“While his sister is dying?”
“You said I wasn’t gonna die!” Quinn screeches.
The high-pitched sound is a million times worse than nails on a chalkboard and there’s a collective wince.
“Will you shut the fuck up?” Storm roars so loud the windows rattle. “Some of us need our ears to make a living.”
Then maybe he shouldn’t be screaming.
Quinn pales and a tremor racks her small frame. “S-s-s-orry.”
If Quinn wasn’t holding both my hands, I’d use one of them to bitch-slap the hell out of Storm. “Are you forgetting what kind of house she grew up in, dickhead? There’s no need to yell at her. Ever. Especially while she’s having a medical emergency.”
His expression softens. “I…fuck. My bad, Juvie.”
But Quinn won’t look at him. Can’t say I blame her. I don’t want to look at him either.
“It’s gonna be okay, honey,” I whisper. “The ambu—”
The door swings open and Phoenix charges inside.
I spring up. “Where have you been? Quinn is—”
I don’t have a chance to finish that statement because he seizes my face and kisses me.
What the hell?
His hand slips to the back of my neck and he runs his tongue along the seam of my lips, urging me to part them for him.
That’s when I shove him.
“Are you and Storm smoking from the same bong? Your sister’s appendix just burst. The ambulance is taking forever to get here and instead of worrying about that, you’re kissing me?”
Phoenix’s lips twitch. “Quinn’s fine.”
“What are you talking about? She’s not fine. She’s—”
“Actually, I am. Phoenix told us to distract you so you wouldn’t leave.” Quinn gets off the bed. “Sorry.”
I recoil as a slew of emotions filter through me. Obviously, I’m relieved Quinn isn’t dying, but I was really scared.
Sensing this, Quinn wraps her arms around me. “Please don’t hate me.”
I hug her back, even though I’m still on edge about the whole thing. “I could never hate you. I’m glad you’re okay, but please don’t ever do that to me again.”
“Our little actress deserves an Oscar,” Skylar says. “I had to keep reminding myself she was fine.”
Quinn smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Thanks. I’m gonna go downstairs and get a snack.”
Before anyone can stop her, she bolts out of the room.
Skylar starts to go after her, but Storm beats her to it. “I got this.”
As he should. Because I wasn’t the only one who was scared during this whole ordeal.
I smack Phoenix’s arm. “I can’t believe you made your sister fake a medical emergency just so I’d stay.”
On second thought, I can. He’s relentless.
He lifts his hands. “Trust me, that was all Quinn. She concocted that plan by herself.”
That I can also believe.
I walk over to my suitcase and zip it. “Well, since most of you are here, I should probably start saying my goodbyes now.”
“Not so fast,” Chandler says as he zips into the room. “After careful consideration, I’ve decided to renege my previous request for your dismissal.”
“English, motherfucker,” Memphis grunts.
Irritation crosses over his face. “Lennon, or should I say Yoko. You’re no longer fired.”
Phoenix clears his throat.
“And I sincerely apologize for insinuating you were stupid, weak, and not an asset to this team.”
Needless to say, we’re all floored. However, it’s Memphis who says what everyone’s thinking.
“Damn. Did it hurt when Phoenix ripped your balls off and handed them to his girl?”
Okay, so I wasn’t thinking that, but it’s clear this was all Phoenix’s doing.
“Are you gonna stay?” Skylar questions, her pretty face filled with hope.
I start to answer, but Phoenix curls his hands around my hips.
“Yeah, she is.”
Then he closes the distance between us and kisses me.
Making a low noise in his throat, his fingers thread my hair and he parts my lips with his tongue. My pulse spikes as he delves inside my mouth with fiery strokes that make me feel like I’m floating. A gruff sound leaves him, and his hands travel down my back until he’s squeezing my ass.
“Don’t forget to use one of these,” Memphis says before something hits the back of my head.