Chapter 9
Quinn
He’d been in the midst of cooking when a fight broke out over a now headless doll, and by the time he’d gotten to their playroom, Alara had gotten out the paints and somehow decided that was the best weapon to be used against her sister.
Then two six-year-olds and their play kitchen had become covered in red paint, and everything else looked like a fresh crime scene straight out of Law two bedrooms, one being his studio, connected by the Jack and Jill bathroom in the middle.
The space was bigger than his apartment had been, which wasn’t what Quinn asked for when Eren insisted he move in, but it was what he was stuck with.
Emira and Alara had claimed the entirety of the second floor, and Eren stayed in the master bedroom on the ground floor, so he was closer to his gym, the kitchen, and the basement filled with hockey shit.
It didn’t matter how much Quinn told Eren he didn’t need more space or supplies, he always found things waiting outside his bedroom. Canvases, paints, brushes and everything he needed to paint until his heart’s content.
It was like having a damn sugar daddy, but he knew Eren thrived on providing things for the people he cared for, so Quinn kept his mouth shut about it.
The only time he had put his foot down recently was when the neighbour’s house went up for sale, and Eren tried to buy it for him.
He didn’t know what Eren thought he would do with a mansion, but he was glad it hadn’t happened. His bedroom felt empty enough because he didn’t have stuff to fill it with, so having a mansion would have been depressing.
Quinn spent most of the day in his studio, working on his thesis and a new piece depicting the Greek gods feasting at an elaborate table piled high with modern takeout. The work kept his hands and mind busy until his alarm went off, reminding him to shower and get ready for the charity ball.
He tried not to feel anxious as he removed his piercings and did his makeup, keeping everything toned down and appropriate for the event. Quinn had been to more than a few public outings with Eren when his sister was alive, but he knew there would be more eyes on him this time.
Quinn had learned very quickly that people loved to see celebrities grieving.
He met Eren downstairs at exactly six-thirty, wearing his most expensive tux and a smile on his face. Eren looked dashing in his tailored black suit and boy-next-door grin, and it was always nice to see his beard cleaned up and his hair styled.
“The girls are watching a movie with Una, so now is the time to sneak out.” Eren looked Quinn up and down and gave him an approving nod. “Looking good, Harlow. Maybe I should have asked Cote to take you as his second since all your effort is a bit wasted with me.”
Cote? The quiet, gay Bigfoot player?