I burst through the doors and out into the cool night air. I ran all the way to my dorm then took the stairs two at a time, huffing and puffing.
When I burst into my dorm room, Quinn jumped up from her spot on my bed. Before she could say a word, I tackled her to the bed—gently, of course.
“BC wants me to play ball for them.”
She squealed. “Oh my God! That’s fantastic.”
I was over the moon. I couldn’t contain myself or control my hands or lips. I devoured all of her—her lips, her tongue, and everything I could get my hands and mouth on.
She giggled as we kissed like we hadn’t seen each other in years. Ever since we’d started having sex, I couldn’t get enough of her. Each time was better and better, and man, Kade had been so spot-on. Being in love with a person heightened the senses to the max. Quinn gave me a high like no other. When I was with her, I felt like I could fly. Our future was shaping up to be fantastic. I had my girl. I had an offer to play ball, and I would be close to my family. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
I nibbled on her ear. “I love you, Quinn Thompson. You have made my life complete.”
Her answer wasn’t what I was expecting, but I wasn’t complaining when she removed her top. “Noah and Ethan know to stay away.”
Noah and Quinn had come up together for the game, which surprised me since she’d been mad at him for the part he’d played in the pig prank.
“He was sincere and very apologetic to Daddy,” she’d told me. “And everyone deserves a second chance, even Tessa.” According to Quinn, Tessa had even apologized to her parents.
I laughed. “You’ve been planning this?”
She pulled her bottom lip in between in her teeth. “Yep.”
Man, she was gorgeous. Rosy cheeks, plump lips, and a body that was all mine. Hell, she was all mine, and one day she would be my wife.
But first we had to finish high school.
I couldn’t believe we were in April, and our senior prom was next week. I debated whether I wanted to go. Maiken had bagged his prom at the academy. He wasn’t interested in attending any proms.
“Homecoming was enough for me,” he’d said.
I couldn’t blame him. That had been the night Sloane had hit him with her car, the same night Marcus had too much to drink, and the same darn night that I’d almost knocked out Sloane’s teeth.
I hadn’t planned on going to my senior prom either. I had my valedictorian speech to finish. It wasn’t anywhere near ready, and with exams coming up next month, I wanted to be ahead of the curve. The last I’d checked with Mrs. Flowers, I was still in the number-one spot, and barring any unforeseen hiccups, like failing a test, the prestigious award was mine to lose.
Still, Celia had convinced me to go to prom.
“Come on,” she’d begged. “You’ll regret not going. And I don’t have a date.”
Maybe I would look back and wonder why I didn’t go. Besides, I couldn’t let my best friend down.
I was almost at Celia’s car when Trevor caught up to me. “Quinn.”
I pivoted on my heel. “Hey, I’m in a hurry.” Celia and I had shopping on our agenda for that afternoon.
He pushed his unruly blond hair out of his eyes and was about to say something when Claire ran up, sporting a sneer.
She dug her claws into Trevor’s arm, a clear sign for me to back off. “You were supposed to meet me at your car.” She pouted at Trevor.
He ignored her and asked me, “Is Maiken going to the prom with you?”
I studied him, wondering where he was going with his question.
Claire didn’t wonder at all. “You are not taking her.” Her tone was nasty and full of disgust.
I clenched my teeth. “I have a name.”
She let go of Trevor. “You know, Quinn, I’m not holding back anymore. You are not so special.” She waved her hand up and down my body. “You have no meat on your bones. Your breasts are flat. You look and smell like one of your pigs. And you dress like you just walked out of a thrift store.”
I laughed, even though I was seething inside, even though my hands began to tremble around the straps of my backpack.
She bared her teeth. “Stay the fuck away from my boyfriend.”
Trevor swung out his arm in front of Claire. “Seriously, Claire, how many times have I told you? Quinn and I are friends.”
“You want to screw her.” Claire’s voice went up in pitch. “Maybe you already did.” She skirted around Trevor and got in my face. “We only have a few weeks left of school, but I can make your life a living hell, which I should’ve done long before now.”
And the claws finally come out.
I opened my arms. “Do whatever you want. I don’t have time for your jealousy.”
Between Claire’s sneers and glares in the hall and Tessa giving me the middle finger anytime I saw her, I was done with the petty drama. Tessa deserved her one-week suspension. Noah deserved being benched by Coach Dean along with a one-day suspension, and Dustin had received a one-day suspension as well for the part he’d played.
Claire stuck out her chin. “Go near Trevor again, and you’ll see what I’m made of.”
Celia drove up and beeped the horn.
That was my cue to get out of Dodge. One thing I wouldn’t miss about high school was the mean girls. I had no idea what college would be like, but I hoped I didn’t have to deal with the Claires and Tessas of the world.
Trevor said something to Claire that I couldn’t quite hear.
I ignored them and opened the passenger door of Celia’s car.
“Quinn,” Trevor said.
“Really?” Claire whined.
“Babe, back the fuck off. I am not asking Quinn to the prom.”
She closed her mouth, pursing her red lips.
Trevor blew out a breath, seemingly frustrated. “I heard Maiken got into BC. Coach Dean told me Gonzaga made him an offer too. Which one did he decide on?”
“Let’s go,” Celia said. “We need to get there before the flapper dresses are picked through.”
I quickly bent my head down. “One sec.” Then I said to Trevor, “He accepted BC’s offer last week.” Maiken didn’t want to move to Washington, and he wanted to play for a school that was part of the ACC conference.
“Cool. I’ve been considering BC when I graduate next year. Noah is even talking about playing for BC too. I’ll catch Maiken when he comes home.”
Claire glared daggers at me.
I was tempted to hug Trevor to say thank you for keeping Claire off me, but that would only give Claire more ammunition to make my life hell, and I didn’t need the hassle. When it came to bullies, I’d been there, done that, and had gotten the T-shirt.
Instead, I slid into the passenger seat. “Oh, and Trevor, my mom’s making your favorite for dinner tonight.”
His green eyes lit up. “Roast beef? I’ll be there.”
Claire’s nostrils flared, as she turned ten shades of red.
I shut the door. “Let’s get out of here.”
Celia sped out of the school lot. “What was all that about?”
“You were right. Claire wants my head on a platter.”