Page 97 of Toxic Obsession

“I’m here!” Brody bounded up the stairs behind his brother and joined the other guys, giving Janine a lazy smile.

“And us, bitch!” Gabby waved at me from the drive, Everlee, Brie, and Leighton by her side.

A black construction truck pulled up and four big guys hopped out. “And us!”

“Quinn?” I choked on my sob.

A white van rolled up next with the name of a painting company on the side. Three men climbed out, smiling. “Howdy!”

“What in the world?” Mom said from behind me.

I moved out of the way. “Quinn is here, and he brought a few more people.”

Mom gasped, taking in the amazing sight of everyone who had shown up to help work on our home. Her hands flew over her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. “How are we going to pay for all this help?”

“You don’t have to,” Quinn explained. “Everyone volunteered to help. If there are any additional costs, then we’ll work it out later.”

I nearly knocked my mom over as I barreled past her and into Quinn’s arms.

“I love you. Thank you so much.”

He wrapped his arms around me. “I’ll give you the world, Wynter. You don’t even have to ask, beautiful.”

A huge-ass furniture truck pulled up, and all I could do was laugh through my tears.

I moved out of the doorway to let our house fill with more people than I’d seen in it in years. When I’d first talked to Quinn about wanting to turn my old room into an office for mom and take Ky’s as mine, he objected loudly. He said there was no way in hell I was moving back there. Brody’s best friend, Tyler, and his family took Brody in so he could easily stay in the same school district and graduate. For the time being, I had the place with the girls, and Quinn had been staying with me, but graduation was right around the corner, and we had to figure some things out and soon.

But for the next four days, we would focus on getting the home squeaky clean and moving furniture. Little did I know that Quinn had reached out to his football friends and several local companies about my story. Once Dr. Metcalf and Dr. Craig had been arrested, the full story had been aired on 20/20, 60 Minutes, and other huge shows. Quinn and I had been hammered for paid interviews, and we took as many as our schedules could handle.

“Okay, here’s what we’re doing. Ky’s room will be the guest room, and my old room will be Mom’s new office. She’s officially doing well enough to open her own bakery for delivery orders!” I clapped, giving Mom a big hug. “And seven months sober. So proud of you,” I whispered in her ear.

Over the next five minutes, I explained the plan to Quinn’s friends, the painters, the furniture company, and the contractors who had shown up, then they told me theirs. I cried as they laid out the schedule to paint the house inside and out, buff and polish the wood floors, haul off old furniture, and replace almost everything we had. Mom would also have a bigger kitchen and a remodel so she could grow her business. For now, she wanted to keep it small so she didn’t get overwhelmed and could focus on Janine and her sobriety.

A blubbering mess, I hid my face against Quinn’s chest. Only nine months ago, I couldn’t wait to leave this hell hole and never speak to my mom again. It was still going to be a journey, but I felt as if we were on the right track. Maybe someday, Dad would even reach out and we could heal the pain with him, too. Only time would tell.

* * *

Exhausted but ready for a break, Quinn and I climbed into his car. His smile lit up his hazel eyes, sending my heart soaring.

“You look amazing.”

“Thanks. Gabby and Leighton brought some fun clothes for us to go clubbing in.” I tugged the very short skirt down my thighs.

“They have excellent taste.” He shifted into drive and pulled onto the street. Two other cars carrying the four girls and the rest of the football players followed us.

It was almost ten that night, but we’d agreed to have some fun. Quinn had booked a hotel room for us, the girls booked one together, and so did the guys. We would park our vehicles there, then Uber to the club so we could drink as much as we wanted. I wondered who might end up in a drunken hookup later. I asked Quinn who he thought would end up together, and we made a bet. Whoever won got to pick the next room at the society.

A few hours later, I was sweaty, tipsy, and having the time of my life with my best friends and boyfriend. Anderson tried to dance with me, but Quinn checked his ass fast. I almost felt sorry for Anderson. He didn’t mean any harm, but I’d learned quickly that Quinn was a jealous, possessive asshole when it came to me. I was okay with that.

The music quieted, and we all made it to the table while Quinn and Remington grabbed us another round of drinks.

“Girl, my ass is having too much fun!” Everlee said, leaning back in the booth, her long, toned legs peeking out from beneath her hot pink dress. She looked as stunning as the other two girls did.

“I’m glad you’re here. And thank you all again for helping my family,” I yelled over the crowd noise.

“What happened to the music?” Gabby looked around as Remington brought a tray of drinks to our table.

“That is strange. I guess the DJ took a break.” I glanced at our group. “Where’s Quinn?” I asked Anderson.

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