Page 44 of The Late Hit
“Thank you.” I blush. “Tristan, this is my friend Quinton Boyd.”
Both men give each other an appraising look, but it’s Quinton who reaches his hand out first.
“How’s it going?”
Tristan shakes his hand, still looking at Q.
“Quinton Boyd. As in star running back for Central Texas University?”
A proud smile stretches across Quinton’s face, and I can see the cockiness slip into place. There’s my Q. This whole super polite, posh Quinton isn’t the Quinton I love.
Love?
Yeah, like love as my bestie. Yeah, that’s what I mean.
“One and the same. How do you know my girl?”
My girl.Mygirl.
Tristan takes a sip of his bourbon before answering. “Asher was my cousin.”
Quinton’s face drains. “Shit, man, I’m sorry.”
Our waiter approaches with our fresh drinks, and a second server is right behind him with our appetizer—a simple greens salad with walnuts, apple, and raspberry vinaigrette.
Unrolling my napkin, I place the ivory-colored fabric in my lap. Scooping up a bite, an obnoxious voice to my left catches my attention.
“Sorry, baby, the line was so long,” the voice says as long fingers come into my line of sight, placing a martini glass down next to Tristan.
“It’s fine. Madeline, look who’s at our table.” Tristan glances from his date to me.
Glancing up, I met the eyes of the She-Devil herself. Madeline Sanchez, high school mean girl, head cheerleader, and all-around pain in my ass.
“Brinley, you remember Madeline?”
Reaching for my champagne, I take a sip before answering. My sip turns into a gulp, and that’s when I feel a hand brushing up my right thigh. His touch is electrifying, and I can’t help the way my body reacts to his touch.
Someone should really look into turning the air conditioning up.
My eyes find Q’s, as he leans down to press a kiss to my temple.
Shit, why does that simple act calm me instantly? And why does his every touch, every glance, every action feel like a current running between us?
Turning back to my left, I look at the She-Devil, hoping I don’t turn to ash. “Madeline, gosh, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“You look just the same as high school, Brinley,” she replies, eyeing me with that bitchy smirk on her face. “Always looking for attention,” she adds under her breath.
“You didn't let me finish,” I added. “I didn’t recognize you, what with your lips the size of your face. Guess you needed the extra suction for all the ass kissing you do.”
To my right, I hear Quinton and Grace chuckle quietly. Madeline’s face drops and she’s about ready to clap back, only Tristan stops her by whispering “don’t” under his breath.
What the hell is he doing bringing this bitch as his date? Does he not remember all the problems she caused? All the bullying she did? She didn’t just bully me, but his cousin too. I’m lost in my head when I feel Q’s hand on my thigh again. I suck in a breath and finish my salad.
“Madeline, dear, this is Quinton,” my mother chimes in. “I guess I’ll do the introductions since Brinley clearly has no manners.”
My eyes roll before I can stop them, and my mom catches it. She glares daggers at me.
“Hi,” Madeline chirps. “Brinley and I gowayback. How long have you two been together?”
