Face the Dark (Hunters of the Dark #3) Page 15
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Shanna walked up to Quinn’s door for the second time in ten minutes. The first time, she’d hesitated outside his door because she’d felt self-conscious knocking on his door in nothing but a swimsuit. So she’d hastily changed into Jeans and a t-shirt before returning, feeling much more confident. Why she cared what he thought about what she was wearing, she didn’t know, but she felt she had to tread carefully with Quinn and wanted him to feel as comfortable as possible.
She rapped lightly on his door and stepped back, licking her lips nervously and wondering what she was going to say to him. Should she be exuberant and chipper, insistent that he join them, that they were having so much fun? Or maybe she should be more toned-down, ask him if he was doing alright, see if Hunter had talked to him about the funeral. God, how could she have thought that a party was in order when he had to think about where he was going to bury his parents?
The door opened after a moment and Quinn stared out at her, eyes looking hollow and emotionless. “Hi.”
Shanna stared at him for a moment. His hair was messy and uncombed. He was only wearing sweatpants, his chest bare, revealing a body that would give Jordan a little competition. And his voice sounded a little hoarse, like he was coming down with something or had been screaming or crying. She wondered which. His eyes weren’t puffy or red, just…dead. She was immediately concerned for him.
“Hey, Quinn,” she said. “We’re all having a good time downstairs if you want to join us and meet the rest of the gang.”
“Naw,” he forced a smile. “I’m cool. I just want a low-key night.”
“No, I get it,” Shanna said. She hesitated, looking past him into the darkened room, a soft green glow coming from a television in one of the side rooms. “Want some company?”
He blinked. “I’m just playing video games, so I’m good.” He walked away and pushed the door to close it behind him, but Shanna caught it, smiling as she slipped into his room.
“I like video games,” she said. “What are you playing?”
Quinn looked back at her warily. “Final Fantasy. It’s more of a one-person game.”
“Then I’ll watch,” she insisted, following him.
He sighed, but didn’t object and she followed him past the living room, into his bedroom, where a big screen television had already been installed at the foot of his bed. He sat on the floor in front of his bed and picked up the controller, resuming playing as if she weren’t even there.
Shanna sat stiffly at the end of his bed for a moment, then sprawled out over his bed, propping herself up on her elbows to watch. She noted that he was playing an earlier game in the series and smiled. “Final Fantasy Two?”
He glanced back at her, surprised. “Yeah, at least that’s how it was released in the US. You play Final Fantasy?”
“I…didn’t really have many friends growing up,” she said sheepishly. “Had to pass the time somehow. This was always my favorite.”
He smiled. “Mine too.” He played for a little bit longer without saying anything. Shanna watched him out of the corner of her eye, looking him over, his hair, his tan shoulders, how his fingers danced over the controller. He looked back at her while she was admiring his arms, but he didn’t seem to notice. She had probably turned bright red, but it was dark enough where he wouldn’t be able to make that out. Hopefully. Anyways, she wasn’t here to find a new boyfriend. She liked Cameron a lot, and he needed her. And she already had enough drama with Damien in the picture. Someone else was the last thing she needed. Plus, he was a little too good looking for her. She felt intimidated by him a little bit and that certainly wouldn’t do in a relationship. Maybe Rachel would be interested. Who was she kidding? Of course Rachel would be interested.
“What else did you do to pass the time?” Quinn asked her.
She scoffed. “A lot of nerdy things. Read comics, watched horror movies. And hunted monsters, of course.”
He chuckled. “I’m a horror fan too.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” He paused, then grinned back at her. “I brought some with me when I packed. Ever see Black Sunday?”
She regarded him for a moment as she tried to place the name. “That’s a Mario Bava movie, right?”
He nodded his approval and saved the game. As she watched, he rummaged through his duffel bag and popped the DVD into the player. “Scoot over,” he ordered. “You’re gonna love this.”
She complied and he stretched out next to her. “It’s cool that I’ll have someone to watch movies with here,” he said. He glanced over at her. “And thanks, for this. For making an effort. I know I couldn’t have made it too easy on you.”
“It’s my pleasure,” she told him. “Of course, popcorn would make this experience all the better.”
He laughed. “One bowl of extra buttery popcorn, coming right up.”