Page 171 of Saving Sparrow
“You left that part out last night.”
“Yeah, I think the ‘provoking you’ apology covers that.” They went quiet, but then Elliott spoke again. “You never did anything to make me want to leave. You’re stuck with me, Q. It’s just us here. No matter what, no matter who, it’s still just us.”
I stepped out of my hiding spot. “Okay, here you go.”
Elliott blinked, holding his hand out for the phone. “Thanks.”
“Yeah, no problem.” I hugged him, pecking him on the lips before squeezing him again. “I’m sorry for letting it get this far,” I whispered in his ear. “Hurry back.”
I headed to Quentin’s side again, watching as Elliott slipped through the door. Quentin stormed off the moment it closed. I followed, rubbing the heel of my palm over my heart.
He shoved the bedroom window up, sticking his head out to watch Elliott walk down the street. He stormed to the bathroom next.
“Hey, where are you going?” I called when he emerged minutes later in workout gear.
“For a run.”
I flinched when the front door slammed, sighing before plugging in Elliott’s phone.
Elliott texted that he’d be a while longer. They were training him on the spot. Quentin hadn’t come back from his run, so I decided to handle my errand alone.
Twenty minutes later, I waited in front of the Nighthawk dormitory for Rachel to come down.
“Should I be concerned that you know which dorm I live in?” She stopped several feet away, crossing her arms defensively.
“Elliott might’ve mentioned it.”
“I was surprised when Alex said someone named Miguel was waiting outside.”
“I saw her going in; she said she knew you.”
“So what can I do for you? Here with a warning about Elliott?”
I deserved that. “Look, I know Quentin and I haven’t been the friendliest people, but—”
“Youhaven’t been so bad. At least you don’t snarl when you see us.”
I grimaced. “Yeah, Quentin can be a bit overprotective.”
Rachel snorted. “You think?”
“The three of us are really close; some may even say we’re codependent.”
“They’d be right.”
“Yeah, well, I won’t apologize for that. We’ve been through a lot, and we’re okay with the way we love each other. Quentin and I shouldn’t have been cold to you and Kayden, though. And we shouldn’t have stood in the way of Elliott making new friends. From the outside looking in, we probably seem unsafe for him. The last thing I want is for people to think we’re controlling him. It’s the last thing I wanthimto think. Love shouldn’t work like that.”
Rachel slipped her hands into her back pockets, relaxing her posture. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Elliott’s been sheltered most of his life, so there’s a lot he doesn’t know, a lot he hasn’t experienced. He sees a part of himself in us, but there are other parts he sees reflected in Kayden—and anyone like Kayden. He’s looking for something we can’t give him, and hereallywants to find it.” I kicked at the grass. “So, are you and Kayden still interested in being his friends?”
“And risk being throttled by The Arm?” she joked.
“He won’t throttle you—but I can’t promise he won’t want to.” I chuckled. “He’ll get over it. Promise. Once he sees how happy Elliott is after you work your makeup magic, and Kayden helps him pick the perfect outfit for drag night, and—”
“Alright, alright…” She grinned, stepping closer. “Elliott’s sweet. I was sold the moment I saw you out here.”
“Yes,” I hissed. “Wait, you knew why I was here?”
