Page 49 of Fast Break
“Oh sorry. Didn’t realise we were back to being all modest. When you’re over playing sword fights with Quinn then.”
I just sigh heavily, running my hand down my face. I appreciate my cousin’s support but I should have known it would come with a healthy dose of teasing. “I’m not answering that. But yeah, that’s what I tell them.”
“That’s cool. You know I’m always down for a little subterfuge. And I have no issues perjuring myself for you.”
I laugh again, feeling almost at ease. Something about being in this house always has me feeling on edge, like my parents are going to stumble on the secrets I keep locked up inside at any moment. I am so relieved at having Trey on my side. I didn’t realise how much I needed it until now.
“Okay, let’s brainstorm this and then I want details,” Trey says, taking off his hat and laying across my bed like he owns the place.
“Details? You want details about me and Quinn?” I clarify.
“Yep. All of them,” he affirms. “Hey, I tell you about what I do with chicks all the time and I didn’t once pick up on how uninterested you were in the gory details. I want to be here for you in the same way.”
“You honestly are the best. You know that, right?”
“Oh I know. One in a billion some might say.”
“Modest too.”
“Eh, it’s a Sterling family trait,” he shrugs. “You have it too but you keep it on the basketball court. You got zero swag off it just saying.”
“Shut up. You’re supposed to be on my side,” I grin, swiping his hat off the bed and planting it on my head.
“I’m always on your side, cuz. Never doubt that,” Trey affirms. And no, I don’t doubt it. Not now at least, now I know I do actually have people in my corner who will fight for me. The relief I feel inside is palpable.
***
I’m feeling really good when I walk into school on Monday morning, Trey at my side. We head straight for science class which always puts a little extra pep in my step because science means Quinn. He’s there already and those ocean blue eyes connect with mine the moment I enter the door.
I can’t stop the smile that appears every time I see him and today is no different. Trey pushes me along when I unwittingly stop in my path, but Quinn just has that effect on me. I expect Trey to split paths to his usual desk, but he follows right behind me, leaning his elbows on the desk in front of Quinn who stares back with suspicious eyes.
“Hey, man,” Trey smiles broadly down at Quinn. What’s this? Is my cousin trying to make an effort with my—. Hmm, that thought pulls me up short. I don’t actually know how to describe what Quinn is to me.
Myeverythingfeels a tad premature.
“Hi,” Quinn replies, not hiding his confusion. I’m pretty sure Trey has never given Quinn the time of day before. I stifle a laugh as Trey just grins back.
“You have a good weekend?” he asks pleasantly.
“Ah yeah, it was alright,” Quinn replies.
“Yeah? I heard it was pretty epic,” Trey drops suggestively, and I groan into my hands. Quinn is looking at me curiously by the time I glance back up, Trey laughing on his way to the back row.
“What was that about?” Quinn asks.
“So um, Trey kind of knows. About us,” I tell him, voice dipped low.
Quinn doesn’t reply and I glance up to gauge his reaction. Is he annoyed? We haven’t talked about this at all, about whether we could tell people. Or even whether I’m ready for anyone else to know.
“You told your cousin?” he asks softly.
“Well, he kind of ambushed me but yeah, I told him. Is that okay?”
“It’s fine, JT,” Quinn smiles. “It’s definitely fine.” I expected softness but there’s something a little dark and possessive in the way he’s looking at me right now and I feel a stirring in my gut. I’ve always thought of Quinn as well behaved and someone who keeps out of trouble. I’m having a strong notion I might be wrong about that.
At least, that’s what I hope.
My little Quinn theory gets a chance to be put into practice later that day. Mr Peters has a full lesson planned so Quinn and I don’t get a chance to go check on our experiment. We agree to meet up at lunchtime instead and I am both nervous and bouncing with excitement at the prospect of spending time with Quinn.
