Chapter 3
Quinn
" N ext time they throw something at her, I'm going to come out with my gun instead of wearing a pair of underwear," I warn Troy as the two of us stand in the gym of Bellehaven High School.
He chuckles. "I'd expect nothing less. You're entitled to have that gun, Officer Carter, and no one would think less of you for doing it."
"What did you tell her?" I ask him, still irritated that Cecily wouldn't let me sit in on the meeting she and Troy had.
He sighs, rocking back on his heels. "Same thing I told her before. There's not a lot we can do until we have proof, Quinn."
"That's bullshit and you know it. You and I both know that family is as crooked as a group of politicians."
"Look, I'm not saying I don't recognize what you're impressing upon me.
I do. But if we don't go by the letter of the law, we're just gonna irritate them.
They're gonna get out of jail, and then they'll come for her even harder than they are now.
" Troy hooks his thumbs into his bulletproof vest. "You know that as well as I do. "
Even though I'd like to argue with him, I do know that.
This may be the first time I'm a cop, but it's not the first time I've dealt with people who think they're better than others and feel as if they're above the law.
Sighing heavily, I tuck my thumbs in my vest too and gaze out at the court.
"Y'all must be proud of him." I hitch my chin toward where JT is going in for a layup.
"We are." The pride is evident in his voice, and I wish my dad had been that proud of me. "Graduation is coming up fast, too. Two weeks."
I guess I'm lucky I came on at the end of the year.
There's already a plan in place for what I'll be doing during the summer months, but I'm thankful to be here just long enough to get the lay of the land.
"Got an email this morning that I'll be expected in the library tomorrow as he signs his letter of intent to play for UK. How excited are you?"
"Very. I can't wait to see what this kid is going to do with his life.
There are times when I look at him, I realize I'm not his biological father, and I'm thankful every day he decided to not push me away.
There were moments when I wondered. I mean, who doesn't want an ex-pro athlete to be your dad? "
We laugh together. "He's a good kid."
"The fucker turned eighteen in February and hasn't let us forget he's a damn adult," he grumbles. "But for the most part, he is a great kid."
My phone buzzes, and I grab it, surprised to see it’s Cecily. I gave her my number before I left the house today, not expecting that she would actually call me. Holding up a finger to Troy, I walk over to a private area and answer. "Hello?"
"Was it you?" She's pissed.
"Was what me?"
I can hear the steam coming through her nose. "I have brand-new tires, courtesy of Ford Gambrel and his mobile mechanic business. Since I know I didn't ask him to do it, the only other person I can think of is you."
Fuckin' hell. "It was me."
"Why? I can handle this shit on my own, Quinn. I've been surviving just fine without you for years."
Now that hurts, but I'm used to it from her.
Maybe it's because I've been surviving too, but not living, and I desperately want to live.
"That might fuckin' be true, but you can't sit in that house wallowing in self-pity, waiting for one of those assholes to show up.
That's not you, and you aren't going to survive if you do it.
Fact of the matter is, we both need money.
I've got a job, now it's on you to get one, Cec.
You're a nurse, you've been a waitress, and there's a million other things I'm sure you can be halfway decent at.
Get off the fuckin' couch and go find something to get up for in the goddamn morning. "
She doesn't say anything for a few moments, and I know I've pushed her a little harder than I should've. But at the same time, I can't stand to see her letting this family make her be smaller than she is.
C'mon, Cecily, fight me on what I've just said. Don't let them take away your spark.
"Fuck off, Quinn." Then the dial tone.
With a smirk, I turn back to Troy, pleased with myself. That annoyed phrase, along with her hanging up on me? That tells me everything I need to know about how hard she's willing to fight for what's hers.