No one in the car had revealed which way Maiken was leaning. Their mom didn’t even know. Or maybe his family was afraid to tell me, although I hadn’t asked. I was too frightened of the answer.
As I took in the beautiful campus, which reminded me of a place fit for a king and his court, I had a feeling Maiken would follow his brothers and sister.
I was ready to bawl and beg him not to leave. Actually, I’d cried for two weeks straight after he left me standing in the hospital with my mouth hanging open and a hole in my heart. Even though we had kept in contact with one another, I felt as though we were growing apart.
“I don’t like you drinking. It’s not something I’m going to deal with.” His words had been on repeat in my head.
“Give him space,” Momma had said when I’d cried in her arms the other night.
Momma and Daddy were still beyond livid at what I’d done, and I was still grounded until further notice.
The only good news was that Celia was doing well and was out of the hospital. The doctor had mentioned that she might not remember much, but she did. She’d told me every detail of that night, including jumping on Sloane’s back. Since then, though, she was taking it easy. We hadn’t done much of anything. I couldn’t even have Celia over to hang so she could help take away my misery over Maiken.
Emma slipped her hand in mine. “My brother loves you, you know?”
I squeezed her hand. “Thank you for that.” Her words were like a balm to my somewhat broken heart. But I would rather hear the sentiment from Maiken. I’d thought many times since Maiken left for camp that he didn’t love me anymore. “He hated seeing me tipsy.”
She giggled. “You mean flat-out drunk.” She laughed again. “You shocked all of us. Good Girl Quinn did something no one ever expected.”
“I’m not sure I’ll do that again either. My dad would keep me locked up forever.” I wasn’t kidding. I inhaled the scent of fresh-cut grass. “You’re excited about going here, huh?” It was time to change the subject. I would rather not talk about the hell I was going through or think about how Celia could’ve died from her head injury.
Emma glanced around. Her happy expression and the gleam in her eyes said it all. “They have a great volleyball program. But it’s more than that. My family hasn’t settled since our dad died. I hate leaving my mom and my little brother and sisters, but I think us older kids could use a place like this.”
I captured my trembling bottom lip in between my teeth. “Maiken included?” I knew her answer. I just had to hear her say it.
“Yeah. Sorry, Quinn. I believe he needs a school like this more than any of us. He’s bottled up all his feelings over Dad’s death, and he’s put everyone but himself first. If he wants to play ball and focus, this is the place for him to get his shit together.”
She sounded older than her seventeen years. Or maybe I was still a little girl who wanted to be in love and not have anything change in my life. I knew the Maxwells had moved constantly when their dad had been in the military. But for a hometown girl like me, who didn’t travel or move around, I would not want to be away from my family or my boyfriend.
But you will when you go off to college. Even that was going to be difficult for me.
I didn’t want to cry, but I had a feeling I would be bawling before the day was out. “Is Maiken as excited?” I wasn’t sure if she’d talked to her brother about the school.
Emma let go of my hand and gave me a sidelong look. “Even if he decides to attend with us, that doesn’t mean he’s breaking up with you.”
I shuddered at the thought, although I wasn’t exactly certain we were boyfriend and girlfriend. “I won’t see him, though. We’re supposed to spend our senior year together at the same school.” And fall in love harder and deeper, and have sex for the first time, and kiss, and make out, and not come up for air until we’re heading off to college.
The boys and Christine ambled over.
Jasper, who I hardly knew or spoke to, was now a high schooler. At fifteen, he was tall for his age and resembled Maiken. They both had sandy-blond hair and similar features—strong jaw, nose, lips, and a soft gaze—except Jasper’s eyes were brown rather than blue. “Maybe you should transfer here with us.” Even his voice was similar to Maiken’s.
Suddenly, I wanted to throw my arms around him. He had a gentle way about him, unlike Marcus. “My parents wouldn’t allow that.” Besides, with Carter and Liam in college, I was the only one there to help my parents on the farm.
Christine dumped her keys in her purse then smoothed a hand down her crisp cotton slacks. “Let’s head in. Coach Green said he would meet us in the main building.”
Marcus started for the entrance of the castle-looking building. “This place looks like something out of Harry Potter.” His voice kicked up a notch, and his swagger screamed excitement.
Color me surprised. Marcus was usually brooding or had a pout on his handsome face.
The Maxwell clan was happy. Even Ethan had a pep in his step as he and Jasper talked about dorms and living on campus.
The world around me seemed light, airy, and gleeful, while I was the one sulking. Not to mention, I felt like a school of piranhas was nipping and biting inside me as my nerves crept up over thoughts of seeing Maiken.
Would he be as happy as his siblings? Would he be happy to see me?
We wound our way down a tree-lined path to the gray stone building with pointed peaks and towers jutting up into the sky. The closer we got to the massive portico, the more my heart pounded in my ears. With the mountains and dense landscape surrounding the property, I felt like I was entering Hogwarts.
The double wooden doors opened as we approached, and an average-looking man with salt-and-pepper hair greeted us. “You must be Christine.” The older gentleman extended his hand.
Christine exchanged a handshake with the man. “Coach Green?”
“Please, call me Robert.” He gave her a warm smile, or maybe he was smitten with her. After all, she was a beautiful lady. Her dirty-blond hair was swept up in a chignon, and a light dusting of makeup accentuated her small nose, big brown eyes, and full lips. “Let’s go inside.” He waved his hand to the open door.
The Maxwell kids went in first.
I lingered behind, suddenly feeling like I was intruding.
The coach eyed me. “Christine, do you have five teenagers or six?”
Christine smiled warmly at me. “This is Quinn Thompson, Maiken’s girlfriend.”
Wrinkles creased Coach’s brow. “Maiken didn’t mention he had a girlfriend.”
I held my stomach, feeling like I’d just gotten punched in the gut. I swallowed a big knot and plastered on a fake smile when all I wanted to do was puke, cry, and run for the trees.
“She’s part of the family,” Christine said.
Yep, I was going to cry.
Coach Green grinned, showing his pearly whites. “Nice to meet you, Quinn. I’m sure Maiken will be glad to see you.”
Pfft. I doubted that, but Coach’s words gave me a small kick in the pants to walk into the building. As soon as I did, the scent of frankincense hit me. I felt like I’d just entered church.
The Maxwell kids were milling around, inspecting the row of portraits hanging on the wall outside an office.
“We’ll take a tour of the property,” Coach said as he and Christine came in behind me. “First, I’ll take you folks to see Maiken. The game doesn’t start for a couple of hours. So we have plenty of time.” Coach Green waved us on. “This way.”
With Coach and the Maxwell kids leading the way, we navigated long hallways and passed offices.
Christine walked alongside me. “Quinn, are you okay?”
I shrugged. “Yeah,” I lied. The closer we got to seeing Maiken, the more my stomach spun into a web of nerves.
She patted my arm. “Whatever Maiken decides, we need to support him. I know this is hard for you. It’s hard for me. But he needs basketball. I know he can play for Kensingt
on. Here, though, he might have a better chance of getting into a good college.”
“Maybe. But Liam got into NC State, and that’s one of the best colleges in the country. I don’t see the big draw here except maybe the property.”
She pursed her lips, losing her smile.
“I’m sorry. I know you want what’s best for Maiken.”
“Quinn.” Her voice was a smidge harder than usual. “If you love my son, then you’ll want what’s best for him no matter what.”
I did love Maiken, beyond what words could describe. I also wanted him to live his dream. Yet I felt like I wouldn’t be part of his dream.
“Honey,” Christine said in a softer tone. “Maiken loves you. And if the love you both have for each other is strong, then nothing, not even distance, will break that bond. I know. I was a military wife. And the time away from my husband was rough, but our relationship grew stronger and stronger. Not only that, each time he came home, it was like a honeymoon all over again.”
“It’s just hard. I don’t want him to leave Ashford.”
She smiled weakly. “I don’t either.”
So many emotions rifled through me. In one breath, I was overly excited to see him. In another, I wanted to run back to the car. I inhaled, hoping to calm my nerves.
Before long, we were walking into the gymnasium. My mouth gaped at the state-of-the-art gym. White hardwood floors traveled the length of the court, appearing like a sheet of ice. Two TV screens hung from the high ceiling at midcourt. Bleachers surrounded all four sides like those in a college or NBA stadium, and on one side of the gym, the afternoon sun spilled in through the bank of windows that lined the top of the wall.
A group of boys congregated around the basketball hoop at the far end.
I searched for Maiken but didn’t see him. His siblings climbed the bleachers and found seats, which wasn’t hard. The gymnasium only had a handful of spectators scattered around.
I joined the Maxwell siblings and sat next to Jasper.
He nudged me. “There’s your boy.”
My gaze darted out to the court. Maiken wiped his brow with his jersey, showing his six-pack abs, as he emerged from a tunnel in between the stands in the corner.
I quietly sighed and swooned. When his gaze darted in our direction, I waved.
His jaw dropped, and his blue eyes gleamed. I wasn’t sure if he was happy to see me or not, but I was going with yes because he had an easy grin.
All the worry, sleepless nights, inability to eat, and nonstop crying vanished as my heart sputtered. The boy I’d met in my farm store that November of our sophomore year, the one who made butterflies take flight, the boy who had eyes as blue and deep as the ocean off the coast of Florida still had my heart to touch, to hold, and hopefully to keep.
He jogged over. His sweaty hair was stuck to his neck and forehead, and his muscled biceps bunched as he lifted his shirt again to wipe off the moisture from his face. “Hey.” He regarded his siblings. “You guys are really going to like the school.”
My heart bounced down the stands and onto the floor.
Christine left Coach Green’s side and headed straight for Maiken. “You look like you’re having a great time.” She hugged her son.
“I am, Mom. It’s been a great experience.”
Then she leaned in and whispered something in his ear before she joined us and took a seat next to Emma.
Maiken finally set his blue gaze on me. “Want to go for a walk?”
I swallowed the elephant in my throat and willed my pulse to quiet down. Otherwise, I would be throwing myself at him and begging him not to leave Kensington. Before I could wallow in my sorrow, I stood up. “Sure.”
We walked side by side, not touching. There were no hugs, only silence, as he guided me through a side door that led to a courtyard.
Again, I was wowed. Umbrella-topped tables were sprinkled around the cozy closed-in area. A massive grill that Daddy would be envious of was the focal point as the sun glinted off the stainless-steel top. And flowering trees provided shade in just the right spots. The place rivaled an outdoor dining facility at a high-end restaurant.
“It’s good to see you,” Maiken said, keeping his distance as he sized me up. “You look as pretty as ever.”
I certainly didn’t look like death as I had that morning in the hospital. I smelled better for one, and I was dressed in a pair of capris, cute flats, and a flowery blouse.
I threw myself at him. “I’m sorry about my party. I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you at the hospital. Don’t leave. Please stay at Kensington.” I was officially a wild woman and a basket case. Tears poured out like I had no control of my emotions.
His hands dove into my long hair. “Hey.” He pressed his body to mine, finally wrapping his arms around me.
I sighed so heavily, I swore I was ready to scream or burst into a song.
He hugged me tightly. “It’s okay. I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have walked out without talking to you. I was shocked that you were drunk.”
I nuzzled into the crook of his neck, absorbing his heady scent that was a mixture of soap and sweat. “It won’t happen again.” I’d said those words a thousand times to my parents and to myself.
Stepping back, he grasped my hands and locked eyes with me. “I know, Quinn.” He swallowed. “I can’t do drinking.”
I nodded. “I’m never touching the stuff again.”
He gave me a sexy grin. “But I hope you’ll touch other things.” He waggled his eyebrows.
My cheeks burned like an inferno as I replayed that quiet interlude we’d had on the side of the barn. “Me too.”
He laughed, sounding relieved and free. “You realize we kind of had our first fight.”
I gnawed on my bottom lip. “It felt more like a breakup than a fight.”
He gave me a smile that made me feel gooey and warm. “I do love you.”
I threw myself at him again. “You don’t know how much I needed to hear that. I love you to the stars and back.”
His body vibrated with laughter as we held each other for a long moment before he released me. “I haven’t made a decision yet on whether to attend here or not. I actually wanted to talk to you about it.”
I pinched my eyebrows. “Really? I just told you not to leave Kensington.”
“True. But that’s your emotions talking. Believe me, Quinn, I don’t want to be miles apart from you, but I might have a better opportunity here to get seen by scouts.”
My hands shook. “Then you should join your brothers and sister.” I didn’t want to whine or be a big baby, even though I would miss not seeing him in the halls at Kensington or stealing a few minutes in between classes in our little hideaway supply closet.
He tugged me across the ivy-entwined, lattice-covered courtyard until we were on a curved stone bench.
“This school looks expensive,” I said through a sniffle.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess. So you’re not grounded anymore?”
“I am. Your mom convinced my mom to let me come with her.” I’d been surprised Christine was able to get Momma to say yes. Like Daddy, she hadn’t gotten past her disappointment, and for a very good reason.
My party had been the gossip at Sunday Mass, and my parents hated when we were the talk of the town. Daddy was a proud man, and he wanted everyone to know the Thompson family didn’t cause trouble. He also felt that we could lose business if folks had a bad taste in their mouth with us.
Regardless, Momma hadn’t given me a good reason as to why she’d agreed to let me go. My theory was that Christine had told her Maiken would be leaving in the fall and it would be good for me to see him one last time.
“What will you decide?” I asked.
Maiken hopped up and shoved both hands through his hair. “It’s a tough decision, Quinn. I don’t want to leave my mom either.” He squatted down and placed his hands on my legs. “It’s not like we’re breaking up.” Pain etched his handsome features.
/>
It sure feels like we are. “I know. But I won’t see you every day.”
He chuckled. “I doubt you will even if I stay at Kensington. We don’t take the same curriculum. After school, I’d been planning on joining a community basketball league to keep my skills sharp.”
I leaned in and kissed him. I didn’t want to talk. I wanted to kiss and feel how much he loved me.
His tongue dove inside my mouth, taking and tasting.
I whimpered as I tangoed with him.
Nibbling on my lip, he broke the kiss. “I love you. Nothing will change that.”
I wasn’t so sure. I had the sinking feeling the separation would drive a wedge between us, but I couldn’t deny Maiken his chance. I couldn’t stand in the way of his dream. I wasn’t that type of girl. Yet that didn’t mean I wouldn’t bawl my eyes out.
Senior year was about to suck the big one.
Four weeks of camp flew by, and I had a decision to make. I’d wavered back and forth on attending Greenridge. Seeing the sadness in Quinn’s eyes when she’d visited me at the academy had torn my heart to pieces. But I really liked the school. I liked Coach Green. I’d gotten to meet the basketball team, and the guys seemed nice. I also didn’t get the sense that they didn’t want a new guy taking over their territory or that there were any big egos at play.
Oddly, I felt at home at Greenridge Academy. I felt like I belonged there. For so long, especially since Dad died, I hadn’t felt whole. I’d been feeling lost, trying to find myself, and worrying about taking care of my family.
Coach Dean was talking to Mr. Thompson as I pulled into the lot at the farm store. I’d called Coach, and he’d told me he had a few minutes to chat before his weekly poker game with Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson was wearing his normal scowl as he listened to whatever Coach Dean was saying. I cut the engine and glanced out at the farm, hoping to catch a glimpse of Quinn. As far as I knew, she was still grounded. But my search came up empty. No one was milling around the horse barn or even outside the house.
I climbed out just as Mr. Thompson went into the farm store.
My Heart to Keep: A Maxwell Family Saga - Book Four Page 6
