Indefinite (Salvation #6)(37)

No matter which way one person turns, the other has already anticipated that move. It seems I caught him off guard for the first time.

“And I believed that. I thought the team is what made me who I am, and now I see that’s not the case.”

“All it took was an IED to make you see it . . .”

I roll my eyes. “You about done being a dick?”

He shrugs. “Maybe. It’s too easy when it comes to you.”

Natalie slaps his arm. “Stop it. If this were me, what would you do to win me back?”

This should be good.

Liam releases a heavy sigh. “Everything. I would stop at nothing until I had you where you belong—with me.”

Her eyes go soft. “Exactly. So, how about you stop giving him so much crap and actually help him out?”

I think I just fell in love with Natalie.

Liam goes quiet, and knowing him as well as I do, I know he’s trying to find the words in the best way to tell me to give up. “Listen, man, I know you love her. I feel for you on a deep brotherhood level there. When you know that she’s the girl for you, it’s impossible to let that go. I think the way you’re doing it isn’t working. Getting out is a start, but . . . if we were in the trenches, what would you do? How would you get yourself out of the place you’ve pinned yourself?”

I think about it in a different way. If I were in a tactical situation and the enemy line was holding strong and there were no weaknesses, I’d adapt. There’s always a way, it’s finding the method of achieving success that is the tricky part.

“I need to change my plan.”

“Yeah, that’s a start.”

“I need to prove it and not by pissing her off.”

“Another good idea. One more, and we might have ourselves a miracle.”

I ignore the asshole’s comment. What can I do? What is it that she needs? “She wanted me to choose her, let her into my life. All she ever wanted was to matter.”

He clears his throat and fake cries. “My little boy is growing up.”

“Fuck off.”

“I’m glad you’re pulling your head out of your ass, Quinn. Now, figure out how to show her that, and you might just get your girl back.”

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m going to do.





19


Ashton





I called out of work today, which is a rarity for me, but I need a mental health day after Gretchen left last night. I’m still reeling from the news that I’m with child—Quinn’s child—and decided sleeping in and trying to get my head together was necessary. Normally, I would head to Jersey and see my parents when trying to hide, but that didn’t work out too well last time, so today, I’m going to embrace my city. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten to do any of the Manhattan type things.

Since my entire life is filled with the daily sightings that most people come here for, I tend to forget to stop and appreciate them.

I’m going to change that. Besides, the sunshine and fresh air might help me make sense of the muddled crap inside my brain.

I open the door to my apartment, and there is a huge vase filled with red roses. I lean down and grab the card.



Fragolina, Roses are red, just like your head. If you could forgive me, I’d take you to bed.



I burst out laughing. Only Quinn would freaking leave a card like that.

Adorable idiot, but still.

Once I bring the flowers inside, I grab my phone and send him a text. We should probably talk soon anyway.



Me: Thank you for the flowers and your offer for a repeat. I see you’re back in town.





Quinn: I owe you a lot more than flowers. I’m here, but I’ll keep my distance since that’s what you want.





Oh, Quinn, you have no idea how much that is going to change.

I know I need to tell him, but I’m not ready. I haven’t even grasped this entire thing. My head and my heart are at war, and soon enough, I know he and I will be as well.



Me: Okay. Well, thank you. Does this mean you’re leaving again soon?





Quinn: No.





That makes no sense.



Me: I don’t get it. If you’re going to keep your distance, then what exactly are you doing in New York?





Quinn: Exactly what I came to do, win your heart again.





My initial response is to tell him to give it up and that it’s never going to happen. Then there’s this other part of me that whispers how much I love him and that I’m unable to resist him. There’s a part of him that’s growing inside of me making my heart soften toward him.

Had he never come back, I could’ve gone on with everything. I would’ve had no issues navigating my decision to have a baby because, when we parted, that was it for me. Sure, I cried, hated him, went through all the stages of grief, but I was right at the beginning of acceptance.

But he did come back, and he got me pregnant, throwing all my plans to shit. What am I going to do now? I’ll have to see him. There’s no way Quinn will be an absentee father like his was. That man screwed with his head so much that he’s still recovering from it.