Page 12 of When We Were Reckless
Her eyes widened, and she inhaled a sharp breath. “Oh my God. Just when I thought this summer couldn’t get any worse. Now I really can’t wait to leave for college.”
I winced as she bolted toward the front door like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
If I’d had any doubts before, I knew it with absolute certainty now. This plan was going to backfire in the worst fucking way.
* * *
Later that night, I watched her neon orange Nikes through the side windows as she jogged toward her car. No doubt she thought she was getting away from me. Guess she hadn’t seen me leaning against my bike. She rounded the hood and stopped short, her hand going to her heart. “Oh my God. I thought you were in the brewery with Holden.”
She beeped the locks and yanked open her car door.
“I’m sorry.” I advanced on her until I was standing right behind her.
She paused for a moment, her back to me before she climbed into her car and slammed the door shut. When she rolled down the window, it gave me hope that she’d accept my apology.
“Is this what you’re going to do with your life now? Serve beer?”
“Just helping out a friend for a few months.”
She shook her head. “You never had any interest in working here. Why now?”
“I’m currently unemployed. Thought it would be a fun way to spend the summer.”
“Right. Can’t wait for all the fun times,” she deadpanned as she turned the key in the ignition.
“I’m sorry for the things I said the other night. They were uncalled for.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the thing about words, Jesse. Once they’re out there, you can’t take them back. Besides, you did me a favor. You got me over my schoolgirl crush. It’s liberating, actually. So, Ishouldbe thanking you. You were so right. You’re not the guy I thought you were. The Jesse I used to know was never a quitter. And he wasn’t a coward or a liar. But people change.” She shrugged one shoulder. “Or maybe I never really knew you at all. Maybe I was just in love with the idea of you. A fantasy I’d conjured up in my mind, an ideal version of you that had never really existed.”
My jaw clenched, and I took a few deep breaths through my nose.
Fuck, she’d wielded her words like weapons.
She smiled as if she knew they’d hit their mark, and she was happy about it.
Then she drove away and left me standing there, wondering where the hell my sunshine girl had gone.
But I knew. I’d crushed Quinn with my words and actions, and instead of taking it lying down, she came back swinging.
It was going to take more thanI’m sorryto regain her trust.
But I was determined to win back her faith in me. I needed Quinn to believe in me again.
Chapter Six
Quinn
If my eyescould shoot actual daggers, the brunette would be writhing on the floor in pain, gasping for her last breath.
Oh my God. I did not just think that. But yes, yes, I did.
If she giggled or reached across the bar and touched his arm one more time, I was going to fly across the room and plant my fist in her pretty face.
My hands curled into fists at my sides, ready for action.
Try me, bitch. Push me and see what happens.
Oh my God. There I went again. I needed to get this under control. Deep breaths, Quinn. You’re not a violent person.
