Page 31 of Hard Hitter

Not realizing he'd been closing his eyes, Quinn shook his head, trying to wake up his brain, then gave Chris a small nod. "Yeah man, I'm just...thinking."

"Good practice today, huh?" said Chris. "Think we'll have a shot at playoffs this year?"

It was football season, and although Quinn's heart didn't beat for the sport the same way it did for baseball, he appreciated the rough contact and aggressive nature of it. Dealing with his mom's habits required an outlet, and as her addiction and the company she kept continued to become more dangerous and intense, Quinn always seemed to be in the mood to shove or punch something.

He really was a decent player, but it was more Chris's sport. As a junior, Chris was the team's star quarterback, and he lived and breathed for Fall and everything that came with it.

"I think we should see how the homecoming game goes and then we can worry about playoffs," Quinn said as he dressed.

"I asked Lana to homecoming," said Chris, pulling his Traverse City Trojans t-shirt on. "We're both up for homecoming court and I think we've got a good shot."

"Yeah…" Quinn trailed off, his mind distant.

Chris sat on the bench in front of the lockers, closer to Quinn now. "You finally gonna have arealdate this year? Or are you and Rae sticking to thejust going as friends so we don't have to acknowledge our real feelingsroutine?"

This quickly snapped Quinn out of his haze. "What do you mean?"

Chris shook his head and laughed dryly, putting up his hands as if in surrender. "I'm sure it's none of my business."

"No, but you seem to have an opinion on it, and you've never been one to hold back on those.”

Needing no more encouragement, Chris let it out, "Why the hell do you pretend to be fine just following her around like a lost puppy waiting to be loved?"

"Thefuck, man?" Quinn bellowed, taken aback by Chris's bluntness. Chris was always direct, but he'd never commented on this particularly touchy subject before now.

"Sorry, dude, but you've obviously been into her for like, what? A year now?"

Three years.

When Quinn remained silent, Chris continued, "All I'm saying is it's time to put up or shut up. If she ain't into you after nine years of friendship, she ain't gonna be. At least you can get your answer and try to find someone else who is."

Of course that was exactly Quinn's fear. If he told Rae how he felt and she didn't reciprocate those feelings, then what? Sure, he could find other girls to spend time with and make out with and probably have sex with if he wanted, but Rae was different. She was his best friend. She had been since her seventh birthday when she spoke it into being.

"This is Quinn Casey… I think he's my new best friend."

If he put his feelings out there and it backfired, he wasn't just getting rejected by some girl. He'd be putting a strain on their friendship, changing it, and making things awkward between them. The way his home life was with his drug-addicted mother, never having money, and never knowing what the next day might bring, Rae had been his one constant. She was the only part of his life that was unchanging.Shewas the one thing he could count on and the one thing he'd been able to count on for nine years. Telling her he'd been in love with her since he was fourteen seemed like too big a risk. Nevertheless…

“I'm gonna ask her this time. For real," Quinn said before he could stop himself. It was a decision he'd already made earlier that day but saying it out loud to someone seemed to solidify it.

Chris beamed and clapped Quinn on the back. "It's about damn time! You'd better do it now before you have a chance to puss out."

"Yeah, I'm meeting her out in the parking lot when she's out of swim practice.” Quinn felt a smile finding its way to his face. "We're supposed to go get something to eat."

"Perfect! Ask her before you get in her car though," said Chris. "The less you put it off, the better."

Quinn nodded, a movie reel playing in his head: Being cool and calm as he asked her to go to the dance, her giggling and pointing out they always go together, him taking both of her hands in his and explaining he meantfor real,as dates. Then Rae would act surprised, but say yes, and they would get into her car, except she’d tell him to drive because they were on a real date now soheshould chauffeurheraround. They’d get to the restaurant to eat, but before getting out of the car, he'd turn her towards him and lean in, their lips would meet for an innocent kiss, but then she would want more. So he’d kiss her harder. They’d start breathing heavier, start peeling layers off each other until…

"Case!" Chris snapped his fingers in front of Quinn’s face.

Quinn blinked and shook his head and, noticing his mouth had gone dry, he took a long swig from his water bottle.

"Did you just imagine some sort of scenario in which asking Rae to the dance leads to you guys having sex in the parking lot?" Chris asked, an amused look on his face. "Because I totally did that before asking Lana."

Quinn was only slightly embarrassed. "And howdidshe react?"

"Well, all our clothes stayed on, so it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. But she did say yes," Chris said with a shrug.

Quinn and Chris finished getting dressed, slung their bags over their shoulders and walked out of the locker rooms and back toward the school parking lot. Quinn stopped when he spotted Rae next to her silver Beamer. Her hair was wet from a shower, and she'd squeezed herself back into a pair of tight skinny jeans that always made that beast in his chest stir.

---