He’s not wrong.
I’ve watched Memphis battle his demons over the years, but his biggest one by far is that he’s been secretly pining over his brother’s girl since they were kids.
But now he’s finally moved on.
While I personally can’t stand Gwyneth, he deserves to be happy.
So does Skylar.
The last thing any of us want is for history to repeat itself and watch her bleed out over another guy who can’t put her first.
The two of them together would be the equivalent of an atomic bomb and we’d all suffer the fallout.
But while I agree with Chandler, I also know his motives aren’t as virtuous as he claims.
“I get why you did it. But a word of warning?”
His brows lift high. “What’s that?”
“Memphis lost Josh, but he still has two brothers left. Don’t ever let me catch you pulling the strings behind his back again. Same goes for the rest of us.”
He swallows. “I give you my word.”
“Good.” I stub my cigarette out on the wall next to his head. “Now that that’s squashed, get yourself cleaned up so you can formally hire Lennon back.” I snap my fingers. “Oh, and one more thing…”
“Yes?” he grits through his teeth.
I pat his cheek. “Throw in an apology too, while you’re at it.”
CHAPTER 65
LENNON
“What the hell is taking the ambulance so long?”
One moment I was packing, and the next Storm was carrying a hysterical Quinn in here.
“I don’t know,” Storm says, although he doesn’t appear to be nearly as worried about Quinn’s ruptured appendix as I am.
Or Skylar, who’s been pacing. Or Memphis who’s…what the hell is Memphis doing?
I look across the room. He’s drinking a beer and smoking a cigarette. Lovely.
Quinn grips my hand so hard I’m positive she fractured it. “It hurts so bad.”
“I know, sweetie. I know.” I sweep my uninjured hand along her forehead. Poor girl is in so much pain she’s sweating and thrashing on her bed. “They’re coming, okay? Just hang in there.”
“I don’t think I can.” Tears leak out the corners of her eyes as she stares up at the ceiling. “I’m gonna die. I feel it.”
My stomach bottoms out. Holy shit.
“You’re not going to die, Quinn.” Panic claws up my throat and I look at Storm. “She’s gonna die if we don’t do something.”
“You just told me I wasn’t,” Quinn wails.
Crap.
“You’re not,” I assure her before I regard Storm again. “Call the front desk and ask if there are any guests who are doctors. Tell them it’s an emergency.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary.” Storm glares at Quinn. “Are you sure this isn’t just a stomachache from all those waffles you ate today?”
Quinn sniffles. “I’m positive.” Clutching my other hand, she peers up at me. “Will you tell my brother I love him?”
Oh my god. This can’t be happening.
Storm’s jaw tics. “Dial the dramatics down, Juvie.”
Storm isn’t the warm and fuzzy type and I know Quinn annoys the shit out of him, but that’s just plain heartless.
“What the hell is the matter with you? Her appendix burst. Do you have any idea how much pain she’s in?”
“So much,” Quinn cries out.
Considering her father beat her to a bloody pulp and she never so much as batted an eye, this has to be excruciating.
“I know, baby. I know.” I look around. “Where the hell is Phoenix?”
“I already told you,” Storm grunts. “He’s taking a shit.”
“While his sister is dying?”
“You said I wasn’t gonna die!” Quinn screeches.
The high-pitched sound is a million times worse than nails on a chalkboard and there’s a collective wince.
“Will you shut the fuck up?” Storm roars so loud the windows rattle. “Some of us need our ears to make a living.”
Then maybe he shouldn’t be screaming.
Quinn pales and a tremor racks her small frame. “S-s-s-orry.”
If Quinn wasn’t holding both my hands, I’d use one of them to bitch-slap the hell out of Storm. “Are you forgetting what kind of house she grew up in, dickhead? There’s no need to yell at her. Ever. Especially while she’s having a medical emergency.”
His expression softens. “I…fuck. My bad, Juvie.”
But Quinn won’t look at him. Can’t say I blame her. I don’t want to look at him either.
“It’s gonna be okay, honey,” I whisper. “The ambu—”
The door swings open and Phoenix charges inside.
I spring up. “Where have you been? Quinn is—”
I don’t have a chance to finish that statement because he seizes my face and kisses me.
What the hell?
His hand slips to the back of my neck and he runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, urging me to part them for him.
That’s when I shove him.
“Are you and Storm smoking from the same bong? Your sister’s appendix just burst. The ambulance is taking forever to get here and instead of worrying about that, you’re kissing me?”
Phoenix’s lips twitch. “Quinn’s fine.”
“What are you talking about? She’s not fine. She’s—”
“Actually, I am. Phoenix told us to distract you so you wouldn’t leave.” Quinn gets off the bed. “Sorry.”
I recoil as a slew of emotions filter through me. Obviously, I’m relieved Quinn isn’t dying, but I was really scared.
Sensing this, Quinn wraps her arms around me. “Please don’t hate me.”
I hug her back, even though I’m still on edge about the whole thing. “I could never hate you. I’m glad you’re okay, but please don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Our little actress deserves an Oscar,” Skylar says. “I had to keep reminding myself she was fine.”
Quinn smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks. I’m gonna go downstairs and get a snack.”
Before anyone can stop her, she bolts out of the room.
Skylar starts to go after her, but Storm beats her to it. “I got this.”
As he should. Because I wasn’t the only one who was scared during this whole ordeal.
I smack Phoenix’s arm. “I can’t believe you made your sister fake a medical emergency just so I’d stay.”
On second thought, I can. He’s relentless.
He lifts his hands. “Trust me, that was all Quinn. She concocted that plan by herself.”
That I can also believe.
I walk over to my suitcase and zip it. “Well, since most of you are here, I should probably start saying my goodbyes now.”
“Not so fast,” Chandler says as he zips into the room. “After careful consideration, I’ve decided to renege my previous request for your dismissal.”
“English, motherfucker,” Memphis grunts.