Something Like Redemption (Something Like Normal #2) (5 page)

My decision is made. I’m going to encourage Quinn to flirt and hook up—God knows he won’t have to try very hard. I’d rather eat glass than do this, but it’s for the best.

I’m really starting to understand the meaning behind that phrase now.

“Everything okay?” Quinn asks softly, turning toward me as Bridgette whispers with her partners in crime through the gap in the front seats.

I give him the best fake smile that I can and reply a little too happily, “Never better.”

His eyes narrow, not believing a word, but he turns back around as Bridgette passes her hand over his thigh, making him jump in surprise at her forwardness.

As I’m envisioning her hand going up into a puff of smoke, I remember the promise I made to myself thirty seconds go, and take a deep, calming breath.

“So Mabel,” asks Pippa, the driver, looking at me in the rear view mirror. “How do you know Theo?”

I’m surprised that after two hours, they remember my name, as none of them have spoken a word to me.

Quinn begins without pause, “I’m her bo—”

“He’s my brother,” I reply, cutting him off, ignoring the dirty look he gives me.

I ignore the satisfaction I feel at the fact that Quinn was about to refer to himself as my boyfriend. And in any other circumstance, I would be thrilled, but now, now I just feel undeserving.

Three sets of shoulders depress, thankful I’m not a threat so they can continue with their ‘who can get into Theo’s pants first’ game.

“Oh, that’s awesome,” purrs Bridgette, running a long fingernail along Quinn’s bicep, which is poking out of his grey t-shirt.

I try not to scowl, but my heart is about ready to explode. But as Quinn subtly pulls back his arm, not at all impressed with her touching him, my lips tip up into a small smirk.

“Woo hoo!” yells Tonya, sticking her head out the window, resembling a dog as her long hair catches in the wind. “We’re here!”

My eyes snap up to witness what Tonya is hollering over, and I see the blue ‘Welcome to South Carolina’ sign.

Woo hoo! I internally cheer. I can finally get out of this suffocating environment, which has just become a lot more uncomfortable when I see Quinn mulling over my comment.

We roll into town and Pippa finds a parking lot. She spins around to face us and I flinch when I see how shiny her lips are. Wow, she must have puckered up just for Theo.

“So, did you wanna tag along? Come see the band with us?” she asks, looking at Quinn, not really caring if I go or not.

“Sure thang,” I reply before Quinn can decline.

He twists around to face me, tilting his head to the side, giving me big eyes, which just highlight the hotness of his hypnotic, emerald eyes.

“Mabel, we got that
thing
, remember?” he says, nodding, so I’ll agree with him.

But I shake my head, scrunching up my face. “No, we don’t. And besides
Theo
, I’m sure the girls are just dying to have you all to themselves without your little
sister
tagging along.”

My whole speech is tongue in cheek, dripping with sarcasm, but the trio believe it, clapping their hands excitedly at the prospect of spending some one on one time with Theo.

***

The worst part about hitching a ride with fellow travelers is you’re both looking for a place to crash. I bet Quinn doesn’t think his little country twang was such a good idea, now that he’s being grilled by three very pushy, annoying girls.

It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. In Quinn’s case, I bet he wished he could lose both eyes so he doesn’t have to witness Tonya show him one more time why she was head cheerleader.

We’re sitting in a small bar, across the road from where we are ALL crashing for the night. Yup, the girls decided it would be fun to spend even more time with Theo by staying at the same motel. Looks like my plan of getting Quinn laid is going to be easier than I anticipated.

The bar is small and cozy, and I begin to feel my eyes droop shut as the second beer I just downed is going straight to my head.

“I’m gonna go crash,” I announce, standing up, tossing a few notes onto the table to pay for my beer.

Quinn also stands, but Bridgette pulls on his arm. He loses his balance, plonking back down.

“You’re not going anywhere, are you, Theo?” Pippa pouts, licking her lips, which still resemble a disco ball.

“No, Theo’s staying here,” I reply, looking at Quinn smugly, who is baffled by what the hell’s going on.

The girls squeal, assaulting Quinn with superficial gibberish as I turn my back and exit, looking forward to some peace and quiet. In my travels, I see an army surplus store and decide a new flick knife is in order, and maybe some new combat boots, as my soles are near worn down.

I enter the shop and get some sexist looks from a few rednecks checking out the camping gear. I ignore them, as I want to be in and out. That’s my motto from now on, as I’m sure by now my face is floating around on wanted posters from here to New York.

The glass cabinet is filled with some sexy looking weaponry, but I want something small and concealable. My eyes skim over a blade with a deep mahogany handle—it’s small and sleek, and I want it.

My face is practically squished up against the glass cabinet as I eye the knife hungrily, and I have no doubt there are love hearts pulsating in my eyes right now. However, I nearly head butt the display case when I hear my name being called out loudly. Who would know
me
in South Carolina?

“Mia? Mia Lee?”

Turning my head cautiously, I’m afraid to see who’s standing near me. But the person staring back at me is someone I never thought I’d ever see again.

“Justin? Justin Miller?” I ask, releasing the deep breath I was holding, standing to full height.

“It
is
you!” Justin says, giving me a big hug, while I stand awkwardly, taken aback by the PDA.

Justin Miller was the only guy in high school who was ridiculed as much as I, and that’s because he was a fellow freak, just like me. He’s also the only guy I have ever kissed more than once. However, both times were not earth shattering or mind blowing, like it is with Quinn.

I can’t believe Justin Miller is here in South Carolina. Seriously, what are the odds?

“What are you doing here?” we both question each other at the same time, and he laughs, thankfully letting me go.

The store clerk is looking between us, unenthused by our reunion as we are blocking the counter. Stepping aside, Justin looks at me, waiting for me to explain, but all I can do is stare at him, because I feel like I’ve just taken a trip down memory lane.

Justin’s head is still shaved, and a faint sprinkle of light brown hair is peeking through his creamy skin. Huge brown eyes, which rival that of a puppy dog, are gawking at me with a disbelieving look, and his guarded, dimpled smile, which hasn’t changed since I saw it last, is beaming down at me as he takes in my appearance.

His sculptured right eyebrow now sports a barbell piercing, but that’s the only thing that’s changed. My gaze quickly drops to his lips as I recall kissing him behind the gymnasium before fifth period when I was fifteen, and once again, two years later, when I was delivering dope to a party. Both times were big mistakes. And both times I felt vulnerable and sad, and Justin was just… there.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” he gasps, making it more than obvious he’s checking me out.

“I know, right? Small world,” I reply, shuffling uncomfortably, as seeing him again is bringing back memories I wish I could forget.

“So… tell me, what brings you here?” he asks, crossing his arms over his lean chest.

I can’t help but compare his stature to Quinn’s. He certainly isn’t as tall or muscled as Quinn, but he certainly knows how to carry himself with an air of confidence.

“Just here with a friend,” I reply lamely, reaching for a combat boot which catches my eye. “You?” I ask, seeing as he’s just staring at me, making me feel a little uncomfortable.

“Oh,” he says, shaking his head, focusing. “Just here on business.”

I give him a tight smile and nod. “What do you do?” I ask, taking a seat on the small bench seat, slipping off my boot when he makes it clear he’s not leaving.

He sits near me, a move I wasn’t expecting, and turns to look at me as he replies, “Just tying up some loose ends.”

I nod, but have no idea what that means as I try on the boots, bending forward to lace them up.

Justin laughs, his deep, throaty cackle making me feel like I’m fifteen again. “I’m still as vague as ever,” he teases when I cock my eyebrow at his unusual response.

I smile at his response, as he is just as vague as he was in high school. But that was something I liked about him. He wasn’t your typical, teenage boy, he was different. Like me.

“Do you live here?” I ask, feeling obliged to make small talk, as he’s still looking at me creepily.

“God no,” he whispers. “A pretty boy like me wouldn’t survive a minute out here in this country air.”

Turning to look at him, I laugh, as his comment reminds me of my conversation with Quinn earlier today. It’s funny, all I can think of is Quinn, and how I wish it was him I was talking to.

“Red?”

My eyes snap up as I’m still hunched forward, and I see Quinn’s eyes dip down, eying my low cut top, before darting back up to meet my eyes irritably. I quickly sit up, not realizing I was probably flashing everyone in the store, including Justin.

“Who’s this?” Quinn asks, in front of me in a heartbeat.

My palms begin to sweat, and I feel my mouth begin to dry up when I see Quinn, openly eye balling Justin.

“This is Justin,” I reply in a small voice. “We went to high school together.”

Quinn crosses his arms over his chest, and suddenly, the room becomes very, very small, as Justin and Quinn glare at each other.

Leaning back uncomfortably, I quickly slip my boots back on and stand by Quinn. “You ready to go?” I ask, his eyes still assessing Justin distastefully, and I see a little tick contracting under his left eye.

Quinn nods, but his body does anything
but
move. I slip my fingers through his, squeezing lightly, attempting to get his attention. Thankfully, it does.

“Yeah, sure, let’s split.”

Attempting to remove my hand from Quinn’s to say goodbye to Justin proves futile, as Quinn holds my hand in a death grip.

“See you, Justin,” I say with a small smile. “It was nice seeing you again.”

Quinn’s hand twitches in mine, and I quickly yank him toward the counter before he puts his twitchy hands on Justin.

“See ya round, Mia,” Justin replies, but I only nod nervously, hoping he goes away.

When the bell chimes above the door, announcing his departure, I let out a deep breath, thankful that didn’t end in bloodshed. My hand is still enclosed in Quinn’s, so I shake it out of his grip so I can pay for my goods.

Asking the store clerk for the flick knife I was eyeing earlier, I quickly hand over a wad of cash, telling him to keep the change, as I want to get out of here without Quinn exploding. As soon as I push open the door and step out onto the sidewalk, Quinn follows in hot pursuit, quickly grabbing my elbow and spinning me around to face him.

“What do you need a knife for?” he demands, his jaw working overtime.

“For protection,” I retort, yanking my arm out of his grasp.

“That’s what I’m for,” he snarls, following me down the street as I turn my back on him, walking away.

“You can’t be with me all the time,” I reply over my shoulder.

“Like hell I can’t,” he snaps childishly.

What the hell is wrong with him?

I cross the road, jogging over to our motel which is a tiny, inconspicuous place, tucked away in an alley. Trudging up the stairs, Quinn follows loudly behind me as I pull the key out of my back pocket, unlocking the yellow door and shoving it open angrily.

Quinn slams it behind him and I turn around to face him. “What is your problem?” I ask him, confused by his rage.

“My problem is you!” he replies, pacing the room.

“Yeah, I can see that. Would you like to tell me why?” I question, watching him pace like a caged tiger.

Quinn takes a deep breath, his broad chest rising irately. “What are you playing at, trying to play matchmaker with those girls? And to make matters worse, I find you chatting up some jockstrap the minute my back is turned! What’s the story between you two? Have you
kissed
him?” he shouts. Thankfully he stops with the pacing and stands in front of me, waiting for an explanation.

“Firstly,” I bite back, poking my finger into his firm chest, “I was
not
chatting Justin up. I was simply talking to someone I knew. And our “story,” is none of your business, seeing as your “story,” could go on for a trilogy with all the harlots you’ve been with.”

Quinn’s nostrils flare, and I dare him to continue, as I sure as hell won’t shy away from bringing up Amber-the whore.

However, now that I’ve started, I can’t seem to stop. “And secondly, you weren’t complaining when Bridgette was all but feeling you up!”

Quinn’s mouth parts, surprised by my admission. And so am I. Wasn’t that what I wanted? Isn’t that why I called Quinn my brother? So those bimbos would make their best play for him, and Quinn would fall for it.

I should have known better.

“You think I
liked
being around those girls? How could you think I was interested in any of them?” he asks, taken aback.

I shrug, biting my nails nervously.

“Red?” Quinn questions.

“Because you didn’t seem to shy away from their advances,” I reply.

Quinn’s eyes narrow, clearly frustrated that I would think he wanted to be a part of their seduction. “I’m doing all of this for you.” He pauses, his eyes softening. “I don’t
want
anyone but you,” he finishes, begging me to believe him.

And I do.

I suddenly feel the tears approaching, touched by his admission because he wants me, he really wants me. But I don’t reply, because if I do, I know I’ll break down, forgetting the reason why I’m being so horrible to him in the first place.