Authors: Sydney Lane
Chapter 32
I traded a shift with a friend so that I could
be off Friday. If she'll have me, I'm going to ask Quincy if she wants to go back up to the cabin this weekend. This wouldn't just be a trip for us, though. My mom and dad are headed up this weekend, and I'd like to introduce her to my family. My sister might even be there. I'm not sure if she'll come, but I want to do this right. For once, I can share her with people I care about instead of hiding and worrying about who'll find out.
So
, here I am, working on a Wednesday, when I look up and notice Quincy waiting on a table. I hadn't expected to see her tonight because it's not her normal night to work either. She's talking to a customer, leaning down so she can hear him. I can't take my eyes off of her. As if she feels me, her eyes rise up to meet mine. Her chest rises with her sharp intake of breath. Good to know I still affect her like this. I can easily see how flustered she is, and I smile, knowing I did it without even touching her.
Turning back to the bar, I find several girl
s from our sister sorority waiting for me. A few of them say hi while a couple lean in, giving me a nice view of their tits. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't look, but I will say they didn't turn me on half as much as that one look from Quincy.
I'm mixing drinks and serving them when I see Quincy walking my way. I meet her at the end of the bar, the girls forgotten.
“I wondered how long it would take you to notice me. I was getting lonely over here.” Leaning across the bar, I try to catch a hint of her lotion.
“Yeah, right. I see your fan club waiting for you.”
She nods at the girls who are watching us with interest. I'm captivated by this girl. She's jealous, and I love it.
“Ah, but that’s the thing, Quince. I only see you.”
I reassure her, knowing she needs it for some reason. “Come here.” I lean across the bar, beckoning her to come closer. She looks over her shoulder, searching for Vince I assume, before leaning toward me. My lips graze hers, a gentle, but sweet, peck on the lips. I just branded her. Every guy in here knows she belongs to me now. That's the way it should be.
When I wa
lk back toward the girls, they're all wearing shock on their faces.
Sorry, ladies. I'm officially off the market.
No one has ever seen me act this way, and although it feels different, it feels right.
Throughout the night, Quince steals glances my way. I act as if I don't notice, but before she can turn away, I shift my eyes to her quickly, letting her know I caught her. She always blushes before turning away. It's a silly game we play. Every chance I get, I touch her, even if it's just the tips of our fingers when I pass a glass to her.
The sexual tension is so thick, you could cut it with a knife.
At some point, Alex saunters over, wagging her finger at me.
"You just had to do it, didn't you?" Mother hen is on the loose. I should have known I couldn't hide anything from her.
"What's up, Alex?"
A silly smile spreads across her face, like she knows a secret.
"Oh no you don't, Brody. You're not going to get off that easy." She waits while I mix a drink before continuing, "I can see it written all over your goofy face. You've fallen for that girl.
"Yeah, I guess I have. I can't hold back the smile, my heart catching in my chest.
"Leave it alone, Alex. It's still too new, and you'll just scare her away with that kind of talk."
Batting her eyelashes at me, she feigns innocence. "I would never do that, Brody. Anyways, I heard from a little birdie that she might feel the same way."
I look toward Quincy, finding her waiting for me. She's already cashed out and has her things ready to go. "Alex, can you watch the bar? A certain birdie needs me to walk her to her car." I've told her that she's not to walk out back by herself. It's too dark
, and you never know who is waiting out there.
I put my hand out to Quince, and she hesitantly takes it as we walk down the darkened hall and out into the night. She suddenly seems shy, looking at the ground between us. She kicks a rock, watching it skip across the
parking lot. I reach for her, cupping her chin in my hand.
"Don't hide, Quince. I need to see your eyes." Gently, I tilt her head until her eyes meet mine. When I pull her close, she rises on her toes, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before stepping back. I don't know what she just did, but that wasn't a kiss. "Oh no, that was not enough." I pull her back to me, lowering my mouth to hers. I only release
her when she's been thoroughly kissed, and her lips are swollen. Laying her head against my chest, the knife in my heart twists again. I don't want to let her go. I want to be able to take her home with me, walk through the door without an explanation, and hold her close all night. "Quince, I don't know how much more I can take." I can't make her do anything, but I sure wish she'd hurry.
I can't wait to show her off to the rest of the world.
Chapter 33
I give Quincy the space she needs, but I send her a text every night to let her know I'm thinking about her. Just a quick goodnight message before I go to bed. She's the last thing I think about before I fall asleep, and she's the first thing I think of when I wake. All of that for a few stolen kisses throughout the day. It's so worth it.
Eric mentioned going to Bliss tonight with Jenna and some of the others, and I know that if Jenna goes, Quincy won't be too far behind. It's my chance to talk to Quince about going to the cabin with me this weekend. Plus, I can't miss out on an opportunity to watch her dance. I'd be stupid to pass that up.
When we get to the club, Eric and I go upstairs to get some tables. A few other brothers are with us, so we push a few tables together in the corner. No sign of Jenna or Quincy. I grab a beer and sit at the end of the table. I'm not alone for long, though. A few of the girls I know from Players' come over and pull up chairs around me.
In the past, I wouldn't mind, but tonight, I have no interest whatsoever. Sure, they look good enough, and I might have taken them up on their offers if I didn't know I was lost in a particular girl named Quincy Priest. Everyone else pales in comparison.
One of the girls leans close to me, her breasts on display. I'm getting annoyed with the conversation, and I'm tired of brushing her off. I swear it feels like the harder I try to get rid of her, the harder she tries.
I'm so relieved when I look up and see Jenna and Quincy. I can't look away as Quincy walks in my direction. She looks stunning. Her dark hair is braided the way I like it, although I'll try to make sure it comes down soon enough
, and she's wearing those tight pants called “skinny jeans”. Now, I'm not sure why they're called that when I see girls who are definitely not skinny wearing them but whatever. On Quincy, they look hot. Edible. By the time she looks at me, I'm already hard, straining against my jeans. Our eyes meet, and I see the longing there. She's been missing me, too. As her eyes take in the girl next to me, I see something akin to disgust wash over her face. She barely contains her distaste as she gives her the once over. I don't give a shit about this girl. As a matter of fact, I don't even remember her name.
Jenna heads off toward the bar, and Quincy takes a seat close to Eric. That will never do. I get up, ignoring the girl's groan of disappointment, and make my way to the other end of the table. Quince turns, looking for me while still shooting darts with her eyes. I lean over her shoulder, my lips near her ear, and whisper, "Play nice, Quince." Her cheeks
burn as she shivers in response to my heat against her back. I choose the seat next to her, sliding it closer before I sit down. "I've been waiting for you to get here all night."
"Right, you didn't even know I was coming, Brody." She's miffed, her eyes darting back to the girl who was sitting with me. I love this jealous side of Quincy. I know jealousy is not becoming, but damn, it drives me wild when she gets territorial.
Jealousy can be good when it's coming from the girl you're crazy about.
"Eric said he was meeting Jenna, and I knew you'd be wherever she was." I think
it's a good thing, that she and Jenna stick together. “I didn’t even want to come, but I couldn’t resist an opportunity to see my girl dance.” It's true. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think she would be here. The club scene just doesn't do it for me anymore.
Eric and Jenna come back, bringing us both a beer. I'm not sure I like the idea of Quincy drinking, but as long as I'm here to watch out for her, I guess she'll be fine. I notice that neither of them act as if there's anything wrong with me sitting here
next to her. Maybe they're ready to accept us, too. Seth watches with curiosity, as if he's trying to figure out what exactly draws us together. Thank fuck he doesn't say a word.
Resting my hand on the back of her chair, I absently run a finger across her shoulder. She responds to my touch, smiling at me before
nervously looking around to see if anyone is watching. I can't wait until we don't have to worry about that anymore. I'm lost in the softness of her skin when I look up and see Declan coming our way. I jerk my hand back, trying not to be obvious, and a heavy feeling settles in my stomach.
Since Quincy is wedged between Jenna and me, he takes a seat across the table from her. I'm just fine with that.
He smiles, saying, "Hey, Quince." He wears his heart on his sleeve, and as wrong as it is, it pisses me off. That's my girl he's trying to charm with those dimples.
"Hey, Declan. I'm glad you came." She's not lying.
I can tell she's happy to see him. If I thought there was a way they could still be friends after this, I don't think I'd mind. Maybe I could be bigger than that.
I almost lose it when he leans across the table and asks, "Wanna dance?" No way in hell he's going to get the chance to lay his hands on her body. I reach under the table, resting my han
d on Quince's thigh. Squeezing gently, I try to get my point across. She's not doing this in front of me. I think I've been very patient, but tonight, I'm not feeling so generous. She freezes, unable to speak, as her eyes widen on him.
I interrupt, "Dec, why don't you have a beer with me first?" Quincy looks away, trying hide her relief when he agrees. She relaxes beside me.
I know she's uncomfortable, but I can't resist. I turn to her and ask, "You, Ok, Quince?" Yes, I know it's not nice.
She narrows her eyes on me, and I get the distinct impression she'd smack me if she could.
“Yeah. I’m, um, I’m going to dance with Jenna.” She speaks loudly, and Jenna turns when she hears her name. Jenna reaches for Quincy's hand, almost choking on her beer when she spots Declan.
“Oh, yeah, that sounds great! I’ve wanted to dance since we got here!”
Again, I'm thankful for Jenna. I don't know how or why, but she's actually helping me.
The girls head to the dance floor, and it takes everything I have to stay seated. Declan watches Quincy go, his face pensive. In his eyes, I see his confusion, and I hate like a bitch that I've caused all of this.
If I could have just kept my hands to myself... well, that wasn't an option.
As we talk, his eyes roam over the dance floor,
searching for Quincy. I'm feeling so conflicted. He's my friend, and I feel shitty for what I've done. But she's my girl, and I wouldn't change that for the world. I just want out of this bar. Here, in this crowd, it kills me that I can't touch her. Fuck, I can't even act like I know her. I know every intimate detail about her. Me. I'm the only one who knows how she likes to be touched and what pushes her over the edge. Yet, I can't claim her. The inner caveman inside of me rebels. This is fuckin' bullshit.
I make an excuse to get up, saying I need to go take a leak. I have no intention of doing any such thing. I'm going to get my girl and get th
e hell out of this place. It's not hard to spot the girls. Every guy in the place is watching them. Jenna is tall and attracts a lot of attention, but Quincy is hot as hell. Anyone with a dick would notice them, especially when they're together. But neither of them notice. They are dancing in their own little world, oblivious that they're being eye-fucked by every dude in the place.
Quincy is dancing slowly, her body swaying seductively with the music. Her braid is dangling over her shoulder, and sweat beads on her forehead. I watch as she closes her eyes and raises her hands in the air.
She has no idea what she does to me. I approach her from behind, wrapping my hand around her waist and pulling her into my hips. I don't want there to be any question who she is here with. She leans back, recognizing my body as I press into hers. We dance with her back pressed into my front, my erection painful as she grinds against it. When she turns to face me, it almost hurts to look into her eyes.
I love this girl. I can finally admit it. I love Quincy Priest.
"Let's go, babe. Let's get out of here." I need to be with her, only her. I hold my breath while she studies my face. Different emotions pass through her eyes. Hesitation. Fear. Happiness. Resolve. She nods, offering me her hand. I don't give her a chance to change her mind. I take her outstretched hand and lead her from the dance floor.
Keeping
an eye out for Declan, I guide her off the floor and out of the club. Outside, I inhale deeply, taking large gulps of fresh air. I felt like I was suffocating in there. Too many people, too many secrets.
I can no longer resist her. My restraint snaps when I wrap my hands around her, pushing her against my Jeep. I need reassurance that nothing has changed between us. I get my answer when she stands on her toes, pulling my head to hers. She attacks my lips, tasting, tugging.
Umpphhhh
. I'm suddenly stumbling backwards, shocked for a moment, before I realize what happened.
"Brody! What the hell, man?" Declan steps between us, pushing Quincy behind him. "What are you doing?" His voice cracks, and I realize that the last thing I had hoped would never happen just did. He just found out in the worst way possible. I'm such a piece of shit.
Before I can utter a word, Quincy jumps between us, as if she could really keep us apart if we wanted to fight.
She yells, "Declan! Stop!"
The pain in her voice stops me. She's hurting, and that's something I can't tolerate. Her chest rises and falls rapidly while she struggles to gain control of herself. Declan turns to her, his eyes going from her to me and back again. I see the moment the realization dawns on him.
His face falls as he confronts her, "Him? It's been him this whole time, hasn't it?"
Ahh, f
uck.
Quincy nods almost imperceptively. I'm so proud of her in that moment. No more lies. He isn't finished, though, driving in the last stake.
“How could you? You were special to me, and all you had to do was tell the truth. I trusted you!”
Something inside of her breaks, her pain palpable. I get that we were wrong, but I'm not going to let him tear her apart. I step forward, causing Declan to turn his eyes on me. His rage hits me hard in the chest.
"And you
? You're my fucking brother!" No more lies. Not even to myself.
“I didn’t want you to find out like this, Dec, but I love her. And I will do whatever it takes to keep her.”
It wasn't supposed to happen like this.
His sharp int
ake of breath cuts me down. I really am the piece of shit I always knew I was. Struggling to find words, Declan opens his mouth and closes it. When he finally speaks, it's not what I expect.
“No. You know what? You two deserve each other.”
Swiping his hand across his face, he turns and stalks away.
Quincy doesn't move for what feels like minutes but is only seconds in reality. With her back to me, her shoulders slump, defeated
. She looks as if she's being torn in two, but her decision should be easy. If I know her as well as I think I do, she's already blaming herself, telling herself she doesn't deserve to be happy. Slowly, I pull her to me, holding her reassuringly.
“Quince, it’s going to be Ok
. He just needs some time to cool down.” I wish I believed the words I'm saying, but I don't know if anything will ever be the same again.
“Brody, I don’t want to come between you and your fraternity brothers. I was so stupid, and I am the reason this happened. I understand if you don’t want to see me anymore.”
She's doing exactly what I imagined, and if I don't put a stop to it now, her wall will crash into place, locking me out forever.
“Babe, you can’t keep breaking something that’s alre
ady broken. We are screwed up. No,
this
is screwed up. What we did was wrong, but I meant what I said. I love you, Quince.” My lips graze her forehead as I place a soft kiss there. “We’ll get through this. I promise.” And
that
is something I do believe.
I help Quincy into the Jeep, hoping to pull her back to me. I can already feel her pulling away, like I'
m losing her. Leaning against the window, she stares into the darkness. I'd give anything to know what she's thinking. The tires crunch on the gravel of our driveway when I pull in. Quincy immediately sits up, her eyes becoming alert as she realizes where we are.
“Brody, I can’t go in there. Please, just take me home.”
I brought her to the house only because it's too late to go to the cabin, and there's no way in hell I'm taking her back to her dorm room where she'll be alone.
“Quince, I’m not letting you go home by yourself. His car isn’t even here, and I can take you home early in the morning. Come on, babe.”
If I'm honest with myself, I would admit that I just don't want her to have the chance to realize she didn't make the right choice and doesn't want to be with me after all.
Reluctantly, she lowers herself from the Jeep. We walk through the house unnoticed, and I'm relieved when we close the door to my room. I didn't want any of this to happen, but now that it has, we are going to have to deal with it.
Quincy doesn't speak when I hand her a t-shirt. She doesn't even notice when I undress and slide into bed. Like a robot, she undresses and pulls the t-shirt over her head. She checks her phone, turns off the light, and finally lays down beside me. I pull her close, cradling her head in my hand against my chest.