Page 78 of Waiting for Friday Night

Laura looked at Halle, clearly surprised she knew the story. “Yes, he did.”

Dawn crossed her arms and sneered. “And his family only tried to brush the incident under the rug.”

Laura waved a hand. “That’s typical of his dad.” Resentment filled her voice.

“Khris’s dad was the same?” Halle asked.

Laura nodded. “Exactly the same.”

Willie abruptly stood. “I’m going to the concession stand. Anyone want anything?” he asked in a stiff voice.

Halle shook her head. “I’m good.”

He nodded then walked toward the concessions. A worried expression crossed Laura’s face. “I’ll get something, too.” She jumped up and followed.

Halle looked back to Quinton’s sister, who shook her head. “My parents don’t like Khris’s parents.”

That much was clear. The sight of the man made the typically happy and outspoken duo clam up. “Because of what happened with Quinton?”

Dawn tilted her head to the side. “No, it started before that. But the accident didn’t help. Khris’s dad always had it out for our family. Always had something negative to say or found ways to talk about us in the community. I think because he looked down on us it made it easier for Khris to do the same thing.”

She understood that a kid would mimic what he saw his parents do, but why would Khris’s dad be so rude to Quinton’s parents? Was it just because they didn’t have the money he had? Quinton said his family couldn’t donate to the school or booster club and those who could were treated differently. Was Khris an elitist asshole like his dad?

“Why do you think he wants to talk to Quinton?” Halle wondered out loud.

Dawn let out a heavy breath. The nights were getting cooler and she had a red blanket with the Peachtree Cove mascot stitched into the side. When Halle asked where she’d gotten it, she’d admitted she’d had it made specifically to support her brother.

“Who knows,” Dawn said. “Probably because Quinton did something with his life and he wants to pretend like they’re friends so he can use that for clout. Maybe he wants to make Quinton’s life a living hell. It could be anything with Khris.”

Halle looked toward the box where the announcer called the plays and Khris sat with Jeremiah and the mayor. She shouldn’t have asked Quinton to work with him to help their town get a leg up on winning. Now that she knew more, she understood why he didn’t want anything to do with Khris. Because he was a part of the community, he’d put his own hurt to the side to try to get through it. That was the type of guy Quinton was. He looked out for people who were a part of his team, and the town of Peachtree Cove was a part of his team. She wanted to prevent him from being hurt with all of this. Wanted to protect him, but protecting Quinton wasn’t her place, was it? But they were a family, weren’t they? Imperfect, messy and unorthodox, but still a family. Not the perfect family she’d envisioned creating one day, and the scary thing about it was she wasn’t sure if she wanted that perfect family anymore.

Peachtree Cove’s varsity team did bring home the win. And although everyone wanted to celebrate afterward, Halle insisted that she and Shania go home. She needed some space to digest the feelings growing inside her. The need to protect and care for Quinton. The need to pretend like they were a family. A need she wasn’t sure she wanted to feel. Not when she wasn’t sure if she and he could have a future if Shania didn’t want them together.

As a compromise, they all agreed that Shania would come visit Quinton and his family the next day. She and Shania rang the bell at Quinton’s house early that Saturday afternoon. Quinton came to the door wearing a pair of gray joggers and a dark T-shirt. The soft material of the outfit hugged his thick thighs and broad shoulders. The taste of his lips on hers, the feel of those thighs beneath her hands, the stiff thickness of his erection, flooded her memory. The air thinned and the sun became ten times hotter as desire wrapped around her neck and chest and squeezed. She’d agreed to see him alone but they hadn’t found the time to be alone.

Maybe that was a good thing. The man made her want him with just a look. How was she supposed to be alone with him and think rationally? To not slide her hands beneath the thin material of his T-shirt, feel the soft heat of his skin and kiss his perfect lips?

Shania bounced beside Halle, unaware of her mom’s struggle. “We’re early, but it’s my fault. I was ready to get here.”

Quinton grinned. The pride whenever he looked at Shania, a bright star in his eye. “Come as early as you want. Everyone is sitting in the living room watching television.”

“Is that Shania?” Laura’s voice came from inside the house. “Come here, girl!”

That was all the encouragement Shania needed. She hurried inside toward the living room. Her gaze locked with Quinton’s. Desire burned away the pride in his eyes. Her stomach clenched. Did he feel this, too?

He motioned for her to come inside, and she crossed the threshold. “How are you?”

“Better, now that you’re here.” His voice was low and deep. He stood close enough for her to smell the rich scent of whatever cologne or body wash he used.

Halle didn’t move to put any distance between them. She craved his nearness. “Shania was eager to get over here. She loves hanging out with your parents and sister.”

“They love hanging out with her. I didn’t lie when I said they’ve been harassing me about having a kid. Now they’ve got a grandchild and she’s smart, beautiful and takes after me and my love for football. They’re thrilled.”

“Is it okay for me to stay? I can leave and come back to pick her up.” They wanted to see Shania, not Halle.

Quinton’s brows drew together. “Don’t go. Shania will want you here.”

She tilted her head to the side. “Just Shania?” There was a note of flirtation in her voice.

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