Page 88 of Die for You
You’ve been on this campus before. Multiple times.
She rolls her eyes.To drop you off freshman year and to one hockey game. That hardly counts. I haven’t gotten the whole tour before. Besides, it was a good excuse to get out of class.
Sounds like you’ll be a promising college student.
Quinn sticks up a single finger at me, and no one around us needs to know sign language to understand what she’s telling me.
Over her head, I spot Aurora leaving the library, her bag slung over her shoulder.Shit. I can’t let them meet. Not yet. Who knows what the hell Quinn will tell her.
But as soon as my hand lands on my sister’s shoulder to guide her in the other direction, Aurora spots us and waves. “Finn!”
Quinn follows my gaze and brightens when she finds Aurora hurrying toward us with a smile.Is that her?
I’ve never seen Quinn’s hands so animated.Yep. Aurora.
When she reaches us, Aurora’s brows furrow with a bit of confusion.
“Quinn,” I tell her.
Before I can introduce Aurora, my sister is already flinging her arms around her. “Aurora! Hi!”
“Hi!” Aurora grins, even as a shred of fear glints in her eyes. Everyone’s a little afraid of Quinn.
I sign to Quinn.Aurora knows sign language.
Somehow, Quinn’s grin widens.Really?
A little. Aurora smiles meekly. Always hesitant to give herself the recognition she deserves. Downplaying her accomplishments, her abilities. Someday, she won’t. Someday,she’ll realize exactly how incredible she is. She’ll see herself the way I see her.
Quinn squeals before yanking Aurora to her again in a nearly violent hug. I’m about to intervene when Quinn finally releases her. Good luck to the guy she sets her sights on.
I’m so happy to finally meet you! I’m going to tell you all of Finn’s deepest, darkest secrets.
Aurora flashes a mischievous grin my way. Exactly what I feared. “I can’t wait. Shit, I mean—” She starts to sign the words when Quinn shakes her head.
“That’s okay. This helps.” Quinn points at the hearing aid in her ear. “And I’m really good at reading lips. It’s just easier with our hands with me and Finn. Feels more like my first language, you know?”
Aurora nods, even if she doesn’t know. Not really. But she can imagine what it’s like in Quinn’s shoes. She doesn’t need to have firsthand experience to understand. Yet another part of her I love.
I hand Aurora her coffee, and she offers me a sweetthanks. Quinn loops her arm through Aurora’s, and even though she insists that Aurora is a better tour guide than the one from the admissions office, Quinn is the one leading the way. She always is. I trail behind them, shielding my eyes against the bright sun. But Aurora is laughing and so is Quinn. And I can’t bring myself to stop it. Because I’m pretty sure nothing has ever made me happier.
When we make it through the library, her group is lining up for the bus in the parking lot. “Did I tell you about when Finn fell flat on his face here his first day of freshman orientation? His pants split and everything.”
Aurora barks a laugh. “Really?”
“That”—I force the words out—“didn’t happen.”
I signLiarin Quinn’s direction.At least tell her embarrassing stories that are true.
Quinn shrugs with a smug smile before nodding at something behind me. “Looks like you’ve got a puck bunny following you.”
My gaze darts to Aurora. Measuring her reaction. Bracing for jealousy, anger, resentment. None of it comes. She doesn’t even glance in the puck bunny’s direction. Unbothered.
Good. She should be. She’s finally learned that no one compares to her. We don’t want anyone else. Only her.
And she’ll love what we have planned for her later.
By the time I shoot a look over my shoulder, the girl is already heading in the opposite direction. Face hidden.
