Chapter 31

chapter thirty-one

Quinn

"How are things, Sis?"

My sister's voice is like a comfort mechanism as it graces my ears through the phone. I miss her.

"It's alright. Just taking it day by day."

"And Grayson? What's going on there?" She asks. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just wish that he wasn't here. It would be easier if I didn't have to see him nearly every day."

"I understand that. I wish you would've decided to go to Yale, then you wouldn't have to worry about him."

I sigh, "He wants to get back together."

She's silent and I can tell she's worried about me, so I continue. "I'm not doing that."

"You've worked hard over the last few months to heal. Plus, I think with Grayson out of your life, you can finally focus on things that you want."

I know she's talking about how manipulative Grayson is and how when we were together I was more concerned with making him happy than I was making myself happy.

"I know."

She gasps, "Oh my gash, I almost forgot. Can you come home for the weekend at the end of the month? I need to get you fitted for your maid of honor dress."

"Yeah, of course."

The excitement in her voice is apparent, "Okay! Good deal, bring your roommate or someone so you don't have to drive alone."

"Ok, and Liv?"

"Hmm?"

"Have you heard anything about Raelynn?"

She doesn't immediately answer because I know she's worried that I'll spiral. "Just tell me, please."

"I have."

I take a deep breath, trying to decide if I really want to know anything else, "And?"

"She's home. Her court date is set, but Quinn, let me handle the things here at home. You just worry about school."

I contemplate whether or not I should tell her about Gavin, but ultimately I cave. "Do you remember that guy I met on the cruise?"

"Yeah, the dark haired Greek God? What was his name again? You told me but I can't remember."

"It's Gavin."

"Yeah that doesn't seem right, but what about him?"

I smile, thinking about how I probably told her it was Phoenix.

"He's here."

"He came to visit you?" She asks.

I smile just thinking about him, "No, he goes here."

"What!" Liv gasps. "That's crazy."

"Yeah," I admit. "And he plays football."

Quickly she understands, "With Grayson."

I give her a play by play of the last few weeks, and finally she speaks up. "You deserve to be happy, sis. Don't let Grayson have any of that control back."

We say goodbye and I promise to call her tomorrow after my History test to let her know how I did.

"Are you going to the game on Saturday?" Ava asks from the bathroom, where she's currently putting on her makeup.

"I dunno," I sigh. "Doesn't really seem like a good idea."

She walks to the doorway with a makeup brush in her hand, "Sure it does."

I roll my eyes, "Yep, the campus whore there to see all her men."

Ava gets her phone and trusts it at me. "Or just one man."

I stare at the screen and instantly know what I'm looking at. It's Gavin's Instagram. The most recent post is a picture of us at the animal shelter with Daisy, and as I swipe I see some more pictures. Pictures I didn't even know that he'd taken. The last one really hits me in the chest. It's a picture of me on the cruise, staring out over the balcony.

The caption makes my stomach flutter.

Heart of Gold.

Ava smiles, "Looks like loverboy took matters into his own hands."

I read through some of the comments before Ava has the chance to take her phone back.

Wait… these pictures are over the summer. How long have they been dating?

Seems like Grayson Collins is holding onto the past.

Omg the cutest couple.

"I don't want him to have problems with Grayson."

Ava grabs me by my shoulder, her grip nearly bruising. "Stop that. Gavin is the definition of if he wanted to he would . He wants to."

"I told him I'm not ready for a relationship."

Ava sets her phone back down on the counter and continues brushing the eye shadow onto her lid, "Who said anything about a relationship? All he did was post you, he didn't propose."

"I know… I just don't want to give him the wrong impression. I really like him but I feel like it's too soon?"

She looks at me confused, "So there's a specific time limit before you can move on? You guys are perfect together, Quinn. I don't want you to push him away and regret it later."

"I'm not, I just wanna go slow."

Ava nods, "Okay. Go slow, but that post… it helps you, Quinn. He is risking a fight with Grayson to make sure no one is talking shit about you."

"It is really sweet."

She smiles, "Damn right it is. Now get your pretty ass to that game Saturday and watch him play."

"I'll think about it."

Ava shrugs, "Good enough for me."

"Where are you going?" I ask, looking at the mound of clothes she's dug through on her bed.

"Remi needs a fake date for his sister's birthday dinner."

I laugh, "So you agreed?"

She crosses her arms all sassy, "Duh. Of course."

"And you aren't worried that you might start to get attached even though it's fake?"

"Nope," she says, popping her lips. "Besides I'm getting something in return."

"What's that?" I ask.

"Tutoring," she shrugs.

"In what?" I laugh, "You literally graduated top of your class."

"Well, he doesn't know that," She grins. "Tutoring means spending time together."

"You're crazy."

She shakes her head, "No, Quinn. I'm a genius."

"If you say so," I laugh, walking back over to the table where my phone is plugged in and notice a few messages from Gavin.

Phoenix

Come to my game Saturday.

Pretty please with sugar on top.

I'll consider it.

Phoenix

Look under your bed.

…Do you know how creepy that sounds?

Phoenix

Yeah, but it's me so it's less creepy

I bend down and lift the bed skirt, fishing around until I find a box with a gold bow on the top.

What is this you creep?

Phoenix

Lingerie, duh.

The bow falls away with one pull, and I open the box to find a Golden Eagle jersey inside with a giant number two on it. Richardson is displayed across the shoulders on the back.

Interesting Lingerie.

Phoenix

What I wouldn't give to see you in only that jersey. **Wink emoji**

That could be arranged.

Phoenix

Well, how about you wear it to the game Saturday first?

I'll think about it.

Phoenix

Imagine me giving you the biggest puppy dog eyes.

NOT THE PUPPY DOG EYES

Phoenix

Yup, big round and sad ones.

Fine, I'm coming.

Phoenix

Will you wear my jersey?

Will you score a touchdown?

Phoenix

Better, I'll score and then give you the T.Swizzle heart hands.

Is this love? ??

Phoenix

Gotta be close.