Chapter 8
Cassie
The following day…
Me: How’s your morning so far?
Quinn: We just arrived at the studio. Reed’s in a shitty mood. Jaxon’s still half asleep. And Kael stinks of weed.
Me: Good times.
Quinn: Tell me about it. What are you up to today?
Me: I’m going for a run, and then I have my first class in an hour. Working tonight.
Quinn: You run?
Me: It’s the only thing that keeps me sane.
Quinn: Cool. Maybe I’ll join you sometime.
Me: If you think you can keep up. Sure.
Quinn: You’re that good? Now I’m afraid you’ll show me up. I haven’t run in years. I might pop in for a drink tonight.
Me: Ok. See you then.
The next morning…
Me: Hungover?
Quinn: I had TWO fucking beers!
Me: It must be said, your pool playing skills leave a lot to be desired. Pathetic really. Sad.
Quinn: Geez, thanks. I can’t be awesome at everything.
Me: Not an ego in sight.
Quinn: Was good seeing you again.
Me: I’m glad we got to talk in person.
Quinn: Me too. I like the sound of your laugh.
Me: Should you be texting me?
Quinn: Decided Nick doesn’t need to know everything that happens in my life. Let’s keep it on the down low though, just in case.
Me: Pussy.
Quinn: Enough with the dirty talk. Gotta go.
Later that day…
Me: I have no idea what I’m looking at. Is that a photo of a rat’s nest ?
Quinn: LOL. Nope. It’s the back of Jaxon’s head.
Me: Remind me to buy him a brush sometime soon. You rehearsing today?
Quinn: Not exactly. We’re recording backing tracks at the studio. It’s been a long morning. Reed’s such a goddamn perfectionist he’s had us go over the same song a dozen times already. It should have been done in two takes. Oh cool, lunch just arrived. I’m fucking starving. Gotta go.
Me: You have people bring you lunch?
Quinn: Obnoxious, right?
Me: Totally. I just made myself a grilled cheese sandwich.
Quinn: You like grilled cheese?
Me: It’s my favorite. Grilled cheese is the GOAT. It’s the GOAT of all GOATS. Go, eat your fancy lunch, and leave me alone.
Quinn: Ha ha.
That afternoon…
Quinn: Nick keeps looking at me weird.
Me: You’re paranoid. We’re only talking.
Quinn: I hate deceiving him.
Me: Want me to delete your number?
Quinn: Don’t.
Me: He’s not my keeper, Quinn. I’m a big girl. I can talk to whoever I want. And I like talking to you.
Quinn: I like talking to you, too.
Me: We’re not doing anything wrong.
Quinn: Not saying we are. He keeps looking at me weird though. It’s creeping me out.
Early the next morning…
Quinn: Sorry I didn’t reply to your message last night. We had back to back meetings all day. Boring as shit. Where are you right now?
Cassie: At the 7-Eleven on Regent Street. I’m running behind with deliveries. I have class in an hour. Need coffee.
Quinn: What time did you start this morning?
Me:4:45 a.m.
Quinn: Damn, that’s early.
Me: Yawn. Tell me about it.
Quinn: I’ve got tomorrow morning off. Maybe I could come with you? Delivering newspapers has been a lifelong dream of mine. Don’t deny me, Alabama.
Me: I wouldn’t dare. Sure, if you want to tag along, who am I to stop you? I’ll meet you at the depot. Sending the address now. Might even buy you a coffee once we’re done.
Quinn: I’ll be there.