Page 49 of The Late Hit
Tonight I’m falling asleep with my girl in my arms and a smile on my face.
Theflighthomewasuneventful. After the weekend we had, a quiet flight was much needed. Both of us were exhausted from the little sleep we got last night. Quinton and I left my parents' house with no word from either one of them.
Honestly, a small part of me was surprised they didn’t even say goodbye to us. My dad barely looked at me and only said a few words to me. We’ve never had a relationship. Not like my mom used to have with us kids. Dad was always busy climbing the political ladder. He had high expectations for what our family was supposed to be like. Bryce was being groomed by Dad to get into politics like he had. Only that wasn’t what Bryce wanted to do. A part of me wonders if that was why he was pushing to enlist so badly.
It shouldn’t bother me. It really shouldn’t. But it does. I feel emotionally drained and empty every time I come back from a visit. I never know if I’m going to get the parents who ignore me or the parents who want to pick apart my life. Is it so bad to want parents who love me for me? Quinton could tell that my thoughts were consuming me, but this time he let me soak in them which I appreciated.
Not only was I dealing with my parents' issues, but also with the whole reason for our trip home. I didn’t even go visit Asher or Bryce. What kind of sister—and girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, I don’t even know what it’s called when your boyfriend dies—doesn’t go visit them? I’m too chicken shit to make the trek to the cemetery. It doesn’t feel like they are there, buried beneath the earth. I’ve only visited Bryce twice, when we lowered him into the ground and when welowered Ash into the ground. That’s also the only time I’ve been to visit Asher. Those two meant so much to me that I can’t even try to make sense of talking to a piece of stone.
Oh, and let’s throw in a wild night of Truth or Dare where my best friend kissed me.
Quinton Alexander Boyd freaking kissed me.
That was one of the most heated and passionate kisses that I’ve ever had. It was the type of kiss you dream about. Raw, passionate, and hungry. No, it was fire, heat, and desire. It’s like he’s been wanting to do that for years. And I felt that damn kiss all the way to my toes. There was so much behind that kiss. When the two of us made it to the house, I went straight to my room. I didn’t know what to say, instead I went to hide. But I couldn't go to bed. So much was left unsaid that there was no way I was falling asleep without seeing him.
And the escalation of what happened in his room was not what I was expecting when I walked into his room.
But there he was, lying in bed in nothing but those damn low rise, gray sweats. I couldn’t pull my eyes from him. Seriously, does he own any other color besides gray? His dark, smooth skin was on display, making his black tattoos call me forward. The look in his eyes when he saw me was heated, and the spark ignited something in my stomach. It felt like lava, and I melted right there for him.
What the hell do I even do?
After a night of Truth or Dare, everything changed. But is it enough for me to put my past behind me and move forward?
I’m lost in thought as the Uber driver is pulling up in front of my town house. Our ride from the airport is coming to an end, forcing us back to reality. Climbing out of the back seat, Quinton follows after, asking the driver to wait while he helps me to my door. He hands me my suitcase from the trunk, and the two of us head up the walkway to my front door. Digging my keys out of my purse, I slide them into the lock before turning to face Quinton. His eyes are trying to mask his thoughts, only I can read him better than anyone.
He’s worried.
He’s worried that last night changed everything. I can’t lie and say that it didn’t, because it did. We crossed over into new territory. But I’m not going to run, which I know he’s worried about.
My arms wrap around his middle, pulling my body flush into his.
“Thank you so much for coming with me, Quinton,” I say into his chest. “I wouldn’t have gotten through this weekend without you.”
“I’m glad I was there for you,” he answers.
Slowly, he starts to pull away, but before he can, my hands reach for the nape of his neck. My hands are pulling his mouth down to mine. My lips find his. He’s stiff at first, the reaction shocking him. But with one swipe of my tongue against his full lip, his body relaxes.
I’m freaking kissing Quinton.
Of my own will. No dares.
Just doing what feels right. And oh, does it feel right.
I finally release Quinton, and we both take a step back. Heat spreads across my cheeks, and I can only imagine how red my face is. Pulling my lip in between my teeth, my eyes slide up to meet his burning gaze. He’s searching my face, both of us find what we’re looking for as wide, ear-to-ear smiles stretch across our faces.
“See ya later, B,” Quinton says, his long stride leading him to the waiting Uber.
Turning back to the door, I unlock the door, push it open, and step inside, dragging my suitcase behind me. Pressing my back against the closed door, I bring my fingers up to my lips. Lips that are bruised and swollen from Quinton.
“What the actual hell?!” Chloe gasps from the kitchen, startling me.
She’s sitting at the kitchen bar, a coffee mug paused halfway to her mouth.
My head swivels in her direction as I grasp my racing heart. I didn’t expect my roommates to be awake. There’s no sense in hiding. Clearly, Chloe saw the whole thing from the window by the front door. Inhaling a deep breath, I head into the kitchen.
“Macy up?” I ask.
If I’m going to tell this story, I’d prefer to tell them both at the same time.
