Page 108 of Fragile

“I’ll take one,” I say, grabbing a cracker and chocolate from the stack next to us, taking the stick as Indie passes it over.

Quinn leans in close, her breath warm against my ear as she whispers, “Make me one too, baby?”

I freeze for a split second, the word “baby” hanging in the air between us. It's the first time she’s ever called me that, and it hits me like a jolt of electricity. I can feel my heart skip, then pick up speed, my pulse thrumming in my ears. It’s such a simple word, but coming from her, it feels like a small shift in the universe, like things between us just clicked into a new gear.

I turn my head to look at her, my eyes searching hers, trying to read the expression on her face. She’s smiling, just the faintest curve of her lips, like she knows exactly what she’s said. I can’t stop the grin from spreading over my face too, as I quickly kiss her lips.

“I’ve only got one good arm, and it’s my almost birthday, shouldn’t you be making me one?”

“Listen, I know exactly what you can do with that good arm of yours. Besides, the cast is off now, and your physio says you should be exercising it,” she whispers, dipping her face closer to my ear, “and I know exactly how to celebrate your birthday with you later.”

“That a promise?”

She nods, and my body reacts, her smile wicked and I’m here for it.

“Hey, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Jay asks, bursting our little bubble. “Hiking or chilling here?”

Quinn tilts her head, looking at the group again. “Definitely hiking,” she says. “We’ve been cooped up too long studying. I need to stretch my legs.”

“I’m down,” I say. “But if anyone bails halfway through, you’re on your own.” I give Hudson a pointed look, and he immediately throws up his hands in mock surrender.

“Hey, I’ve learned my lesson. No more late-night benders before a hike. Scout’s honor.”

“Were you even a scout?” Seb asks, arching an eyebrow as he pulls Indie closer, his arm slung casually around her shoulders.

“I got kicked out for setting the scout leader on fire during our overnight camp out.”

Everyone falls into more fits of laughter. Faces turn red as everyone doubles over, clutching their sides, unable to contain their amusement. “Of course you did, Hudson,” Indie laughs out. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

A couple of hours later, the fire crackles, sending up a shower of sparks as Seb tosses on another log. The sky is a deep, inky blue now, with the first stars beginning to peek through. Jay is talking about some trail he read about—something with a waterfall at the end—while Indie leans into Seb, her eyes half-closed as she listens. Hudson is sprawled out in his chair, looking up at the sky with a content expression, and Quinn is still between my legs, her hand resting on my knee.

I feel lighter than I have in months. This—this is what I’d been missing. The laughter, the teasing, the feeling of being surrounded by people who know me inside and out, who’d seen me at your worst and still wanted to hang out by a lake with me on a Friday night.

Quinn leans her head on my shoulder, and I can feel her smile against my skin. “This is nice,” she murmurs, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Yeah,” I agree, resting my chin on her head. “It really is.”

As I hold her, I realize that this moment, this feeling, is what I’ve always wanted. It’s not about the perfect words, it’s not even about being perfect. It’s about being with the person who means everything to you and knowing that they feel the same way.

And in that simple truth, I find everything I need.

Epilogue part one…

Miles

I stare at myreflection in the mirror, running a hand through my hair for what feels like the hundredth time. My new apartment is quiet, save for the hum of the AC kicking in, but my heart’s racing, like I’m about to suit up for a game, but this isn’t about football anymore. This is something else entirely—something bigger.

I haven’t seen Dad in over a year. It’s been long enough that I’ve almost forgotten what his voice sounds like when he’s not yelling. Almost. The memory of our last conversation still sits heavy in my chest, like a stone I’ve been carrying around, pretending it wasn’t there. He walked out of my life the same way he’d always tried to control it—without warning and on his terms.

But that hasn’t stopped me from living. It hasn’t stopped me from trying to move on because my life is pretty damn good.

“Here you go.” Quinn breezes around the corner from the kitchen with a fresh cup of coffee in her hands for me. Hershrewd gaze takes in my outfit of an Oregon Beavers hoodie, repping my job as Team Physio Assistant that I’m starting in a couple of weeks, and she smiles. “You’re sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

Extending my hand, she takes it without hesitation, and I pull her toward me, wrapping my arms around her legs, resting my chin on her stomach. “I love you for offering, but this is something I want to do by myself.”

Her hands run through my hair gently. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

I nod, gesturing for her to lean in and kiss me, and she does, making all my nerves disappear for those few sweet seconds.

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