"Why?" I asked. "Why do you think you have to stay here? I know they are your parents and I know you love them."
"And I owe them," she said.
"Not as much as you owe it to yourself to live your own life."
Quinn stepped back and crossed her arms. When she turned to face me, her eyes flashed. "And how am I supposed to do that?" she asked.
"By leaving here. By telling your parents that you quit the nursing program. Go out and find what you want to do. I know of a job. You'd be an amazing Beta Tester. Your win at the tournament and a recommendation from me would get it for you, no problem," I said.
"So, that's it?" Quinn asked. "I ask how I'm supposed to live my own life and you have an answer all ready? You even have a job lined up for me. Tell me, Owen, if I jumped from my parents’ house to your apartment and this whole vision you have for me, is that really living my own life?"
"That's not what I'm saying, Quinn." I reached for her, but she stepped back farther. "I saw what you were like in Vegas at the tournament. That's what I want for you. That freedom and self-confidence."
"Why does everyone think they know how to live my life better than I do?" she asked. "Everyone around the table tonight. Trent, my father, you, and probably even that poor Nicky. And Sienna sure thought she could live my life better, but now she's dead."
I dropped my hands. "You're right, Quinn. I'm sorry. It’s up to you. I just hope I get to be part of it."
Chapter Twelve
Owen
I left Quinn's parents' house and headed home. It took a long time sitting in my car in the driveway before I went inside.
"Something wrong with your car, man?" Jasper asked. "You started it like five times and then it turned off."
"No, it’s fine," I said. My roommate was the last person I wanted to talk to about Quinn. "Did you get the dream job?"
"Yeah, it's all lined up and it’s going to be sweet," Jasper said. "In fact, I'm going out to schmooze with a few of my new colleagues now. Wanna come?"
"No thanks."
Jasper breezed by me and out the door, leaving a strange odor behind him. I glanced at the kitchen, but the last time Jasper had cooked was over a year ago. Something smelled burnt, but it was too faint to make it out.
I had just slumped down on the couch when my phone rang. I strangled it for a moment. It wasn't Quinn, it was Scottie. I debated and then decided that he might cheer me up. No one had more problems with relationships than Scottie. He and Alison had been on and off for eight years. No matter the constant drama, they could not keep their hands off each other.
"She leave you again?" I asked.
"Owen, glad you're home. Alison left me again. Wait, how did you know?" Scottie asked.
"I took a Premonition Potion."
"Yeah, well, if those worked, I would have known in Vegas that she was only going to mess me up again," Scottie said.
"So what are you going to do now?"
Scottie always had a bold new plan. "I'm starting over. Making a fresh start. Finding a whole new world, fresh blood, all that. Hey, I hear there's a party over at Winton's. Wanna go?"
"Winton's a gamer. We've played with him for the last six years. How is a party at his place going to be a fresh start?" I asked.
"I dunno, he invited a bunch of newbies," he said.
The thought of Quinn made me cringe. "I don't know if I can tonight."
"You have to, Owen. Come on, I can't go if I don't have a wingman, and I have to go. I need this," he said.
I looked around my empty apartment. Anything was better than seeing reminders of Quinn everywhere. She needed her space, and I was determined to give it to her.
A half an hour later, and we were trapped in the entryway of Winton's condo. Someone had called in when they saw me get out of the car. The door was packed with newbies. Some wanted autographs, some wanted gaming tips, and everyone wanted to snap a picture with me.