Quinn smiled ruefully. “Yes, even then.”
“Why was she mean to you?” Bobby asked.
Quinn pressed her lips together, trying to decide what she wanted to say.
“I think she was scared,” Quinn said simply and honestly.
“Of you?” Bobby asked, but looking like he could believe that.
“Yes,” Quinn said, but reached out to touch his arm, “but I don’t mean in the way you think. I mean that she’s probably never met anyone like me before,” she said, holding up her tattooed arms, gesturing to her short hair. “So that scared her.”
Bobby looked like he was considering the idea. “But she likes you now?”
Quinn drew in a breath, then blew it out. “I guess,” she said, “I don’t know for sure really. I think she’s probably really grateful that I got Elly out, but that doesn’t mean she likes me.”
“Well, I like you,” Bobby said, his look firm.
Quinn smiled. “I like you too.”
Bobby glanced to the windows in the room as lightning shot across the sky, his look fearful. Quinn glanced over her shoulder seeing the lightning as well.
“Bobby, are you afraid of the storm?” Quinn asked gently, not wanting to insult him, but sensing that it was what had drawn him into the bedroom in the first place.
Bobby looked back at her, at first his look was brave, but then he sagged slightly, lowering his head and nodding.
“It’s okay, you know,” Quinn told him. “Those storms scare me too.”
He looked back at her wide-eyed. “They do?”
“Yeah,” Quinn said nodding, she canted her head slightly. “Did you want to stay in here with us?”
“Do you think I could?” Bobby asked.
“You should check with your mom,” Quinn said wisely.
“Okay,” Bobby said and was off in a flash.
In the living room, Sarah was sleeping on the rollaway bed with Elly next to her, and Erin was sleeping on the couch. Bobby climbed up on the bed, shaking his mother’s shoulder roughly in his need to ask his question.
“What is it Bobby?” Sarah asked, trying to blink open her eyes as she did.
“Is it okay if I go sleep in Quinn and Xandy’s room? Quinn said I had to ask you.”
Sarah thought about it for a moment, then nodded. “As long as it’s okay with them, then yes, you can.”
“Great!” Bobby exclaimed loudly and jumped off the bed, running back to the bedroom of the hotel room.
Elly turned over rubbing her eyes sleepily as he left.
Back in the bedroom, Bobby walked over to the bed, hoping Quinn wasn’t asleep again. Quinn’s eyes were open and looking at him.
“Mom says as long as it’s okay with you,” Bobby said.
“That works for me,” Quinn said, winking, “go ’round there,” she said, pointing to the end of the bed.
Bobby nodded, and went around the bed, climbing in behind her and Xandy. It was a king sized bed; Quinn and Xandy were only on a very small portion of it, so there was plenty of room. Quinn turned over onto her back wincing as she did, but she looked over at Bobby. His head was on a pillow a foot away. He smiled at her, and she smiled back at him. Then they both closed their eyes. A minute later, Quinn felt movement, and glancing down she saw Elly climbing up on the bed. The child climbed right between Bobby and Quinn, snuggling between Quinn’s left arm and her body, putting her head on Quinn’s shoulder.
Quinn looked back into the big blue eyes that now stared back at her.
“Hello little one,” Quinn said, grinning.
“Seep here,” Elly pronounced firmly.
“Okay then,” Quinn said, nodding with a grin.
Xandy, awakened by Quinn’s movement and the subsequent talking looked over at her two cousins, then down at Quinn.
“Apparently we’re having a sleep over,” Quinn told her.
“Apparently,” Xandy said, smiling.
It warmed Xandy’s heart that the kids seemed to naturally gravitate to Quinn. Regardless of her tough exterior, Quinn had a huge heart and the fact that the children recognized that in her, said a lot. It was too bad adults didn’t have that innate instinct about people, seeing beyond outward appearances. A few minutes later the four were asleep again.
Erin stuck her head around the door checking on the kids per her mom’s request. She’d heard Elly leave the living area. She saw the way the four were laid together. Xandy lay with her head in the hollow of Quinn’s right shoulder, and Quinn’s arm was around her shoulders. On Quinn’s left side, Elly was lying much like Xandy, her tiny hand on Quinn’s shoulder. Bobby lay on the other side of Elly, farther up on the bed, so he too could put his hand on Quinn’s shoulder right next to his sister’s hand.
Erin stood there staring at the picture they made, thinking about what her mom and Xandy had said about Quinn earlier in the day. Quinn Kavanaugh certainly had a quality about her that drew people to her; it was a quality Erin couldn’t put her finger on, but she knew that it was powerful.
The next day Sarah carefully opened the door to the bedroom and saw her children sleeping with Quinn and Xandy. She saw the way both Bobby and Elly seemed to need a physical connection with the woman. All her life Sarah had been raised to believe that homosexuality was an abomination and that people who were gay were sick and should never be tolerated. If it hadn’t been for this particular homosexual, her baby daughter would likely be lying in a morgue at the Harvey County Coroner’s office, instead of here in a fancy hotel room with her savior. Sarah knew that she’d been completely wrong to judge Quinn by her appearance and the fact that she preferred women over men.
She noticed with a start that Quinn’s eyes were open and looking at her.
Walking over to the side of the bed, she whispered, “Good morning,” with a soft smile.
“Mornin’,” Quinn said, grinning as she glanced at the kids to her left; neither had moved an inch.
“I can take them…” Sarah said softly, shaking her head.
“They’re fine,” Quinn said, smiling warmly.
Moving carefully to sit up, Quinn stretched, wincing as her muscles protested. She climbed carefully out of bed, doing her best not to disturb any of the three still lying there. Xandy stirred, glancing up at her.
“Getting up?” Xandy asked.
“Yeah,” Quinn said, “you sleep though, babe, you have a long day ahead of you.”
Xandy nodded tiredly, and went back to sleep.
Quinn nodded toward the bedroom door and gestured for Sarah to precede her. Sarah noted the gallant gesture and realized that Quinn did that kind of thing a lot.
Out in the main part of the room, Erin was still asleep on the couch. Quinn walked over to the Keurig coffee maker and stood staring at it like it was a foreign object.
“I’ve got it for you,” Sarah said, grinning at Quinn. “We’ve kind of been playing with it.”
Quinn nodded moving out of the way.
“What would you like?” Sarah asked. “There’s pretty much everything: hot chocolate, hot tea, French roast coffee, espresso, Cinnabon coffee, vanilla nut…”
“Good God,” Quinn said, rolling her eyes, “is there just regular jet fuel level coffee?”
“Aw,’ Sarah said, nodding. “I think that would be this,” she said holding up a K-Cup marked “Bitch Slap.”
Quinn read the name and laughed out loud, nodding. “Yeah, that’ll do it.”
A few minutes later Quinn was seated at the dining room table with a cup of “Bitch Slap” in her hands. Sarah sat down in the chair next to her. Quinn’s chair was turned to the side, so they faced each other.
Sarah canted her head slightly looking at Quinn. “You should know that my kids don’t usually attach themselves to someone as quickly as they have with you.”
Quinn looked considering. “I’m sure their lives aren’t usually in complete upheaval like this either.”
Sarah looked back at Quinn, thinking that this woman sure didn�
�t take credit for things easily.
“They took to you that very first time you visited,” Sarah told Quinn, “and even that was unusual for them.” She grimaced thinking that it was probably because of her sour disposition over the last few years since their father had left them.
Quinn could see the guilt on Sarah’s face and wondered at it.
“It seems like things have been hard for you,” Quinn said. Her tone held no judgment.
Sarah drew in a deep breath, blowing it out as she nodded. “Making ends meet is always really hard.”
“Do you mind me asking where their father is? Does he contribute at all?” Quinn asked gently.
Sarah smiled at her attempt to be gentle. “No, he’s gone with his new family.”
Quinn grimaced. “I’m sorry.”
Sarah shrugged. “He was a louse for years,” she said. “I just kept thinking that if he got that next job, or we had another baby, or if I was a better wife…”
Quinn shook her head. “You can’t control anyone but yourself.”
Sarah looked back at Quinn, thinking about that, then she nodded her head. “If that’s true, then I haven’t even been doing that well.”
“What do you mean?” Quinn asked.
“I mean, I’ve let my sour attitude affect my kids,” Sarah said, looking mournful. “I just can’t help it sometimes. It’s like I can’t see a way out, and I just get so unhappy that I just want to curl up into a ball and cry…”
“Sarah,” Quinn said, sitting forward, “Xandy is being treated for depression. Is it possible that’s what’s happening with you too?”
Sarah looked surprised by the question and started to shake her head.
“What do you know about depression?” Quinn asked her.
Sarah shook her head again. “Not much.”
“It’s probably something you should check out.”
“Xandy has it?” Sarah asked, looking concerned. “Is it bad?”
Quinn looked back at her for a long moment, then held up her right hand exposing her palm. Sarah could see the still red line from the heel of her hand to just under her thumb.
“I got this when I slapped the razor blade out of Xandy’s hand. The one she used to slice open her wrist.”
“Oh my lord…” Sarah breathed looking sad.
“It wasn’t the first time she’d tried it either,” Quinn told her.
Sarah breathed in deeply, looking shaky, but nodded. “I guess bad doesn’t begin to cover it,” she said.
“She’s better now,” Quinn said, “but she’s seeing a counselor and she’s on medication.”
“And she has you,” Sarah said, her look direct.
Quinn smiled, nodding.
“So you saved her life,” Sarah said.
Quinn nodded, not looking too impressed with herself.
“And you saved my child,” Sarah said, wanting to make sure Quinn really saw the whole picture.
Quinn looked back at Sarah, sensing what she was trying to do.
Sarah shook her head. “So much humility… and to think I thought you were a Godless heathen,” she said, her eyes sparkling.
Quinn chuckled at the term. “I’ve actually been called worse.”
Sarah smiled, but could tell that Quinn was serious about part of what she’d said. She shook her head, not able to imagine being treated badly simply for her appearance and for what people, like Sarah herself, thought that meant in terms of her quality of character.
“She’s also a bad ass,” Erin said from the couch.
Quinn and Sarah looked over to where the girl sat on the couch, not realizing she’d woken at some point during the conversation. In truth, Erin had heard the entire conversation.
“Erin!” Sarah chided her. “Such language.”
“Oh come off it Mom,” Erin said rolling her eyes, “that’s what they’re calling her on the news and on YouTube. Quinn’s famous!”
Sarah looked over at Quinn, seeing the way the other woman dropped her head, shaking it ruefully.
“I’m guessing you don’t want to be famous?” Sarah asked.
Quinn sighed loudly. “Uh, no, that’s your niece’s area.”
Sarah smiled glancing over at Erin who also smiled, Quinn Kavanaugh certainly wasn’t any kind of attention seeker. Like Xandy had said, Quinn was who she was, and she wasn’t looking for any kind of award for it.
Later in the morning, Mackie arrived from California to prepare for the concert; the first of which was that night. He’d heard what Quinn had done, having seen the news and he’d also heard from BJ that Quinn was somewhat out of commission. Mackie knew that Quinn would want to make sure Xandy was protected during her sound check and rehearsals at the arena that afternoon, so he’d come early. The other bands would be arriving later that afternoon, but they had their own security details; Quinn was unofficially still Xandy’s protection.
When Mackie arrived, Quinn was back in the bedroom, trying to rest her back so she’d be up for the show that night. Mackie walked in, after knocking lightly and being bid to come in by Quinn.
“Hey, it’s Ms. Badassery herself,” he said, smiling at the woman who was sitting up in bed.
“Feck ya,” Quinn said, shaking her head smiling all the while.
“How ya doin’?” Mackie asked assessing her.
“Muscle relaxants are doing the trick,” Quinn said. “Thanks for handling this today though.”
“You know you ain’t getting paid to be her protection at this point, right?” Mackie said, no question in his voice.
“And you know that don’t mean shite to me, right?” Quinn countered.
Mackie grinned. “Pretty much.”
“Good,” Quinn said. “’Cause if she gets hurt, it’s your head I’m takin’ off,” she informed him mildly, but Mackie knew she meant it.
“Got it.” Mackie nodded.
Normally he would discount most threats, being over six foot and two hundred pounds of pure muscle. Combined with his Navy Seal training, he was more dangerous than most. Quinn Kavanaugh, however, wasn’t someone he would want to mess with; the woman was a definite force to be reckoned with. He wasn’t going to test that by letting himself be lax with Xandy’s protection.
Xandy and Mackie left the hotel room a few minutes later, with Xandy kissing Quinn and asking her to rest, which Quinn agreed to.
“We’re taking the kids and Sarah with us, so you should be able to rest completely,” Xandy told her.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Five minutes after they’d left the hotel room, Quinn heard a knock on the bedroom door.
“Yeah?” Quinn queried, wondering if maybe the maid was trying to clean the room or something.
The door opened and Erin stuck her head inside. “Can I talk to you?”
“I thought you all left with Xandy?”
“No, I stayed behind.”
“Oh… Kay…” Quinn said, and then gestured, “yeah, come on in.”
Erin walked into the room. Quinn looked at the girl; she wore tattered faded jeans, and a dirty white tank top with a black bra underneath. Her eyes were smeared with black eyeliner and she wore dark lipstick, she had a rat’s nest of short blond hair. The kid was definitely going for the grungy unwashed teenager look.
“So what’s up?” Quinn asked.
Erin looked hesitant now that she was there.
Quinn waited patiently. She sat with her knees up, feet planted on the bed, arms draped over her knees. She was dying for cigarette, but since she couldn’t smoke in the room, she’d been off them for two full days now. With Erin’s continued silence, Quinn decided that maybe it was too tough for her to talk when Quinn was sitting in bed, looking like an invalid.
“Come on,” Quinn said, reaching over to pick up her pack of cigarettes and her lighter.
Erin followed her. Quinn wore her black lounge pants and green football sleeveless jersey, her feet were bare. They walked out onto the balcony of the room. Quinn moved to sit in one o
f the chairs, bringing one knee up to her chest, her foot on the chair as she reached for a cigarette. She lit up and took a deep drag on the cigarette, making a sound of pleasure as she did.
“Christ that’s good…” she said, grinning as she motioned for Erin to have a seat.
Erin sat down, her eyes on Quinn, but hesitation still clear on her face.
“Erin,” Quinn said, “tell me what’s going on.”
“Um,” Erin began, “well, I wanted to ask you…”
Quinn waited as the girls voice trailed off.
“You know you actually have to ask the question, right?” Quinn said, grinning. “I’m not psychic.”
Erin laughed in spite of herself. “I’m sure they’re going to say you are soon.”
Quinn made a face. “Okay, but for right now, let’s assume I’m not.”
Erin took a deep breath, sighing. “How did you know you were gay?”
Quinn stared back at the girl, feeling like she’d had this conversation far too recently to be having it again with a different member of the same family.
“How do you know you’re straight?” she asked in her usual off-handed manner when it came to this question.
“I don’t think I am. That’s the thing.” Erin said.
Quinn stared back at the girl for a full minute, then sat back and took another drag off her cigarette.
“Well, that’s another thing, isn’t it?” Quinn asked, her tone more gentle this time.
Erin looked sad suddenly.
Quinn canted her head. “Is that why you’ve been runnin’ off on your mom?”
Erin pulled both her knees up to her chest, her head lowered as she nodded.
Quinn nodded too, starting to understand a little better.
“Obviously she doesn’t know…” Quinn said.
Erin snickered. “She wouldn’t know if I shoved a rainbow up her nose.”
Quinn grimaced. “So you obviously don’t need my help in figuring out if you’re gay…”
Erin shook her head. “I know I’m gay,” she said. “I guess that was just trying to figure out how to ask what I wanted to ask.”
“So, what did you want to ask me, then?” Quinn asked
Break in the Storm (WeHo Book 2) Page 21
