Page 115 of Fool for You
I gave him a wry smile, which he returned in kind before leaving me for the crowd that was waiting for him. I bit the inside of my bottom lip, ignoring the sting that somehow had found its way into my chest. If only Quinn were here—she’d not only congratulate me on not breaking more than his nose this time, but she’d kiss me and tell me how amazing the show was,helping me erase the last ten minutes, allowing me to melt into her. If only…
If only.
But she wasn’t…
So…I did the only thing I could do.
I took that step forward and tried to move on.
Forty-One
Quinn
Ipushedmyshirtsto the side, attempting to see everything I owned in my closet instead of sprawled out everywhere. My boots were too shaded, but I knew what they looked like. My belts were all mixed, but I could pick them apart. My shirts needed to be steamed before I did anything else, but I could remember what I paired them with. My head was a jumbled mess as I tried to keep this new system organized. At least it was my head that was a mess and not my condo. Abi was on herway to help me pack, but until then, I still had to wrap my head around what I was packing for.
The National Finals Rodeo.
I made it.
I was NFR-bound.
And I left in two days.
Two weeks, ten rounds…
This was the big one, and I thoughtnowwas a good time to change my routine.
Squatting down, I pulled out a pair of boots—brown with turquoise accents—and reached up to grab the satin shirt at the same time. The shirt fell from the hanger, landing directly on my head, the satin sliding off my hair with that static sound everyone loves. I could feel my hair standing on end. I stood and attempted to pat it down.
“Good lord,” I mumbled, laughing at myself.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration rattling through me. Without looking, I swiped and held it to my ear.
“Abi, please tell me you’re on your way. You’re going to lose it when you see me.” I laughed. “It’s like I touched one of the electric balls you see at a science museum.”
“Quinn?”
That wasn’t Abi’s cheerful voice. I closed my eyes tight, banged the edge of my phone on my forehead, and looked to see who had called me. Dammit—I should have checked before I answered.
“Hi, Mom,” I grumbled.
I heard her inhale. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Yeah, I…” I shook my head.I’ve been avoiding you at all costs.“I’ve been busy.”
“I see.”
She grew silent, and the space between her and me seemed too thick even through the cellular world.
She cleared her throat. “So, I talked to your dad.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see me. “About?”
“You.”
“Me?”
“Your dad was a little upset with me after we saw you last.”
