giving her space, letting my past breathe its fire between us, and waiting to see if she wants to walk through it with me.” He brushed his lips over Axel’s forehead. “If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate just sitting here for a bit, talking or not. It feels good to know I’m welcome.”
Red wiped her eyes and said, “Now I want to call that little lady and plead your case for you.”
They all laughed, unraveling the tightness in Quincy’s chest just enough to fit in a little more hope.
Chapter Ten
THE HOPE QUINCY had taken away from his time with Biggs and Red had remained strong as Monday bled into Tuesday, but when Tuesday gave way to Wednesday and he still hadn’t heard from Roni, that hope began to fray. By the time Wednesday evening rolled around, he told himself that Roni was probably done with him, but no matter how hard he tried to accept it, he just couldn’t. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the luxury of being distracted tonight. The NA meeting was starting in ten minutes, and he needed to be fully present for the other people in that room who counted on him. This would always be a big part of his life. A tug-of-war where drug dealers preyed on the weak, and Quincy tried to impart enough strength to those in recovery—and to himself—to make it through another day, another week, another year, becoming stronger with every passing hour. How could he have expected Roni to understand when she’d escaped the claws of the drug world without ever faltering and filled her life with music, dance, and happiness?
“I ran into a friend I grew up with the other day,” Simone said, drawing Quincy from his thoughts. She looked good, less nervous and more confident than she was last week. “Her roommate is moving out after the holidays, and she offered to rent the room to me.”
“Is she someone you ever partied with?”
“No, but I was honest with her about where I am in my recovery, and she’s supportive. She doesn’t drink or use drugs. I think by then I’ll be ready to be out of the shelter and be on my own.”
“That’s good, but is the apartment in Parkvale or in Peaceful Harbor?”
“Parkvale.”
Quincy gritted his teeth. “Sims, you know that if you leave the shelter and stay in Parkvale, you’ll be out from under the protection of the Dark Knights. Have you heard anything from Puck or his guys?”
She fidgeted with the seam on her jeans and said, “No, but I know he’s watching me. I can feel it. What about you? He called you my pretty boy sponsor the night he showed up at the shelter. I bet he’s watching you, too.”
“I haven’t seen him around, and I don’t think he’ll come over the bridge into Dark Knights’ territory. I want to be supportive of you moving out, and I think it’s great that you’re doing so well. But have you considered moving to this area? I’m sure you can find a job here.”
As much as Quincy would like to help her find a job in Peaceful Harbor, she had to take those steps herself, at least for now. When Quincy had started running NA meetings, he’d asked Biggs if the Dark Knights could help find people in recovery jobs and housing. But after a long discussion about the realities of recovery, they’d agreed that because of the nature of the beast, and in an effort to keep Biggs’s business associates and Peaceful Harbor safe, they would help only after completion of rehab plus six months of commitment to the NA program.
“It would cost me twice as much to live here,” Simone said, and she was right. The Harbor was a lot more expensive than Parkvale. “And I can’t live at the shelter forever.”
“I get that, but you never know. It might be worth asking around.”
“I will. I promise.” She pushed her curls out of her eyes, and they sprang right back into them.
“Can’t ask for more than that. Come on. I have to get the meeting started.”
He called the meeting to order, and everyone took a seat around the circle. They began with a moment of silence, and after the readings and announcements, Quincy asked if anyone would like to share.
Jacob, a clean-cut guy in his early thirties, said, “I’d like to.”
Quincy nodded.
Jacob remained seated, as they did when they had a small group, and said, “I’m Jacob—” The door opened, and he paused.
“Sorry.”
Quincy spun