Grinning, she wiggled her eyebrows at me. “He likes you, you know? He never left your side in the hospital.”
“Oh...” I stuttered, my eyes looking anywhere but at her. “I didn’t realize.” I knew Brody had been in my room a lot after I’d woken up, but it was news to me he’d been there while I was unconscious.
“I’ve never seen him so taken with a girl before and believe me when I say there have been plenty,” she said flippantly. Her eyes met mine and she must have seen the look on my face. “Oh God. That makes him sound horrible,” she said hurriedly, her hand landing on my arm. “I didn’t mean it like that. I mean, he dates a lot, but there has never been anyone special.” She was talking fast, and I could tell she was trying to cover up that she had basically just told me her brother was some sort of serial dater.
Standing up, I laughed awkwardly as I started to flick through the clothes hanging on the rails above our heads. Not wanting her to see my face when I blatantly lied to her, I concentrated on the clothes in front of me. “Oh, Brody’s nice, but he’s not really my type. I’m not looking for any sort of relationship anyway.”
“Okay.” The amusement in her voice told me she knew I was lying through my teeth. Part of my statement was true. I wasn’t looking for a relationship. In fact, with all the crap going on in my life at the moment, a relationship was the last thing I was looking for. But to say Brody wasn’t my type was a load of garbage. I’d only had a couple boyfriends in school, so couldn’t really claim to have a “type.” I knew if I did though, Brody would be my perfect choice. He was gorgeous.
Eager to change the subject, I held up a jean skirt. “Can I try this on?” She nodded enthusiastically.
“Definitely! And these boots would look amazing with it.” She grabbed a pair of red leather cowboy boots from one of the boxes surrounding her, handing them to me. “Could you help me up? I’m a little bit like a beached whale, stuck down here?” She laughed.
I held my hand out to her and pulled her up to standing. “You do not look like a beached whale, you look beautiful.” She blew me a kiss and pulled a red top off one of the rails.
“Put this with the skirt and boots. I’ll wait in the bedroom while you get changed.” She handed me the top and left the dressing room, closing the door behind her.
Looking around I saw a chair in the corner of the closet. Dumping everything on it, I removed my clothes, the smell of smoke still lingering. Standing there in just my underwear, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror on the back wall. I slowly traced my finger along the small scar low down on my abdomen. The scar was a constant reminder that my mom didn’t make it, despite my best efforts to save her. I hated looking at it because I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d still be alive if she'd agreed to let me help her earlier. I knew I was never going to know the answer, it was just one big game of “what if.” I was pulled from my thoughts by a knock on the door.
“Quinn, is everything okay? You’ve been a while,” Savannah called out from the other side of the door. I must have zoned out for longer than I’d thought.
“Erm… yes. Sorry, I’m nearly done.” I grabbed the skirt and top from the chair and quickly slipped them on. The top was a little more fitted than I was used to, and it hugged my curves more than I’d have liked. The skirt fit perfectly though and skimmed my legs mid-thigh. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d worn a skirt. I was usually a jeans and Converse type of girl. Looking in the mirror though, I could get used to wearing more skirts. As for the cowboy boots, I’d never even tried a pair on. Quickly pulling them on, I took another glance in the mirror before opening the dressing room door. Savannah was perched on the edge of the bed waiting for me.
“Wow, Quinn. You look hot! My clothes look way better on you than they ever did on me.” She eased herself up off the bed and came to stand in front of me.
“I doubt that very much,” I scoffed. Even at nearly eight months pregnant Savannah was stunning. My mom was always telling me how beautiful I was, but I never really took much notice. All moms thought their children were beautiful, didn’t they? Surely it was a pre-requisite for being a mom? I wasn’t stick thin like most of the girls I’d been at school with, with my curves and a decent-size butt. I’d never had much attention from the boys, only dating occasionally. So I'd never thought guys saw me as attractive, which was why I was convinced someone as hot as Brody would never be interested. I was just me and I was happy with that.
“Do you think this top is a bit tight?” I wasn’t used to wearing anything this fitted. I was unsure if my curves could pull it off.
“No. It’s perfect. Brody is going to lose his shit!”
“What? Why?”
“Are you kidding? He couldn’t take his eyes off you when you were wearing smelly smoke-covered jeans and a hoody, let alone now when you’re wearing that!”
“Maybe I should just put some jeans on.”
“Don’t you dare. You look great. Now let’s go downstairs. I’m guessing dinner is nearly done and I’m starving.” She took my arm, propelling me through the doorway and into the hall before I could start to protest. I couldn’t even begin to process what she’d just said about Brody. I chose to ignore it, knowing she couldn’t possibly be right.
“Hey.” I tugged on her arm so she stopped walking. “I thought you said on the porch that my clothes didn’t smell bad?” I asked, replaying in my mind what she’d said to me.
“We’d only just met. I couldn’t really stand there and tell you how badly you smelled. I figured a little white lie would make you feel better. No one wants to know they stink.” She shrugged her shoulders before bursting out laughing.
I stared open-mouthed at her retreating back as she made her way downstairs. “Well thanks… I think,” I told her before I too burst out laughing and followed her.
Brody
We’d been sitting in the den for about thirty minutes, watching some shitty movie while we waited for Savannah and Quinn to come downstairs. Mom and Dad were in the kitchen making dinner, and Mason had just texted to say he and Lib were on their way over. I absentmindedly flicked the ring pull on my soda can. It was hard to believe that just over twenty-four hours ago we’d sat in this same room not realizing the hell that was about to unfold in the stables.
“Looks like the girls are done,” Josh said as laughter echoed down the stairs. “I thought they’d be up there hours. You know how Sav gets when clothes are involved.”
“I know how obsessed with cowboy boots she is. I carried box after box of them over to the cottage when she moved out. After the amount of shit I moved, I can’t believe she even has any clothes left here.” I groaned remembering the countless trips I’d made carrying her stuff between the house and the cottage.
“Brody Parker, are you moaning about helping your favorite sister move hershit, as you put it?” Savannah asked as she breezed into the room, dropping down onto Josh’s lap.
I rolled my eyes and looked away when she kissed him. “You’re my only sister, Savannah. And for God's sake cut it out! I don’t need to see that and you're probably gonna break the dude's legs,” I joked as I watched my heavily pregnant sister and my best friend make out. She pulled a face at me and laughed, giving Josh a final peck on the lips before moving to his side on the couch.
“Come in, Quinn,” she said looking past me. I turned to see Quinn standing awkwardly in the doorway. My eyes travelled the length of her body and my mouth went dry. She was wearing cowboy boots and a short denim skirt, her toned legs on display. Her red top hugged her body in all the right places, making her tits look amazing.