Chapter 28 Quinn
Was it possible to love him even more than I thought I already did? Or were we simply focusing on the physical attraction and not the circumstances that brought us together . . . this time?
Gray watched me when no one else was watching, he saw things no one else saw, and he understood what I needed and wanted before I did. Had he always been this attuned with me? Had I simply ignored it before, or had he never been this open?
I watched him with others, and he was exactly as he had always been, but then he would look at me, and the softness would be there, the tenderness. Maybe I was the only one who saw it?
We’d had the horror that was Sunday lunch, and I hadn’t asked what they had done to Dr. Newton.
I knew Onyx had him, and my heart hoped they never told me, because I knew the chance of Dr. Newton speaking to the authorities wasn’t a good one.
The fact that he wasn’t at a police station and no one had come asking questions told me all I needed to know.
Gray confessed they had to tell Kage and Kerr everything. But because he was who he was, he told them everything but not everything. Which I surmised meant they knew everything except Gray and the house and therefore Dr. Newton.
The team had an away game, and they were traveling by bus.
All three of them were gone. Even though Jett couldn’t play this week and Gray was out completely, they weren’t sitting back and waiting.
The team was their team, and Jett would coach Ben, and Gray would scare the shit out of the rest of the team not to lose.
Plus, they would be there for Ash. Both twins were exceptional team players.
Which left me alone. I hadn’t been alone since the night of the Halloween party when I had freaked out and Gray had taken me to bed. However, Ava was also alone, and she had called me in to help her with a Mia problem.
I was to meet them in an hour at the theater, and I’d been spending time making motivational packs for Mia. The girl had stage fright. Ava had tried everything to help her but had never succeeded. So, I had drinks, snacks, and a portable karaoke machine.
It was probably dumb, but in my head, I thought it was going to work.
I had borrowed it from the swim team. I loved their parties.
No mayhem ever happened; they were so laid-back and cool.
Plenty of board games, outside activities, and responsible drinking.
The swim team was responsible, and I admired them for it.
I reached for my phone when it dinged as I got ready for tonight.
Gray: We’re here. You okay?
Me: Yeah, getting ready to meet Ava and Mia.
Gary: You really seem to be liking Ava . . .
Me: She’s nice. Genuine. Funny.
Gray: I’ll take your word for it.
Me: Don’t be mean, your twin LOVES her
Gray: I’ll take your word for it . . .
Shaking my head in despair at his stubbornness, I sent him the grimacing face emoji and then studied my appearance.
I had kept my dark hair down and blow-dried it with a slight curl to it.
I hadn’t put much makeup on, a light brush of eye shadow and some mascara, and I had a tinted lip balm in my purse.
Jeans, a sweater, a jacket, and my boots were all I needed. I knew there were no possible parties later. Tonight was all about Mia and her fear. Ava had convinced the janitors of the theater to leave it open, and one of them was coming later to close up.
It wasn’t unheard of for the facilities team to do students favors; it was unheard of for them to do the favors for sophomores. Seniors had privileges for their year-end shows and things, but we lowly sophomores didn’t have the same urgency to succeed that the seniors did.
Gray: What are you wearing?
I rolled my eyes as I giggled.
Me: Nothing
I waited, and then I burst out laughing at his response.
Gray: You’re so full of shit Lawrence
Me: I know, I hate that you know me so well
He sent back the heart emoji, and I thought that was the most romantic thing Gray Santo would ever have done. He really did love me, and my smile as I held the phone close to my chest was so wide it hurt.
Checking my time, I cursed myself for being eager for the girls’ night and being ready too early. Could I make my way over now and set up? I contemplated it and then decided to shoot a text to Ava that I was making my way there.
Hefting my bag of supplies over my shoulder, I picked up the karaoke machine and locked up.
Friday night on campus was nice. It was dry, although cool, and the sparkly lights through the trees for the Christmas decorations kept the sidewalks well-lit.
I passed several people, some I knew, some I didn’t, and smiled at them anyway.
I didn’t recognize myself. I was not this happy, outgoing person. Had he really changed me this much? Was Gray randomly smiling at people? The thought caused me to grin wider. No, Gray would probably be glaring at all and sundry as per his normal attitude.
He wasn’t saying anything, but I knew he was devastated that he was losing the rest of the season.
Three broken bones and a fracture in his thumb meant he wasn’t catching a ball anytime soon.
I wanted to reprimand him for his recklessness, but I also knew why he did it, and I couldn’t scold him for his actions when they were a result of keeping me safe.
Of course, if I had been honest, would it have happened? Yes. Probably sooner, and he could have been in jail already.
Sighing as I walked, I realized the machine may be portable, but it was freaking heavy.
I was only halfway there as well. The theater was on the opposite end of the campus and was in a lovely enclosed green area that gave it a serene and peaceful feeling.
It was a gorgeous campus, I realized as I walked and appreciated it.
The rows of dorm houses were kept in streets central to the campus, with the teaching buildings scattered throughout, giving the student a real sense of community and belonging.
The campus was big on its landscaping, and everything just felt very natural.
Lots of trees, shrubbery, and grass made it pleasing to walk through.
I kept that thought up all the way to the turn off for the theater, and then I was looking at the surrounding trees and woodland with a more critical eye.
Where the sidewalks and paths through campus had been populated, the path to the theater wasn’t as well-lit and looked a little bit creepy.
Ava had managed to get the theater open, but the lights leading up to it were dim, and not all were fully lit.
Glancing back over my shoulder, I checked to see if the girls were heading my way.
Maybe I should wait here? What if it wasn’t open?
My feet slowed, and I put the karaoke machine down as I thought about it.
After another furtive glance over my shoulder, I shook my head at myself. Gray would be calling me chicken, and I would be furious because he was right. With determination, I picked up the machine and made my way toward the theater.
I told myself I didn’t jump at the snap of a twig, which was probably me and not someone lurking in the shrubbery. As if there would be someone in the bushes? I needed to stop watching TV shows on Netflix.
At the side door, I tried the handle, and it opened easily. Again, I hesitated. Which was worse? To stay outside and jump at imaginary sounds, or go inside the empty building where the door had been left open all evening?
Biting my lip, I considered my options. Firing out a quick text to Ava to see how long she was going to be, I then texted Gray.
Me: Standing outside the theater, alone, in the semi-dark. Do I go into the vacant building or stay out in the dark and wait?
I waited and was frustrated when he didn’t immediately respond. Ugh, I was that girl. I looked at the message and then copied it and sent it to Jett, who answered immediately, which just irked me more.
Jett: Why are you alone?
Jett: Does Gray know?
Me: Waiting for your girl and I dunno, I texted him the same question as you but he didn’t answer
Bitchy much?
Jett: Hang on
I hung. Two seconds later, my phone rang.
“Hey,” I greeted him.
“What the fuck you hanging about in the dark for?” Gray asked me, and I rolled my eyes at his temper. “Why wouldn’t you wait for Ava?”
“Because I told them I would meet them here and I got bored waiting, but I’m not going to lie, it’s kinda creepy in the dark. I mean the door’s open, but I dunno . . . I don’t want to go in. I should stop watching horror movies.”
“You should stop being so impatient,” Gray scolded. “Go in and stay on the phone with me until they get there.”
I instantly felt foolish and childish. “You don’t need to do that. I can hear the team. You’re all together, go be with them. They need motivational Gray to psyche them up for tomorrow.”
“I’m staying on the phone with you,” he told me firmly, and I heard him move away from the others.
“I’m being silly,” I confessed.
“Meh, you were always silly.”
“Is this the kind of motivational speeches you give the team?” I teased as I made my way to the auditorium. Pushing the door to the main theater, I heard him laugh, and the sound made me smile.
“No. I swear a lot, threaten to bust their asses and smash their heads.”
“I completely believe this to be true.” I laughed as I made my way down toward the stage. “This place is huge,” I commented as I looked around. “And really, really creepy.”
“Never been in it,” Gray replied as I dumped the machine on the stage and looked at the seats.
“I’ve only been once.” I looked up at the lights and back around. “I don’t like it.”
Gray’s soft laughter carried over the phone, and I closed my eyes at hearing it. “I love your laugh,” I whispered.
“Why?” I could hear his amused tone, and I knew he would be smiling.
“I don’t know, I like knowing you’re happy, I guess.”