A literal replacement. Esme Callahan’s twin brother, who looked identical to her.
How fucking stupid. Life wasn’t a fairy tale.
“Every time you apologize for dumb shit, I’m going to throw something at you,” Quinn told him, reaching for his spare pillow as a show of how serious he was. “This charity is important to you, and even if your teammates show up, you don’t want to go alone. It’s a no-brainer.”
Eren’s shoulders curved inward, and Quinn knew he wanted to keep wallowing, but he didn’t fight him this time.
Progress.
“The event starts at eight o’clock, so we’ll leave here around six-thirty,” said Eren. “I’m going to take the girls out today and do something fun, so you’ll have the place to yourself. Sorry for waking you.”
Quinn hefted the pillow and threw it at Eren’s head, but his reflexes saved him. The attack wasn’t pointless because Eren was smiling on his way out the door, which had been Quinn’s intended goal.
He was left alone in his room to blink sleepily at the door, pondering life choices and the several projects he needed to complete before the end of term. When it became apparent that he wouldn’t be able to fall back asleep, Quinn got up and started his day.
His rooms were located on the third floor of Callahan’s abundantly spacious house; two bedrooms, one being his studio, connected by the Jack and Jill bathroom in the middle. The space was bigger than his apartment had been, which wasn’t what Quinn asked for when Eren insisted he move in, but it was what he was stuck with.
Emira and Alara had claimed the entirety of the second floor, and Eren stayed in the master bedroom on the ground floor, so he was closer to his gym, the kitchen, and the basement filled with hockey shit.
It didn’t matter how much Quinn told Eren he didn’t need more space or supplies, he always found things waiting outside his bedroom. Canvases, paints, brushes and everything he needed to paint until his heart’s content.
Itwas like having a damn sugar daddy, but he knew Eren thrived on providing things for the people he cared for, so Quinn kept his mouth shut about it.
The only time he had put his foot down recently was when the neighbour’s house went up for sale, and Eren tried to buy it for him.
He didn’t know what Eren thought he would do with amansion, but he was glad it hadn’t happened. His bedroom felt empty enough because he didn’t have stuff to fill it with, so having a mansion would have been depressing.
Quinn spent most of the day in his studio, working on his thesis and a new piece depicting the Greek gods feasting at an elaborate table piled high with modern takeout. The work kept his hands and mind busy until his alarm went off, reminding him to shower and get ready for the charity ball.
He tried not to feel anxious as he removed his piercings and did his makeup, keeping everything toned down and appropriate for the event. Quinn had been to more than a few public outings with Eren when his sister was alive, but he knew there would be more eyes on him this time.
Quinn had learned very quickly that people loved to see celebrities grieving.
He met Eren downstairs at exactly six-thirty, wearing his most expensive tux and a smile on his face. Eren looked dashing in his tailored black suit and boy-next-door grin, and it was always nice to see his beard cleaned up and his hair styled.
“The girls are watching a movie with Una, so now is the time to sneak out.” Eren looked Quinn up and down and gave him an approving nod. “Looking good, Harlow. Maybe I should have asked Cote to take you as his second since all your effort is a bit wasted with me.”
Cote? The quiet, gay Bigfoot player?
“He couldn’t handle me,” said Quinn, gesturing for Eren to go ahead and open the front door. “He’s cute, but not my type.”
Eren’s scoff echoed loudly in the foyer, and Quinn laughed.
“Actually, you’re probably right. I like Niko, so it would be mean to set him up with your prickly ass.”
“Damn, Callahan. Are you flirting with me?”
They shared a look, and Eren was the first to give in and chuckle, shaking his head at how ridiculous they were acting.
Eren had taken out one of his many nice vehicles for the drive, this one a large boxy thing with wheels that were good for snowy roads.
Quinn appreciated the heated seats on his sore muscles as they drove into the city. He and Eren didn’t talk, choosing to listen to a playlistand relax instead, and that was fine. They were both on edge, and other than the girls, they didn’t have much in common.
If Esme were there, she would be sharing random hockey facts that Quinn had no chance of understanding while Eren pitched in whenever she stopped to take a breath. They had always been a perfect match, but it was never more obvious than the times when they talked about their favourite sport.
“Shit. Cote brought Snow.”
Quinn’s attention shifted from the side window to the front one, heart pounding as he caught sight of a familiar tall form and bone-white hair. August had arrived before them in his sports car that looked like it had cost more than Eren’s house, and he was waving at the flashing cameras while handing his keys to the valet driver.
