Page 80 of No Place Like Home

“I’m Quincy fucking Hardwell, Jess,” he bit back, like that was explanation enough.

I reached out and patted his shoulder. “You’ll live, Mr. Fancypants.”

He gave me a dry chuckle. “You aresobad for my ego.”

“Your ego doesn’t need stroking,” I hissed.

“But it feels nice.”

I opened my mouth, and those jade eyes twinkled with mischief. I closed it immediately, because I did not trust him—or myself, but mostly him. I was still processing.

“Now, explain!” I demanded as I pointed to the house.

“I found Juliet at the diner. She was like, come, and I figured this way everyone would satiate their curiosity and leave you alone.”

His answer was sincere, and it warmed my heart.

“Thank you.”

He stepped forward, and I took one back, but not far away from his reach. He brought his hand up and touched my cheek, causing me to miss a breath or five.

Quincy Hardwell looked entirely too pleased about the effect he was having on me.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he gloated.

Shit.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

To my surprise,I had not been warned away from Jess. I had no idea what was going on, and if the Carsons were as crazy as Jess always complained, no one had demanded shit from me.

Being surrounded by them made me realize how much I had fucked up in treating my own parents like shit. They were still giving me space, and I knew a trip to Florida was a must, but maybe not just yet.

I had gotten used to the bubble of anonymity that Sunny Pines provided.

When Jake and Clark came, they’d asked about me first. I’d complied with their questions, even though I knew that wasn’t why they were here.

“We can shoot the shit if you like, or you can just come out and say it,” I said as I rubbed Simba’s fur.

They wouldn’t really beat up an injured guy, right? Either way, they wouldn’t hurt Simba, and maybe that was why I stayed close to my dog. Getting in a fight with the Carson brothers would definitely reach the ears of people outside of Sunny Pines and then the media, and I didn’t want that shit.

Jake opened his mouth, and I was prepared to keep up with the lie I had crafted, but the words coming out were not the ones I was expecting.

“Can you keep an eye on Jess?”

I was sure he didn’t mean for me to keep fucking her.

“Why?” I asked hesitantly.

“Her old man is appealing to have his sentence reduced for good behavior.” Clark was the one to answer.

Not the response I was expecting. Sometimes I forgot all about the things she’d been through. Even if I forgot, I bet she remembered daily. I felt like a dick.

She threw it in my face once, and at that moment, I remembered all the rage that poured out. How did I forget about it?

In all honestly, I was in awe of her. She was so strong; she carried on like nothing had happened.

“With all my bullshit, I forgot about that,” I admitted.

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