Chapter 19 #2
“So now it’s our fault?” Celeste snapped. “You’re the one who left us, Quinn, with no warning and a feeble excuse. And now you’re saying your mother swore you to secrecy. Wow.” Celeste shook her head with dramatic effect. “So much for trust and friendship.”
“I did trust you,” I said, fearing I was about to succumb to tears. “But she’s my mom, Celeste. What was I supposed to do—betray her?”
Celeste crossed her arms, her stance hardening, eyes narrowing. “That’s right, act like you’re the victim. But you know what, Quinn, real friends don’t lie to each other.”
And real friends don’t abandon each other. It was on the tip of my tongue, but a single word sliced through the air with authority.
“Enough.”
Miller stepped forward, standing to my side, taking me off guard. His tone was low but it made Celeste stiffen, and me...I was in awe, speechless.
“How about backing off?” His eyes locked on hers. “You’ve made your point.”
Celeste blinked in surprise. “Ex...cuse me? And who are you? Her farm boy bodyguard?”
“Guess I am,” Miller said coolly.
“Oh, how sweet,” Celeste sneered, titling her nose in the air. “Tell me, is that flannel shirt vintage...or just old?”
I blanched at her insult and wanted to reach across and claw off her eyelash extensions, but Miller seemed unfazed and kept his voice steady, “Hey, you’re mad she didn’t tell you?
Fine. Be mad. But don’t friends stand by one another, not rip them apart?
Her mom made her promise not to tell anyone.
You get that, right? Like, family comes first? ”
“Oh great, now you’re preaching to me?” Celeste rolled her eyes with disbelief. “So, she’s the one who lied, but I’m the bad guy?”
“Right now?” Miller didn’t miss a beat, his stare unwavering. “Yeah. You are.”
I got goosebumps, his command of the situation and his loyalty to me so unexpected.
Celeste’s jaw clenched and her lips twitched as if she was determined to have the last word, but Naomi pulled her arm and said softly, “We should go.”
But Celeste obviously couldn’t resist one more dig, tossing her head as she said, “Hey, tell your Mom I’m interested in the blue Celine crossbody. Think you can cut a deal for me? I can pay cash.”
She marched off, the Mulberry purse swinging from her shoulder. I had a feeling I was never going to see my friends again—and though sad, I wasn’t devastated.
“Are you okay?” Clarissa was beside me, her arm around my waist in an embrace, a girl I barely knew. “Gee, she’s not very nice.”
I turned to her with an appreciative smile. “Thanks.”
“Take a break. Grab a coffee. I’ll be fine here,” she said.
I turned to Miller, my hands trembling. “You didn’t have to do that,” I whispered.
“Yeah, I did,” he said simply.
I swallowed hard, my throat thick, not able to look him in the eye. He’d just witnessed my downfall, my secrets laid bare. “Th...thank you,” I mumbled as I reached below the crates where my bag was tucked away. I put it over my shoulder, squishing Floyd between my fingertips.
“Let’s get that coffee, huh?” Miller was right there beside me as I walked off.
“Ah, you don’t have to come with me,” I mumbled, “I’m fine.”
“Hey?” he said in way that stopped me in my tracks. “Is there a reason you don’t like me?”
I felt my cheeks immediately heat up. “Uh, um, actually...I do like you.” Miller’s eyes clouded with confusion so I spelled it out. “It’s just that you’re the enemy.”
“I’m the enemy?” He rested his hand on his chest in a gesture of mock outrage.
“Yeah.”
“How am I the enemy?”
I shrugged, eyes wandering everywhere but his face. “Mom said.”
Miller huffed out a laugh. “Oh that’s funny.”
“How’s that funny?” I snapped back indignantly.
“Because Dad said the same thing.”
Our eyes connected and locked, his gaze soft and glinting with amusement.
And in an instant, I was overwhelmed, sort of like fireworks exploding in my chest, not a spark or a tingle but a full on display of light and color and intensity.
Vivid and brilliant like we were the stars of the show, on center stage but with eyes only for each other.
My heart fluttered, my chest heaved and we existed in our own little cocoon.
Dizzy, light-headed, seeing only Miller looking at me with eyes full of adoration. Actually, two Millers, equally adoring.
I swayed.
I released my grip on Floyd.
And found myself falling....
There was a flurry of commotion and concerned words all blurred by the feeling of strong arms around me, the softness of a flannel shirt and a steadying hand on the back of my neck.
“Hey, hey, I got you, I got you.” I recognized Miller’s voice, gently coaxing me back from my blackout, words caressing my cheek, my collapsed knees finding strength, yet my brain refusing to co-operate, happy to be held up by Miller’s embrace.
Or until I heard a lady ask, “Do you want me to call an ambulance?”
Stirring myself into action, I reluctantly lifted my head off of Miller’s chest. “I think I’m okay,” I said. “Did I faint?”
“I think so,” Miller said softly. “How do you feel?”
“Amazing,” I said, his arms still firmly wrapped around me, my view his gorgeous, if somewhat pale, face.
“Perhaps you should sit down, dear,” the lady said, “and do you have any water? Do you want me to get you some?”
“It’s fine, but thank you,” Miller said, taking control, probably relieved I hadn’t died on him. “I’ll make sure she gets some. And something to eat. I don’t think she’s eaten this morning.”
“Oh yes, that’ll do it,” the lady said, “maybe her blood sugars are low.”
“I’m okay, really,” I proclaimed, though I made no attempt to stand on my own two legs.
“Are you sure?” he asked, transferring me to his side, but not relinquishing his support.
“Yeah, you’re right, I didn’t have time to eat anything this morning.”
“Okay, we need to fix that,” he said, “but I’m taking you back to the truck first. You need to sit down.”
“Okay,“ I whispered, a wave of wooziness hitting me again, causing me to clutch Miller a little tighter. ”But I promise, I’m fine.”
“Yeah, I think I’ll be the judge of that,” Miller said and for some ridiculous reason, I liked that he was holding me and taking charge.
But I hated that it felt so right.