Page 12 of Fragile

“I have just the thing to make you feel better,” Hudson says suggestively, and I snort, because Seb will eat him alive if he hears him talking to his little sister that way.

“Huds! Are you looking to get beaten by your captain?” Jay laughs beside me.

“What? I was going to suggest a bath and a hot drink.” He sends Quinn a devilish wink before lowering his voice into a stage whisper. “I don’t know why they always think the worst of me.”

“No, of course, you’re an angel, Hudson.” She giggles.

He pulls her closer and kisses the side of her head, and something inside me twists at the sight. “You just get me, Quinn. Marry me already?”

My hand immediately sneaks into hers as I pull her away from him, and into my side instead, feeling instantly better that she’s close. “I’ve got more of a chance of marrying her. At least she likes me, and I happen to know the most about her.”

“I know she likes cheerleading.” Hudson puffs out his chest.

“Quinn June Ophelia Dawson also likes gummy worms,” I say pointedly, feeling territorial as I stare at Hudson. “Exclusively, the red and blue ones. She loves romantic comedies, her favorite color is pastel yellow, her favorite flowers are wildflowers, and she hates wearing flip-flops because when she was nine years old, she almost broke her toe tripping over in her new Havaiana flip-flops that she spent a month’s worth of chore money on and then donated them after that. And up until the age of six, she couldn’t say Caterpillars, she used to call them Callepitters.”

Feeling proud of myself for knowing so much about one of my best friends, I look down at her to catch a flush spreading right to the apples of her cheeks. Seb also takes that exact moment to turn around. “I forgot about Callepitters.” He laughs, but points a finger at me and Hudson, turning serious. “But no, neither of you are marrying her. She’s way too good for both of you.”

Hudson grumbles as he walks ahead. Quinn’s cheeks are still pink as I swipe some of her wayward red hair from her forehead.

“You okay?” I whisper into her ear.

Her spine stiffens, and I worry I’ve done something I shouldn’t have.

“Yeah, all good. You know, super hungry.” She smiles awkwardly and moves forward, out of my reach, grabbing Indie’s arm and tugging her along, forcing her brother to drop Indie’s hand. “We’re going to get a table.”

And I don’t even get to call after her before she’s striding toward the diner and pushing open the door, without another word or glance tossed my way.

Chapter five

Quinn

There was no wayto hide my flustered state a second ago, so I fled with Indie, dragging her into the diner and straight to the restroom just so I didn’t have to listen to Seb get all high and mighty about who I date, especially after what Miles said.

I have a love/hate relationship with how protective Seb is over me, since it’s made my dating life an actual nightmare. Between him and Miles, they scared off my boyfriend senior year of high school before we could even go to prom. Leaving me with the only option of going solo, which I rocked because, duh, I’m amazing company. But that didn’t stop me from doing what I’d planned to do that night with Vance anyway. I told my brother I’d be staying with a friend but ended up going to the hotel room with my boyfriend and giving him my virginity. Considering I knew I’d not get what I wanted with Miles, I just did it. Since then, casual hookups have been scarce, I’ll admit that. Or you know, in the last year…non-existent. But I’m busy and preoccupied a lot of the time, or so I tell myself.

“I swear I talked to him about being all protective, and what’s with Miles trying to have a pissing contest with Hudson?” Indie says with a huff, breaking my spiraling thoughts.

I wave her off, because admitting the truth that I’m more overwhelmed by Miles than annoyed with my brother is easier. Truth is, the fantasy I’ve had since I was five years old played out in my head like a carousel of white, lace, peonies, and Miles kissing me at the end of the aisle. One framed with a flower arch covered in the wildflowers he knows I love so much.

God, I’m such a loser.

“I’ll remind him and maybe withhold sex until he eases up on you.”

I choke on air. “Eww, I don’t need that image, thank you. And it’s fine.”

“No, it’s not,” she protests. “He promised he would be better, and the first opportunity he gets, he’s still the same. At least Hudson is harmless. Miles, though…” She sighs, then focuses on me. “You need a drink? Or like a pep talk?”

I face the mirror on the wall, staring at my reflection. My cheeks still burn red, my breathing is still heavy, and my hand tingles from where he’d pulled me away from Hudson. “Just…need a second.”

Indie doesn’t push or ask more questions, and I’m grateful because I need to calm down first. I busy my hands and wash them, smelling the vanilla soap, rubbing the suds into my skin, and watching them disappear down the drain. Taking one more deep breath, I school my emotions again. “Okay, I’m good.”

As I turn around, I’m stopped by a hand on my shoulder. “Quinn, it’s okay, you know…to talk to him.”

I shiver at the mention of doing that. “Him who?”

“I’d say your brother, but we both know you don’t need permission to rip him a new one and tear that tight leash he has on you right out of his hands.” She levels me with a stare, and Iknow I won’t like what she’s going to say. “I’m talking about the boy you’re madly in love with, Quinn.”

My skin goes cold. That’s a really bad idea. “Indie,” I groan.

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