Page 12 of Claiming His Reunion Obsession

“What’s up?” Quinn asks, not even having to look over to know something’s definitely up.

“It’s my dad, five calls and… seven texts.”

He narrows his eyes but stays silent, focusing on the road ahead.

Dad doesn’t worry, and he’s never one to really butt in. Except when I miss his calls and don’t answer texts.

“I left my bag in the car, he’s just wanting to make sure I’m okay,” I tell Quinn innocently, noticing how he’s looking tense again, his jaw working overtime as his knuckles crack above the steering wheel.

“I’ll just text him, tell him I’m fine… that I forgot my phone.”

Quinn just grunts, watching the road, but he glances over at me every time my eyes move away from him.

My phone chimes seconds after I text my dad.

Hi dad… made it alright…

Where are you, honey? I was worried… AM WORRIED

I don’t want to get too deep with dad right now, I’m kind of hoping Quinn and I can get to know each other uninterrupted for a while. I’ve got three days off work too and I know exactly how I’d like to spend them.

I left my phone in the car, I’m OK.

There’s a lag from dad’s end, which ordinarily wouldn’t bother me, but I just know he’s worried.

I can feel it.

A second later, we both jump as Quinn’s phone rings through loudly on his truck speakers. It’s dad, showing up on the display on the dash.

Quinn sighs, his thick finger hovers over the answer button for a moment before he picks up.

“Hey buddy,” he answers, sounding as calm as ever, nothing suspicious going on here… just driving your daughter to a secret location so I can claim her as my own…I’ve already chowed down on first course and now I’m gonna go hit a few home runs up inside her…

“Quinn, how’s things down there at the… are you driving? I thought you were-”

Quinn fills the sudden gap in dad’s conversation.

“Yeah, I got Brad down at the school, something came up… I gotta go deal with it. A private client.”

Dad’s silent but I can feel the tension. Both Quinn and my dad know each other well enough to spot the slightest tell when something isn’t as it should be.

“You see Chelle?” my dad asks, a definite edge to his voice. Hard, almost mean.

“Yeah… Yeah I saw Chelle… even had a run in with old Wilson Tucker there… he hasn’t changed a bit,” Quinn continues.

I get the distinct impression Quinn could go on like this all night if dad wants to talk. I decide real early in the piece to keep as quiet as I can.

Oh god… no… not now…

Feeling smug about my new silence, I feel the distinct tickle suddenly brewing at the back of my sinuses. Not a sniff… not something a scratch will help soothe either.

A sneeze is coming.

Oh shit, not now… please god… NO!

I sneeze. Not just a little kitten poof sneeze either. It feels like I’ve deviated my septum while learning the trombone in an amphitheater.

Quinn’s face is deadpan, he plucks a Kleenex from a small box in the console, handing it to me in between his two fore fingers, which seem to be as tense as the rest of him.

If fingers can flex, Quinn’s an ace at it.

“Bless you,” my dad says sarcastically.

I silently mouth the word ‘sorry’ to Quinn, but we both know it’s too late for that.

“Quinn? Chelle? How ‘bout you tell me what’s going on, huh?”

Quinn glances over to me, his eyes are intense, decisive. He’s already told me what he wants and I him, so I think we’re pretty clear about what we want, between us anyway.

“I already called the school to see if Chelle made it there. Brad said he saw you leave with Chelle… So which is it? Are you working or are you driving my daughter home?” he asks, the strain of his patience about to break.

Chapter Ten

Quinn

Brad’s just doing his job.

If a friend of mine asks after his only daughter, Brad knows to tell him straight up. Especially if said dad is worried.

I don’t play games though and I’m not gonna lie to Randy about Chelle and me, but I’m not gonna discuss it over the phone either.

I know what’s coming once he finds out, which will be when I tell him. Man to man.

I can take whatever he’s got to dish out over it. It’s nothing compared to what I’m gaining with Chelle.

I glance over at Chelle, seeing if she wants to lie in my place, which she doesn’t.

I’m proud of her for that.

“I’ll call you later dad, okay?” is all she says, the strain in her own voice is obvious and I can feel Randy from the other end of the phone. He’s not happy, but he’s also not going to get into anything serious over the phone while I’m driving, and neither am I.

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