Page 31 of Heart of Gold
“You weren’t okay, Quinn. You were in therapy and I didn’t want to make things worse for you.”
I stare at him and wonder how he could live with himself, knowing the truth and not saying a word. “Raelynn went on and pretended like that night never even happened. How could she do that?”
He grabs my hand, squeezing it like he used to. Something that used to calm me down. “She wanted to go to the cops so many times and tell them the truth, Quinn.”
“Why didn’t she?” I cry.
“You needed her,” he admits. “You needed all of us. I don’t think you really understand how bad you were. Rae was afraid if she told you that you’d never forgive her.”
I can’t help from sneering, “She’s right.”
He grabs my hand and squeezes it, but I jerk it away.
“I’ll never forgive you either.”
Slinging the door open, I get out of his car as fast as I can.
chapter thirteen
Quinn
“You okay?” Ava asks, tossing a pillow at me from her bed. “You’ve slept the entire weekend away.”
I told her everything, and it felt good to have a girlfriend in my life again. Sure, we’d just met last week but we live together, so I might as well let her in. Plus, I really like her. She’s hilarious and a breath of fresh air, I need that in my life.
“I’m okay,” I assure her, as my phone chimes for the hundredth time.
“Do you want me to throat punch him?” She growls, “Cause I will absolutely throat punch him. Or break his perfect nose?”
She makes me giggle, “No. I promise, I’m fine.”
With an eye roll, she slides out of bed and slips her smiley face slippers on. “You know what they did was really shitty, Quinny. Don’t let him gaslight you into believing any different.”
I smile inwardly at the nickname. “I know, but he swears they didn’t cheat.”
She raises a brow, “What does your gut tell you?”
“That they lied about this, so why not lie about that.”
She shrugs, “You may never know the truth. What are you going to do about him harassing you?”
I smirk, “Block his number.”
“Good idea,” she grins. “Now come with me to get some brunch. It’ll be our new Sunday tradition.”
I like the sound of that way too much. I stand and quickly follow her to the bathroom to brush my teeth.
Two hours later, we are full on chicken and waffles and she drops me at the dorm so I can get my backpack and head to the library. It’s only week two but I decide tonight is as good as any to read ahead and get some notes taken. It’s nearly eight o’clock and the library is silent, practically empty.
I unload the contents of my backpack on a wooden table near the window and cram my airpods in my ears. A hand on my shoulder causes me to jump, but I’m relieved when I see Remi standing next to me.
“Geez, you scared the shit out of me.” I sigh, pulling one airpod out. “What are you doing here?”
“I just got done with a tutoring session.”
“Tutoring?” I ask. “How nerdy of you.”
A lazy grin lines his lips as he takes the seat next to me. “Pays the bills.”
