. I’m also worried about your health because you seem a little hysterical, and I wouldn’t want you to give yourself a heart attack. Take care, Mrs. Snow. Remember what I said, and don’t call.”
August’s eyes were closed again. He didn’t realize they were until he had to open them to watch Quinn walk past the bathroom door and leave the bedroom.
He wasn’t worried about him not coming back.
He wasn’t worried about anything.
“Hey.”
August jolted, splashing himself in the face with water when his arm shot out to grip the edge of the tub.
Quinn shushed him and touched a hand to his head, giving him a moment of physical contact before he pulled away. “I brought more cold water to drink and Advil. We’ll try broth once you’re out of the bath and more awake.”
With Quinn beside him, August felt more anchored in his body. He took the pills and emptied the bottle, surprised at how thirsty he was only after he started drinking.
“We have an hour before we have to leave for our appointment,” said Quinn. He was kneeling at the edge of the tub, brushing his fingers rhythmically through August’s hair at a pace that felt hypnotizing. “How is your head? I noticed that your nose stopped bleeding.”
His head was still throbbing, and there was a sharp pain buzzing behind his right eye, but it no longer felt like someone was kicking him in the face with steel-toed boots.
“The pain is manageable,” said August. “I just need to get in bed and nap until it’s time to leave, if that’s okay?”
August didn’t know what time it was, other thanlate,because it was dark outside. He was tempted to ask Quinn if they could see the therapist the next morning, but he was supposed to be following orders, so he let it go.
“Napping is good,” said Quinn. “You need to let your brain rest.”
Groaning, August leaned into the touches so that Quinn knew he appreciated them.
“I told Eren that you were sick and taking a week off,” said Quinn. “He said he would let the trainers and whoever else know about the update, but that you’ll probably need to talk to someone tomorrow to clarify.”
That was fair. August hadn’t meant to leave his teammates on a lurch, but he trusted them to keep the show going until he returned.
“I’ll call them tomorrow,” August agreed. “Bed?”
Quinn scoffed and pulled away so he could empty the tub and get a towel. “Harrison was making a stockpile of food for us last time I was down there,” said Quinn. “I know his team is staying the night, but since Jett has to stay at the hotel, I told him to leave once we head out.”
August kept forgetting that Killinger was babysitting him on Niko’s orders. It was the only compromise the kid would agree to short of calling in sick to stay with him, and August refused to let him do that, so Harrison jumped in to save the day.
“It’s funny how Harrison used to be known for having an attitude problem,” August said, chuckling. “Wouldn’t believe it looking at him now.”
Quinn helped steady August until he was wobbling on stiff legs, but he felt well enough to dry himself unassisted. Quinn remained within touching distance, holding out a hand to steady him whenever August leaned too far in one direction, but he felt decently stable.
Quinn left to turn the bedroom light off and was back before August could make it out of the bathroom. He had turned the hall light on instead, which was still bright, but not blindingly so. It allowed just enough brightness into the room for August to get dressed in warm, casual clothes before hobbling to the bed.
The Advil and water were starting to kick in, and by the time Quinn joined him under the blankets with chicken and rice soup and saltines, he was beginning to feel like a person again.
