Epilogue
epilogue
Quinn - Six Months Later
“So what do we think the hero was trying to accomplish with his quest?”
I can’t count the amount of hands that go up between the students who have piled into the Rolling Hills Middle School library and the ones who are streaming in via our Zoom feed. But it’s a lot.
And it fills my heart.
“Yes, Antonio?”
“I don’t think he knew Ms. Banks. He for sure didn’t have a plan.”
“Yes he did!” Stephen, one of my students back in Rolling Hills, chimes in. “He knew he had to go into the outer land to save the world!”
“Well yeah, he knew that. But going into an unknown world without at least a sword? Ain’t no way I’m doing that. How you going to go into a quest where you’re probably going to meet a dragon and not go in with a sword? It’s a suicide mission Miss Banks.”
I laugh, because Antonio isn’t wrong. And this is the beauty of book club, one person says one thing and suddenly that’s better than any topics I could’ve come up with.
“That sounds like a good discussion today!” I clap my hands to grab everyone’s attention. As I’ve done this plenty of times during the months we’ve had our after school meetings, the students know that they need to quiet down for these few minutes. It’s usually not a problem because they know they’re about to get plenty of talking time. “You’re going to break up into your pairs and discuss the topic ‘did you think the protagonist had a plan.’ When you’re done with your idea exchange, you can discuss that if you were going on the quest, what would you bring to defeat your enemies.”
I see a hand go up and I quickly nip it in the bud. “And no. Your phone is not an acceptable answer because, believe it or not, I don’t think Chat GPT will help you defeat a dragon.”
The kids laugh as the ones I have in my home library grab their Chromebooks and headphones before dispersing around the library into their small groups. I quickly glance around the room to make sure everyone is situated and I can’t help but smile.
Quinn’s Crew Book Club—my former students in Arizona refused to let me change the name—has now gone from a summer activity to an after school club for students. And yes, we’re based in two locations because my Arizona kiddos were not going to be left out. And since they’re doing buddy reads with one of the classes here, we just added them to the after school book club. So now, once a month, students come in and talk about our book of the month. We start off in a large group before breaking off into our buddy talks. The kids are talking books and making friends they never would’ve met before. I’ve even heard snaps have been exchanged. Whatever that means.
The amount of support I’ve gotten from Rolling Hills and, shockingly, my former school, has been amazing. The language arts teachers are thrilled with how much the kids read outside the classroom and have told me whatever I need from them to just ask. Our school had more Battle of the Books signups than ever before and I’ve even been asked by the county to give a talk about reviving libraries for students.
Don’t get me wrong, Rolling Hills Middle School is not the same without Mrs. Metcalf. But her legacy lives on in the permanent shelf that’s been now coined, “Mrs. Metcalf’s Infinity Star Reads,” which of course also houses a framed picture of her and I from many years ago right next to a copy of The Westing Game .
As for my former school…it’s been a journey from what I’ve heard. Since I’m still in contact with my former fellow English teachers, they’re more than happy to fill me in on the gossip.
And oh my, there’s been tea…
Apparently my leaving started a mini revolution. Four other teachers quit before the school year ended and two teachers opted for early retirement. And that was on top of the three who were retiring at the end of the year. But the board didn’t panic until no new teachers were applying for the position. Which, I’m not sure why they wouldn’t be? It’s not like myself and a few of the departed teachers were posting on teacher Facebook groups about our time there and how the administration didn’t have teachers’ backs.
Guess what? It worked. The board panicked, talked to the union, and made a sweeping declaration that all parent groups had to be board approved. Parents can still talk to the administration about specific issues with their own child, but it can’t be done in groups and if it requires that, it must be brought to the board first.
I was shocked. I couldn’t believe they agreed to that. Then again, that might’ve had something to do with someone’s sister digging into social media posts and finding long and buried things about each member of the P.E.N.I.S. Posse. And weirdly, I heard that those photos and social media posts were sent to the board to let them know that these were the people trying to take over the school and curriculum.
Moral of the story: If you’re going to go on spring break in Cancun and show your tits to the world, and then proceed to also have a small role in a Girl’s Gone Wild video, make sure it’s not on the internet before going into a school and preaching about moral values in education. That’s all I’m saying.
Oh, and don’t fuck with Quinn Banks. Ever.
And while I’m glad they now have things straightened out, I’m still glad I left. Because leaving Arizona brought me exactly to where I needed to be.
It’s been eight months since Grace made her grand entrance, and subsequently turned both Porter and my lives upside down. Looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
After our day of reckoning with Bonnie, things sped up in terms of Grace’s legal guardianship and adoption. Missy signed all necessary paperwork when she came home, and now that we had a better way to contact her, she was quickly able to sign any other further documents that Porter’s lawyer needed to make sure that he had full custody of Grace.
Her official “gotcha” day was last month. If you think her first birthday was over-the-top, you should’ve seen that. Simon really went all out.
And no, she’s still not smiling at him.
As for Porter and I, all of my things were officially moved into his house a few weeks after the dust settled with Bonnie. I had wondered if it was going to feel different because before I had outs. Exit doors. I could’ve moved back to Arizona. I could’ve gone back to the apartment above the diner. That worry lasted all of two seconds. It’s kind of scary how well we’ve been able to settle into life together as an actual couple.
He’s hired extra help at the bar so he’s working mostly days. Our nights at home are so…domestic. We take turns cooking and all Grace related things. We’re always finding a new show to binge because otherwise all we’d watch is Miss Rachel and Mickey Mouse Club. We’ve even started talking about renovating the house. Nothing big. New floors and cupboards, things like that. Shockingly, it was Porter’s idea. I loved it, but I told him that we didn’t have to. It was his dad’s house. The place he grew up. I didn’t want to take away any of that nostalgia. He answered me by kissing my forehead and telling me his dad would’ve wanted us to make it our own.
Which in Quinn translation means I’m getting a library.
Each night while we’re laying in bed together, I still ask myself if this is a dream. Because in no fairy tale do the main characters sleep with each other for eight years, move in together platonically, then realize that they’re in love, before living happily ever after.
Apparently we’re the exception.
“Delivery for Quinn Banks?”
The announcement, accompanied by a knock on the library door, gets my attention. The kids have headphones on, so I’m the only one who turns to see a teenager standing with a wrapped gift.
“I’m Quinn Banks. What is this?”
“Not sure, I just deliver.”
The students are oblivious to my delivery as I set the box on the table. Who would send this? Porter? I mean, my birthday is tomorrow, but we already lined up a sitter and have the night planned. And why would he send the gift a day early?
I almost set it aside, but it’s then that I see an envelope on top of the box that says “open now.” I check the room again to make sure the students are still on task, and when they are, I quickly rip it open.
Happy Birthday Hurricane. It felt fitting to give you this during book club.
More curious than ever, I quickly open the box and throw the tissue paper out of the way.
And then I start sobbing.
A first edition of The Westing Game. I carefully lift it up, needing to see the beautiful, original, cover and hold it for myself. When I open it to see the pages, I shriek when I see that it’s signed by the author.
I start to hear some commotion from the kids, but nothing’s on fire that I can tell, so I leave them be because there’s another envelope inside the book.
A one of a kind, for a one of a kind.
Oh, one more thing, look up and turn to your left.
Confused, I do as Porter’s instructions say. When I do, I see my students gathered together, each holding a sign with arrows pointing to the Zoom screen. I slowly look over to the projector wall, which is when I see my former students all holding signs, each saying words I never thought I’d ever see in my life.
Miss Banks: Will you marry Porter?
The kids start giggling as I frantically look around the room, which is when I see Porter walking in, pushing Grace in her stroller with one hand, and the other hand holding a ring box.
“What is going on?”
His smile lights up the room as he stops the stroller next to me, taking my hands in his. He leans down to gently kiss me, which I think I return. I’m not sure. Pretty sure I’m about to black out.
“I’ve been thinking for months how I wanted to do this. And every idea I came up with, nothing seemed more perfect than asking you here. Because these students, and this library, are the reasons you came into my life for good.”
He lets go of one hand as he gets down on one knee, which allows my free hand to wipe away the tears.
“I told you once that our story was one of a kind, which is fitting, because there is no one in this world like you. You’re beautiful and witty. Funny and kind. You love hard and you stand up for those who need it. You’ll sacrifice yourself for everyone and never ask for anything in return. You moved in with me when I felt like I was drowning. You’ve given me comfort on days where I couldn’t be convinced that there would ever be daylight again. You’ve made me laugh every day. And you’ve shown me more love than I ever thought I deserved.”
Porter pauses to open the ring box, and that’s when I gasp again. It’s perfect. A ruby gemstone—my favorite color and definitely unique—surrounded by smaller diamonds in a halo cut. At least I think it’s halo. Stella is chomping at the bit for Emmett to propose so she’s been showing all of us different rings for when he asks one of us to help, we know what she’ll like.
Did my sisters know about this? I mean, Porter and I talked about it a few times, and both of us agreed that we were in this for the long haul. He’s it for me and at this point I’d shank a bitch if she tried to take my man. But the word “marriage” never actually came out of either of our mouths.
It’s then that out of the corner of my eye I see my family at the doorway to the library, doing their best to peek in without giving themselves away.
“Quinn Elizabeth Banks, you were once the girl I had a crush on. Then you became the woman I couldn’t wait to see a few times a year. In that time we became friends. You became my person. My confidant. My partner. And now, I ask you, will you be my wife?”
There’s a split second of silence in the room before I scream out a “Yes!” which causes a volume of screams that should never be heard in a library.
Porter stands up as I hug him with everything in me. It’s only a few seconds before I feel a dozen arms around me, hugging and jumping on me like it just happened to them.
As soon as I’m done embracing my co-conspirator students, my family is pushing through for their turn. Mom and Dad are here, along with Simon and Charlie, Maeve and Logan, Stella and Emmett, and of course, Ainsley and her new beau.
Which is a bold move on her part bringing a star Nashville Fury player to a middle school. Which is why I’m guessing that my students are suddenly very quiet. They’ve just realized Linc Kincaid is in their presence.
“How long has this been in the works?”
“We only found out the other day,” Maeve says, narrowing her eyes at Porter. “Seems as if this guy didn’t think we could keep a secret.”
Porter holds up his hands in surrender. “In my defense, when have y’all ever kept a secret from each other?”
“That’s true,” Stella says. “Though if I do remember, you two were a secret for a very long time.”
Porter and I share a smile as I quickly run down memory lane.
All the nights of sneaking around.
The trips where I’d make up excuses to come home, but I secretly wanted to see him.
Or the biggest secret that I was keeping from myself—that I wasn’t madly in love with this man.
I finish hugging my family as I realize that all of my students are now completely preoccupied by a pro football player in their presence, and a few have realized that my brother-in-law invented their favorite video game. The distraction gives Porter the chance to steal me away behind a book stack, which is where I receive my proper kiss as a newly engaged woman.
Holy shit I’m engaged.
I’m going to marry Porter.
I’m going to be Quinn McCoy.
Yeah…it’s going to take a minute for that one to sink in.
When the kiss is over, we don’t let each other go. I know we need to soon, but I just want to stay in this moment. A moment I’ll remember forever.
“How much longer is book club?”
I laugh as I take a peek around the stacks. The Arizona class has signed off, and there’s now a line to get both Linc and Logan’s autograph.
“I think we’re about wrapped up.”
“Good. I arranged Charlie and Simon to take Grace. I thought maybe we could celebrate. Maybe go get some chicken wings?”
I throw my head back as I laugh at Porter’s inside joke. Oh wow, it’s been a minute since we’ve said that.
“I like the sound of that,” I say. “Anywhere particular?”
He smiles and dips me down to kiss me again—a kiss I feel from my head to my toes.
“Anywhere beautiful. As long as I’m with you, nothing else matters.”
I bring him back down for another kiss, because how is this my life? How did quitting my job and moving back to the town I never wanted to live in result in me living a life I could have never imagined? One filled with love and laughter and family.
I guess you really can never say never, because if I did, I’d wouldn’t be here.
And I wouldn’t trade this life, my fairy tale, for anything in the world.
Thank you for reading Roommate’s Guide to Love. I love these two so much and I couldn’t resist writing one more chapter. So let’s fast forward a few years and see what the McCoy family is up to. Spoiler: Porter might or might not be coaching Grace’s T-ball team.
Click this link to get the bonus scene!
Now what’s next? Ainsley is the next (and final) sister to get her story. Who is that new boyfriend? And what is the bad boy of football doing with the good girl of the Banks family? Find out in Good Girl’s Guide to Love coming this fall! Preorder here.
Also, are you a fan of bonus chapters? (Including one specific group chat that the Banks sisters had about Quinn?) A collector of special edition paperbacks? Want a monthly Zoom with me where you ask me every question you have on your mind? Then you should join my Patreon. Come check it out!