Page 30 of Turning Back

“So you’re still playing? You have a girl?”

“No,” Quin says. “I quit the Club a long time ago. Yesterday was actually the first time I talked to Bric in a while. Six months, almost.”

“You’re mad at him?” I ask.

“Was,” Quin says, looking back at me.

God, he’s handsome. Quin is the all-American man. Light hair, light eyes. Tall muscular body. And he’s even a nice guy. He’s got manners and he’s educated. Polite and friendly with almost everyone. I don’t know much about his family, other than his dad died before we met. He never talked about them to me at all, but I never got the impression he hates them. Which is… unusual, from my perspective.

“But now that you’re here…” He sighs. “And you didn’t have an abortion—”

“Who told you I had an abortion?”

“Bric. Well, Chella.” Quin shakes his head. “It’s a long, stupid misunderstanding.”

“And you’re ready to be friends with him again?”

“Maybe?” Quin says. “In fact, before we came over here yesterday he was asking me if I wanted to find another girl.”

“Will you?” I ask. I know this is part of Bric’s plan, but it makes my heart beat fast just thinking about them doing… what they do with someone other than me. They’re mine. They were mine for three years. Never has another girl stayed for so long. I was the perfect player. They know this.

At least they did. Maybe I just need to remind them?

“I don’t know, Rochelle.” Quin lets out a long exhale. “I still…” He stops to stare into my eyes. “The baby is so pretty. I’d love to get to know her. We should get a DNA test as soon as possible,” he says, totally taking the conversation in the wrong direction. “To avoid any confusion.”

“Because if you’re not her father—”

“I am her father,” Quin says, looking at the hallway. Bric has stopped talking and things are very quiet in the bedroom.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. I feel it.”

“Then why do you need a DNA test?”

“I don’t. But Bric will. So he knows she’s mine and not his.” He gives me a sidelong glance. “To keep the facts straight.”

I nod my head, looking out the window. “So that’s all you need to know?”

“I need to know what the fuck is going through your head right now.”

“How do I answer that?” I ask. “I love you. That’s it. That’s all. And you’re only here for the baby so…”

He puts his hand on my bare thigh. It sends a tingle of electrifying anticipation through my whole body. “Don’t be stupid. That’s not the only reason I’m here. I called you hundreds of times. I left message on your voicemail. You never called back.”

“I got rid of that phone. I didn’t have access.”

“I’m just saying, I tried, Rochelle. I really, really wanted you back and I tried my best.”

“And now you’re not sure, are you?” I can feel tears welling up in my eyes.

“I don’t know what to think. I still want you but I certainly don’t fucking trust you. You could’ve left a note. You could’ve called at some point.”

“I did call—” Shit. I forgot that Bric never told him that.

“When?” Quin asks, his voice suddenly edgy and rough.

“Right after Adley was born. I called the Club, but I didn’t know what to say, so I just hung up.” Not a lie. Just… not completely true, either.