Seeking Escape

38. Plan B

*** Quinn's POV ***

"Quinn? What are you doing here?"

My mom popped her head into my old bedroom. I was sleeping in my boxers and pulled the blanket around me quickly. I burrowed into the blankets. "Later. I need sleep."

The next thing I knew I was stripped of the warm comfort of the blanket. "Now Quinn!"

I groaned and sat up, unequivocally disintetested in sharing my predicament with her. But I knew she wouldn't relent until I told her. "I think Joyce betrayed my trust."

"Impossible. What makes you think that?" She responded dismissively.

My blood boiled. "I think I'd know, Mom. Something that I told her and only her got back to someone else."

"Well I'm sure she didn't mean to." Mom continued to defend her.

"You're not helping." I hissed.

"Bullshit. I'm helping you sort through it. Something tells me that you jumped to conclusions without talking to her. Grow up." She didn't mince her words.

"Maybe you should stay out of it." I grumbled.

"Fine. Then get out of my house. You aren't hiding out here if you're going to be an idiot about this." Mom stated firmly.

"Why are you just assuming she's right and I'm wrong?" I whined.

"Because I don't want you ruining your relationship with that girl because you don't know how to be in one. You can be mad at her, but don't punish her by avoiding her. It will only make matters worse." She explained.

"Fuck." I groaned. She had a point. Was this an offense that I was willing to lose Joyce over? Probably not. I know she didn't maliciously tell Neil my secret. Heck maybe it was even time for that secret to come out of the closet. Mir didn't even seem as upset as I would have expected.

"What's it going to be, neanderthal?" Mom pressed with a raised eyebrow.

"A few more hours of sleep and then I'll head home to talk it out with her?" I slept for shit last night. I pulled the blanket back to me.

"Try again." She said coldly, ripping the blankets away from me.

"Fuck, Ma. You're brutal." I growled, swinging my legs out of bed.

"I'm wise AF. You'll appreciate that once you rekindle things with your girl. Now get up. It's already late." She coached.

It was 10:50. I glanced at my phone and saw I had two messages. It was selfish, but I kinda hoped at least one was from Joyce. I was rewarded for my idiot thought, but instantly felt guilty that I left her hanging. Especially on top of the heavy shit we went through yesterday morning. Fuck, I hadn't even thought about that part of all this. I let my ego get in the way.

I checked the second message.

Neil: Don't be mad at her. I was the dumb ass. And I'm sorry. I take all responsibility.

I shook my head and laughed at the irony. Neil wanted Joyce. He should be pleased to have us at odds, but here he was pleading Joyce's case. I should help that guy check something off his bucket list. Maybe he could be an extra in one of the films I direct.

I pushed Joyce's number and listened to the phone ring. She picked up on the third ring. "Hi Quinn."

"Hi Joyce. Are you still at my place?" I asked, climbing out of bed and starting to get dressed.