Page 36 of Scars Like Wings
As if reading my mind, Quinn said, “I love this terrace. It’s in front of the formal living room that we never use.”
“Yeah, that’s how you can tell someone is rich. They havetwoliving rooms, and one of those is always superfluous.”
Quinn’s smirk returned. “You’re telling me. I never understood why we have two. We are always in the den or out in the sunroom that’s next door to this. That one has?—”
“Let me guess? Another TV and fireplace?” I teased.
“Now, you’re starting to get it,” She chuckled, turning around to lean against the railing. “Anyway, I’m getting side-tracked. I didn’t bring you here to talk about living rooms and televisions?—”
“The house seems to have plenty enough of those that wedon’tneed to talk about it.” I leaned next to Quinn and bumped her shoulders.
That earned me another chuckle. “I came up here to show you this, my favorite spots in the whole house.”
She tilted her chin behind her. I followed her lead and gasped.
Before us stretched the backyard. The cobblestone path below veered to a stunning poolscape with a tall-as-fuck waterslide, hot tub, and a connected bonfire area, complete with a projector screen. There was also an outdoor chef’s kitchen, complete with yet another charcoal grill, lounge chairs, and swinging beds. A garden of thriving plants was off to the right. There was a court area that appeared like it could do triple duty as a basketball, tennis, and pickleball court. A paved path went to a barn near the edge of the property. I could tell that the landscapers earned their keep with the verdant, plushy grass. The hedges and bushes were well-trimmed, too. But all of this didn’t take my breath away like the view past its curated edges.
No, beyond the HGTV dream house backyard, there was a forest. Thick evergreen pine trees occupied acres upon acres. Dense and packed, I couldn’t make out anything past their needles and trunks. But what I could see past them was the sky. With no outdoor lights on, the pool lights set on their lowestsetting, and the house’s windows closed, you could see all the stars perfectly.
“This is so fucking beautiful,” I said, barely above a whisper.
“It really is.”
From the corner of my eye, I saw Quinn had turned around to face the scene. She pulled out a tin case with hot rod flames from her back pocket. From it, she got out a joint and a lighter. “Do you mind if I smoke?”
“Not at all.”
Quinn lit up, swirled it in the air, and then took a couple hits before ashing in a top compartment, which must be an ashtray. Smoke swirled up and around her face, and I honestly never thought weed had ever looked sexier. She asked, “Do you smoke?”
“No, not me,” I shook my head. “I love weed and everything, but I’m an edible girlie.”
“Let me guess: you tried, and you practically coughed a lung out?”
I remembered when Maisie had me and Simone try to smoke weed in high school as a celebration for getting accepted into Everlore. Simone didn’t even take a puff for fear of drying out too much or some lame excuse we still won’t let her live down. I did take a puff. I tookthree,actually. And every single time, I tossed myself into a coughing fit, and I barely felt a thing. I had no idea if I was inhaling it wrong, not holding it long enough, or if the blunt just wasn’t a fan of me, but I figured that maybe edibles were the best for me.
I told Quinn all of this, and she threw her head back, laughing. “I would have paid money to see that! At least you gave it a valiant effort.”
“Why, thank you. I feel so seen.”
“Have you ever tried to shotgun?”
“I haven’t, but I would love to try one day.” Then I quickly added, “Especially with the right girl.”
Quinn smirked, taking another drag. “Good to know.”
“Do you smoke often?”
“You could call me a pothead. I rarely go a day without doing at least three blunts. Smoking helps to settle my nerves and thoughts, and I like the headspace it puts me in. Same goes for Nat. We usually smoke together, but I’m sure she’s too busy hoeing her life away inside right now. When I do smoke alone, I like to come out here to stare at the stars. They are just so beautiful. They make me feel more present, you know?”
I nodded. “I know what you mean. They make you feel more in the moment. It’s crazy how something that is so large yet far away can make you feel so small yet so great. It’s… amazing.”
We were quiet then. Both of us stared at the stars while Quinn smoked her joint. Despite not touching, I could still feel her. The heat licked at my bare arms and made me shiver. I wanted to move closer to her, but I tried to suppress the urge. Instead, I downed the rest of my drink and held my elbows to keep myself in place. But now, my fingertips were more in reach of her inked skin. What all did she have tattoos of? What were their stories? Why had she gotten them? Had the tattoo artists felt howfreakingwarm she was?
Okay, this silence was going to drive me insane.
“Do you know any constellations?” I asked, feigning innocence.
She didn’t seem to notice my inner turmoil as she answered. “Not really. I know there’s the North Star. I know it’s easy being the brightest in the sky, but it’s the only one I know.”