Page 26 of Saving Sparrow
“My mom’s a nurse,” Quentin said. “Well, she was a nurse before my dad made her quit.”
“What does she do now?”
“I don’t know. She left us. I haven’t seen her since I was a little kid.”
Elliott watched him with a strange expression, still going unnoticed as Quentin shifted the ice pack.
“My mom was a nurse too,” he finally whispered. Maybe he’d been struggling with whether to share that detail. “She used to patch me up.”
“Did you get hurt a lot?” Quentin met his eyes then.
Elliott dropped his gaze to his injured wrist before turning things back on Quentin. “I’m sorry your mom left.”
“I’m not,” Quentin said. “I never blamed her. My father’s an asshole. I used to wish she’d taken me with her, but then I would’ve never met Miguel. So, it all worked out.”
I hated that his mother had left him behind, but I never got tired of hearing him say things like that about me.
“Are stepbrothers usually as close as you and Miguel are?”
Quentin snorted. “I don’t think anyone’s as close as we are. I’m kind of obsessed with him.” A blush spread from below his freckles, making my heart turn to goo. I loved when Quentin got mushy. Loved when he forced his rough affection on me too. His mushiness usually involved professions of murder and mayhem if anyone came near me. Saying he was obsessed with me was kind of tame in comparison to the usual.
Elliott’s gaze went to the clock. “I’ve gotta go.” He slid off the stool. “Duncan is probably waiting for me.”
“Duncan?” Quentin asked. It seemed like a good time for me to come out of hiding.
“My aunt’s driver. She left for a last-minute trip this morning. He’s taking me to my appointment.”
“Hey, you’re still here.” I tried to seem surprised, hoping I sounded convincing.
“I was just leaving.” He set the ice pack on the island. Quentin frowned, picking it up and placing it over his wrist again. Elliott sighed, holding on to it as he backed away.
“When’s your aunt coming back?” Quentin asked. I was grateful, because if I’d asked, they would’ve known I was listening to their conversation.
“Maybe a week or two? She wasn’t really clear on that.”
“Why don’t you stay here with us, so you don’t have to be alone?” I suggested, figuring it was safe now.
“I’m used to being alone. It’s this I’m not used to.” He looked between the two of us.
“Well, you know the code if you change your mind,” I said.
Elliott nodded, but I got the feeling it was out of politeness rather than him agreeing to use the code to get in.
Quentin and I watched him head for the door. It oddly felt like a piece of me was being torn away with every step he took.
Elliott paused, turning back to Quentin. “Will you teach me the game?”
Quentin stood taller, excitement filling his words. “You mean how to play?”
“Everything,” Elliott replied. “I… had fun.”
“Sure, but I’ll get you some gear first. I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
Elliott looked at me then, and I smiled.See, I wanted to say.He isn’t so bad.
The moment we were alone, Quentin tossed me over his shoulder and charged for the stairs. I slapped him on the back, ordering him to put me down.
“Not a chance.” He laughed.
