Chapter Twenty-Four
The next night, Halle sat with Quinton’s family and watched the varsity team try to get a win. Shania had started the game hanging with them, basking in the adoration of her new grandparents, but she’d ditched them during the third quarter to go stand along the railing with her friends. Unlike the JV team the night before, the varsity team was holding their own and might win the game.
Jeremiah walked up the stairs toward the top of the stadium. He spotted them and waved. “Ms. Parker, good to see you.”
“Likewise.” She looked from him to Khris coming up. Halle nodded but didn’t speak.
Quinton’s family stiffened next to her and looked pointedly away from Jeremiah and Khris down to the field.
Jeremiah glanced at Quinton’s parents, noticed they weren’t going to acknowledge either of them and looked back at Halle. “Are you enjoying the game?”
“I am.” Halle pointed to the scoreboard. “Looks like we’ll win tonight.”
Jeremiah pumped his fist. “Let’s hope so. A win tonight means they’ll be more likely to beat Peach Ridge in a few weeks.”
“And we all know that’s the most important game.”
Jeremiah grinned, oblivious to the sarcasm in Halle’s voice. “It is. Well, we’ll head back up to the box. We’re sitting with the mayor.”
“Tell Miriam I said hello.”
“I’ll do that.” He walked away. Khris gave Quinton’s family one more look, but they pointedly kept their eyes averted. After a beat he followed Jeremiah.
As soon as he was gone Laura sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes. “I still can’t believe he has the audacity to pretend like he’s Quinton’s friend.”
Dawn shook her head. She scowled in the direction they’d gone. “I believe it. He always wanted to act like what happened wasn’t a big deal.”
Halle leaned forward to look at Dawn, whose chair was on the opposite side of Laura. “Quinton told me a little about it. That he was the reason he broke his leg and missed out on a scholarship.”
Laura looked at Halle, clearly surprised she knew the story. “Yes, he did.”
Dawn crossed her arms and sneered. “And his family only tried to brush the incident under the rug.”
Laura waved a hand. “That’s typical of his dad.” Resentment filled her voice.
“Khris’s dad was the same?” Halle asked.
Laura nodded. “Exactly the same.”
Willie abruptly stood. “I’m going to the concession stand. Anyone want anything?” he asked in a stiff voice.
Halle shook her head. “I’m good.”
He nodded then walked toward the concessions. A worried expression crossed Laura’s face. “I’ll get something, too.” She jumped up and followed.
Halle looked back to Quinton’s sister, who shook her head. “My parents don’t like Khris’s parents.”
That much was clear. The sight of the man made the typically happy and outspoken duo clam up. “Because of what happened with Quinton?”
Dawn tilted her head to the side. “No, it started before that. But the accident didn’t help. Khris’s dad always had it out for our family. Always had something negative to say or found ways to talk about us in the community. I think because he looked down on us it made it easier for Khris to do the same thing.”
She understood that a kid would mimic what he saw his parents do, but why would Khris’s dad be so rude to Quinton’s parents? Was it just because they didn’t have the money he had? Quinton said his family couldn’t donate to the school or booster club and those who could were treated differently. Was Khris an elitist asshole like his dad?
“Why do you think he wants to talk to Quinton?” Halle wondered out loud.
Dawn let out a heavy breath. The nights were getting cooler and she had a red blanket with the Peachtree Cove mascot stitched into the side. When Halle asked where she’d gotten it, she’d admitted she’d had it made specifically to support her brother.
“Who knows,” Dawn said. “Probably because Quinton did something with his life and he wants to pretend like they’re friends so he can use that for clout. Maybe he wants to make Quinton’s life a living hell. It could be anything with Khris.”
Halle looked toward the box where the announcer called the plays and Khris sat with Jeremiah and the mayor. She shouldn’t have asked Quinton to work with him to help their town get a leg up on winning. Now that she knew more, she understood why he didn’t want anything to do with Khris. Because he was a part of the community, he’d put his own hurt to the side to try to get through it. That was the type of guy Quinton was. He looked out for people who were a part of his team, and the town of Peachtree Cove was a part of his team. She wanted to prevent him from being hurt with all of this. Wanted to protect him, but protecting Quinton wasn’t her place, was it? But they were a family, weren’t they? Imperfect, messy and unorthodox, but still a family. Not the perfect family she’d envisioned creating one day, and the scary thing about it was she wasn’t sure if she wanted that perfect family anymore.
Peachtree Cove’s varsity team did bring home the win. And although everyone wanted to celebrate afterward, Halle insisted that she and Shania go home. She needed some space to digest the feelings growing inside her. The need to protect and care for Quinton. The need to pretend like they were a family. A need she wasn’t sure she wanted to feel. Not when she wasn’t sure if she and he could have a future if Shania didn’t want them together.
As a compromise, they all agreed that Shania would come visit Quinton and his family the next day. She and Shania rang the bell at Quinton’s house early that Saturday afternoon. Quinton came to the door wearing a pair of gray joggers and a dark T-shirt. The soft material of the outfit hugged his thick thighs and broad shoulders. The taste of his lips on hers, the feel of those thighs beneath her hands, the stiff thickness of his erection, flooded her memory. The air thinned and the sun became ten times hotter as desire wrapped around her neck and chest and squeezed. She’d agreed to see him alone but they hadn’t found the time to be alone.
Maybe that was a good thing. The man made her want him with just a look. How was she supposed to be alone with him and think rationally? To not slide her hands beneath the thin material of his T-shirt, feel the soft heat of his skin and kiss his perfect lips?
Shania bounced beside Halle, unaware of her mom’s struggle. “We’re early, but it’s my fault. I was ready to get here.”
Quinton grinned. The pride whenever he looked at Shania, a bright star in his eye. “Come as early as you want. Everyone is sitting in the living room watching television.”
“Is that Shania?” Laura’s voice came from inside the house. “Come here, girl!”
That was all the encouragement Shania needed. She hurried inside toward the living room. Her gaze locked with Quinton’s. Desire burned away the pride in his eyes. Her stomach clenched. Did he feel this, too?
He motioned for her to come inside, and she crossed the threshold. “How are you?”
“Better, now that you’re here.” His voice was low and deep. He stood close enough for her to smell the rich scent of whatever cologne or body wash he used.
Halle didn’t move to put any distance between them. She craved his nearness. “Shania was eager to get over here. She loves hanging out with your parents and sister.”
“They love hanging out with her. I didn’t lie when I said they’ve been harassing me about having a kid. Now they’ve got a grandchild and she’s smart, beautiful and takes after me and my love for football. They’re thrilled.”
“Is it okay for me to stay? I can leave and come back to pick her up.” They wanted to see Shania, not Halle.
Quinton’s brows drew together. “Don’t go. Shania will want you here.”
She tilted her head to the side. “Just Shania?” There was a note of flirtation in her voice.
“I want you here.” His fingertips brushed across her elbow. Down her forearm until they wrapped around her fingers.
The air between them became electric. Pricks of awareness crackled across her skin as she sucked in a shallow breath.
“Do you?” The question wasn’t necessary. She saw the longing in his eyes. Felt the same pull deep in her midsection. They shouldn’t be doing this. Not here and not like this, but she also couldn’t pull herself away.
“Quinton!” His mom’s voice broke the spell. “What are y’all doing over there?”
He stepped back and sighed. Halle’s lips lifted in a half smile. “Here we come!” he yelled back. His eyes remained fixed on her face. The promise that this wasn’t over clear as the tension pulled tight between them.
She followed him into the living room. His mom and dad were on the couch. Shania sat between them while his sister was in her chair next to the couch. ESPN played on the television.
“Oh, Halle, I didn’t know you were here, too,” Laura said as if she hadn’t just asked what she and Quinton were up to.
Halle gave a stiff smile. “I am.”
She didn’t think Quinton’s parents disliked her, but she also hadn’t gotten the hurry-up-and-join-our-family vibe from them either. Another reason why this thing between her and Quinton was so tricky.
“You don’t trust her with us or something?”
Quinton made a sound of disagreement. “Mom, Halle is welcome to stay.”
“I want her to stay,” Dawn chimed in. She reached out a hand toward Halle. “Sit over here next to me.”
Halle relaxed and sat in the love seat next to Dawn. Quinton’s hand brushed against hers as they both moved in that direction. She glanced at him. His fingers stretched her way as if to touch her again but pulled back at the last second. Heat flashed across her cheeks. She tried to ignore the need to reach for his hand in turn. She could not get lost in these feelings. Not in front of Shania and his parents.
She settled in the love seat next to Quinton’s sister. Quinton sat next to her. The love seat was big enough that they didn’t have to touch each other, but small enough that if they moved they were bound to brush against the other. The conversation flowed easily around football and the games that would come on during the day. Halle tried to follow along, but she was not interested. She couldn’t focus with Quinton next to her.
He shifted and his leg brushed against hers. When he got excited as he spoke with his family, their arms touched. As he settled back into the seat, their hands touched. Each brief touch only made her want to touch him more. For her body to remember how good he’d felt as they’d kissed. How much she wanted to feel his skin against hers.
The touches weren’t the only torture. The glances between each accidental caress. The moment when their gazes caught, held. Each second drove the air from her lungs. She wished she could find a moment to be alone with him. To cash the check of desire in his eyes.
“I want some wings,” Willie said when it was nearly half time of the first game.
“Me too,” Dawn agreed, looking at Halle and Quinton. “Where’s the best place to get some?”
Shania answered. “There’s a wing and deli place out near Walmart. Their wings are really good. We can order some and get them delivered.”
“They deliver?” Willie asked.
“I use the app on my phone.” Shania pulled out her phone.
Willie twisted his lips and shook his head. “Ain’t no way I’m going to pay those fees. We can order and pick the food up.”
Dawn slapped her hands together. “That sounds like a good idea. We can go get the food and bring it back.”
Quinton sat forward. “All of us don’t need to get the food.”
“Well, I need to go to Walmart,” Dawn said. She looked at her mom. “Didn’t you say you needed to pick up something from Walmart?”
Laura’s eyes lit up. “I do. I can go in there while you pick up the food.”
Dawn gave a quick nod before looking to Shania. “You want to ride?”
Shania looked at Halle. “Can I?”
The quick decision to take a trip to Walmart was surprising, but she didn’t have a good reason to say no. “That’s fine.”
Shania pumped her fist. “Cool.”
Halle and Quinton walked them to the door. Dawn had conveniently left out Quinton and Halle on this outing. Halle wasn’t sure if that was on purpose or not, but she wasn’t about to volunteer to go. After the hustle and bustle of getting everyone out of the house ended, she and Quinton stood in the quiet of the entryway. Their eyes met. Quinton took a step toward her. Halle slid closer to him. Then they were in each other’s arms.
The kiss was rough and fervent. Fueled by longing they’d had for each other and the pressure behind each touch and glance during the afternoon. His hands were all over her body. Her back, breasts, sides and ass. It still wasn’t enough.
“Touch me,” she breathed against his lips.
His reply was rough and eager. “Yes, ma’am.”
His large hands slid beneath her shirt and cupped her breast. Shock waves rippled across her skin. She had to touch him. Her hand slid down the tight muscles of his chest and abs to cup the thick press of his erection against the front of his pants.
“Keep that up and we’re going to my bedroom,” Quinton said against her lips.
She didn’t release her hold on him. “Do you have condoms in there?”
His head pulled back and his eyes met hers. “Are you serious or was that just a rhetorical question?”
Her brows drew together. Didn’t he want to do this, too? “Serious, but maybe we shouldn—”
His mouth covered hers, cutting off her words. Thoughts about what they shouldn’t do fled. He grabbed her hand and hurried toward the stairs. Halle pressed a hand to her cheek, unable to believe that she was doing this. She waited for common sense to kick in and tell her to stop. Shania and his family could come back at any moment, but the short amount of time they had alone together only made her feet move faster.
They crossed the threshold into a bedroom and she was back in his arms. She didn’t take in the decoration. All she noticed was that the room was warm, the smell of his cologne was stronger and his bed was large. She couldn’t think of anything else as his lips swept over hers.
Quinton took her to the bed where he wasted no time. He pushed down the waistband of her leggings. Shoving down the thin material along with her underwear. She gasped, then grinned at his urgency. His fingers slid between the juncture of her thighs, and a low moan echoed in the room. Her moan. He kissed her lips, neck and lowered to take one plump nipple into his mouth. Halle hissed and clutched his shoulders. She let the wave of sensation wash over her and take away all her inhibitions. Quinton’s warm lips eased away from her breast as he lowered to his knees.
“Wait,” she said at the same time his tongue slid across the crease of her sex.
He stopped and looked up at her. His dark eyes serious and brimming with passion. “Do you want me to stop?”
Her heart hammered. She didn’t know what she was doing. How they’d gotten here. If this was going to complicate things or make them easier.
Quinton licked his lips. He could do that to her. Halle’s brain short-circuited. “Don’t stop.”
With the same determination she saw him use on the football field, he went back to pleasuring her body. Halle’s knees gave way as he kissed and licked her. Just like a coach, he encouraged her as if she was doing the work. Whispering in a low, commanding voice, “Yes, Halle,” “spread a little wider,” “keep moaning like that” between each decadent press of his lips against her sex. Her legs shook. Her knees weakened and Quinton gently laid her back on the bed. His soft lips pressed sweet kisses over her abdomen before he pulled away and grabbed a condom from the nightstand.
Halle watched as he put on the condom. Her sex clenched in anticipation. Quinton gave her another long look. The question in his eyes clear. Was she still okay with this? Halle nodded and parted her thighs.
“Give it to me,” she whispered.
He settled between her thighs. “You can have all of me.”
He pushed inside her. Halle’s eyes fluttered closed. The emotion squeezing her heart was like a vise. Stealing her breath, her ability to think. Quinton shoved away all her sensibilities and made love to her with a quick, steady pace that made her toes curl and her moans of pleasure fill the room. He shifted his position. His body pressed down onto her clit just as he thrust, and her body shattered into a thousand droplets of pleasure. Every ounce of good sense she may have thought she had when it came to Quinton was irrevocably compromised.