Had? Oh, no, woman. There was no ‘had’ in this situation. The operative words were ‘still having’. Because I wasn’t going to allow Ashton to slip through my fingers.
“I’m on my way home.”
“Home as in Destin?” she asked, an air of confusion in her voice.
“Home as in Roswell,” I clarified.
“You are?” she fired the questions at me. “You’re coming to the wedding?”
“Yep! I’m bringing Nanna with me.” I paused for a moment. “Plus I need your boss to sign an addendum to the paperwork. Albertson said it’s something that you discussed with him.”
“Well, you know where to find me.” She let out a small laugh. “Right now, I’m at the old oak table, impressed into indentured servitude to the God of attendant gifts.”
“Sounds boring so I’m glad I’m still behind the wheel.” I said, then disconnected the call.
This weekend was going to determine whether or not Ashton and I could be together. Make a difficult situation work. I hadn’t been back to Roswell since the incident over ten years ago but I still remembered that night like it was yesterday. My thoughts drifted back in time and I still felt the familiar emotions the memories evoked.
That night, after I’d taken Ashton’s virginity, I’d gone to the kitchen to fetch up something cold to drink. The party had wound down and most people had already started leaving when I poured two glasses of lemonade. I started to make my way upstairs, back to Ashton when Griffin literally ran into me, spilling the lemonade all over me and the floor.
“What the fuck, man?” I’d said, spitting the question at him like he’d plowed into me on purpose.
“What the fuck is right.” Griffin grabbed me by the collar and threw me against the wall. He had a few pounds on me but I was stronger. Plus he was a little drunk. I pushed back hard and he slipped on the sticky lemonade, busting his ass on the floor.
“What is your problem?” I asked, and held out a hand to help him up. He slapped my hand away.
He took a look around the empty kitchen before replying in a hushed whisper. “You screwed my sister? You disrespectful, arrogant motherfucker! You DO NOT fuck your best friend’s sister!”
I could feel my face redden. A flush of white hot shame. “What?”
“Don’t even fucking try to deny it, shithead. I heard you on the baby monitor, you white trash piece of shit!” Griffin jumped to his feet, still a little wobbly.
I took a step back. “Griffin, you need to listen. I really like Ashton …love her really. I think I always have and …” I stammered.
Before I could get all the words out, he took a swing at me. I ducked. I heard a sickening crack as his fist connected with the wall.
“Shit!” He yelled, clasping his hand and squealing in pain. “It’s broken.”
Hearing the commotion, a group of our friends entered the kitchen. Griffin’s girlfriend, Caroline, was one of them.
“What’s going on with you two?” she asked, her words slurred by her drunkenness.
“He fucked my sister,” Griffin pointed at me.
“Really? You and Ashton?” Caroline started to laugh. “I would’ve never guessed.”
Griffin puffed himself up and bristled. “It’s not funny, Caroline,” Griffin said. “You don’t go around fucking my sister. Not when you’re my best friend. It’s code.”
“Listen, let’s talk about this in morning when you’re sober,” I pleaded with him. Before he tried to hit me again and face-planted himself on the travertine. “I’ll explain when your head has cleared.”
“There’s nothing to explain.” Griffin pushed me again. “Get out of my house.”
“Okay, okay,” I agreed as Griffin teetered towards me again. It probably was a good idea to be out of his sight until he had a chance to process the turn of events in the morning without the haze of alcohol. “I’ll just say goodbye to Ashton and then we’ll talk tomorrow.
“You aren’t going back upstairs,” Griffin said. “I want you gone. Now!”
No way in hell. What would Ashton think if I abandoned her after her first time? After all it took to finally throw us together?
“Come on,” Caroline said, pulling me away from Griffin. Her blood red nails dug into the sensitive flesh of my arm. A haughty bitch, I’d never really liked her. Caroline tugged and scratched until I followed. “This is for the best, Quinn. I just talked to Ashton through the bathroom door and she insisted she wants to be alone. I’m not sure what you did to her but she’s done with you. Maybe you’re not as great in the sack as you think. Did she even come?”
Caroline’s laughter propelled me forward. The alcohol had numbed my brain enough that I didn’t even question her. Maybe all of us would benefit from a good night’s sleep.
We went outside and I contemplated sneaking back in so I could explain to Ashton what happened.
Caroline checked her watch and said, “Shit! I’m past curfew. Can I get a ride home?”
“Sure,” I answered, but my stomach sank to my knees. The last thing I wanted was to be alone in my vehicle with her and her judgmental bullshit. “Get in.”
As I drove toward Caroline’s house, we passed a couple of police cars on the road to the Jansen’s. Caroline remarked, “I hope they aren’t going to bust up the party. That would suck.”
As soon as she said that one of the cop cars pulled a U-turn in the middle of the street and followed us. I hadn’t had that much to drink. Would I blow over? Nausea bubbled up the back of my throat and my sweaty palms gripped the leather wrapped steering wheel.
It’s okay, Quinn. Just keep it between the lines. At the speed limit. Your tabs are renewed. There’s no reason for him to pull you over and road test you.
A couple minutes later, the cop hit his lights.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
“Crap,” Caroline said with a breathy giggle. “I thought you were okay to drive. I guess it sucks to be you. Oh, how the mighty have fallen tonight. Quarterback on a full ride scholarship to Ohio, fucking your best friend’s virgin sister. Maybe you’re not so important after all.”
“I only had a couple of beers,” I said, more to myself than to Caroline. She’d been dismissed. I wished I could open the passenger door and toss her out onto the grassy boulevard.
After I safely pulled over, the office approached my Jeep from behind. He flashed a bright light inside the cab and I placed my palm on my forehead in a futile attempt to shield my sensitive eyes from the blinding light. Caroline let out another tipsy giggle. Definitely not helping.
“License and registration, please.”
I reached over past Caroline and opened the glove compartment. Snapping it open, I rummaged around inside until I could hand the cop the documents.
“Have you been drinking tonight young man?” he asked.
“No sir.”
“I’ll be right back.”
As we waited, Caroline started to freak out. “What if knows that I was drinking? If I get another minor consumption, I’ll go to jail. My parents will kill me.”
“Calm down,” I snapped. Her presence was only making everything worse. Just like it always did. Sure she was hot with a killer body but she didn’t have anything else going for. I’d never know why Griffin had gone there. Not when the most perfect girl in the entire world lived two bedroom doors down as a role mode. “Caroline, nothing is going to happen.”
The cop returned after a couple of minutes. “I need you both to step out of the car, please.”
“Why?” I asked. “We haven’t done anything wrong.”
“Just get out of the car.”
Caroline tumbled out of the passenger seat and wobbled before she righted herself. I waited for her on the cement curb. “Are you sure you haven’t been drinking?”
I shook my head no, sticking with my lie, certain I could pass the field sobriety test and the breath-o-lizer. Caroline started to cry.
“What about drugs?” he asked, shining the flashlight in t
he back seat. “Marijuana? Do you have any illegal substances on you?”
“No!” I said.
“Then you won’t mind if I search your car?” he asked.
“Go ahead,” I said, puffed up with confidence. I’d never be stupid enough to have pot in the vehicle. “You won’t find anything.”
Now, snapping back to the present, I wished I hadn’t let my smart-ass teenage ass be so cocky. Fast forward ten years later and I realized what a mistake leaving the Jansen house had been. I should have stayed and dealt with Griffin. Talked to Ashton to work things through. I’d allowed Caroline to bait me into leaving. I often wondered if she’d masterminded the entire thing. Griffin had seemed too drunk to pull off a revenge scheme so diabolical.
I realized when I’d gone through criminal law, that I should’ve never given that cop verbal permission to search my car. He’d led me into a deliberate violation of my rights. But how in the world would I have known that my best friend planted weed in my car and then called 9-1-1?
When the cop found the stash, he immediately cuffed me and shoved me by my head into the back of the squad. I nearly pissed my pants. Although Caroline was obviously underage and drunk, she only got a reprimand from the police as they called her parents to come pick her up. She got lucky that they hadn’t even run her license through the database. If they had, we’d have been cellmates.
But only I went to jail.
Since my dad golfed in a Tuesday evening league with the police chief, I didn’t get treated like a common thug. After stewing in a holding cell for four hours I was let go. The arrest and my short jail stint were erased from my record after my high priced attorney threatened to countersue for obstruction of justice and violation of my fourth amendment rights. In return, I promised to go to Destin for the summer and live with my grandparents. Leaving Ashton in my rear view. And I’d never forgiven myself.
It wasn’t until I’d graduated from college and headed east to law school, that I told my parents the truth about the weed. Only shock registered, when my dad had admitted that they’d suspected as much when my relationship with Griffin swirled down the toilet bowl.
Anger simmered at my parents for days after. Why hadn’t they supported me? Defended me? No. They’d just sent me away and out of their sight because I’d embarrassed them in front of their high-class friends. Now, in hindsight, I’d been better off with Nanna and Papa who loved my unconditionally. The only regret that rose from the ash of that night was Ashton.
I never wanted to go back to Roswell after my parents sold me down the river. I liked living at the beach during my summer breaks from college. I enjoyed spending time with my grandparents, learning about my history, eating Nanna’s delicious homemade baked goods, and basking in the glow of their love for me. And when Nanna got sick after my grandfather died, I realized I was meant to stay there and take care of her.
Chapter 2
Ashton
The rehearsal dinner was scheduled for eight and, as usual, my mom lingered in her bathroom, putting on the full face of makeup that she should have started applying an hour ago. A wave of embarrassment washed over me due to her inability to be punctual. Good thing Trudy Jansen had never worked outside the home. She would have been canned her first day on the job.
I’d just zipped my dress when I heard the front door bell ring. Deliveries had been arriving at the house all day long since the wedding reception was being held in my parent’s backyard. Flower deliveries; cases of beer, wine, and hard liquor; food from the multitude of caterers; and presents for the bride and groom from people who couldn’t attend in person. So I was surprised to hear Griffin’s excited voice greeting someone in the foyer.
I caught a few snippets of the conversation and my heart hammered against my breastbone.
“Good to see you, man.”
A muffled sexy voice and then, “…it’s been a long time.”
“Come on in,” Griffin said. “Would you like a drink?”
Why had Quinn come straight to the house? He wasn’t part of the wedding party so had no reason to be here for the rehearsal. I hurriedly slipped on my strappy silver heels and double-checked my makeup. Why did I always worry about how I looked when I knew Quinn would see me? Jeez, how pathetic. I wondered if he was delivering the document Albertson wanted me to sign. Slicking on a layer of lip gloss, I took another look in the mirror.
I tugged on my dress, making sure it clung to my every curve. The bride had requested that all the women wear pink tonight since she loved the color, her favorite. So my selection was a pale pink number that the salesgirl called a bandage dress. It was made mostly of body hugging spandex with a crisscross pattern all the way around the dress with a cut-out around shoulders. The whole dress screamed sexy.
A smile tugged at my lips. Devine guidance must have led me toward this purchase.
I grabbed my purse and headed toward the stairs. I stopped at the landing where I could hear their conversation, but my brother and Quinn couldn’t see me. I paused behind a column and watched.
“I just wanted to drop this paperwork off to your sister,” Quinn said as he peered around Griffin’s shoulder. “She doesn’t happen to be close, does she? Will you make sure she gets it?”
“Sure man.” Griffin took the envelope from Quinn and then paused. “Listen, I don’t know what to say … other than I’m sorry, dude. What I did…wasn’t right. I was young, stupid and drunk. I’ve never forgiven myself. Now, I feel like an even bigger asshole because I should have hunted you down to apologize in person. And I didn’t do the mature thing.”
I held my breath trying to understand what I just heard. I watched as Quinn stuck out his hand. “I accept your apology. The past is the past. Tomorrow, you head down the aisle toward your future.”
Griffin shook his hand. “I wish I could take it all back. I have no explanation except I was young and it was a stupid mistake. I’ve always been a hothead when it comes to Ashton. Hell, I’m just a hothead in general.”
“We can move on,” Quinn acknowledged. “Ashton and I are good so you and I are good too.”
“I hope you’ll come to the wedding,” Griffin said, blushing red from his spiky hair and down his neck. “I would love for you to meet Sara. She’s the antithesis of Caroline.”
Quinn laughed. “Another blast from the past. I admit it, Griffin. I never liked her much. I’ll be there tomorrow to meet your intended. I’m sure she’s wonderful and I wish you both nothing but happiness.”
I couldn’t take it any longer. I cleared my throat as I made my way down the stairs. Quinn’s eyes widened as I walked down the last couple of stairs.
“You look amazing,” Quinn said and his eyes swept me up and down. Griffin looked back and forth between us
Please, God. Don’t let him do something ignorant again. Like punch Quinn in the middle of our foyer with minions of hired help buzzing around.
“Thank you.”
“Sis, I’ll see you at the restaurant. I have to go pick up Sara and her parents.” Griffin turned his attention to Quinn. “See tomorrow, man. I’m sure glad you stopped by in person. Can’t wait to see Nanna too.”
We waited until my brother left. Quinn took his hands and ran them down my shoulders.
“Wow,” he whistled. “Just wow. You are so beautiful.”
“I guess I owe you an apology too,” I said, my eyes searching his.
“I’m in a forgiving mood tonight,” Quinn answered.
I kissed him on the cheek. “I’m happy to hear that. I should’ve given you the benefit of the doubt. But … my only brother. Good grief, I don’t even know what to say. What to think.”
He wrapped his arms around me and I held on tight. “I would rather stay here with you tonight than attend this annoying rehearsal dinner. But since I’m in the wedding party …”
“I’ll make you a deal,” he promised. “You go to the dinner and we’ll do something special when you return.”
That made me smile. “Okay
.” I had a feeling the next three hours would resemble a turtle’s march to the sea.
***
I left the rehearsal dinner early, feigning a headache, and headed back to my parent’s house. Eager to strip out of my dress and throw on some sweat pants, I sighed as I pulled in to the driveway. The sexy bandage dress had been constrictive and itchy since I’d put it on, and since Quinn wasn’t there to appreciate it, it really served zero useful purpose. I was surprised to see an unfamiliar car parked askew in the grass.
“Who in the hell…” I peered at the Florida plates and realized it was Quinn as he slipped out of the car. He’d been waiting for me and I wondered for how long because I was home early.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, slipping out of my car, keys jangling from my finger.
“I thought we had a date after your dinner,” he said. Damn, he looked fine. I drank in the sight of him in his jeans and tight t-shirt. “I chose not to wait until you called me.”
“Oh, is this what it is? A date?” I teased him. “I’m not sure I even know what that is where you’re concerned.”
“I deserved that.” He wrapped his arms around my waist. “I was hoping we could hang out and chill. Whatever you want to call that.”
“Whatcha got in your hands?” I asked him, eyeing a manila folder.
“Oh, we never got final signatures on the deal.” Quinn handed me a file. “Albertson said he wants me to email the docs first thing in the morning.”
I took the file from him. “Come inside and we’ll chat.”
I needed to tell Quinn about the deal I made with Albertson. After Griffin’s confession and apology, I’d tolerate no more lies between us. Relationships were built on trust and friendship and not mistruths and evasion. I hadn’t even told Henri yet about the job offer that I’d verbally accepted. The decision had been weighing on my mind but I felt that I needed to let Quinn know before I gave my firm thirty-day’s notice.
“I know you have a lot going on with the wedding and all,” Quinn said following me inside. “But is there something else that we need to talk about? You seem distracted. Or is it just my massive hotness?”
Wasted Love Boxed Set: Second Chance Romance Parts 1-3 Page 13
