“Never mind.” Whistling, she looks out the window. “I know nothing.”
Which means she most definitely does.
Staring her down, I place my hands on my hips. “Spill it.”
Her voice drops to a whisper. “Okay, so according to the conversation I overheard Memphis having with Storm, Gwen’s PR company wants him to pop the question soon since it will look bad for her if he doesn’t.”
Oh boy.
Without stopping for air, she adds, “Memphis wants to do it too, since they’re having a kid and stuff.” She rolls her eyes. “Even though Storm told him it was a terrible idea.”
I wholeheartedly agree with Storm.
This whole thing seems to be going from bad to worse for poor Skylar.
Which is all the more reason I need her to take her fascination with Gwen down a few notches. I’m leaving in six days, which means I can’t run interference when Quinn starts going all fangirl…or be there for Skylar afterward.
“Listen, Quinn. I really need you to stop talking about Gwyneth so much.”
She huffs in irritation. “Why?”
Ugh. How the hell am I going to make her understand without telling her the actual reason?
“Sometimes people just don’t click, you know? And hearing someone else talk about them incessantly in front of you can be a little…frustrating.”
Her mouth drops open in shock. “You don’t like Gwen? Who wouldn’t like Gwen?”
Shit on a stick.
“Uh…well—”
“I don’t,” Phoenix interjects as he breezes through the door connecting our rooms.
I could kiss him for coming to my rescue.
Quinn turns her frustration on her brother. “Why? What did she ever do to you?”
Phoenix crosses his arms. “She’s a snob and a bitch. She’s also fake as fuck.”
Quinn stomps her foot. “She is not.”
“Have a conversation with her when the cameras aren’t around.” His gaze sharpens. “So, do us all a solid and shut the fuck up about her. It’s creepy and annoying.”
“Phoenix,” I hiss when Quinn’s face falls.
I mean, he’s not wrong, but he didn’t have to be so mean about it.
Then again, that’s Phoenix.
Remorse flashes across his face and he tousles her hair. “Come on, weirdo. There’s a Waffle House next door. I’ll buy you breakfast.”
Quinn’s intrigued, but she isn’t quite ready to cave just yet.
She’s waiting for her big brother to sweeten the pot.
“And some of that shit for your face,” Phoenix grunts.
Makeup. He means makeup.
Quinn smiles from ear to ear. “Deal.” She looks at me. “You coming?”
I hold up my phone. “Can’t. I want to call Mrs. Palma before the concert tonight.”
Quinn grabs her purse off the bed. “More for us.”
Phoenix follows her to the door, but the moment she’s out of the room, he turns back.
I barely have time to blink before his lips are on mine, kissing me like I’m the air he needs to breathe.
“What was that for?”
Not that I’m complaining.
“You looked like you wanted to do that when I walked in.” The corner of his mouth tugs up. “You’re welcome.”
My scowl is playful. “Ass.”
He starts to leave, but I pull him back. “Hold on. I need a favor.”
“I’ll give you my dick when I get back. I need some sustenance first.”
I roll my eyes. “Not your dick, jackass. A real favor.”
His brows knit. “What’s up?”
I’m in a tough spot since I can’t disclose much to him either.
“I need you to look after Skylar while I’m gone. She’s going through some stuff and I’m worried about her.”
“If you’re that worried, you should come to Europe with us.”
I break eye contact. “You know I can’t.”
For so many reasons.
“Right,” he bites out.
A knot forms in my chest. “Don’t ruin what little time we have left, okay?”
It will be easier to expunge him from my system if I don’t hate him with every fiber of my being again when we say goodbye.
“I’ll look after Skylar.” His knuckles drift along my cheekbone. “And I’ll bring you back breakfast.”
Instinctively, I lean into his touch. “Thanks.”
“But I want something in return.”
Of course he does. “Let me guess, a blow job?”