Page 32 of My Heart to Keep
“Look out at the top of your driveway,” Celia said.
I squealed as she drove slowly down and parked in the spot Carter had just vacated. I hung up, vaulted off the swing, and ran down the porch steps.
Celia had barely gotten out of her car before I threw myself at her. She smelled of the beach and coconuts.
“Were you tanning?” I asked.
Her arms went around me. “I was earlier.”
I held on to her like she was my lifeline. In a lot of ways, she was. I only had Celia now.
“Quinn, you’re hurting me.” She giggled. “I’m not leaving you.”
My body vibrated. I was on the brink of bawling for, like, the millionth time since Maiken had left.
Celia leaned against her car, looking as pretty as ever with tanned skin, cute red-painted toes, flowers on top of her flip-flops, and her hair up in a bun. Big hoop earrings complemented the beach vibe she was exuding. “It’s time for you to stop pining over Maiken. Tessa’s having a pool party tonight. It’s her end-of-summer bash. Let’s convince your mom to let you go.”
I scrunched my nose. “Are you kidding me? My mom will tie me up before she lets me go to another party.”
Her button nose wrinkled. “You’re not grounded anymore. Right?”
“My dad lifted my punishment last week. Still, I’m afraid to ask.”
She pushed off her car. “Let’s ask your mom together. You’ll thank me later when we’re jumping in Tessa’s pool. This heat is unbearable.”
A refreshing swim might do the trick. I chewed a nail as I followed my bestie into the house. “Mom?”
“In the kitchen.” Mom’s voice competed with the sound of the TV in the family room.
Celia walked in before me. “Hi, Mrs. Thompson.”
Mom stirred a pot of spaghetti sauce. “Celia, honey. How are you?” She set the wooden spoon down on the counter.
“I’m good. Mrs. Thompson, do you mind if Quinn accompanies me to Tessa’s pool party?”
Mom rounded her gaze to me so fast I thought her head would spin off.
“I won’t drink,” I quickly added. “I promise.”
She lifted her chin, studying me like she was trying to get inside my brain.
I pressed my palms together in prayer. “Please, Momma. It will take my mind off Maiken. If I come home drunk, you can ground me until I graduate.”
She mashed her lips into a thin line. “Your father will have a stroke if he finds out.”
“He won’t,” I said.
Momma wagged her finger at me. “Quinn, I want you home by midnight. No later. Do you hear me?” Her tone permitted no argument. In fact, she sounded like she would lock me in my bedroom if I so much as had a drop of liquor on me or was one minute late.
I jumped up and down, and for the first time since my party, that suffocating feeling disappeared. “Thank you, Momma.”
She gave me a stern look that could melt ice. “Don’t make me regret my decision, Quinn Thompson.”
An hour later, Celia and I were walking into Tessa’s mansion, dressed in our bathing suits beneath sundresses with our bags in hand.
“Born to Be Yours” by Kygo and Imagine Dragons belted out of the speakers. One room after the next was filled with kids.
“This party is rockin’,” Celia shouted over her shoulder.
