CASSIUS

Work consumes me. If I'm not at the gym when the sun is out, I'm at the club, making sure everything is in order for the night that follows. Once a month, I take a day off so I can hang out with my family. Quinn being able to join me on one of my rare nights of freedom is just icing on the cake.

Lounging on the back deck with my family, letting the warm summer breeze kiss my skin, has every muscle in my body relaxed. The moon hangs high above us, barely illuminating my mum's wine-tipsy smile.

Quinn's been absent for a while, but I'm worried about seeking her out, just in case I end up interrupting something...personal. I don't know how long she's gone without a bathroom door, but she might be enjoying the privacy right now.

Mum, of course, loved her immediately, but she seemed concerned during dinner. Quinn was evasive of every question. I was actually getting nervous that they'd assume the worst, that she was being disrespectful. But I should have known better. My family just isn't built that way.

Even though Warren and Quinn started off arguing, I think he quickly warmed up to her. He loves nothing more than someone who challenges him. He'd take a decent argument over fake niceties any day.

Heather, on the other hand, was skeptical. She's an assertive person. While that makes her perfect for Warren, it led to countless fights with Skylar. My brother and I have had to tear them apart at least twice during family events. She has a bitter taste in her mouth when it comes to my judgement of women.

But when she disappeared inside the house to grab another bottle of wine to split with mum, she came back out with a whole different opinion. She actually smiled at me and said, "Okay, I might like her." Heather doesn't smile. Pissed off and disgusted are her main two programmed settings around everyone except Julia. Or so I thought. I didn't read too much into it, though.

Warren steps outside with two bottles of water in his hand, tossing one over to me. Tonight is Heather's night to let loose and I have to drive home later, so we're abstaining from alcohol consumption.

"You sure Quinn isn't just a really tall five-year-old?" He chuckles.

"Ehh, that's questionable." I respond with a shrug and a smirk that nobody can see.

"You should go check on your girl." I can hear the amusement in his voice.

Oh god. What's she doing? Hopefully everything in the house is still intact. I hop to my feet and rush through the back door. Kitchen is still good. Nothing is on fire. I hesitantly walk a little further. Living room is fine too. When I round the corner, I see two lumps on the hallway floor.

I strain my eyes through the darkness and realize it's my lump that's on the floor, with Warren's little lump right next to her. They're cuddled up, asleep. My legs feel weak as I inspect them, propping my shoulder against the wall for support.

I should have known she'd take to Julia right away. And now Heather's change of heart makes sense. If Julia loves you, Heather loves you. They're a package deal. Has Quinn been in the hall this entire time?

The wine glass next to her is still full, surprising me. I figured she'd chug it the second she got her hands on it. That's how she deals with stressful situations, and I know being interrogated by my mum isn't exactly calming. I collect the drink and carry it into the kitchen, so it won't get knocked over.

I'm not sure if I should wake them up or just let them be. Retrieving my phone from my pocket, I snap a quick picture of the two usually chaotic forces of nature in their rare moment of peace. I can't help myself. I end up sitting against the wall, watching them.

I never wanted kids. It always seemed like so much work and dedication and I don't know if I'm capable of providing that kind of love to someone. What if I couldn't connect with them? But, seeing Quinn and Julia clinging to each other right now, it's making me question if I've made the right decision.

I shake the thought from my head and peer up at a picture of dad on the wall. My chest tightens when I see his radiant smile. I wish he was here. Things never would have gotten so out of hand if I could have turned to him when life got complicated.

I don't know if he would have liked Quinn. Well, he would have liked her as a person, but maybe not as a romantic partner for me. He'd be worried about her history, that I'd be taking on too much by getting involved with her.

But I have a history now, too. And dad was always big on helping others. As soon as he talked to her and saw how funny and sincere she is, he'd be smitten. Fuck, it tears me up to even think about this shit. I want him to meet her so bad that it physically hurts.

My next inhale is ragged, producing just enough sound to stir Julia from her sleep.

"Uncle Cass?" She hums groggily.

I crawl to the other side of her and lay down, my face aligned with Julia's.

"Yeah?"

"Is Win your girlfriend?"

"Mind your own business, brat." I mumble playfully, rubbing my forehead against hers.

She sticks her tongue out at me and her eyes drift shut again. An unexpected surge of warmth spreads over my hand and I look down to see Quinn's fingers brushing across my knuckles as she reaches over Julia's body. My gaze darts to hers and I find her eyes shining through the darkness, studying me.

"Didn't mean to wake you." I whisper over Julia's head.

The only response I get is a tiny smile that has a little bit of sadness threaded in.

I know we should move. This probably looks ridiculous right now and if anyone needs to use the bathroom, they're going to have a hell of a time trying to step over the three of us. But I can't force myself to bring this moment to a close.

"Am I?"

My pulse speeds up and I unintentionally capture her fingers between mine, squeezing them. I don't know. I mean, can I just tell her she's my girlfriend? Is that an option? Because if I knew that, I would have already done it.

Seems too simple, especially for Quinn. I can't get the words I'm repeating in my head to come out of my mouth.

"Yeah. You are." Julia speaks between her yawn, eyes still closed. "Go back to sleep now."

A breathy laugh escapes me. Who knew Julia was a little matchmaker in training? I raise Quinn's hand to my lips and kiss her skin. She buries her face into Julia's hair, hiding from me.

Sooo, do I have a girlfriend now? I'm more confused than I was before.

After a few minutes, my eyes start to close.

*************

I don't know when I fell asleep or how long I've been out but, when I wake, the house is eerily quiet.

Usually, Warren and Heather would be laughing so loud that the entire neighborhood could hear them.

Robert and his wife, Janice, would be pounding on the door to complain.

Mum would be on her third glass of wine, drunkenly singing a terrible boy band song thanks to her very low alcohol tolerance.

But, right now, there's nothing...

I prop myself up on my elbows and squint, trying to get my bearings while an uneasy feeling swirls inside my chest. When things start coming into view, I outwardly snort a laugh and drop back down onto the floor, covering my mouth with my hand so I don't wake anyone.

Julia managed to slide down, her head shoved between Quinn's thighs. Warren is passed out against the wall, Quinn and Julia's feet tucked under his hands in his lap.

Heather is slumped over next to him, her shoulders awkwardly squished against his, snoring as she grips an empty wine glass in her hand. Mum is lying flat on her stomach a couple feet away, her arms stretched out to the sides like she's trying to make a snow angel.

Guess it's a family slumber party.

Once I manage to get my laughter under control, I jostle Quinn awake. Her eyes widen and she moves carefully so she doesn't disturb Julia too much. Waking her was a mistake because, as soon as she realizes her feet are in Warren's lap, she kicks him.

He jolts awake, looking like he's ready to fight off an intruder.

"Why are you touching my feet, Warren?! That's so creepy!" Quinn whisper-hisses at him, scrunching her face.

"You put 'em in my lap!" He argues back, scowling at her.

"I was sleeping! My feet don't have their own brains, you idiot!"

"I – what? I don't...you know people move around in their sleep, right? You don't make any fuckin sense." He spits back, confused and angry, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

Which, in turn, wakes up Heather.

"All of you shut the fuck up. I'm trying to sleep." She groans, sliding herself down the other side of the wall until her head meets the floor.

But her face hits mum's foot, stirring her from the slumber.

"What's your excuse, mum?" I ask, still amused over the insane domino effect that just took place.

"You were all blocking my bedroom door. I couldn't make it over you. Too much wine."

Warren is quiet for a moment before he bursts out laughing. Heather weakly huffs, still drunk. Quinn shuffles away from my brother, trying not to grin. And Julia managed to get to her feet at some point. She's standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at us all like we're in trouble.

"I wanna go home. You're all bad at sleepovers." She whines.

"Alright, honey. We can go." Warren says softly, taking his daughter's hand. "Let me just get mommy in the car, okay?"

He scoops Heather up and throws her limp body over his shoulder, carrying her outside. Julia wraps her arms around Quinn's neck and whispers something in her ear before letting go. Whatever it was, it made Quinn smile.

When Warren comes back in to collect his daughter, she fist bumps me before trotting behind him. She's going to have so much energy when they get home. He'll have his hands full with his drunk wife and freshly napped child. I'm grinning from ear-to-ear in my head.

Mum hugs Quinn tightly and squishes her cheeks between her palms.

"It was so nice meeting you, Quinn. You're welcome here any time."

Once again, Quinn just stares at her with a blank expression rather than responding. Luckily, mum doesn't seem to take it personally. When she walks by me to go to her bedroom, she squeezes my forearm affectionately and shoots me an undecipherable look. She's either drunk, or worried. Not sure which one.

"Love you!" I call out before she closes her door. Rude.

"Do you want me to see if we have any extra shoes laying around? We gotta walk back to campus so I can drive you home."

"No, I can go barefoot."

"Eh, I don't – okay. Yep. Sounds good." I cut my argument short when I see that look in her eyes.

What is with these women tonight? I'm too tired to participate in a philosophical debate on shoes right now. You gotta pick your battles, and this doesn't seem like one worth losing my left testicle over.

It's dark outside, the only sound coming from distant music blaring from the dorms on campus. As soon as Quinn takes the first step into the yard, I twirl her around and walk her back into the brick exterior of the townhouse.

She drops her one remaining shoe as my hands bracket her face, my thumbs brushing over her cheekbones. She stares up at me with a longing expression, so I give her what she's silently asking for. Craning my neck, my lips find hers and I don't want to come up for air. Too bad you need that shit to live.

"Are you mine?" I whisper against her lips before brushing her nose with mine and kissing her again.

"Hmmm?" She moans half-mindedly, appearing unsure of what I just asked as her eyes stay glued shut.

"Will you please be mine?" I mumble against her cheek as I plant a kiss there as well.

"Your what?" She asks, her lip twitching as she peers up at me mischievously.

I'm not above begging. My forehead leans against hers.

"Quinn Rousseau, will you pretty please be my pain in the ass girlfriend who drives me absolutely insane every second of the day?" I ask with a sugary sweet smile.

"You're a little late. Julia already sealed the deal for you." She teases before her face grows serious. "Is that...do you actually want that, Cash?"

"I do." I nod against her face, dropping my lips to her neck. "I do." I repeat, deeper this time. "I do, I do, I do, I –"

"Stooop!" She squeals, trying to escape the trail my lips are making up her jawline.

I pull back and grip her face a little tighter, so she has to make eye-contact. My voice gets noticeably lower.

"And in case you didn't believe me the first ten times...I do. I want you, Quinn. Let me show you how you deserve to be treated, how you deserve to be loved."

It may have been a bad choice of words, but I don't regret it. Even when she begins to look terrified. There's always a chance that things won't work out between us, but I will show her that she's worth more than what she thinks for as long as she keeps me around.

She audibly gulps. "Um...uh...o-okay."

"Okay?" My eyes light up as I beam down at her, the dumbest smile on my face. It feels dumb, at least.

"Yeah, I mean, it's not like I can get rid of you anyway. Might as well make yourself useful." She jokes nervously.

"Promise me something."

"Maybe..."

"Promise you'll stay grounded. That you'll tell me when you feel like you're breaking down. Don't disappear on me."

She stays quiet, contemplating her answer. But I'd rather her do that than just give me some bullshit response she doesn't truly mean. I'm so sick of being lied to. I can be patient, especially if it means I'll get the truth.

"I... I'll try – I mean...yeah. I promise." Her voice breaks, uncertainty clouding her words.

I trust her, though. Her word means something to me. I know she's scared. Hell, I am too. But fear can be one of the greatest motivators.