18. Eighteen
Eighteen
Vince
The guitar string snaps with a sharp twang, whipping across my fingers. “Fuck!”
It’s the third string I’ve broken today, and we’re not even an hour into practice. The rest of the band exchanges looks as I grab my backup guitar, but no one says anything. They don’t have to. My playing’s been shit all morning, and everyone seems to think they know why.
Three days. It’s been three days since I made a move on Quinn, and royally fucked everything up. Three days since I watched her walk away, hurt and anger in those gorgeous hazel eyes. Three days of radio silence, except for two brief texts advising me what to post on my social media accounts.
I had arrogantly thought that night would end differently—a lot differently. Instead, I’m here breaking strings and missing chord progressions like some damn amateur.
“That’s it.” Cass sets his mic down. “Take five, everyone.”
Emily emerges from behind the soundboard, arms crossed. “I just got off the phone with Quinn. She sounded... off.” Her knowing look pins me in place. “What did you do this time, Vince?”
“Why do you assume I did something?”
“Because we know you,” Luke calls out from his keyboard.
I drop onto an amp, running a hand through my hair, but say nothing. Let them think whatever the hell they want.
“Is the woman playing hard to get?” Sam asks with a smirk.
“More like hard to forget.” The words slip out before I can stop them. Sounding rougher and more revealing than they should, and the studio goes dead quiet.
“Holy shit,” Luke breathes. “You’ve got it bad, don’t you?”
I stare at the broken string on my guitar, remembering how Quinn looked that night in the moonlight, the glow of her skin, the taste of wine on her lips, and the way she fit perfectly against me before it all went wrong.
“Doesn’t matter now.” I start restringing the guitar, needing something to do with my hands.
“Did you apologize?” Emily asks, her voice gentler now.
“Can’t apologize if she won’t take my calls.” I focus on the string, pretending the tension in my shoulders is from concentration and not the memory of Quinn walking away.
“Look,” Sam says, setting his bass aside. “We’ve all been where you are. Well, not exactly where you are. None of us were quite the...” He glances at his wife.
“Man-whore?” Emily supplies helpfully.
“Thanks, Boss Lady.” I roll my eyes.
“She’s not wrong though.” Cass leans against his mic stand. “Your reputation with women isn’t exactly... stellar.”
“If Quinn knew half the stories about you that I’ve heard,” Emily adds, “I can’t blame her for being hesitant. She probably thinks she’s just another conquest.”
Sam nods. “Another notch on the old guitar strap.”
“It’s not like that.” The words come out sharper than intended. “She’s different.”
“We know that,” Luke says. “We’ve seen how you’ve changed in the past few months. How you are with her. “
Nate sets his drumsticks down. “But does she know that?”
I run a hand through my hair, frustrated. “How can she? She won’t even talk to me.”
“Then make her listen.” Cass’s voice is firm. “Show her you’re serious. Make a grand gesture.”
“Like what? Stand outside her window with a boombox?”
“How about starting with a genuine apology?” Sam suggests. “Worked for me with Em.”
“And maybe,” Luke adds, “let her know she means something to you. That she’s not just another groupie or random hookup.”
I think about Quinn with Jasmine and how natural they are together. How Quinn looks at me sometimes when she thinks I’m not watching. How much I want to be worthy of those looks.
“Thanks,” I say finally. “Guess I have a lot to learn about this relationship stuff.”
The guys burst out laughing. “Man,” Sam says, wiping his eyes, “we all screwed up plenty of times. But trust me, when you find the right one, it’s worth figuring it out.”
“Even if it means swallowing your pride?” I ask.
“Especially then,” Cass grins. “Now, can we get back to practice? Or are you going to break another string pining over your pretty social media manager?”
I flip him off, but I’m already thinking about what I need to do. Quinn deserves more than just an apology. She deserves to know the truth—that somewhere between managing my accounts and loving my daughter, she became the only woman I want to spend time with, in or out of the bedroom.
Now I just have to figure out how to tell her that without screwing it up again.
I grab my phone during our next break, pulling up the Jacksonville Zoo’s website. A family place. Safe. Public. No romantic pressure that might make Quinn bolt.
“What are you doing?” Emily peers over my shoulder.
“Planning my grand gesture.” I scroll through the zoo’s upcoming events. “But not the kind Quinn would expect.”
“The zoo?” Emily raises an eyebrow.
“Think about it. Quinn’s probably waiting for me to pull some rockstar move—fancy romantic dinner, helicopter ride, backstage passes to whatever concert she wants to see.” I look up at Emily. “But that’s the old Vince. The guy who tried to impress women with his money and fame.”
“And new Vince?”
“New Vince is a single dad who wants to take his daughter to see the tigers.” I can’t help grinning. “With the help of the one person Jasmine loves most—besides me, of course.”
Sam wanders over. “Using your kid as bait? That’s low, man.”
“Strategic,” I correct him. “Quinn can say no to me, but Jasmine? Have you seen anyone say no to my adorable baby girl?”
“He’s got a point,” Emily admits. “Quinn adores that baby.”
I’m already typing out the text. Nothing fancy. Nothing that screams ‘date.’ Just: ‘Jasmine’s never been to the zoo. Would you come with us Saturday? She misses you.’
“That’s actually kind of brilliant,” Luke says, reading over my shoulder. “Low pressure, public place...”
“Plus,” Nate adds, “it shows you’re thinking about being a family, not just getting laid.”
I shoot him a glare, but he’s right. In the past, I would have tried to win Quinn back with expensive gifts and calculated romance. But Quinn doesn’t seem to be the type to be impressed by that stuff. She’s impressed by the way I get up for 3 AM feedings. The way I’ve learned to change diapers one-handed while on the phone. The way I put Jasmine first.
“Do you think this will work?” I ask Emily.
She smiles. “I think it’s the first smart thing you’ve done in days.”
My phone buzzes. Quinn’s reply appears on the screen: ‘What time?’
“She said yes!” I probably sound too excited, but I don’t care.
“Of course she did,” Emily rolls her eyes. “She’s crazy about Jasmine. And...” she gives me a meaningful look, “maybe someone else too.”
“Just don’t screw it up this time,” Sam warns. “No stupid comments about your dating history.”
“No trying to make a move on her between the elephants and the lions,” adds Luke.
Nate leans in, his voice serious. “And for God’s sake, no running your mouth about things better left unsaid—sometimes silence is best.”
Cass’s voice is calm but firm. “Just be the guy we’ve seen you becoming—the one who puts his daughter first and wants something more than a one-night stand.”
I look down at my phone, at Quinn’s simple response, and feel hope for the first time in days. “I can do that.”
“Good,” Emily says, fixing me with a stern look. “Because if you mess this up again, I’ll have to choose between my friend and my lead guitarist. And Quinn’s a lot easier to work with than you are.”
“Noted,” I say with a grin, glancing down at Quinn’s message again. My mind drifts—not to logistics, but to how Quinn’s smile lights up her whole face. How easily laughter comes when we’re together. I want to show her that I’m serious this time—that the man standing before her is different from the arrogant rockstar she first met.
“You know,” Nate observes, looking thoughtful, “three months ago, you wouldn’t have even considered spending your day off at the zoo.”
He’s right. Three months ago, my idea of connection was flashy dates and empty gestures. I thought it took grand moments to win someone over. Now I understand that the strongest bonds are built quietly, patiently, in the small moments where you let someone see exactly who you are and who you’re trying to become.
Now, I just hope Quinn likes who she sees.
Saturday morning arrives with perfect Florida weather—sunny but not too hot for early spring. I’ve got Jasmine strapped into her car seat, surrounded by enough supplies for a week-long expedition: diaper bag, snacks, extra clothes, sunscreen, her favorite stuffed elephant, and the ridiculous wide-brimmed sun hat Quinn bought her last month.
“Ready to see some animals, baby girl?” I ask, checking her straps one more time. She babbles happily, reaching for my face. “Yeah, we’re going to see Quinn too.”
My heart does a weird flip when I pull up to Quinn’s apartment complex. I’ve been here before, of course, but I’ve never felt quite this uncertain. Jasmine squeals from the backseat, recognizing we’ve stopped.
Quinn opens her door before I can even knock. My breath catches—she’s dressed casually in jean shorts and a soft green t-shirt that makes her eyes look even more incredible than usual. Her hair is pulled back in a loose ponytail, a few strands escaping to frame her face. No makeup except maybe a hint of mascara. She’s wearing a pair of beat-up Converse sneakers, perfect for a day of walking.
She looks beautiful. Not in the calculated way of the women I used to date, who treated every outing like a photo shoot. She looks beautiful in that effortless way that makes my fingers itch for my guitar, wanting to write songs that feel like sunshine and second chances.
“Hi,” she says, and I realize I’ve been staring.
“Hi.” Real smooth, Savage. “You look...” I stop myself, remembering Nate’s advice about keeping some thoughts to myself.
She raises an eyebrow, waiting.
“Ready for the zoo?” I finish lamely.
A smile tugs at the corner of her mouth. “That’s what I was going for.” She grabs a small backpack and locks her door.
Quinn heads straight for the back door first. “How’s my favorite girl this morning?” Jasmine’s answering shriek makes us both laugh as Quinn leans in to check her car seat straps and give her a quick cuddle.
“Look at you in your pretty sun hat! Are you excited to see the animals? Maybe we’ll find some friends for that elephant today.”
I catch Quinn’s eye in the rearview mirror. She’s still guarded—I can see it in how she focuses on Jasmine and how carefully she’s keeping things light and casual. But she’s here. She came.
It’s probably more than I deserve, but I’ll take it.
After making sure everything’s secure, she slides into the front passenger seat and gives me a cautious but not unfriendly look. The tension in the car eases slightly as Jasmine happily babbles behind us.
“I packed all her usual stuff,” I say, “but I probably forgot something important.”
“Did you remember—“
“Extra pacifiers, wet wipes, and a backup outfit in case she decides to wear her lunch? Check, check, and check.” I can’t help feeling a little proud when surprise flickers across her face. “I do pay attention, you know—to the important things.”
Something shifts in her expression—too quick for me to read. “Good to know,” she says softly.
Jasmine continues to murmur softly, oblivious to the undercurrents between us.
I navigate through the Jacksonville city morning traffic, stealing glances at Quinn beside me. She’s totally absorbed in my daughter as she twists around to make funny animal sounds that have Jasmine giggling. My chest feels tight, listening to them interact together.
I want this. Not just today but every day. Morning drives, silly animal noises, and Quinn’s smile when Jasmine does something cute. I want it so badly it scares me.
But first, I have to prove to Quinn that I can be the man she and Jasmine deserve—someone trustworthy and responsible. Starting with today.
The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens sign appears ahead, and Jasmine claps her tiny hands as if she knows exactly where we’re going.
“Ready for an adventure, ladies?” I ask, turning into the parking lot.
Quinn glances my way. This time, there’s a hint of warmth in them. “We’ll see.”
It’s not much, but it’s a start—for now.