Hot Mess (LBSC #1) | Completed

Chapter 2

"Are you sure I look okay?" I asked Zoey as we walked up to Tumbleweeds, a local country western bar. I tugged on the hem of the stretchy, floral-print skater dress I'd borrowed from her.

Zoey yawned. "You look great. It's a nice change from those ratty sweatshirts and leggings you always wear. It's good to see you in something form-fitting."

"My sweatshirts are not ratty! I'll have you know that as soon as I find a hole I send it off to Grandma Lucy for her to patch it up. You're just jealous."

Zoey rolled her eyes. "Yeah, that's it. Jealous." She yawned again.

"Hey! None of that. We haven't even found Quinn yet!"

"Look at this huge line," Zoey said. "I don't know if I'll be able to stay awake long enough to get to the front of it."

"Zoey Elaine McCann, don't you dare flake out on me now. We're already here. I'm sure we'll make it inside in no time."

I clutched the sweatshirt I'd brought for Quinn tighter in my hand, hoping I was right; I really didn't want to miss any of his set. I wanted to be right in front of the stage when he inevitably told the crowd he wanted to dedicate a song to me so I'd be in the perfect position for the spotlight to find me.

I eyed the rest of the women in line with distaste. Something told me I was going to have to throw some 'bows to make it to the front of the audience. But that was okay, I was prepared. I'd made sure to wear my denim jacket with the suede elbow patches for that very reason. Everybody knew you didn't want to mess with somebody wearing suede elbow patches.

Just as we were about to take our places at the end of the line behind two girls in hot pants, matching exposed thongs, and Uggs, even though it had to be below sixty degrees outside, a door on the side of the building opened and Quinn appeared. The streetlamp above gave him a golden halo. I immediately grabbed Zoey's arm.

"There he is!" I hissed, careful to pretend like I hadn't seen him. "Should I go over to him? Should I call out? Should I just ignore him? Oh my God, is my hair a total frizz-fest?"

"Don't look now, but he's coming this way," Zoey said in a low voice.

I started to turn my head over my shoulder and she squeezed my arm in a death grip. "What are you doing?! I just told you not to look!"

I gave her a look. "How long have we been best friends?" I asked. "You know if you tell me not to do something I'm going to immediately do it."

"So, you're saying if I tell you not to pay rent on time, it'll actually happen?" Zoey asked, one perfect blonde eyebrow raised.

"Not so much," I answered as I felt a light tap on my shoulder.

I turned around expectantly with what I hoped was a coy smile. "Quinn, hi!"

"Reese, I'm so glad you could make it!" He wrapped me in a bear hug, then pulled back, leaving me surrounded in a cloud of musky cologne.

Quinn waved at Zoey. "Good to see ya. Haven't seen you at the bar in a while."

Zoey gave him a tired smile. "You know what they say about us med students–all work, no play."

"Well, thanks for coming!" Quinn focused those stormy-day eyes back on me and grinned. His face was even scruffier than the night before, and I wanted to reach out and caress his cheek–I had a serious weakness for the disheveled look.

I thrust out the sweatshirt I'd brought for him. "Here."

"Oh, thanks! I totally forgot I asked you about that." Quinn accepted the sweatshirt and slung it over one shoulder. "You guys don't have to stand in line; you're with the band. Follow me."