Page 19 of Broken Player

Shivering, I looked down at my phone, which beeped for the thousandth time tonight. Quinn had been texting me relentlessly worried about how my date went, but I hadn’t messaged himback yet. I had no idea what to say. How did I even begin to explain what I agreed to do?

Looking around the small hotel room, it felt so impersonal. I missed home. Suddenly, the walls felt like they were closing in. The air was hot and stuffy despite the air conditioner blowing a constant stream of chilly air into the room. I jumped off the bed and started collecting my stuff, shoving it into the tote bag I brought along with me this morning when I made the drive to the bank.

Had that just been this morning? It felt like a lifetime ago. So much happened today. I was having a hard time processing it. I needed my best friend and home.

Pulling my phone out of my back pocket, I checked the time. Eleven. I didn’t feel tired. In fact, I was wired, jittery, and wide awake. I doubted I’d be getting any sleep at all tonight, long drive or not. Besides, home wasn’tthatfar, only maybe an hour’s drive. It would be worth making the drive to sleep in my own bed.

Ignoring all the texts from Quinn threatening to drive here tonight and hunt down Yates if I didn’t respond, I shot him a quick message letting him know I was on my way home. I would explain everything when I got there. I doubted that would make him feel much better, but at least he’d know I was alive.

Taking one last look around to make sure I hadn’t left anything behind, I left the room, pulling the door shut behind me with a satisfying click. I knew I was making the right choice to get the hell out of here and go home. Besides, maybe I’d run into a certain hot as sin rock star staying next door. My lips tilted up at that thought, as unlikely as it was, and I made my way out to my car suddenly in more of a hurry to get home than I’d been a few minutes ago.

Pullingdown the long driveway that led to our one-story ranch house, I slowed and rolled down my window, sticking my head out and turning off my headlights. While I didn’t plan on living on the ranch much longer, I could appreciate how incredible the night sky was out here. I always took it for granted until I went away to college in southern California. The stars were almost impossible to see through the city lights out there. But here, there wasn’t a street lamp for miles. There was nothing to impede on the inky sky full of sparkling stars and faint galaxies. Anytime I found myself outside at night, I couldn’t help but tilt my head up to the sky and remind myself of how small my problems really were.

It was a reminder I sorely needed tonight. My phone buzzed in the cupholder and pulled me out of my fantasy. Instead of flying up to a faraway planet and leaving all my problems behind, I squinted my eyes at the bright screen. It hurt my eyes in the dark, and I stared at it, rolling my eyes at Quinn’s text threatening to come out here and drag me inside if I didn’t walk in the door in the next two minutes. He’d obviously been watching out the window for me to get home.

Flipping my headlights back on, I finished the drive. Finally, I stopped, stepped out of the car, and stretched my arms overhead. I glanced at the house next door, and all the lights were on. I wondered what Maddox might be up to tonight, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Instead, I grabbed my bag out of the backseat and walked inside before Quinn made good on his threat.

Closing the screen door softly behind me, I turned, and Quinn stood against the wall in the hallway with his arms foldedacross his chest and a scowl on his face. He motioned to follow him into the quiet house back to his room, and I did, dropping my bag inside the door before closing it behind me.

Running my hand through my hair nervously, a few strands got caught in the ring I almost forgot I was wearing, and I yanked, crying out from the pain. Quinn’s eyes narrowed in on the ring. “What the fuck is that?” he growled. “And do I need to kill someone? I’ve been going out of my goddamn mind, Ryan, worrying about what was happening to you tonight because you couldn’t be bothered to send a simple fucking text.”

Quinn started pacing the room and sort of reminded me of a bull before a rodeo. I could practically see the smoke pouring out of his ears as I fell back onto his bed and relaxed into the familiar comfort of his mattress. I was surrounded by comfy blankets and the sandalwood and soap Quinn smell that always comforted me. I’d spent more nights than I could count sleeping in here.

“First of all, you don’t need to kill anyone. I don’t think,” I started.

Quinn bunched his fists. “You don’t think?”

“No, I know. You don’t have to kill anyone. But can you please come lay down with me? I need my calm and comforting best friend right now if I’m going to tell you everything, not this angry version of him,” I requested, patting the mattress next to me.

He sighed and deflated a little before sinking into the bed next to me and grabbing my hand, lacing our fingers together. “Sorry, Ry. But I was a fucking wreck all night worried about you when you didn’t text back. You never date, so I was shocked you even wanted to, especially when the rock star showed back up,” he gritted out, and I could see he was trying to rein in his temper.

Squeezing his hand, I rolled onto my side so I was facing him and looking into his dark hazel eyes. “I’m sorry, too, Quinny. I didn’t mean to worry you, and when you hear what happened tome tonight, hopefully you’ll understand why I didn’t want to tell you in text and why I wanted to drive home so we could talk face to face.”

His eyes softened, and he reached out and brushed the hair out of my face, waiting for me to talk. “You know this morning how I went to the bank, and Yates denied my request for a loan?”

Quinn raised an eyebrow. “Wait, his name isYates?”

Giggling, I nodded my head. “I know. How veryIvy Leagueof his parents, right? But it really fits him. You’ll see.”

“What do you mean, I’ll see? Why would I ever meet this douche?”

“I’m getting to that part.”

Quinn motioned for me to continue. “So, he picked me up for dinner, and the ride to the restaurant was so awkward. Have I ever even been on a date before?” I wondered aloud.

“Uh, not that I remember. But I wasn’t with you in college,” Quinn answered, furrowing his eyebrows until a little crease appeared between them.

“Yeah, well, now I know why. We don’t know anything about each other, and I had no idea what to talk about, and it seemed like he didn’t mind the silence. We got to the restaurant, and it was fine, the place was the nicest restaurant I’d ever been to. I even had wine.”

Laughing, Quinn poked me in the stomach. “Look who went to the big city and got all fancy,” he drawled with an exaggerated version of his slight twang.

Smacking his chest, I glared at him. “I’ve always been fancy. Anyway, the food was surprisingly good considering I didn’t know what it was, but that wasn’t the interesting part. That came after we were done eating.”

“I have a feeling I’m not going to like this part,” Quinn sounded wary.

“Yeah, I don’t like this part, so I don’t think you will either. But try to hold off on all your questions until the end, okay?”

He nodded once, and I continued. “It turns out that Yates had quite the proposal for me. He knew all about our problems with the ranch, and he came to dinner prepared. His family owns the bank, and he’s in line to take over the family business. But he wants to make his own way, so he needs access to his trust fund.”

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