Chapter 14

14

R ebecca picked up her taco and took a bite. Across the table, Sarah was telling her about her school's newest teacher and how well she's fitting in. Rebecca nodded along, forcing a smile.

She couldn't stop thinking about last night, about the softness of Quinn's lips against hers, the electricity that had sparked between them. It had taken every ounce of her self-control to walk away, to do the right thing. But now, sitting across from Sarah, the guilt was really weighing on her.

Sarah had no idea that her own daughter was grappling with her sexuality, let alone that Rebecca had crossed a line she could never uncross. The kiss played on a loop in Rebecca's mind, taunting her almost.

Later when the waiter was clearing the table, Sarah shifted the topic of conversation.

"I know it's early to be talking about Thanksgiving, but I wanted to make sure you knew you're more than welcome at our place this year."

Rebecca nearly choked on her beer. Heat flooded her face. Thanksgiving at Sarah's, with Quinn? After what had happened last night? She coughed, grabbing her water instead of her beer.

"You okay?" Sarah asked, concern etched on her face.

Rebecca nodded, still struggling to breathe. "Just swallowed wrong." She coughed and took a long drink, trying to compose herself.

Sarah's offer was incredibly kind, especially after Rebecca's mother had passed away last January. Thanksgiving had always been at her mom's.

"It's just…you know," Rebecca stammered, buying herself time. How could she possibly explain the sudden tightness in her chest, the way her stomach was twisting itself into knots?

Sarah's smile softened. "I know it's not the same as your mom's, but we'd love to have you. It'll be different this year, with Quinn home for so long."

Different. That was an understatement. Rebecca's mind conjured the image of Quinn across the Thanksgiving table, both of them trying to act normal when their eyes would so easily give them away.

"I… I'd love to," Rebecca managed. She forced a smile, hoping it reached her eyes. There was no way she could say no. Not to Sarah. Not without raising suspicion.

Sarah beamed. "Great! That's settled then."

The rest of evening passed in a blur. Guilt twisted in her gut, a heavy knot that tightened with every kind word Sarah spoke, every laugh they shared. Their friendship felt tainted now.

She watched Sarah across the table, the warm glow of the restaurant's string lights reflecting in her friend's eyes. Sarah, so open and trusting, so oblivious to what was going on with her daughter. How could Rebecca have betrayed that trust? How could she have kissed Quinn like that?

The image of Quinn's face, flushed with desire, flashed in Rebecca's mind. The memory of their kisses, the way their lips had fit so perfectly together.

It was wrong, so incredibly wrong.

She had to talk to Quinn. She had to make her understand the gravity of their situation, the potential consequences of their actions. This couldn't continue. It was unfair to Sarah, to Quinn, and to Rebecca herself.

This couldn't be the start of something. Rebecca knew she had to end it, before things went too far.