26. Eleanora
eleanora
. . .
A s much as I hate it, I slide out from under Quinn, pulling the top sheet with me to cover up, and scramble to pick my clothes up off the floor. I don’t look at him when he sighs or when his bare feet come into view while I’m on my knees, looking for my shirt. A shirt that doesn’t seem to be anywhere on his bedroom floor.
“Have you seen my shirt?” I ask, without looking at him. I imagine his hand is pushing through his hair. Hair that I had between my fingers not so long ago until his mother… Oh, my God… his mother! “Quinn, please help me find my shirt,” I say in complete panic.
“I think it’s in the living room.”
Nothing but pure dread washes over me. I want to cry. I’m beyond embarrassed that we were caught. Who doesn’t lock their door? This is freaking Los Angeles for goodness sakes. And, I’m horrified. So, freaking disgusted with myself right now. Not only because his mom caught us, but because when he wanted to finish, bareback, I almost let him. What the hell is wrong with me? Who can even think about sex after that? Apparently, Quinn and me. It seems that we have no morals or values right now.
“You’re kidding, right?” I stand and cinch the sheet tighter. “How am I supposed to go out there and meet your mom? She already knows we’re screwing and now I have to walk out there like this ?” I point to myself to add emphasis.
Quinn doesn’t smile. He doesn’t even frown. He continues to look at me with contempt in his eyes.
“What?” I ask.
“This wasn’t just sex for me, Nola. I really like you.”
“Okay.”
He steps forward. “No, not okay. I’ve never introduced anyone to my parents before and I know getting caught isn’t the way to meet my mom, but…” He pauses and closes the gap between us. One of his hands is on my hip, pulling me closer, while the other is under my chin, tipping my face up so he can look into my eyes. If I weren’t nervous, I’d be melting into his embrace. “I really like you and would love for you to meet my mom.”
“Okay,” I whisper. “But I don’t have a shirt, Quinn.”
“Would you like to wear one of mine?”
No, because it’s so obvious, but I guess his mother already knows, given that she walked in on us. She’s seen my boobs. Oh, Lord help me, she’s seen my freaking boobs. I’m going to hell in a handbasket right now. His mom is going to hate me.
I nod, and he leans down to kiss me. “We should get out there,” I say after he pulls away.
Quinn groans. “I’m so sorry I didn’t lock the door.”
Oh, now he’s sorry. I guess in the grand scheme of things, it’s better that his mother walked in and not some axe murderer. We could be dead, chopped to pieces and stuffed into garbage bags, heading for the landfill where no one would find us. Quinn and I could’ve become an unsolved mystery all because of his carelessness. And now my mind is getting carried away. Sofia really must have done a number on me.
“Maybe next time we lock it after we come in.”
He smiles. “Next time. I like that.”
Me too and so does my body because the thought of being with him again, sends a new wave of energy through me. “Can you get me a shirt?”
Quinn does as I ask, thankfully, it’s just a plain black shirt. For a brief moment, I had visions of him giving me a band shirt, making me look like the ultimate groupie.
Is that what I am? A groupie? I want to escape. I want to run and hide and forget this ever happened. But Quinn, he’s smiling, like this situation is something comical.
“My shirt looks good on you,” he says as he kisses me. “I’m going to go out there and talk to my mom. The bathroom’s through that door.” He nods to the door behind me. “I can’t wait for you to meet her.” With another kiss, he’s out the door and leaving me to more thoughts on how horrible this situation is. I’m going to have to save face with a woman who caught me having sex with her son.
I do my best to straighten out my hair by leaving it in a ponytail. Braiding it would take too long and a bun screams messy, and well, I’m trying to erase the image she already has of me.
Quinn’s shirt is too long and tucking it in is near impossible without it bunching up in my shorts. I push the front in and call it good. My face though… it’s another story. I have razor burn from Quinn’s scruff and my makeup is everywhere. I do my best to clean my face, but there’s no mistaking the look of shame. I guess I’ll have to wear it well, and proudly.
Quinn likes me, and I’m downright infatuated with him right now. I have been since I first saw him and mistakenly thought he was Sofia’s brother. What a mistake that was. They’re nothing alike and the woman I saw standing in his doorway definitely isn’t Alicia for which I’m extremely thankful. I use the toilet, wash up and square my shoulders. I can do this, I tell myself. Even though I’ve never been in a scarier position in all my life. The Tucker’s house, notwithstanding.
I find Quinn and his mother sitting at his small dining room table. When he sees me, he stands, smiles and comes to me, taking my hand. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Nola. Nola, this is my mom, Katelyn.”
“Mrs. James, it’s such a pleasure to meet you,” I say, extending my hand to shake hers. She hesitates, eyeing me up and down. I don’t even want to know what she’s thinking because if it were me, I wouldn’t be keen on shaking the hand of the woman bedding my son. But she does. Her movements are slow, but nonetheless, she puts her hand in mine and we shake.
Quinn motions for me to sit next to him. The tension in the room is thick, but Quinn is either completely oblivious or he just doesn’t care. His mom doesn’t smile or even make eye contact with me, but she’s looking at her son with a stoic expression. Maybe he was supposed to save himself for marriage or she thought he was, and this is a blow to their family values. I know my parents were expecting the same of me and would completely freak out if they found out I haven’t been a virgin since high school, thanks to Roy.
“So, Quinn tells me you met at the Bean Song?”
“Yes, I just started working there.”
Mrs. James picks up her mug and takes a sip. “And where are you from?”
“I moved here from Idaho,” I tell her, leaving out anything about South Carolina and college.
“I see. Quinn tells me you’ll be joining us this afternoon at the beach. His sisters are very excited to meet you.”
“Geez, Mom. Do you think I could ask her first?”
His mom laughs. “I would think your friend would rather come out to the beach, where everyone will be as opposed to your sisters showing up at your doorstep.”
I’m so confused right now. I look at Quinn, pleading for help. He sets his hand down on my leg and gives it a little squeeze. “Nola might have plans, and I’ll never understand why you had to text Peyton and Elle so quickly.”
“Your father too.”
Quinn hangs his head, making me feel sorry for him. Maybe this is why he’s never introduced anyone to his family.
“Josie and Jenna as well,” she says before picking up her mug. “It’s not my fault you took forever to put your clothes on.”
He throws his hands in the air. “You’re unbelievable.”
She winks. “You should’ve locked your door, Quinn.” His mom stands and looks directly at me. “Please consider coming out to the beach today. His father would love to meet you.” She leans down and kisses Quinn on the cheek. “Lock your door next time, son. She deserves better than that.” I don’t know if she meant to whisper this or not, but I heard her loud and clear. I can’t help but smile, even though Quinn is clearly uncomfortable.
The silence thickens after his mom leaves. Quinn is staring at the table, but his hand is still on my leg. I set mine on top and push my fingers between his. “I don’t have to go with you later. I know we’ve only known each other for a few days and well…”
“And well what?” he asks, turning his attention toward me.
“I was just going to say you don’t have to take me to meet your family today. I can sense that you’re uncomfortable by the idea.”
He nods. “Is that what you think?”
I nod.
“I’m not uncomfortable, Nola. I’m mortified that I put you in this spot. Not with my mother or my family, but leaving the door unlocked for anyone to walk in. Believe me, my mother ripped into me. I’m happy you didn’t see her as soon as I walked out. She may have looked calm to you, but I swear I thought she was about to whip my ass for being a moron.”
“Heat of the moment,” I tell him, trying to ease his internal torment.
“Ha, heat of the moment. I was thinking with my…” He stops and doesn’t finish his sentence. We both were thinking with our emotions and not our brains. Quinn pulls me onto his lap. “I’m sorry, Nola.”
“For what?” I ask. I brush my fingers over the beard he’s growing. I’ve never been one for facial hair, but on Quinn, it’s hot, and I really like it. “We both made a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
He pulls his lower lip in between his teeth and adjusts the way I’m sitting. He’s hard and ready, and pushing against the seam of my shorts. “Would you like to come to meet my parents later?” he asks. “Everyone I know, and love will be there. It’ll be crazy, an utter madhouse with a bonfire, booze, and surfing. My sisters will be there. One is sweet as pie and the other is evil. My best friend will also be there. My family is wild, crass and loving, and I’d love it if you came out there with me.”
Cupping his cheek, I lean in for a kiss. He deepens it instantly while his hands rock my hips back and forth over him. The friction is pure torture and very welcomed. Being interrupted is never a good thing and I’d like to finish what we started earlier. First, he needs an answer. It pains me to pull away, but I do.
“I’d love to unless you’re not ready and only asking to appease your mom.”
Quinn laughs. “I’ve never been more ready. There’s something about you, Nola. I can’t put my finger on it, but you drive me crazy with desire and I have this need to show you off, to stake a claim and call you my girlfriend. Can I do that? Can I call you my girlfriend?”
“Yes, yes you can.” Saying those words drives a stake into my heart. Rhett is due to arrive any day to take me back home and right now, I don’t want to leave. Quinn helps me stand and walks over to the door. I use this moment to pull my phone out of my pocket and send a message to my brother. I’ve changed my mind. I’ll be home by the party .
I hit send and shut off my phone. Quinn and I don’t have long, but I’m going to make the best of it starting now. And seek out the right moment to tell him that I have to return home by the Fourth of July.