Page 23 of Chasing Me

I got back to my apartment and tried to stay distracted, but my whole body ached for Quinn.I needed to see her.Hold her close, remind myself of her goodness and natural sexiness that had nothing to do with games and manipulation.A reminder I didn’t live in that world any longer.But she had class till late, and we’d planned to meet tomorrow to talk.I just had to deal with this on my own.

I had to talk to Ava.I refused to have a fucked-up teacher ruin everything.Maybe I’d try getting to class extra early so we could meet.Get to the bottom of her sick shit, and if I had to, I’d go to administration and complain.It was the only recourse that made sense.

Feeling calmer with a plan, I settled down for the night.

Chapter Eleven

QUINN

“QUINN, WE’RE GRABBING A DRINK.Come with us!”

I looked over from rolling up my yoga mat and shook my head.“I’m beat, guys.”

The small group of four groaned, and Jessica stepped over, grabbing my mat from my fingers.“You said that last time.Girlfriend, take a break and have a damn drink with us!”

I laughed.In a matter of a few sessions, I’d grown close to the other four students enrolled in the special program at New Beginnings.They were a lot like me.Dedicated workaholics who wanted to make the world better.Each had their own personal addiction story—either themselves, or someone close—and we’d grown tight after a few sharing sessions.

Since our fight, James and I had talked on the phone, but we’d planned to get together tonight after his shift.Still, I had plenty of time for one drink.“Okay, but I can’t stay long.”

Jessica whooped, putting away my mat, and I grabbed my coat and purse.“Hey, Brian, come on.You need a break, too!”

Brian’s gaze swung around and rested on me.I shifted my feet.We hadn’t mentioned the night he drove me home, and I was glad.He waved his hand in the air.“Go without me, young ’uns.I’m too old.”

The group shouted good-natured insults.“You’re like, what, dude?Thirty!Live a little.”

After a bit of cajoling, Brian laughed.“Fine, fine, I’m coming.”

We walked to the pub, and Jessica ordered us a round of beer.Sometimes I still got a craving for the fruity Sex on the Beach island drinks I’d gotten addicted to in Key West, but back in Chicago I reverted to wine again when I did drink.Wasn’t much of a beer drinker, but I kept quiet since she was being nice.

We squeezed into a battered bar booth and raised our glasses.I couldn’t resist the quip.“Hey, guys.Do you think it’s a little weird we’re working at a rehab and the first thing we want to do is get a cocktail?”

We shared a glance.Everyone seemed to ponder my question with good intention.Then Jessica spoke.

“Fuck no!Drink up!”

Everyone laughed.I sipped my beer, which still wasn’t very good, and met Brian’s eyes across the booth.His features took on a serious expression as he studied me, and I couldn’t seem to look away.Jessica pulled the others away for a game of darts, and we were left alone at the table.

“Why didn’t you tell her you hated beer?”

Startled at the question, I paused in my next sip.“How do you know?”

“Your face.It’s expressive.You don’t hide much.”

“Doesn’t matter.I don’t drink much, anyway.Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?”

“Drinking?”

“No, showing how I feel.”

“Good.Very good.”

A warm hum sang between us.I cleared my throat and wished the others would come back.“I’m enjoying the extra classes.”

He leaned back in the booth, holding his beer.“I can tell.You’re extremely focused with your work.”

I wrinkled my nose.“Yeah, my girlfriends are always trying to tell me to have more fun.People think I’m too serious.”

“Does James agree?”

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