Corbin House Chronicles: Brotherhood Unbound

Chapter 29: Quinn Meets Up With Gentry

Trey stepped back into the frat house, mentally steadying himself as he saw Colt and Kellan lounging in the common room. They looked up as he entered, each raising a hand in casual greeting.

"Hey, man!" Kellan called out. "How was your day off?"

"Oh, you know, just the usual," Trey replied, keeping his tone light. He slid onto the couch beside them, intentionally avoiding any hint that anything was weighing on him. He didn't want to make a big deal about the fact that both he and Connor had been out with different people. They were friends, after all, and this was college. The last thing he wanted was unnecessary drama.

"So, any plans for tonight?" Colt asked, scrolling through his phone. "Kellan and I were thinking of ordering in and throwing on some old horror flicks."

"Sounds chill," Trey nodded, glancing toward the door, though he couldn't help but feel a pang of something—maybe jealousy, maybe frustration—as he thought about Connor.

As if on cue, the door opened, and Connor stepped inside, looking a little worn but carrying his usual easy-going confidence. His eyes scanned the room before landing on Trey. Connor's expression shifted, an almost imperceptible furrow in his brow as he registered that something seemed off with Trey.

"Hey, Trey," Connor greeted, keeping his tone casual, but the two exchanged a look that held an unspoken tension. Trey gave him a nod, but his eyes didn't quite meet Connor's, and his voice was clipped.

"Hey."

Connor raised an eyebrow, sensing the shift immediately. But before either of them could say anything, the sound of footsteps came from the hallway. Quinn appeared, yawning and stretching as he joined the group, rubbing his eyes as though he'd just woken up.

"What's up, guys?" he mumbled sleepily, smiling as he took in the sight of his friends gathered in the common area. But just as he started to settle in, his phone vibrated in his pocket. Glancing down, his face lit up.

"Blind date?" Colt teased with a grin, noticing the way Quinn's expression changed.

Quinn chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, sort of," he admitted, a hint of excitement in his tone. "Finally meeting up with Gentry—the guy I told you about?"

"Oh, the one with the killer smile and musical talent?" Kellan said with a playful nudge, and Quinn grinned, not denying it.

"Yeah, that's the one," Quinn replied. "He's a bartender, studies psych, and apparently he used to be a quarterback in high school. And yeah, he's got this smile that just...I don't know, you guys. I'm actually kind of nervous." He laughed, a little embarrassed to admit it.

"Just be yourself, Quinn," Trey said, smiling. "If he's into you, it'll work out."

"Thanks, Trey. Wish me luck," Quinn replied, and with that, he was out the door, looking noticeably lighter as he headed off to meet Gentry.

The evening air was warm as Quinn made his way to the café where he'd agreed to meet Gentry. He took a deep breath, the nervous excitement bubbling up as he approached. And then he saw him—standing near the entrance, hands tucked into his pockets, Gentry gave Quinn a bright smile as soon as he spotted him.

"There you are!" Gentry's face lit up, and Quinn felt his heart skip a beat at the sight. With his youthful features and athletic build, Gentry was everything Quinn had imagined—and more. His sandy hair was slightly tousled, and his blue eyes sparkled under the streetlights, creating an easy charm that was magnetic.

"Hey!" Quinn replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Glad we finally get to meet."

"Same here," Gentry said, holding out a hand to shake before pulling Quinn into a brief, friendly hug. The easy, friendly nature of the greeting helped put Quinn at ease.