Page 46 of Fast Break
“I appreciate that, Quinn,” Amy concedes. I feel like I’m having an out of body experience. These two actually talk to each other like they are equals and I am lost. “I was not going to make that one of the rules. I also know better than to ban JT staying outright because I know it won’t stop anything, just move it somewhere riskier. So, these are my rules. You can stay here with the door closed, no questions asked. But sleepovers are limited to weekends only provided schoolwork is done firstandprovided you’re safe.”
“Safe?” I hear myself repeating, not quite understanding what she means by that.
“She means we use condoms,” Quinn adds with a little wink.
“What? Oooh,” I say, understanding dawning as my face lights up like a beacon. I cannot believe we are having this conversation with Quinn’smum. But Quinn just grins at me, hand sliding onto my thigh under the table like he knows I’m about to have a panic attack. This is why sex ed is important. I wasn’t allowed to sit in on those classes at school and now my ignorance is on full display. Although come to think of it, it’s highly doubtful they covered this kind of sex in sex education.
“Are we in agreement then?” Amy continues on, as though we haven’t just been discussing the terms of me and her son having sex.Breathe, JT.
“The terms are fair,” Quinn nods.
“JT?” Amy adds, turning her attention on me.
“Fair,” I choke out while Quinn chuckles and squeezes my thigh.
“Good. Glad that’s settled then,” Amy says, picking up her knife and fork like we’ve just been discussing the weather.
I’m chewing on my food but it tastes like cardboard. My mind is spinning and I can’t catch up. Have I just witnessed how a normal family conversation goes?
“How do your parents feel about everything, JT?” Amy asks conversationally, eyes on me again.
“Oh, you mean about me being with Quinn?” I ask. “Let’s just say that my parents view holding hands as pre-marital fornication. Kissing is an absolute no-go and anything beyond that is completely unmentionable. Throw in the fact that Quinn is a guy and well, I might as well go pack my bags right now.”
Amy says nothing for a moment but her brow creases as she studies me. Quinn is silent at my side. He knows some of this but not everything and certainly not the extent of it.
“JT’s dad is a pastor,” Quinn adds.
“Ah, I see,” Amy replies thoughtfully. “Well, JT, it goes against my usual better judgement but in a situation like this, I’m happy for you both to use our house as your base. I’ve always tried my hardest to make this a safe space for Quinn and that applies to you too.”
I feel tears prick the backs of my eyes at her words and I hurriedly blink them away. I don’t want to cry, not now when her words are so kind and uplifting and everything I am not used to hearing at home.
“Thank you,” I choke out. It’s all I can say really because nobody has ever offered me a safe space before. No one except Quinn and now his mother.
Amy finishes her breakfast and then rises to her feet. “Can I leave the pack up to you boys?” she asks.
“Of course,” Quinn replies as she leaves for the stairs. I hear her bedroom door close before I look back at Quinn, noting the way he is studying me.
“I cannot believe how cool your mum is.”
“Yeah, she really is,” he agrees.
“This conversation would never have happened in my house,” I add. “I think they’d rather I live on the streets than have to deal with something so unmentionable.”
“Do you really think they would react so badly?” Quinn asks softly.
“I really do,” I sigh.
“Well, we’ll just have to limit our sleepovers to here,” he replies, picking up my hand and kissing my knuckles.
“And the janitor’s closet at school,” I add. Quinn laughs, the sound moving over my skin.
He’s quiet for a moment before his face turns serious. “Are you okay about everything? Last night? Us?”
“I’m very, very okay,” I assure him, taking his free hand in mine.
“Good,” he smiles. “Last night was pretty amazing.”
“For me too. In case you couldn’t tell.”
