Break in the Storm (WeHo Book 2)

by Sherryl Hancock

  During lunch with Skyler and Devin, they met Sebastian, Skyler’s brother. Sebastian was a handsome young man, and was very impressed with Xandy, so he spent much of the lunch chatting with her. At one point, Xandy’s hand reached for Quinn’s under the table. Quinn, who was engaged in a deep conversation with Skyler about cars, didn’t sense Xandy’s hand reaching for hers as she usually would, so she didn’t take it. She didn’t catch the sad expression on Xandy’s face either.

  Later back at Xandy’s house, Quinn noticed that Xandy went straight to her room. It made Quinn’s mental antennae go up. She gave Xandy a few minutes to come back out, but she stayed in the doorway of the room she’d been using, keeping her senses on alert. Xandy hadn’t closed her bedroom door, which was the only reason Quinn gave her any time at all to come back out. However, when Xandy didn’t reappear, Quinn moved to the doorway to Xandy’s bedroom.

  Xandy was lying on her side on the bed, her back to the door, her knees up to her chest, with her arms wrapped around them. Quinn walked over to the bed and without saying a word, lay down behind Xandy and curled herself around the smaller girl. She felt Xandy jump when her arms wrapped around her, but then she felt her relax and almost melt into her. Quinn’s lips were at her temple, kissing Xandy softly.

  “Xan, what’s wrong?” Quinn asked gently.

  “You’re going to leave now, aren’t you?” Xandy said, her voice filled with tears.

  “Babe…” Quinn said, her voice strident, “no… why do you think that?”

  Xandy shrugged. “Your job is done.”

  “Yeah, my job as your bodyguard is done,” Quinn said, kissing Xandy’s temple again, and pulling at Xandy to get her to turn over and face her.

  After a few moments Xandy complied. Quinn touched her cheek gently. “Xan, unless you’re sick of my ass, I’m not going anywhere.”

  Xandy’s eyes searched Quinn’s, as if she was looking for signs of deceit.

  “You’re going to stay?” Xandy asked, her voice full of wonder.

  “Yeah, now I just get to be your girlfriend,” Quinn said, quirking her lips sardonically.

  Xandy looked so relieved it was almost painful. Quinn leaned down, kissing Xandy’s lips softly and Xandy melted into her. Within minutes they were making love and afterwards lay in each other’s arms. Xandy lay against Quinn, and Quinn held her close, stroking her hair.

  “I’m not going anywhere, Xan. I love you.”

  Xandy turned to look up at Quinn, her eyes wide. “You do?”

  “Yeah, pretty much,” she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement at Xandy’s shocked expression.

  Xandy reached her hand up, touching Quinn’s face. “I love you. I have since the moment I met you… my heart just didn’t know what to call it.”

  “Well, it does now, so you’re not going anywhere, not without me.” Quinn’s look pinned Xandy knowingly.

  Quinn knew that Xandy had started a backward slide into depression after feeling rejected at lunch, and from the look that Quinn gave her, Xandy knew that Quinn knew it too.

  “Will you do something for me?” Quinn asked.

  “What?” Xandy asked, looking cautious.

  “Will you think about finding someone to talk to?”

  “I have you,” Xandy said, her look guarded.

  “Xan,” Quinn said seriously, “you know what I’m talking about.”

  Xandy nodded.

  “I’m worried about you,” Quinn said, reaching out to touch Xandy’s cheek gently. “I need to know that you’re going to be okay.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, that if I hadn’t come after you tonight, you might have done it, right?”

  Xandy looked back at Quinn for a long moment, surprised that Quinn was actually addressing the issue directly. No one had ever cared enough about her to even try. Finally, she nodded, slowly.

  “Xan, I know I can’t make you believe me when I say that I’m not going anywhere,” Quinn said, her thumb smoothing over Xandy’s cheek. “Only time is going to prove that. But what if I hadn’t been here tonight? What if I’m gone on a job and you get to thinking like you did…”

  Xandy looked back at Quinn, still unable to really comprehend someone loving her, not like this. She chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to reconcile what Quinn was saying.

  “It’s not your fault,” Xandy said, finally. “My state of mind… it’s not…”

  “I know that, babe,” Quinn said, “it’s the fault of life, and fate, and whatever god you may or may not believe in. And it’s the fault of those two bastards that hurt you, and the storm that took your family away from you.” Quinn looked deep into Xandy’s eyes, trying to drive home her point. “But that stuff is never going to go away, Xan, and your mind is going to try to get you to see things from that side, and you’ve got to learn a new way to think, to perceive things.”

  Xandy nodded slowly, starting to understand what Quinn was saying.

  “I need to know you’re going to be okay,” Quinn repeated.

  “In case you’re not here.”

  Quinn looked back at her, hoping she was getting through. “In case I’m gone on a job, Xan, or for when you go on tour, or whatever work stuff separates us.”

  Xandy nodded, having heard the assurances she needed. “I’ll talk to someone.”

  “Thank you,” Quinn said, smiling.

  They spent the rest of the night lying together and talking about whatever came to mind.

  They decided that they needed a project to focus Xandy’s energies on. So, the next day they began working on Xandy’s house. Xandy also got in touch with a counselor and had appointment within a week. They spent hours driving to antique shops, and picking out paint colors. Quinn contacted some of her friends that were contractors and got them to give a bid for redoing the bathrooms and the kitchen. Within a month the little house was as beautiful inside as it was outside.

  BJ had taken the news that his latest star was now dating her female bodyguard surprisingly well. He’d long suspected that Xandy had a lot of emotional baggage from the trauma she’d been through in her short life. He’d also suspected that she suffered from depression and the suicide attempt had confirmed that. It had been the reason he hadn’t let Quinn blame herself for Xandy’s condition. It was also the reason why he’d not only suggested a trip to get Xandy away from the world, but had happily footed the bill for it.

  In truth, he was eternally grateful to Quinn for saving Xandy and getting her into counseling. To show her his appreciation, he’d paid her a handsome $50,000 bonus for the “great job” she’d done. He was also planning to throw her as much work as she was willing to take. To BJ, she’d proven herself, and once you were in with BJ Sparks, you were in for good.

  During her counseling sessions, the counselor had said she thought Quinn was an excellent support person for Xandy and even asked to meet her. Quinn and the counselor had talked and found that they were definitely on the same page when it came to Xandy’s mental health. After a few sessions, Xandy decided to give some anti-depressant medication a try to see if it would help stabilize her mood. It had been very successful thus far.

  Xandy had also asked Quinn if she wanted to move into her house, since Quinn never really left, unless Xandy was with her. Quinn shocked everyone that knew her by giving up her apartment in Santa Monica to move in with Xandy. It told everyone everything they needed to know about their relationship; it was definitely the real thing.

  Devin and Skyler were very happy for them. Quinn and Xandy had invited the couple to their house for dinner. For dinner they barbequed and had salads and Margaritas. Afterwards, Xandy and Devin took the dishes inside, while Quinn and Skyler smoked.

  “Things seem to be going well with you two,” Skyler commented, pointing at the house and Xandy inside.

  Quinn nodded. “Yeah,” she said, then shook her head in wonder. “I’d never have imagined this working out like it has.”

  Skyler canted her hea
d. “Why do you say that?”

  Quinn looked considering, taking a drag off her cigarette. “I guess because I’ve never been with someone like her.”

  Skyler raised an eyebrow at Quinn. “Was she even gay when you met her?”

  Quinn couldn’t help the grin that spread on her lips, she knew it was a source of endless gossip in her circle of friends. She’d been called everything from a stud to a god. It was kind of funny to Quinn, since she’d never set out to capture Xandy’s heart in the first place.

  “So, no,” Skyler said, her light blue-green eyes sparkling in amusement.

  “No, but I wasn’t looking to turn her,” Quinn said in her defense.

  Skyler laughed outright at that. “I take it you’re hearing a lot of shit about it?”

  “Hell yeah! They’re talking like I’m some kind of lesbian god or something. I wasn’t trying here…”

  Skyler shook her head. “That just makes it worse, Quinn. I wouldn’t lead with that one.”

  Quinn just chuckled and shook her head.

  Inside Devin and Xandy worked in the kitchen making more margaritas and talking.

  “You and Quinn make a good couple,” Devin said, smiling. “I always thought you would.”

  Xandy looked at her surprised. “You did?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Devin said, “I was telling Sky that, the same day we met you.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I could see the way you were with her. It was obvious that you two were bonding, the way she held her hand out to you when BJ was going ballistic. It was very sweet, and I don’t know anyone who can resist that level of gallantry.”

  Xandy bit her lip, happy once again to have Devin to talk to about this kind of thing.

  “I’ve never had anyone treat me like she does,” Xandy said honestly.

  “That’s good,” Devin said, nodding. “Though, it doesn’t always happen that way.”

  Xandy considered that statement. “Well, I know it never worked that way with the men I dated. I thought maybe women were different.”

  Devin nodded. “Yeah, some are. I think women are more capable of being empathetic to another woman’s needs. But believe me, all women are not like Quinn or even Skyler. I’ve dated a few women that were as bad, if not worse than men.”

  “Really?” Xandy asked.

  “Oh yeah,” Devin said, rolling her eyes. “One woman I dated was so into football that I wasn’t even allowed to see her on Sundays during football season. And God help me if I interrupted her game, I caught hell.”

  “Why did you stay?”

  “At first I thought it would get better, that I could change her. I learned really quickly that people don’t change if they don’t feel the need to. So I left,” Devin said, shrugging.

  Xandy nodded, thinking that someone as beautiful as Devin would have her pick of women. “I feel pretty lucky,” Xandy said. “It seems like a lot of women are interested in Quinn.”

  “Well, you’re the one that counts,” Devin said, winking at her as Skyler and Quinn walked into the house.

  “Who, what, where?” Skyler asked, grinning at her partner.

  “I was just telling Xandy that she’s a special girl,” Devin said, winking at Xandy.

  “Uh-huh,” Skyler said, her eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion.

  Devin just smiled back at Skyler unfazed by Skyler’s suspicious look.

  The four ended up in the living room with the newly installed wide-screen TV, watching a movie that wasn’t even out in theaters yet; a perk of being friends with BJ and Ramsey. Quinn and Xandy sat on the lounge part of the couch; Quinn’s knees were bent, and Xandy sat between them, leaning back against Quinn’s chest. Devin and Skyler sat on the other part of the couch, with Devin lying with her head in Skyler’s lap.

  When the movie was over, the news came on. There was a report about an F4 tornado in Kansas. Quinn glanced down at Xandy, sensing her tension immediately.

  “Is that close?” Quinn asked Xandy.

  Xandy nodded. “It’s about twenty miles east.”

  “Is that near where you lived?” Devin asked, moving to sit up.

  Quinn looked askance at Xandy. Xandy looked back at her, then looked over at Devin and Skyler.

  “My family was killed by a tornado three years ago,” she said, her tone grave.

  “Jesus…” Skyler breathed.

  “Oh honey, I’m so sorry,” Devin said, her eyes reflecting tears instantly.

  Xandy nodded appreciating Devin’s concern.

  Later that night, Quinn was sitting on the bed, when Xandy came in from the bathroom. Quinn’s knees were, as always up to her chest, her arms draped over them. It was obvious she’d been deep in thought before Xandy had walked in. Xandy moved to the bed, her look searching Quinn’s face.

  “What were you thinking about?” Xandy asked, remembering what her counselor had told her about asking questions, instead of assuming what someone was thinking.

  Quinn’s emerald-green eyes stared back at her for a long moment, then she put her hand out to Xandy pulling her into her arms. Xandy happily moved into them, sighing against Quinn’s chest. She felt Quinn’s hand stroking her hair. She knew that was something Quinn did to soothe her, and she knew she needed to wait patiently her answer.

  “I think we need to go to Kansas,” Quinn said, her voice reflective and soft.

  Xandy sat up, looking at Quinn, her expression apprehensive. “Why?”

  Quinn reached up smoothing her thumb over Xandy’s cheek, as if trying to smooth the look of concern out of her eyes.

  “The news reporter was saying that some people have lost everything,” Quinn said, “and that the Red Cross is highly depleted of funds because of the record tornado season they’ve been having back there.”

  “Okay…” Xandy said, cautiously.

  Quinn pinned her with a look. “I think you could do those people a lot of good.”

  “How?”

  “What do you think of doing a benefit concert?”

  Xandy looked surprised, but then the idea settled on her, and Quinn could see her mind examining the possibilities.

  “It could help to generate donations if you were there and maybe you could even share your story…” Quinn said, her voice purposely gentle on the last part, knowing the idea was likely to scare Xandy a little bit.

  Predictably Xandy’s eyes widened at the idea of sharing her story, but looking into Quinn’s eyes she could see that Quinn’s sole concern was for her.

  “Kind of like shock therapy?” Xandy asked, grinning.

  Quinn grinned too, happy that Xandy was taking the suggestion well; it showed that she’d made progress.

  “Yeah, kinda like that,” Quinn said. “Honestly though babe, people know who you are now, and if you can pull enough heart strings, then it could help a lot of people from your hometown and around the area.”

  Xandy started to nod, understanding what Quinn was saying and liking the idea more and more.

  “I’d have to talk to BJ,” Xandy said. “I have no idea if he’d let me do this, or where to start to plan something like this. Would it take too long to plan?”

  Quinn shrugged. “Beats me, babe, but let’s start with talking to BJ.”

  The conversation with BJ went beyond well. He loved the idea, and was more than happy to assign her staff to contact people in the right places and get things set up.

  Xandy ended up working with Tabitha Sparks-MacGregor, BJ’s daughter who was married to the lead guitarist, Devlin MacGregor, of BJ’s band, Sparks. Within twenty-four hours, Tabitha had made contact with the Red Cross to set up some tours of the devastated areas for Xandy and Quinn, who had no intention of letting Xandy handle this trip on her own. Tabitha had also booked time at the In Trust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas and had already set up advertising for the show that would be one week from that day.

  It was a whirlwind for Xandy. Within forty eight hours of Quinn voicing the idea, they were landing at th
e airport in Wichita, once again in BJ’s plane. Quinn sat next to her, having held her hand tight when they’d flown over the area that had recently been devastated. Quinn knew she needed to keep a close eye on Xandy during this time; it was likely to be very hard on her.

  Once at the airport, they were met by a representative from the Red Cross. The woman was tall with blond hair pulled back into an efficient pony tail. She had a no-nonsense but gentle air about her.

  “Ms. Blue, I’m Gina, and I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to us,” the woman told her, holding Xandy’s hand in both of her own. “What you’re doing will help so many people, it is so generous of you to do this.”

  Xandy smiled at the woman. “I’m really glad I can help.”

  “I understand you’re from Kansas,” Gina said, as they turned to walk out to a vehicle waiting at the curb.

  Quinn picked up her duffle, swinging it over her shoulder and picked up Xandy’s suitcase, shaking her head with a quick grin at the young man that started to help her. Quinn wanted to stay close to Xandy, to hear what she said, and how she said it.

  “Yes,” Xandy said, “I grew up in Wakefield.”

  Gina stopped dead in her tracks and turned to look at Xandy. “Does your family still live there?” she asked.

  Xandy shook her head, her eyes glazing with tears. Quinn had handed the bags off to the man at the vehicle, so she moved to hold Xandy’s shoulders from behind. It was her way of letting Xandy know she was there.

  “Oh, Ms. Blue…” Gina said, tears in her own eyes. “I’m so sorry. Wakefield lost so many good people that day.”

  Quinn squeezed Xandy’s shoulders, as Xandy nodded to the woman, grateful that she hadn’t had to explain.

  The tornado that had killed Xandy’s family had devastated the town of Wakefield, and it was well-known by the Red Cross. Gina had personally worked the site, so she knew all too well how many people had lost their lives that day.

  Xandy nodded, doing her best to reign in her emotions. She had known coming home was going to be hard. She drew strength from Quinn standing behind her, and the kind, understanding look from Gina.