Page 81 of Shuttered Hearts

“Why not?”

“Are we really what he needs?”

“I don’t know, but we’ve got to be better than a group home. With us, he’ll have so many people in his corner.” She’s not wrong. With us, he would have the entire Marks family in his corner, and Ava too.

“It won’t be us, not technically. Only one of us would apply for emergency placement.”

“You.” She doesn’t even hesitate. “It would have to be you. You’ve been here for five years. You own a home. You look better on paper than I do.”

“Quinn—”

“No, this isn’t a dig at myself. This is me being real. I just moved here. I live in a one-bedroom cottage on my dad’s property. You have stability, which is what Tyler needs.”

“Are we really talking about this?” I ask, a little in disbelief.

“Yes.” Again, she doesn’t hesitate. She steps into me, placing her hands on my chest. “He already trusts you and looks up to you. You’re exactly what he needs.”

“We’ll look into it. We have a couple of days before he’s discharged. Let’s see what we need to do and if I even have a chance of getting emergency approval before we tell him anything.” I pull her close. “I don’t want to get his hopes up only for us to disappoint him. He’s been let down enough.”

“Okay. We’ll talk to the social worker when they get here.”

thirty-seven

DECLAN

Quinn doesn’t sayanything as I park the truck in my driveway. She simply climbs out of the passenger seat and walks up the porch steps, waiting for me to unlock the door.

“You okay?” I ask as I open the door, letting her enter first.

“I don’t know.” She toes off her shoes, leaving them by the front door, and continues to the kitchen, where she gets a glass of water. “I’m glad Julie and her family want to take him in. I think that will be the perfect place for him.” She looks at me, standing across the island from her. “But I guess I liked the idea of him being here, with us.” She lifts one shoulder in a shrug.

While Quinn and I may have been prepared to bring Tyler into our lives, it wasn’t necessary.

About an hour after Gage left, Julie Steward and her parents barged into the room, demanding he come home with them when he was discharged. Tyler was shocked but so incredibly happy at the prospect of living with them. Julie and Tyler grew up together and were truly the very best friends.

It turns out, Tyler had been pushing Julie away because of the emotional and physical abuse he was enduring at home. Tyler honestly believed he wasn’t a good person and people would be better off without him in their lives.

At the heart of it, the Stewards weren’t concerned Tyler had withdrawn from their lives. They understood it now, but their love for him never wavered. All they wanted now was to give Tyler a safe place to call home until he was ready to leave. If that time ever came. With years of friendship and love, Tyler would always be a part of their family, and they were adamant about doing whatever was needed to bring Tyler home with them.

After speaking with the social worker, it was evident their approval for emergency placement wouldn’t be an issue.

“I want to make a joke about how you just implied you and I are living together, but I don’t know if you would appreciate it right now.” I move around the kitchen island, pulling Quinn into me when I can reach her.

I understand what she’s feeling right now because I feel it too. I may have been surprised she suggested it, and I may have doubted if it was the right decision, but Tyler would have fit in well with this family I’ve found myself a part of.

“I know what you mean, though,” I tell her, holding her close. “I liked the idea of him being here, but I think it will be better for everyone, us included, that he’ll be with the Stewards.” I feel her body tense, but I hold her a little tighter. “We’re just starting to give this thing between us a real go. Let’s enjoy that for a while before we bring other people into the mix.” Her body relaxes slightly. “Plus, we still have your mom to deal with.”

“You’re right.” She leans back just enough to reach up and press her lips to mine in a light kiss. “I do want time to enjoy us.” She looks at me, a smirk slowly growing across her lips. “Not that I haven’t been already.” Her hands wrap around my waist,slowly tracking down, and stopping on my ass for just a second before she squeezes it, then turns and runs away laughing.

I’m frozen for only a second before I chase after her, catching her around her waist and falling to the couch in the living room. “If you want to touch my ass, all you have to do is ask.” I laugh as I tickle her.

“Okay, okay, okay!” she shouts, pushing at my hands, trying to stop my attack. “You win!” She laughs as I settle myself over her, my hips cradled between her legs, my elbows resting against the couch by her head.

I’ve known Quinn for almost three months and have seen her nearly every day, but I still get caught up looking at her, especially when she laughs.

Her entire face lights up when she laughs, and it’s hard not to smile right back. I haven’t seen her smile enough over the last week, and seeing it now lifts a weight I didn’t realize I was still carrying.

“You’re going to make an amazing mother one day,” I tell her, my voice quiet, wanting to live in this moment just a little longer.

---