Pretty Dark Nothing Read online

  “A cute guy to come and save us.” Reese grinned.

  “This is real life, not a movie.” Quinn sighed, sat next to Reese, and picked a dandelion of her own. If this were a movie, Jeff would appear to tell her he’d broken up with Kerstin. He’d change the tire, rid her of the nightmares, and kiss her until her lips went numb. Happily ever after.

  “I could always call my dad. He might be able to leave work a little early to get us,” Reese offered.

  Jealous pain thumped in Quinn’s chest. At least Reese had a father she could call in an emergency. Who did Quinn have? Once upon a time, Jeff would have been the first person she would call. Now he would be the last.

  Reese straightened, and her eyes went wide. “Or maybe we won’t have to.”

  Two boys appeared from the natatorium and headed for a lone white Jeep in the parking lot.

  “Only works in the movies, huh? Let’s see you make fun of me now, ye of little faith.” Reese stood and waved as if she were a drowning victim. When they didn’t notice her, Reese cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Marcus! Aaron!”

  Marcus looked up and nudged Aaron.

  “You can stop jumping up and down now. They’ve seen us.”

  “Be nice, and remember to flirt.”

  “Hey, Teresa.” Marcus annunciated each part of her name and winked.

  “Oh, you can call me Reese.” She puckered her lips and flipped her hair, shamefully flirting. “We were looking for a couple of heroes, and then you two show up. Must be fate. Right, Quinn?”

  Quinn didn’t feel like flirting; she didn’t even feel like being friendly, but she didn’t want to wait an hour for roadside assistance, either. She forced a smiled.

  “We’ve run into a little car trouble.” Quinn leaned against the back of the Mustang and pointed down.

  Aaron let out a low whistle.

  Marcus bent to inspect the gash in the deflated tire. “Did your car lose a knife fight?”

  “More like it got screwed.” The rubber handle of the screwdriver thudded against the asphalt as she threw it down.

  “Whose Cheerios did you pee in this morning?” Marcus asked.

  “Whose do you think?”

  “Oh, She Who Must Not Be Named. That explains it.” Aaron ran a hand through his dark hair. “Do you have a spare?”

  Quinn nodded. “Sorry, I know it’s not your fault.” She hit the trunk icon on the key fob, opened it, and bent over to move the jumper cables and emergency kit out of his way.

  “I can do that.” Aaron reached for the lever to release the cover on the tire well and his chest grazed her shoulder, his breath warm on her neck. She blushed with the sudden thought of his lips on her skin.

  He brushed past her again, and she took a deep breath before sliding out of his way.

  “Give me a hand, Marcus.” He rolled the spare out, letting it bounce on the ground. “We’ll have you back on the road in ten minutes.” Aaron crouched to place the jack beneath the frame.

  “You don’t have to do that; roadside assistance is on the way.” She twined a strand of hair around her finger as she watched them work. She couldn’t help but notice how his jeans hugged in all the right places. He was cute, in a rugged, brooding musician type of way. Fit enough, but not overly muscled. Jeff would crush him on the field with one tackle.

  Aaron smiled up at her. She mirrored him then looked down and fumbled to pick up the screwdriver to keep from meeting his gaze. A nest of bees awakened in her stomach, buzzing with anger and confusion at her sudden interest in him. It’s not like she liked Aaron. What harm was there in checking out other guys? Guilt twisted in her gut. She still loved Jeff, and flirting with Aaron felt like a betrayal.

  Reese rolled her eyes. “Yeah, in an hour.”

  “An hour? That’s crazy,” Aaron said to Reese. “Call them back; tell them assistance has already arrived.” He pumped the jack with his foot.

  “Better do it quick, too. Aaron and I are faster than a pit crew at the Indy Five Hundred.”

  Aaron bent down again to help Marcus take the old tire off the rim. “Looks like multiple stab wounds. See?” He beckoned Reese to examine the tire.

  Quinn crossed her arms over her chest and gawked at her best friend as she crouched next to Aaron, knee touching knee, exchanging flirtatious grins. Didn’t he know it was Quinn’s car, not Reese’s? Annoyed at being left out, she squeezed between Reese and Aaron to get a better look. He smelled amazing—of citrus and mint, fresh from the shower.

  “Quinn?” Oh god, she was staring at him.

  “I better make that phone call.” She stood quickly and dropped her phone in the process, but Aaron caught it before it smashed against the asphalt. His fingers grazed hers when he gave it to her. She shivered and pulled her hand away. “Thanks.” She smiled. Simple chemistry, the laws of attraction, that’s all it was. She was single. She could still be in love with Jeff and find another guy attractive.

  “Are you sure this was Kerstin’s work?” Aaron asked Reese.

  “She saw Quinn talking to Jeff earlier.”

  Hello, I’m right here, Quinn thought as Aaron focused all his attention on Reese.

  “Oh.” Aaron stared at the ground.

  Marcus switched the flat for the new tire, holding it in place for Aaron while he tightened the bolts on the wheel. Marcus lowered the jack, and they loaded the ruined tire into the trunk.

  “That should do it,” Aaron said to Reese.

  Part of Quinn burned with jealousy. “You really didn’t have to do that, you know.” Quinn tried not to sound as annoyed as she felt. Even if he did like Reese and not her, it didn’t give him the right to be rude.

  Aaron shrugged. “It’s no problem.” He pulled a black plastic guitar pick from his pocket and rolled it between his fingers, avoiding eye contact.

  “Thanks.” Quinn picked up her bag and threw it in the backseat.

  “We’re heading over to Ray’s to grab a soda and some fries. Want to join us? Aaron’s buying,” Marcus said to Reese.

  “Thanks, but we’ve got a lot of homework to do.” Quinn jumped in before Reese could answer. The last thing she wanted was to spend her evening watching two guys fawning over her best friend while she sat like a fourth wheel.

  “Another time, maybe?” Reese opened the car door.

  “Saturday night. Eight-ish.” Marcus winked.

  “Another time was code for never.”

  “Your loss, there are plenty of ladies waitin’ in line for tickets to the Marcus love-fest.”

  “I’ve heard the reviews, I think I’ll pass.”

  “Oh, Reese, that hurt.”

  “It’s Teresa to you.”

  “But you said I could call you Reese.”

  Quinn watched Marcus and Reese banter while Aaron stared at her again. She dared a glance. His eyes caught hers, and heat rose in her cheeks. He frowned and looked away, breaking the connection.

  “Let’s go, lover boy.” Aaron grabbed Marcus by the arm and dragged him across the parking lot. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Bye.” Quinn wondered why he frowned and then wondered why she cared. She didn’t like him but couldn’t bear the thought of him not liking her. “Thanks again.”

  “Reese, you know you like me!” Marcus yelled across the parking lot as Aaron shoved him into the driver’s seat of the Jeep.

  “In your dreams!” Reese yelled back and slammed the car door, the final word on the matter. Then she let out a high-pitched girly squeal. “What a great guy!”

  Quinn started the engine and cut Reese a surprised glance. “Who? Marcus?”

  As if on cue, the white Jeep zoomed past them. Marcus honked and waved.

  Reese blushed. “No! Well, he is kind of cute, but too weird for me. I’m talking about Aaron.” Reese flipped up the passenger mirror and checked her hair.

  “He’s all right.”

  “All right? Have you met the guy?”

  Quinn turned right out of the lot, catching up w
ith the boys at a red light. Marcus danced inside the Jeep, rocking it back and forth. He sang to Aaron using his fist as a microphone. Aaron pushed his fist away but Marcus kept coming at him until Aaron finally gave in. He sang back, punctuating each word with an exaggerated arm movement.

  “I bet he has a sexy singing voice.” Reese sighed.

  The light turned green, and the boys turned left as the girls continued straight.

  Reese didn’t stop talking about Aaron the whole drive home. The way she gushed made Quinn roll her eyes. No guy was that great.

  “Twice in one day. You should have seen it. The way he ran, pushing people out of the way to catch you in his arms before you crashed to the floor.” Reese followed Quinn through her bedroom door and plopped into the wicker chair, folding both legs under her. “Like Superman or something. Wow! I wish a guy would do that for me.”

  “You’re exaggerating, Reese. Superman? Really.” Quinn tried to downplay the hero archetype in hope that Reese would stop talking about him.

  “Well, you didn’t see it. You were totally zonked. I mean with a capital Z. No one else even tried to help. We just stood there like idiots while Aaron jumped to action. And when you called out for Jeff—”

  “I did what?” Quinn’s blue eyes widened. “Please tell me I didn’t. You’re joking, right?”

  Reese held her left hand up and placed her right one over her heart. “I’d never joke about that.”

  “I really called for Jeff?”

  Reese nodded.

  Quinn flopped backwards onto the bed, covered her face with a pillow, and screamed. “I’m never going back to school.”

  “Don’t say that. I can’t make it through senior year without you. Besides, there weren’t that many people in the hall when you, you know, took your little nap.” Reese got up and rummaged through Quinn’s open closet.

  “Right, only a few dozen, plus Kerstin and Jeff. It might as well been the whole school.” Quinn raised herself onto her elbow. “Maybe there’s still a chance with Jeff. Did you see the green glow around him? Asking Aaron if he was my boyfriend? He couldn’t have been more jealous.”

  “Be real. If he wanted to be with you, nothing would stop him.” She pulled a shirt from the metal rod. “Hey, is this new?”

  Quinn nodded.

  “Cute.” Reese pressed the red peasant shirt with purple embroidery against her body. She examined herself in the full-length mirror, raising an eyebrow in contemplation. “This would be so cute with a denim mini. Anyway, he’s been nothing but a jerk. Forget him. Let Kerstin have him.”

  “Easier said than done.” Quinn joined Reese, sorting through the color-coded row of skirts. “Remember the first grade Halloween Carnival?”

  “Yeah, I puked all over your shoes after riding the Ferris wheel. Good times.”

  “Before that. Remember how Mrs. Jenkins dressed up as a witch and decorated the playhouse with spider webs and played that creepy music? You had to enter the house and take the candy from her bubbling cauldron. And that cackle. I was too scared to go in.”

  “She was scary enough without the costume. Sorry, go on.”

  “Jeff took my hand and told me not to be afraid. When I wouldn’t take the candy, he reached in to get the chocolate for me. He didn’t let go of my hand the whole night. He’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I want to hate him. I should hate him, but I still love him. I still feel like he’s going to walk through that door, grab me, and swing me around until we fall on the floor laughing. That he’s going to climb the tree outside my room and bring me pizza and mint chocolate ice cream when I’ve had a bad day. My head knows he’s with Kerstin now, but my heart can’t accept it. He’s my phantom limb.” She pulled a denim mini from the hanger and handed it to Reese. “I’m damn mad. At him, at Kerstin. I’m hurting more than you know. But honestly, if he came over and begged for my forgiveness, wanted to get back together, I would. I can’t just forget a lifetime of memories.”

  “Well, it looks like he has.” Reese placed the skirt on the bed, shirt on top, and examined the outfit. “Not even a week after he breaks up with you, and he’s with Kerstin. He’s changed, Quinn. He’s been different since he got back from Mexico.” Grabbing a pair of red cowboy boots in the closet, she added them to the outfit on the bed, again standing back to study the possibilities.

  “I know. You’re right. But he actually spoke to me today. For the first time in two months he was the old Jeff. Caring, charming, we were getting close. He’s concerned. He almost kissed me until Kerstin interrupted us.”

  “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not allowed to even think about kissing him, getting close to him, or especially getting back with him. Not even if he videoed himself tattooing the words ‘I’m sorry Quinn, I’m an idiot for going out with Kerstin, I love you more than life itself’ on his derrière. Not after the pieces of Quinn I had to pick up when he wouldn’t return your calls. Or staying up all night with you crying after his own mother lied to you, saying he was out. And don’t get me started on that lame ass breakup text. A text! A lifetime of friendship, four years as his girlfriend, and he sends you a text. Pathetic.”

  “True. He should’ve had the guts to at least tell me to my face. And what a lame excuse! ‘I’m going through some personal stuff and need some space,’ my ass.”

  “Yeah, I can see how much space that bloodsucking leech is giving him,” Reese said. “I don’t think she even lets him pee without her permission. Anyway, I’ve picked a fashion hit for tomorrow. Sure to make any boy drool.”

  “Even Jeff?”

  “Any boy who hasn’t been lobotomized. That rules Jeff out. Try another boy. A boy whose name starts with an ‘A’.”

  “I don’t think I’m ready. Besides, I think he likes someone else.” Quinn smoothed the edge of the duvet with a hand.

  “Are you kidding? I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

  “And I’ve seen the way he looks at you,” Quinn mumbled.

  “What?” Reese burst out laughing. “Are you that out of practice that you don’t know how to read the signs anymore?”

  “I’m not convinced. And even if Aaron did like me, I couldn’t go out with him. I would be leading him on. That’s not right.”

  “I don’t think he would mind. If you ask me, Aaron’s the best way to get over Jerky McAss. Nobody said you had to marry him or even give him your heart. Besides, kissing him might distract you from the pain of your phantom limb.” Reese puckered her lips and made kissing noises.

  “Very funny.”

  “Hey, if you don’t want Aaron, can I go for it? I’m not nursing a broken heart.” She grinned. “But I’ll have to wear the outfit.”

  “I’ll think about it.” A pang of jealousy ran through her at the thought of Reese and Aaron together.

  “The outfit, or the boy?”

  “Both.” Quinn smoothed the wrinkles from the shirt with the palm of her hand. “I think Marcus likes you, and he’s cute.”

  “If you want Aaron, just say so. You don’t have to try and sell me on Marcus to distract me from your man.”

  Quinn looked away.

  “See. You know you like him. Don’t think I didn’t see you checking out his butt while he changed that tire.”

  “Fine. I admit it. He does have a nice rear.”

  “Doesn’t he? Seriously, you better make a move before someone snaps him up.” Reese’s phone beeped. “Oh, that’s my dad. He’s pulling into the driveway. See you tomorrow?”

  “I guess.”

  “You better be there.”

  “Do I have a choice? You’ve already chosen my outfit.” Quinn followed Reese down the stairs.

  “You better wear it.” Reese kissed Quinn on the cheek. “Later, chica.”

  Quinn waved as Reese got into the Audi, leaving the door open until the car was a black dot at the end of the street. If only Reese could have stayed all night, then she wouldn’t have to be alone, she wouldn’t have to face the rising fear
as bedtime approached.

  Locking the bottom lock, she engaged the deadbolt, and set the security alarm. A breeze shifted the branches outside, their leaves scraping the windowpane like claws on glass. She filled her lungs, breathing out to calm her heartbeat as she made her way around the living room, switching on every light.

  Quinn grabbed the TV remote, hit power, and the blank screen jumped to life. She tapped the volume five times, loud enough to drown out the silence, and plopped on the plush sofa. Hitting speed dial for Golden Dragon, she waited for the familiar voice on the other end.

  “One sweet and sour chicken, boiled rice, and egg rolls. That’s right. Number twenty-two. Twenty minutes? Yeah. Thanks.”

  Quinn flicked through the channels; the same reruns of old sitcoms filled the stations until prime time. Nothing new appeared on the OnDemand movie schedule. Her French and calculus homework lay untouched in her bag, along with her AP history essay marked with a red C-.

  She pulled her homework from her bag and spread it on the coffee table. Grades would be out in another two weeks, not much time left to turn her F into something passable. She started with a French conjugation exercise, but the words swirled on the page as the last bits of energy drained from her body.

  Forget it. There was always tomorrow. She flicked through the TV guide menu one more time, settling on a nature program for background noise. She tapped the screen of her smart phone and opened her text message menu. Jeff would be sitting down to dinner with his family right now. She missed meals with them.

  I MISS YOU.

  She deleted the words, closing the text box. Aaron’s smile popped into her head, and she wondered if he would be having dinner right now, too. Maybe she should take Reese’s advice. She tried to picture herself with Aaron, but her heart wouldn’t let go of Jeff. Not yet.

  Instead, she brought up her favorite game app and spent a few minutes matching up colored jewels to gain points. The repetition only made her sleepy. She put the phone down, peeled herself off the sofa, and did a few half-hearted jumping jacks to wake up. She startled at the sound of the doorbell.

  Quinn tipped the delivery boy generously, re-secured the house, and settled on the sofa for dinner. She took a few bites of chicken and poked holes in the sticky rice with a chopstick. In the background, a lioness stalked a sick impala. She yawned and pinched herself on the leg, the pain shooting a temporary rush of adrenaline into her body. She carried the takeout boxes to the kitchen and started the coffee pot. Less water, more grounds.