Chapter Twenty-Seven
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Quinn was worried she’d gone too far. Would Kya walk away? She took that mixtape of emotions to the scheduled sound check but could not focus. The growing tension between her and Kya was unbearable. They hadn’t exchanged a word since returning from the spa. At their suite Quinn had showered, dressed for the night, and left to set up. Now she felt terrible. She hadn’t asked Kya to stay in Miami only to quarrel the whole time.
More than anything, she was angry with herself. Yesterday, her friends had marvelled at her ability to respect healthy boundaries. Today, after Kya had essentially drawn a map, outlining territory she would and would not cross, what had she done? Stomped on it like a big baby! To top it off, Quinn felt like a fool. She’d considered renting out her home and booking gigs in Los Angeles, all to be close to a woman who would not be photographed with her. Had she made this out to be more than it was?
Quinn had fallen in love twice in her life. Her first love, Jason, was eighteen when they met through mutual friends. He’d serenaded her at a birthday party, grabbing the karaoke mic and belting out Prince’s ‘Kiss’. For the six months they were together, they were known in their circle as Jade & Jason. It ended soon after she’d left home for London. Jason wanted way more than her extra time, he wanted a lifelong commitment. Quinn couldn’t do it, her future was calling. After that relationship went bust, she never allowed anyone to call her Jade again.
Two years later, she was living and working in Ibiza. Billy was a Brit on perpetual holiday. He’d hired her to play a yacht party for him and his friends. He was not seeking a commitment, which she rather liked. No pressure. No expectations. No regrets if things ended badly. He was unpredictable, disappearing for long stretches and reappearing out of the blue. He missed her birthday. He never called and never answered the phone. He never answered a direct question, either.
‘It’s time for dinner. What are you in the mood for?’
‘Whatever. I’m not picky.’
‘What club should we go to on Saturday?’
‘Hmm … not sure about Saturday. I’ll circle back to you.’
‘Where’s this relationship going?’
It was a legitimate question. They’d been dating for close to a year.
‘I didn’t take you for a girl who’d ask that.’
‘Just curious. What kind of girl do you take me for?’
‘You know, like me.’
Like him? No commitment, no strings attached, no answers to any questions, no opinion on anything, no definite plans. She was nothing like him. She didn’t like to waste her time. Work in Ibiza was fizzling out. Quinn was considering an opportunity in Miami. She couldn’t afford to live like he did. His carefree existence was sponsored in part by his father who owned the yacht he threw parties in. She ended things right then.
Each time she fell in love, Quinn was aware it was happening. She didn’t enter that tunnel blindly, never allowed herself to get trapped. She always had an escape route planned. It was different with Kya. Mainly because Quinn had never fallen for a complicated woman with ideas and opinions and ambitions and emotions that raged like a storm. Things were messy and they hadn’t even started yet. There was no exit in sight, not for Quinn, anyway. But if Kya buckled so easily under pressure, if she couldn’t take even the mildest heat, it was best to deal with it now. Quinn was not going to turn into Ivy, wishing the person she was with could be different, show up differently, or just show up at all. It would hurt, but if Kya walked away, she wouldn’t chase after her.
‘Quinn, we’re good to go.’
Those words drew her out of her thoughts. It was showtime. Jenna had been right about one thing: the heat let up. Unfortunately, the low-hanging clouds stayed put. Not even a ray of golden sunshine broke through. The crowd below was rowdy and agitated at having to wait so long. Quinn burned with the same energy. She tapped the mic.
‘Hey, beautiful people! Listen up!’ she cried. ‘I don’t care if the skies open up. I don’t care if it pours. We’re here and we’re going to have the party we sorely deserve. My name is Quinn. I will be your DJ tonight. Let go of your worries and focus on having a good time. I’ll take care of the rest. If you’ve come to sit pretty, you’re in the wrong place. Get up! Get a drink, if you need it. Forget your job. Ditch your boyfriend, if you have to. Turn off your phones. Mute that group chat. This is our time. Got that? It’s summer. We’re young and free, and so very much alive. Let’s make the most of it. All I ask is one thing in return, a small favour really, if you’re up to it, I’d love to hear your voices. If this sounds good to you, scream my name!’