More Than This (21 page)
Authors: Shannyn Schroeder
“You want me to get you pregnant?”
“Not conventionally. You’d just give me sperm in a cup and the doctor will do the
rest. You wouldn’t have any other involvement.” Her stomach churned as she questioned
her sanity. Hadn’t she been afraid of losing him as a friend? Judging by the look
on his face, this was like a shove out the door.
rest. You wouldn’t have any other involvement.” Her stomach churned as she questioned
her sanity. Hadn’t she been afraid of losing him as a friend? Judging by the look
on his face, this was like a shove out the door.
“I don’t know what to say.”
She shrugged as if this was no big deal. “Don’t say anything. I know it’s a huge decision.
Will you give it some thought?”
Will you give it some thought?”
“Okay.” His phone rang and echoed from the bedroom upstairs. He groaned.
“Shouldn’t you answer that?”
“It’s probably my family.” He trailed more kisses down her neck.
The phone rang again. He lifted his head. “I guess I better get it. It might be Mary.
You can come to the bar and keep me company.”
You can come to the bar and keep me company.”
He doesn’t want to go.
“Thanks, but I have stuff to do here.”
“Thanks, but I have stuff to do here.”
He pulled away, his fingers lingering at the base of her skull. “Okay. You know where
to find me if you change your mind.”
to find me if you change your mind.”
She nodded, helpless to answer. He jogged upstairs to get the rest of his clothes
and she filled the sink with water. She was suddenly lost again in a field of sex
and friendship, not knowing which path to take. She feared she might’ve made a huge
mistake—maybe more than one.
and she filled the sink with water. She was suddenly lost again in a field of sex
and friendship, not knowing which path to take. She feared she might’ve made a huge
mistake—maybe more than one.
Quinn wiped her hands quickly on her shirt and picked up her cell phone. She sent
a brief text message to Indy.
a brief text message to Indy.
Had sex with Ryan. Help.
She turned on the radio and sunk her hands into the water. The song playing was familiar,
so she sang along and didn’t hear Ryan come back into the room.
so she sang along and didn’t hear Ryan come back into the room.
“You’re a good singer. You should’ve taken the stage.”
Her hands froze in the sudsy water. She’d never sung for anyone. Not since she was
a kid. Having Ryan walk in was like being caught dancing naked in her living room.
Her muscles filled with tension.
a kid. Having Ryan walk in was like being caught dancing naked in her living room.
Her muscles filled with tension.
Ryan came up behind her and rested his hands on her hips. He kissed the side of her
neck. The warmth of his hands spread across her hips to her center. She inhaled his
masculine scent and she relaxed. His kiss ended with a nip on her earlobe.
neck. The warmth of his hands spread across her hips to her center. She inhaled his
masculine scent and she relaxed. His kiss ended with a nip on her earlobe.
She almost leaned back into him, wanting more, but she stopped short. He needed to
leave. Their romp was fun, but over. They needed to get back to the real world.
leave. Their romp was fun, but over. They needed to get back to the real world.
“I’ll call you later.”
“Okay.” She didn’t turn around. If she did, she might ask him to take her back upstairs.
That would be a mistake.
That would be a mistake.
Right after the door closed, her cell phone chirped. A text from Indy.
R U Kidding?
She responded with a no.
B there soon.
Good. Indy to the rescue. She would know what to do and how to handle this. She knew
what to do with most men.
what to do with most men.
The enormity of Quinn’s request for his sperm weighed in Ryan’s chest. He had no idea
how to respond to her. He supposed if he had a really good friend who couldn’t get
pregnant, he might think about donating sperm, but this was weird. What would they
be? She didn’t want him to be the father; she’d said she only wanted sperm.
how to respond to her. He supposed if he had a really good friend who couldn’t get
pregnant, he might think about donating sperm, but this was weird. What would they
be? She didn’t want him to be the father; she’d said she only wanted sperm.
He looked at his phone. For a change it hadn’t been his family who had interrupted
his day, but Mary, at the bar. Ryan called to find out what emergency needed his attention.
Couldn’t he even get one afternoon away?
his day, but Mary, at the bar. Ryan called to find out what emergency needed his attention.
Couldn’t he even get one afternoon away?
“O’Leary’s.”
“Hey, Mary, what’s up?”
“Oh, thank God it’s you. I’ve got a bar full of people talking about getting free
drinks. I have no idea where they came from. They say they’re participating in a pub
crawl and they were promised a free drink with the flyer.”
drinks. I have no idea where they came from. They say they’re participating in a pub
crawl and they were promised a free drink with the flyer.”
“What pub crawl?” he asked as he got into his car.
“Your guess is as good as mine, but the natives are getting restless. What do you
want me to do?”
want me to do?”
“Shit. Offer them all a free beer. Nothing else. Tell them there was a mistake on
the flyer. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He stepped on the gas. This had Colin’s
name all over it. He said he wanted to learn the business. What bullshit.
the flyer. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He stepped on the gas. This had Colin’s
name all over it. He said he wanted to learn the business. What bullshit.
Pushing through the front door, he couldn’t believe the crowd. He got behind the bar
and asked Mary, “How’s it going?”
and asked Mary, “How’s it going?”
“Most are pissed that I’m only pouring beer, but they’re taking it. What the heck’s
going on with this? How am I supposed to set up for tomorrow with this crowd? I was
counting on the usual business tonight.”
going on with this? How am I supposed to set up for tomorrow with this crowd? I was
counting on the usual business tonight.”
He patted her arm. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you set up. This won’t last long.”
She moved away to continue to gather flyers and pour beer. They worked side by side
for an hour before the crowd dwindled. Grabbing one of the flyers, he leaned against
the register.
for an hour before the crowd dwindled. Grabbing one of the flyers, he leaned against
the register.
N
EW
A
DDITION TO THE
P
UB
C
RAWL.
F
INISH YOUR NIGHT AT
O’L
EARY’S.
F
LYER ENTITLES HOLDER TO ONE FREE DRINK.
EW
A
DDITION TO THE
P
UB
C
RAWL.
F
INISH YOUR NIGHT AT
O’L
EARY’S.
F
LYER ENTITLES HOLDER TO ONE FREE DRINK.
He eyed Mary. She looked beat. Her shift had ended a while ago, but as usual, she
stayed because he needed her. “Have you seen Colin?”
stayed because he needed her. “Have you seen Colin?”
She stopped wiping down the bar. “I think he’s in the back room. He was here earlier,
but I haven’t seen him in a while.”
but I haven’t seen him in a while.”
“Okay. Go home. Tomorrow’s a big day. Jenna can handle the bar.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Ryan walked around the bar and headed toward the back. If Colin wasn’t still there,
he’d track him down. Luckily, he didn’t have to look far. Sitting at a table, surrounded
by drunks, his brother waved to him.
he’d track him down. Luckily, he didn’t have to look far. Sitting at a table, surrounded
by drunks, his brother waved to him.
“Hey, Ry. Great crowd tonight, huh?”
“Yeah, great.” He nodded to the other guys at the table. “Can I see you in the office
for a minute?”
for a minute?”
“Sure.” Colin slid from his seat and loped toward him. It seemed the man had only
one speed—snail.
one speed—snail.
Once in the office, Ryan began to pace, trying to rein in his temper.
“What’s up?”
Ryan held out the crumpled flyer. “What do you know about this?”
“Last night I heard about this pub crawl that was starting at McGuff’s. It’s a tour
of Irish pubs in the area. People were going from bar to bar. I asked around and thought
it would be a good way to drum up business for a slow Monday night. I met the crawlers
at McGuff’s and handed out the flyers to bring them here.”
of Irish pubs in the area. People were going from bar to bar. I asked around and thought
it would be a good way to drum up business for a slow Monday night. I met the crawlers
at McGuff’s and handed out the flyers to bring them here.”
Ryan inhaled deeply. His brother had been trying to do something good. He couldn’t
help that he was selfish and didn’t think before he acted. “You should’ve checked
with me first.”
help that he was selfish and didn’t think before he acted. “You should’ve checked
with me first.”
“I get that this is
your
bar. But it’s a family business. I took some initiative. What’s the big freakin’
deal?”
your
bar. But it’s a family business. I took some initiative. What’s the big freakin’
deal?”
“The big deal is that you brought a ton of people into the bar without warning, offering
them free drinks. At the
end
of a pub crawl. These people only showed for the free drink. It’s a Monday night.
They have to work tomorrow. They’re not staying and spending their money. They took
their free drink and left. By my estimation, you just cost me money.”
them free drinks. At the
end
of a pub crawl. These people only showed for the free drink. It’s a Monday night.
They have to work tomorrow. They’re not staying and spending their money. They took
their free drink and left. By my estimation, you just cost me money.”
Colin’s face dropped.
“This is exactly what got you into trouble with Dad. You don’t think. You just do
whatever the fuck sounds good. You said you wanted to learn the business. Here’s your
first lesson—in order to make money, you can’t give away the product.” He turned and
sat on the edge of his desk.
whatever the fuck sounds good. You said you wanted to learn the business. Here’s your
first lesson—in order to make money, you can’t give away the product.” He turned and
sat on the edge of his desk.
“I was trying to help. Mondays are slow. I thought bringing in more customers would
be a good thing.”
be a good thing.”
“If they were spending money, it would’ve been good. Now in addition to losing money
and pissing people off because they got a free beer instead of whatever top-shelf
liquor they thought they were going to get, Mary’s exhausted and she’s got to set
up for her speed dating tomorrow night.”
and pissing people off because they got a free beer instead of whatever top-shelf
liquor they thought they were going to get, Mary’s exhausted and she’s got to set
up for her speed dating tomorrow night.”
Colin shoved his hands in his pockets, not making a move toward the door.
“Go home. I have a bar to run.”
“I’ll help. What do you need me to do?”
“You’ve done enough.” Ryan was suddenly exhausted. He scrubbed a hand over his face
as he watched Colin leave. He couldn’t keep cleaning up after Colin. Part of him wished
Colin had stayed wherever he’d been. At the rate things were going, he’d never be
able to have his own life; he’d be too busy fixing Colin’s screw-ups.
as he watched Colin leave. He couldn’t keep cleaning up after Colin. Part of him wished
Colin had stayed wherever he’d been. At the rate things were going, he’d never be
able to have his own life; he’d be too busy fixing Colin’s screw-ups.
CHAPTER 13
Q
uinn finished washing dishes and went to check her e-mail while she waited for Indy.
Three notices from her online profile. She could potentially set up three more dates.
The thought of the last one soured the idea.
uinn finished washing dishes and went to check her e-mail while she waited for Indy.
Three notices from her online profile. She could potentially set up three more dates.
The thought of the last one soured the idea.
One e-mail from Mr. Carlson asking her to stop by Tuesday, if at all possible. She’d
have to think about it. How bad could it be? Summer school hadn’t even been in session
for two weeks.
have to think about it. How bad could it be? Summer school hadn’t even been in session
for two weeks.
Another e-mail from O’Leary’s confirming her attendance plus one for speed dating
on Tuesday.
on Tuesday.
Her phone rang. The machine picked up. No message. Cell phone rang. Nick. She pushed
the phone to the side and resisted the urge to answer it.
the phone to the side and resisted the urge to answer it.
The doorbell rang less than a minute later. She debated answering it. She dialed Indy’s
number instead.
number instead.
“Why are you calling me? Buzz me in.”
Thank God. Quinn hit the buzzer and unlocked her front door. The landline rang again.
“Hey, babe. It’s me. We haven’t seen each other in a while. Thought maybe we could
get together. I miss you.”
get together. I miss you.”
Indy entered at the last sentence. “Please tell me that wasn’t Nick.”
Quinn nodded.
“At least you didn’t pick up. You’re improving.” She shut the door behind her and
kicked off her heels. She fell onto the couch. “Now tell me what happened.”
kicked off her heels. She fell onto the couch. “Now tell me what happened.”
Quinn curled up on the opposite end of the couch and told the story, beginning with
her photo shoot. Had it really been less than twelve hours ago? It seemed like weeks.
her photo shoot. Had it really been less than twelve hours ago? It seemed like weeks.
She offered only the briefest highlights of the phenomenal sex, but Indy understood.
“That good, huh? Number eight crossed off the list?”
“And then some. If I had to sum it up, all I could say is Hoo-doggie.”
Indy burst into an outrageous laugh. “I haven’t heard that since we were kids. He
must be something to pull the hillbilly out of you.”
must be something to pull the hillbilly out of you.”
Quinn let her smile say it all.
“So what do you want help with? Sounds like things are going great.”
Quinn blew out a deep breath. “Yes, the sex was great, but I need to find balance
or boundaries for the friendship.”
or boundaries for the friendship.”
One of Indy’s eyebrows rose. “You think after today you’re still just friends?”
“Yeah. It was weird in a good way. We ate together, talked about our families, and
cleaned up. We hung out, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”
cleaned up. We hung out, but it wasn’t uncomfortable at all.”
“Honey, that’s called a date.”
“No, a date ends in sex. It doesn’t start with it.” Quinn curled her legs under herself.
“Are you sure he’s on the same page?”
“He didn’t say otherwise.”
“Yeah, he did. If it was just sex, he would’ve left. He wouldn’t have stuck around
to chat.”
to chat.”
“That would make sense if it was a one-night stand. We’re friends. He promised he’d
still be my friend.”
still be my friend.”
Indy snorted.
“Besides, a relationship with him doesn’t fit into my plans.” She paused, not sure
how to continue. “I asked him to be my sperm donor.”
how to continue. “I asked him to be my sperm donor.”
“You what?” Indy’s eyes widened and the fear in Quinn’s mind exploded.
“I asked him to consider being my sperm donor. I don’t know what I was thinking. It
was just that he was so nice to me, and we were talking and all I could think was
‘what a great guy.’ That’s what I’m looking for in a donor.”
was just that he was so nice to me, and we were talking and all I could think was
‘what a great guy.’ That’s what I’m looking for in a donor.”
“That’s what you should be looking for in a
boyfriend.
What did he say?”
boyfriend.
What did he say?”
“Not much. I think I freaked him out.”
“Ya think?”
“Sarcasm is not helping.”
“You’re not giving anything a chance because of your stupid plans. You’re going to
throw away a potentially great thing because it follows a different path. Don’t fear
detours. They can lead to exciting places.”
throw away a potentially great thing because it follows a different path. Don’t fear
detours. They can lead to exciting places.”
Quinn shook her head. “I don’t need a lecture on my choices. I need help.”
“Let the relationship develop its own course. If it’s meant to be, it will find a
way.”
way.”
“You sound very Zen. What about having sex?”
“Do it. It’s fun,” she answered with a wink.
“Again, not helpful.” Quinn knew the conversation was going nowhere. Indy kept pushing
her in Ryan’s direction to try to waylay her pregnancy plans. She switched gears to
her other pressing problem. “I need you to go with me to a speed dating thing tomorrow
night.”
her in Ryan’s direction to try to waylay her pregnancy plans. She switched gears to
her other pressing problem. “I need you to go with me to a speed dating thing tomorrow
night.”
“No.”
“I don’t need you to do the rounds. You’d be there for emotional support and to be
my wingman.” Even with Ryan claiming to be her friend, she knew he wouldn’t want to
be her wingman to find another date.
my wingman.” Even with Ryan claiming to be her friend, she knew he wouldn’t want to
be her wingman to find another date.
Indy flipped her long blond locks over her shoulder. “Fine. But I won’t promise to
be nice. Where and when?”
be nice. Where and when?”
“O’Leary’s at seven-thirty.”
“Are you fucking nuts?” Indy’s hands flailed, matching her irate tone.
“What?”
“You’re seriously going to Ryan’s bar to find a date. You’re going to flaunt yourself
in front of him and flirt with other guys. After you had the nerve to ask him for
his sperm.”
in front of him and flirt with other guys. After you had the nerve to ask him for
his sperm.”
“Ryan set this up to help me meet someone for my summer romance.”
“For someone so smart, you can be totally clueless. He’s a man. Everything changed
when you had sex with him.” Her arms continued to punctuate her statements.
when you had sex with him.” Her arms continued to punctuate her statements.
“You make Ryan sound like a teenage girl. You’re right. He’s a man. By definition,
he should be okay with no strings sex.”
he should be okay with no strings sex.”
Indy blew out an exasperated breath. “He won’t be okay with seeing you with other
men. Even if he knows it happens, he doesn’t want it in his face.”
men. Even if he knows it happens, he doesn’t want it in his face.”
“Can we forget Ryan for a minute? I’m doing speed dating tomorrow. I need help selling
myself in three minutes or less.”
myself in three minutes or less.”
Indy crossed her arms.
Quinn waited for the irritation to pass. Indy never stayed angry long.
“You’re making a huge mistake. You’ll regret screwing this up.”
Quinn looked at her sister. Indy was rarely this serious. “I appreciate your concern.
But Ryan knew from the get-go I wasn’t interested in dating him. If he walks out of
my life because we had sex and I want to date other people, then he’s not much of
a friend.” The thought sickened her a little, but she wanted to believe it.
But Ryan knew from the get-go I wasn’t interested in dating him. If he walks out of
my life because we had sex and I want to date other people, then he’s not much of
a friend.” The thought sickened her a little, but she wanted to believe it.
“You’re wrong.”
“It’s my life. My choices.” She hoped to God Indy was wrong.
Indy uncrossed her arms and leaned forward. “You’re starting to sound like me. That
should be a red flag announcing you’re messing up.” She stood and stretched. “I’m
hungry. What do you have to eat?”
should be a red flag announcing you’re messing up.” She stood and stretched. “I’m
hungry. What do you have to eat?”
“Leftover Chinese food.” Quinn led the way to the kitchen, mulling over Indy’s words.
Roles had been reversed for so many years, she didn’t know what to do. She’d always
been the responsible one, pointing out Indy’s mistakes.
Roles had been reversed for so many years, she didn’t know what to do. She’d always
been the responsible one, pointing out Indy’s mistakes.
They spent time devising questions and answers for speed dating. Indy agreed to come
and help weed out the assholes. Then Richard called and Indy scurried out to meet
him, ending their sister time.
and help weed out the assholes. Then Richard called and Indy scurried out to meet
him, ending their sister time.
So much for taking a break. Why couldn’t Indy see what a waste of time he was? Indy’s
words echoes back at her. Was she as bad as Indy?
words echoes back at her. Was she as bad as Indy?
No, I plan things. I set goals and do what I need to do to reach them. Indy flies
around and takes things in stride without trying to adjust them to suit her.
around and takes things in stride without trying to adjust them to suit her.
I’m right about Ryan and my plans to get pregnant
.
.
She grabbed a book to read in bed when her phone rang. She answered without thinking.
“Hello.”
“Hello.”
“Hey, babe.”
“What do you want, Nick?” She leaned against the arm of the couch, regretting answering
the phone.
the phone.
“I’m outside. Can I come up?”
“I was getting ready for bed.”
“I could join you.”
Surprisingly, he sounded sober. “Not a good idea.”
“Can we talk?”
“Why?” Her impatience grew.
“I can’t do this over the phone. Please let me up.”
Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose. How many turns could one day take? “You have
five minutes.” She disconnected and buzzed him up.
five minutes.” She disconnected and buzzed him up.
Moments later, Nick stood in the doorway looking ragged as hell. He hadn’t shaved.
His eyes were shadowed, and he looked drained. He stared at her. “You look great.”
His eyes were shadowed, and he looked drained. He stared at her. “You look great.”
She reached up, smoothed her hair, and looked down at her clothes. “I look the same
as always.”
as always.”
He stepped into the room. “No, you look different. You have a glow.”
She snorted a laugh. “Give it up.”
Nick shook his head. “I’m serious. You look happy.”
Her lips barely curved. “I guess I am.”
“Good. I’m glad.” He walked through the room stiffly, his hands fidgeting.
“What’s up?”
“I’m not.”
She waited, arms crossed.
“Not happy. I haven’t been in a long time.” He turned and stepped closer to her. “I’ve
been doing a lot of thinking. I haven’t been happy since we split up.”
been doing a lot of thinking. I haven’t been happy since we split up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. What happened with your . . . girlfriend?”
“False alarm.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “You always did like to make things
difficult for me.” He inhaled deeply. “I miss you. I miss us. Things were good when
we were together.”
difficult for me.” He inhaled deeply. “I miss you. I miss us. Things were good when
we were together.”
Quinn’s hands dropped and anger balled in her stomach. “Things were good for
you
when we were together. You were responsible for nothing, except having fun, which
meant sleeping with every woman in sight.”
you
when we were together. You were responsible for nothing, except having fun, which
meant sleeping with every woman in sight.”
“We had fun together.”
“Yeah, but I live in the real world where bills have to be paid. People count on me.
Life is more than a good time.” She realized her arms were waving every bit as much
as Indy’s had been. She crossed her arms again.
Life is more than a good time.” She realized her arms were waving every bit as much
as Indy’s had been. She crossed her arms again.
He inched closer. “I don’t have a shot?”
She shook her head softly. He kissed her forehead and walked toward the door.
Without turning around, he said, “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ll check in with you
every now and then.”
every now and then.”
She didn’t answer. She knew he would show up periodically, but she also knew she was
really over him. After locking up, she snuggled in the sheets and inhaled Ryan’s scent
that still clung to the pillow.
really over him. After locking up, she snuggled in the sheets and inhaled Ryan’s scent
that still clung to the pillow.
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