Chapter 3
“Hello?”
“Why do you sound like you been sucking dick through a straw or singing with Kermit?” Tomasina asks when I answer her call.
Tomasina Jackson is my childhood best friend, and it always stumps me that I still have the ability to be surprised by the things that come out of her mouth.
“Why can’t you just ask me if I’m okay like normal people?”
“Where’s the fun in that? For real, though, why do you sound like that?”
I stare at the bare wall in my office for countless seconds, regretting that I didn’t come to work later than usual.
After being in this very office until just shy of three this morning, the last place I should be is here entertaining patients.
Fatigue is hitting me hard, and I’ve been hiding in my office between appointments, trying to get my life together.
The problem with that is the cat naps I’ve taken have only pissed me off.
It also doesn’t help that the other vet on staff is on a two-week vacation, so I have no backup.
“Earth to Fayth.”
“I’m tired as hell. Quintyn’s back.” Speaking the name of my reason for not sleeping well when I did lie down has me slowly licking my lips.
I spent the morning tossing and turning while fighting the urge to masturbate to the thought of Quintyn and his sexy, deep octave.
When sleep didn’t come by six forty-five, I threw in the towel and started getting ready for work.
The first order of business was a cold shower that didn’t erase the thought or desire for Quintyn.
Now, half the day is gone, and I’m struggling to function because I’m going toe to toe with fatigue.
“How are you feeling about that? Have you seen him, or did Rome tell you?”
If no one else knows about my infatuation with Quintyn, Tomasina and Jaina do.
Jaina Frazier and I met in college while sharing a room.
Tomasina and Jaina think I should shoot my shot with Quintyn and let the chips fall where they may.
However, that’s impossible for two reasons neither want to acknowledge.
The first is Quintyn doesn’t know how I feel about him.
The second is my brother would kill both of us if we even thought about exploring a relationship.
Rome has been extremely vocal about me not entertaining his friends on a romantic level.
Hell, if Rome had it his way, I’d be a nun who has the strength and patience to ignore every sexual awakening possible.
Sighing, I close my eyes while imagining a world where Rome isn’t capable of locking me and my desire for his best friend in a cave.
“You know how I feel about that man, so there’s no point in regurgitating it right now. Quintyn was at the club where Rome was celebrating his birthday. Quintyn and his tantalizing presence back in the city cause me to feel like I’m suffering from jetlag.”
“Hm. Spill the tea, friend.” Giggles escape my mouth at Tomasina’s probing before taking a minute or so to bring her up to speed.
Heat fills my body when an image of Quintyn enters my mind while recapping our brief conversation. Excitement dances within me at the feelings rapidly rising to the surface about this man who has been out of sight, out of mind for the last two years.
“Ooh. How does he look? Please tell me he hasn’t let himself go like Kiante did. Ooh, if that’s the case, you might have to go back to Kiante. You know you broke his heart when you ended y’all relationship.” Tomasina laughs, causing me to roll my eyes at the thought of my ex.
Kiante might have been okay if he didn’t feel the need to criticize everything I did.
Kiante also felt the need to spend every waking minute with me.
While most women would have no problem with that setup, I felt like I was suffocating.
Hell, I appreciate having alone time, especially after a long day at work.
“I’m good on Kiante regardless of Quin?—”
“Mhm. That’s because your ass has this fantasy in your mind about Quintyn whisking you off your feet and the two of you riding off into the sunset. Go on and admit that your biggest issue with Kiante is that he wasn’t your secret crush.”
My chest tightens, and my lips twist, because although Tomasina is telling the truth, I refuse to vocalize it. Pain radiates across my chest at the thought of never being able to share anything more than a platonic conversation with Quintyn.
“Oh, shoot. I gotta run before I’m late for my next appointment. I’ll call you later,” I mutter with urgency before hanging up, preventing Tomasina from taunting me about my attempt at diversion.
“Damn it. Calling Rome is gonna have him cussing me out. Ugh.”
I sent the staff home after the last appointment and got lost in paperwork and preparing for tomorrow.
Unlike last night, it’s only approaching 10:00 p.m., but I already know Rome is gonna give me an earful.
Exiting the building and seeing one of my tires flat isn’t something I planned for.
The bigger problem is that I took the spare tire out of my trunk and just remembered that I didn’t put it back.
I can’t even remember my reason for removing it, but now I’m stuck and need to get home.
Deciding to bite the bullet, I return to the front entrance and dial Rome’s number while preparing myself for the backlash.
“Hey, Sunshine. I’m in the middle of something. You good?” Rome’s voice is urgent but also concerned about whatever is happening with me.
“I’m uh—I got a flat and don’t have a spare. I was hoping you could?—”
“Damn it, Sunshine. If your hardheaded ass was at home, this wouldn’t be an issue. I’m—fuck! Hold tight. I’ll send Q to grab you because I can’t right now. Remind me to get in your ass about this shit though.”
Sighing, I drop the phone in my purse and head toward my office to wait for Quintyn.
My pulse is racing, and my limbs are shaky at the thought of seeing Quintyn.
Then my stomach drops into my shoes at the statement from Quintyn the last time we talked.
My mind warms with pleasantries at the thought of being in Quintyn’s presence and the urge to call a rideshare so I can avoid his rebuke over my staying at work alone for a second night.
I’m unsure whether dealing with an upset Rome or a brooding Quintyn is better.
Dropping my purse on the desk, I plop in my chair to wait for the man who holds my heart in his hands.
I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone vibrates inside my purse.
Sitting forward, I quickly rummage through my purse and retrieve the device.
My heart skips a beat, and my breathing becomes labored upon seeing Quintyn’s name on the screen.
Wanting to catch the call before my voicemail picked up, I shakily slide the button to answer the incoming call.
“Hel—”
“I’m on my way, Lay.”
Lord, just the sound of Quintyn’s voice has me juicing like a peach. How am I going to survive riding with Quintyn?