Ten
She smiled at me.
A genuine smile of what I seriously hoped was affection.
It might not seem like that big of a deal, a smile. But for me, it was everything.
She didn’t want an autograph, a picture, or an interview. Her eyes didn’t glitter with calculation or greed. There was no hidden agenda in the way her lips curved upward, in the surprise that lit up her eyes.
She was happy to see me. Just me.
I didn’t really know her. Not really. Still, possession unlike anything I’d ever felt before rose up inside me as we stood there yards apart and stared at each other. Chemistry electrified the air, having begun crackling the second we saw each other.
“We meet again,” I called out, tucking my hands deep into the front pockets of my jeans.
Violet’s steps restarted. As she moved forward, the ends of her long blond hair floated out around her like light-colored ribbons against the night sky.
Her movements were mesmerizing. I couldn’t help but admire her body and all the curves my hands desired to learn. She was so different from all the girls I’d dated in the past. From all my one-night stands. Not just in looks, but in the energy that surrounded her. I couldn’t quite explain it, though I sorely wanted to. I wanted to know why I was utterly drawn to her. Beyond the obvious that she didn’t know who I was.
I had to spend more time with her.
Starting now.
“I see you made it home the other night,” she quipped, glancing at the Jeep.
I flashed her a smile. “If duct tape can’t fix it, nothing can.”
“Is that a guarantee?” Her eyes sparkled, just like the pocket on her shirt.
She was flirting, and just the notion of it made me feel a little giddy.
I shifted closer, about to make some witty and charming reply, when Nate crashed into the moment. “You two know each other?”
“We’ve met,” Violet answered, then wagged her finger between Nate and me. “You two are cousins?”
Before coming to get her, we decided it would be better to pretend this was a giant coincidence and seeking her out wasn’t something I asked him to do. What I didn’t ask was for him to ask her out. Or butt into what could have been a flirt-fest.
“Since birth,” Nate quipped.
I rolled my eyes. “His dad is my mom’s brother,” I explained.
Her blue stare turned back to me. Every time it brushed over my face, it felt it like a caress. Like she touched me without even lifting a finger.
Her lips pursed, distracting me for long moments. “This seems like an awfully large coincidence.”
“What does?” Nate asked, once again butting himself into my conversation.
“Pretty crazy, right?” I answered, wanting her eyes back. “Nate came home the other day and told me he had a date with a girl named Violet.”
“I almost died.” We both glanced over at Nate as he quite dramatically wrapped his hands around his throat and pretended to choke.
Violet gasped. “You attacked him!”
“No,” I said at the same time he said, “Yes.”
“Shut the hell up!” I growled, giving Nate a light shove.
Violet crossed her arms over her chest and regarded us both as though she were a school teacher and we were naughty students. “Well, which is it?”
My body rotated toward hers farther. I was totally digging the whole sassy vibe she had going. “He’s still alive, isn’t he?” I drawled.
Nate scoffed. “Yeah, that’s because I told him about the forty bucks.”
Violet laughed, and I glared at him. Was he trying to ruin my chances with her?
Her laughter died down, and she looked at me, cocking her head as if waiting for an explanation. So I gave her one. “The only date you’re going on is with me.”
The whites of her eyes stood out when they rounded in surprise. But she recovered quickly, and I stood there in anticipation, hoping she’d bring that sass back.
I think I had a thing for sassy.
Violet didn’t disappoint. Her fists slid off her hips, expression narrowed. “First you attack your cousin, and now you’re telling me what I can and can’t do?”
“Well, this escalated quickly,” Nate chirped.
We both gave him wilting glares. He held up his hands. “I’ll be in the Jeep.”
Before he went, he sidled up alongside Violet and leaned into her ear. My back teeth snapped together just seeing him that close. Before I could tell him to back off, I heard his words.
“He the guy?” he whispered, loud.
“What guy?”
“You know,” he said, as if he were trying to be quiet when he really wasn’t. “The guy you’re into.”
Violet quickly glanced at me, her face flushing.
I feigned surprise and then pointed at myself. “Me?”
“You’re supposed to be in the car,” she finally told Nate, pointing at it as if she were sentencing an animal to the corner.
Nate moped off, and I smiled wide like someone just told me a huge secret.
“You’re into me,” I said when Nate was in the backseat.
Violet sniffed. “I don’t even know you.”
I stepped closer, so close the toes of my sneakers bumped hers. She had good taste in shoes. “Do you want to?”
Peeking up from beneath some impossibly long lashes, her smile was enigmatic. “Maybe.” Her small fingers reached out to tug on the white string of the Blaylock University hoodie I was wearing.
My stomach actually fluttered. The sensation momentarily stunned me because it was something I hadn’t really felt before.
“Just say yes,” I quipped, snatching her hand out of the air when she pulled it back, lacing my fingers through hers. “I always get what I want.”
“Is that so?” she asked softly.
Letting my eyes roam her features, I nodded.
Oh, I liked her. She was like a shot of the highest label scotch, burning all the way down to my belly then instantly making my head a little light.
Nate’s loud voice echoed from inside the Jeep. “This is my date. Why am I sitting in the car?”
Violet giggled. I loved the sound as much as I loved a perfect beat in the studio. “It is his date.” She reminded me.
“Like hell,” I vowed. “The second he collects his forty bucks, you’re all mine.”
“Can we go?” Nate called.
“He’s such a third wheel,” I bantered.
Her hand slipped out of mine, and her laughter carried back to me as I watched her climb into the beat-up time machine.
The large colonial-style house was nearly spilling out with bodies, all the main rooms crushed with people. Looking around, I realized this was my first frat party. Though I was college age, I’d never had any college experiences. I thought it was just an extension of high school—you know, trudging to and from boring as hell classes with a bunch of people who didn’t want to be there any more than I did.
And maybe it was like that most days. However, I was getting the impression Blaylock was more than that. I’d been worried about being identified the entire day leading up to our arrival. Hell, I was still paranoid. But as we pushed our way through the crowd of people dancing, yelling, and drinking, I realized these people couldn’t care less about me.
They were in their own world, a world I wasn’t a part of. A world where no one expected to see me. It was a little humbling actually, realizing if I wasn’t famous, if I hadn’t become public enemy number one, this would be my world. I couldn’t help but wonder what I would be like, what my life would be like today if I hadn’t been discovered and then rocketed to fame.
Nate and Violet were in front of me, with me trailing along behind. Like the third wheel. I’d never been a third wheel in my life. It sucked ass. But as Nate so loudly pointed out, this was technically his date. At least until he won the bet.
I had to hand it to him, though. He didn’t just find out information about her. He paved the way for me to see her again. The least I could do was let the guy get his forty bucks.
Nate slung his arm around Violet’s shoulders and guided her under the archway leading into another room. She glanced up and him and laughed, and I knew jealousy.
There wasn’t really anything to the way he casually touched her, but I hated it. Usually, I was the one with the ease, the charm. I was known for having women eating out of the palm of my hand within minutes.
Yet here I was. Trailing behind, watching them, dumfounded.
Violet made me nervous. Nervous to the point I almost didn’t know how to act. I didn’t want to treat her the way I treated other women in the past. She was different.
Nate glanced around at me. I lifted my chin so he could look at me beneath the hat. “Beer!” he shouted.
I cupped my hand around my mouth and yelled, “Hit me!”
A moment later, I managed to wedge myself beside Violet so she was sandwiched between me and Nate. There was a large crowd there because this was where the kegs were. Nate filled a red cup close to the brim and passed it to me.
I accepted it, immediately putting it to my lips and swallowing. As I did, I felt a tingle of awareness and noted Violet watching me. I stopped mid inhale. It occurred to me I was being an asshole.
Pulling the beverage from my mouth, I held it out to her. “Do you want a beer?”
Her nose wrinkled and she shook her head. Not seeing her refuse, Nate slid a cup identical to mine beneath her nose. “Liquid courage,” he announced.
“No thanks!” she called out.
“You want one of those girly drinks, don’t you?” Nate surmised and pointed to a blue, plastic baby pool filled with ice and longneck colorful drinks. “A pink one?”
I chuckled. She glanced at me, and for the second time since I picked her up, her cheeks flushed. Looking away and back to Nate, she said, “I, um, don’t drink.”
Nate laughed, thinking she was joking. But she wasn’t. I read it off her body language and the way she shifted slightly, uncomfortable and embarrassed.
Switching the beer into one hand, I slipped my arm around her waist. It settled into the dip above her hips as if it were meant to be there. Pulling her into my side, I leaned down, using the volume of the room as an excuse to bring my lips closer to her ear. “Out of your element, aren’t you?”
She turned her face quickly. Our noses nearly collided, my lips so near to hers. “Is it that obvious?” she asked.
I shrugged one shoulder. “I think it’s cute.” Moving back out of her personal space, I lifted the cup to my lips, all the while holding her stare.
“Blue,” she said.
“What?”
“I’ve been wondering what color your eyes are. They’re blue.”
She’d been thinking about me. Wondering.
Good.
“You sure you don’t want this?” Nate asked, waiving a pink wine cooler in her face
She shook her head, adamant.
“Give me that,” I said and snatched it out of his hands. I shoved the bottle back into the icy pool and fished around until I came up with a water.
I held it out to Violet, and she accepted it with a smile.
I think she was the only person I’d ever met that didn’t drink. Especially at a party. It’s like she wasn’t even tempted by the kegs, pool full of wine coolers, and Jell-O shots going around.
Drinking more of the beer, my eyes surfed the room. No one was paying me any attention. The Blaylock U hoodie I was wearing, along with the hat, must have concealed me well enough. And judging by the number of drunk people, no one could probably see straight anyway.
I drained the rest of my glass and passed it over Violet’s head (which was very easy to reach over) for a refill. Soon as it was out of my hands, I noticed Vi struggling with the cap on the water bottle. She seemed to be turning it as hard as she could, but the thing wouldn’t budge.
Grunting, I reached out and snatched it out of her hands. “This is a man’s job.”
The cap unscrewed on the first twist. I frowned a little as I handed it back to her. It hadn’t been on there very tight at all.
She scoffed. “I loosened it for you.”
When she tipped it back to her mouth, I noticed all the condensation rolling off the bottle and the way it dripped over her hand. I snatched it out of her hand again.
“Hey!” she yelled.
Using the hem of the T-shirt beneath my hoodie, I wiped it all off so the bottle was dry, then handed it back.
Violet seemed surprised by the action. A soft smile pulled her lips, and she ducked her head slightly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thanks.”
The simple appreciation made me want to do more. Be more. I didn’t want her to be surprised when I did something kind for her. I wanted her to expect it.
“There he is!” Nate said, leaning over Vi’s shoulder and pointing into the other room. “That dude that owes me forty bucks.”
Violet’s face darkened a little; an air of wariness wrapped around her.
I turned and looked. “Who?” I called back, not sure where the guy was.
“Guy with sunglasses on his head,” Nate answered.
I disliked him instantly. He was tall, thin, and had an air of superiority about him, and I was pretty sure he had tiny dick complex. I mean, why else would be feel the need to wear a pair of Ray Bans on his head during a party at night?
Or maybe it was the fact that I knew he’d been hassling Violet.
“Hold my hand,” Nate said, drawing my attention. “That will send this guy a message!” He held out his hand to Violet, offering it up.
I growled and smacked his hand away. “Hell no!”
Both my cousin and Violet looked up at me.
“We’re family. I wouldn’t move in on your girl.” Nate made a face like he was offended. “It’s for the bet,”
“No,” I said again, unbending.
“I’m not his girl,” Violet announced.
“Yes, you are,” Nate and I said at once.
She nearly choked on her water while Nate and I pounded it out.
“I’m getting another beer,” I announced. “Go get your cash.”
“Hold this.” Violet pushed her water bottle into my chest. I took it, making sure our fingers brushed.
The flicker of electricity that registered on her face was satisfying.
After getting a new beer (who knew what Nate did with my last one), I spun in time to see Nate put his arm across her shoulders again as they walked through the crowd. The guy, whose name I didn’t know, blanched when he saw them and nearly choked on his drink.
The second his initial surprise wore off, I watched his eyes narrow on Violet. Something dark passed behind them. Tightness bunched in the back of my neck. I knew his type. Asshole. I saw guys like that nightly when I was on tour.
Moving through the crowd, I drank my beer, kept my hat pulled low, and watched the exchange. I didn’t want anyone to recognize me, but if someone fucked with Nate, I wouldn’t hesitate to get in the middle of a fight.
The douche said something, and Nate retorted. All the people standing around them laughed. Except Violet. She didn’t laugh. She looked like she wanted to get the hell out of there.
A wad of cash was slapped into Nate’s hand. He slipped it into his pocket without a word. When they turned and walked away, I was glad Nate put an arm around her shoulders. I hoped it sent a silent message to the douche and his Mickey Mouse club that she was off-limits.
If not, I was going to have to send the message myself.
Nate’s eyes swung around. I motioned for him, and he angled Violet in my direction. Leaning down, he spoke in her ear. Her eyes found me instantly, and there was a distinct echo of relief in her gaze. I smiled, oddly wanting to reassure her (of what, I wasn’t even sure) and wished I could take off my hat so she could feel the full weight of my stare.
The three of us met up a few moments later in a room toward the back of the house. There was a set of large slider doors that were open. The party continued outside.
I gestured to them with my chin. “Outside?”
She nodded aggressively, and I laughed. After giving her back the water bottle, I held out my hand for hers. Without hesitation, she surrendered it.
I led the way out back, keeping firm hold on her fingers while she followed. At the door, cool fall air rushed in around us, proving just how warm the inside of the house had been.
There was a large square patio behind the house, all concrete with lights strung up around the perimeter. Music pumped through the dark, and people danced and yelled.
“Beer pong is my jam!” Nate yelled, pointing at all the guys playing a drinking game a few feet away.
They all cheered, and Nate glanced at me.
“See ya,” I said, amused.
He raced off, and though he was family, I was glad to see him go. I led Violet past most of the people to the edge of the patio, where it gave way to grass and trees. I positioned myself with my back to the yard so I was facing the house and people. Violet was in front of me, all her attention focused away.
“So what’s with the water?” I asked, casually shrinking back into the shadows created by the trees.
“It’s wet,” she said and took a drink.
“You gonna tell me why you don’t drink?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, then tell me about the guy.” I looked toward the house so she knew who I meant.
She sighed heavily. “His name is Ross. I went out with him once. I’d rather chew glass than go out with him again.”
“He’s not too happy about that, I take it?”
She shrugged. “It’s not me he’s even interested in. He doesn’t like being turned down.” Her eyes skirted away, focusing down on her shoes.
“What else?”
“Hmm?” she said, as though she had no clue what I meant.
“What else did he do?”
“Why do you think he did something?”
“You were uncomfortable back there. Almost timid. I know from first-hand experience that’s not how you usually are.”
“Very observant,” Violet mused.
Unable to stop myself, I fingered a strand of hair falling over her shoulder. “When it comes to you? Very.”
“I don’t come to parties like this very often. Almost not at all,” she told me, ducking her head. “I’m not really one for crowds.”
“Me either,” I murmured, thinking about the last time I was in a huge crowd. I’d been drunk with a full bladder.
The thought made me chug some more beer.
“Really?” Her voice was surprised and curious.
I grinned. “That surprises you.”
“Well, duh. You’re cocky, charming, and good looking. I would think a place like this was like your mothership.”
A slow grin transformed my face. “You think I’m good looking?”
“And cocky,” she reiterated. “To a fault.”
I chuckled warmly. “I like your bluntness. You don’t try to kiss my ass.”
“I don’t ass kiss. It’s a waste of energy.”
Hiding another smile, I drained my cup.
“So what’s your deal?” she asked, point blank. “Why aren’t you over there being the life of the party like I know you could be?”
Crushing the cup in one hand, I leaned in. “I’m not here to be the life of the party. I’m here for you.”
“Why?” she probed, folding her arms over her chest.
“You’re real,” I said simply.
She drew back, clearly not expecting me to say something like that. She probably expected some cheesy line, of which I had about fifteen in my back pocket. Violet was better than a pick-up line.
It took her a minute to digest that. As she did, her lips wrapped around the bottle and water slid down her throat.
The noise of the party became muffled, as if it were far away and she and I were the only two people out here. The glow from the string lights illuminated her blond hair when she moved, and occasionally, the glitter patches on her jeans would catch the light and draw my attention to her thighs.
I meant what I said. She was real. Probably the realest thing I’d seen in a long time. In a way, meeting her was like letting oxygen flood into a tank where before it had been airtight.
I didn’t just mean real in terms of the world I came from either, though there, someone like her was literally unheard of. It was here, too. In the middle of an art gallery when she was drawing a satirical cartoon making fun of me. When she accused me of being a criminal and let herself be suckered by my cousin into a fake date.
Here, now, at a raging frat party, she was raw with genuineness. Everyone else around her acted like sheep. Doing what the crowd was doing, involved in only themselves.
Yet here she stood, next to the fakest guy in this place, drinking her bottled water and hiding out near the tree line.
I opened my mouth to say something more, but I was oh so rudely interrupted by a voice that wasn’t hers.