Chapter 11
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Quinn
“…Charli and Quinn, Happy Birthday to you!”
Everyone claps as Linda Miller proclaims, “Blowout the candles.”
I bend down over my yellow cake with chocolate fudge icing and gently blow on the pair of candles that announce my age. Movement beside me shows Charli doing the same thing with hers, exhaling to extinguish the candles on her red velvet cake.
“What’d you wish for?” Sommer asks, a blinding grin on her face. The two friends share a look. I can’t decipher it, but I’m certain they’re having some sort of unspoken conversation.
“I’m not telling,” Charli replies, narrowing her eyes at her friend.
“That’s right, because then it won’t come true,” Oaklee announces.
“See?” Charli sasses, sticking her tongue out at Sommer, who just laughs.
“I’ll cut them,” Linda states, turning toward her husband. “Tyson, will you get the ice cream?”
He nods, placing a tender kiss on her cheek before he scoots past the group to retrieve the ice cream from the freezer.
One thing I’ve noticed in the last year, family gatherings have grown at the Miller house.
I’ve attended almost every one I’ve been invited to, and I know Sommer joins us often too.
But since last spring, we’ve added Lizzie and Oaklee, and the table that seats eight is bursting at the seams with ten of us scrunched around it.
But no one complains about the tight fit. In fact, Linda and Tyson seem to smile more now that two of their children have significant others they’re bringing to family gatherings. Reflecting in their eyes, you can practically see the wedding bells and baby carriages.
I risk a quick glance at Charli, but only after I feel her gaze on me. She offers a polite smile, just like she’s done since I arrived at her parents’ house for dinner and cake to celebrate our birthdays.
I haven’t seen her since I drove away last Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve wanted to, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from kissing those damn lips of hers. I mean, I would be able to stop myself, but if she gave me the slightest inkling she was game for a repeat, I’d been all-in.
To completely avoid temptation, I’ve worked a lot of extra hours this week.
It helps spring planting is right around the corner and prep work for the farmers is going strong.
But I also took on a few extra jobs with other repairs, including a car hauler and a sign on a business that had seen better days.
Of course, drowning myself in work has also kept me from hanging with Camden.
That’s not a bad thing either, because when something big happens in my life, he’s my person to share it with.
Even if Charli wouldn’t have asked me not to tell him, this isn’t exactly something I’d share.
Not only because it’s her, but simply for the fact it felt pretty fucking big in the moment, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.
“You all right?” Camden asks from my right, a look of concern on his face.
“Yeah, of course.” I flash him a big grin as Linda returns with the knife to cut the cakes.
It’s a Miller family tradition that when it’s someone’s birthday, they get to pick the meal we share.
Plus, she makes their choice of birthday cake.
Ever since I was a little boy, I’ve loved her yellow cake with fudge frosting.
She made it for Tyson’s birthday when I was in first grade, and that’s what I’ve picked ever since.
I step back and let her do her thing, cutting slices of both cakes, while Tyson scoops ice cream.
Charli and I get to go first, since it’s our birthday celebration, and once I have my dessert, I head to the living room to find a seat.
The Reds are playing, and even though I’m a Cleveland fan, I can appreciate the game.
Plus, I get to poke the bear where Charli’s concerned, because her beloved Reds are down by two at the bottom of the fifth.
When she enters the room, her eyes land on me for a brief second before bouncing to the television. She tsks when she sees the score, but quickly states, “Still lots of time.”
“Yep,” I reply, shoveling a big bite of mouthwatering cake into my mouth. “Of course, it’s the Reds, and they suck, so you’ll just have to settle for another L.”
“My Reds beat the Guardians last fall,” she reminds.
“Two of three in the series, but don’t forget about the early summer outing. I believe Cleveland got out the brooms,” I say proudly, referring to the fact we swept Cincinnati, winning all three games.
She rolls her eyes and takes a seat on the couch, almost as far away from me as she can possibly get without leaving the room.
“Oh, look! The Reds are losing,” Camden says as he enters the room and drops beside me on the love seat.
The room begins to fill, with Sommer, Collin, and Lizzie taking the floor, Cade and Oaklee sharing the couch with Charli, and Tyson sitting in his recliner.
When Linda joins us after putting the ice cream away, she takes a seat on her husband’s knee, something we’ve all seen them do a thousand times over the years.
This time, I don’t try to hide my slight grin, and when my eyes land on Charli’s, I don’t miss the way she’s smiling subtly too.
By the time dessert is finished, we’re all ready to head out to The Lizard. Jani is working the bar, and Lizzie will join her soon. It won’t start getting busier for a little bit yet, but by the time nine o’clock hits, The Tipsy Lizard will be filling up.
“Who’s driving tonight?” Tyson asks as we all head for the door.
“I am,” Collin announces. “I’m not working, so I’ll run the kids home at the end of the night. Then I’ll go back to the bar to help Lizzie close down.”
“You don’t need to come back,” Lizzie replies. “I can just meet you back at your place. You have to get up so early to go to work.”
“Absolutely not,” Collin insists. “I’ll be there to assist where needed and escort you home at the end of the night.”
Lizzie beams at him before leaning in and placing a chaste kiss on his lips. “If you insist.”
“I do.”
“Thank you for dinner and the cake,” I tell Linda as we all move in for hugs goodbye.
“You’re very welcome, Quinn,” she replies, her eyes shining brightly. She gives me a hug before cupping my cheek and adding, “We’re very proud of the man you’ve become.”
My throat is thick, and it’s hard to move oxygen into my lungs. Both Linda and Tyson have told me they’re proud of me before, but each time, it still has the same effect. I feel emotional, raw, and exposed. Clearing my throat, I reply with a quick, “Thank you, Mama Miller.”
She smiles, just like she does every time I call her that. “Have a good time tonight and be careful. Oh, and don’t let Charli hustle you at pool. She’s been practicing with her dad in the garage when she stops by for a visit.”
A gasp echoes behind me, and I know who it is instantly. “What the heck, Mom. You’re telling lies about me!”
Linda shakes her head, her grin still firmly in place. “Not lies, my dear daughter, and you know it.” She hugs her only daughter and adds, “It’s his birthday. I don’t want you hustling him out of his birthday gifts.”
She glances over at me, eyes narrowed. “I make no promises.”
“You be careful too,” she tells Charli.
“I will. You know, you could come up with us. Have a drink with all your angels.”
Linda laughs. “Angels isn’t exactly the term I’d use to describe your father’s children.”
“You rang, Mother?” Cade steps forward and hugs his mom fiercely. “I heard you say angels and knew you had to be talking about me. Your other three are hoodlums.”
That gets the crowd riled up, and it takes us a few extra minutes to get out the door. I don’t mind though. Hanging with the Millers is my favorite pastime. Always has been, always will be.
“Happy birthday, son,” Tyson says as I step outside to let the rest of the crew hug the matriarch of the family.
“Thank you, sir.”
“It’s not his birthday until tomorrow,” Charli sasses as she joins us on the porch.
“And I’ll be sure to tell him tomorrow too,” he replies before bending down and placing a kiss on his daughter’s cheek. “Love you, Charli.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
“Keep an eye on our girl, will ya, Quinn?”
I glance toward Charli, trying not to show any outward reaction to his reference of her being our girl. She’s not mine, at least not in any way other than a platonic friend. Sure, I might now know her very intimately, but she’s made it very clear that was a one-time thing.
“I don’t need anyone keeping an eye on me, Father,” Charli sasses.
“Of course you don’t, sweetheart. I taught you how to defend yourself, but when you’re drinking, your reflexes and awareness aren’t one-hundred-percent.”
She makes a face. “But Quinn’ll be drinking too.”
“Yes, but it always helps to have someone watching your back.”
On reflex, my eyes drop to her ass.
Thankfully, if Tyson catches me, he doesn’t call me out on it.
“So, I should watch Quinn’s back too then, huh?”
“Of course,” Tyson says with a decisive nod. “That’s what family does.”
Before she can argue any further, the door opens and the rest of the group files out. “You’re all with me,” Camden announces, pointing to me, Charli, and Sommer.
“I’ll need my car tomorrow,” Sommer argues. “I’m having breakfast with my niece.”
“Well, then drop it off on our way to the bar, and I’ll pick you two up,” Camden states as we all head for the vehicles.
Collin and Lizzie climb into her vehicle, Cade and Oaklee into his truck, and Charli and Sommer head for her car.
I jump into Camden’s truck, and we pull out at last, following behind his sister and her best friend.
Sommer picked Charli up before dinner, the same way Camden did for me.
The fewest number of vehicles we have the better.