Chapter 17
Seventeen
JAMIE
Admitting that I actually enjoy spending time with Ellis and Nate is hard, but it's true. Just sitting here listening to Ellis express how much he loves working as a nurse makes me happy. He left his previous job so they could be closer to Nate's mom in Ferndale.
The couple live only about fifteen minutes out of Detroit, near Nate's mom. They also shared that their property is a huge upgrade because Nate's woodworking and crafting business has gotten big enough that he needed a garage space to work in.
Their previous home was more like a bachelor pad, but now they have a detached garage near the back of their property. Nate even showed me some pictures of his custom furniture and wood carvings—I was impressed and a little mesmerized.
The way Ellis has gushed with pride regarding Nate's work brought me sadness. I want to hear Violet express enthusiasm about the tattoos I create. Having her show me off and being genuinely happy to flaunt me around would be a dream come true.
Nate's hand has been on my thigh throughout most of dinner. We kept it light and ordered a ton of appetizers while sipping our drinks.
The unspoken trajectory of our evening made my skin buzz and tingle as we talked. Sharing my story with them was easy after they gave me pieces of their lives.
I told them about my amazing mom and slightly gruff father. They live in Chicago, and when I told them that, there was a slight twitch of their posture that confused me. But they quickly shifted to asking about siblings, and I informed them I didn't have any.
Conversation was easy and connected us with every word we shared. It was nice not being cut off before my pants came off.
With that thought comes a lot of guilt, but I've reminded myself multiple times that Violet's gone. According to Cassidy, she's with multiple men. She's ignored me, and doesn't seem to care about me much anyway.
I know it's the hurt, defensiveness, and alcohol talking, but fucking hell I don't want to feel bad for finding a connection with someone else, two someones actually, when the woman I love is trying to convince both of us we won't ever happen.
Nate startles me as he leans in and whispers, "Hey, you okay?" His hand on my thigh tightens.
"Not sure," I admit and push my plate away from me. "I'm not sure about this." Gesturing to the three of us, I test to see if they can have a real conversation about us. Because goddamn it, I think there's potential for there to be something here.
"Tell us what you're thinking," Nate encourages me with a small nod. He wants to hear my thoughts.
Studying his manly features, I try really hard to be honest. "I'm torn between thinking this is just super hot and that the only thing we have is a sexy spark..."
"But?" Ellis prompts me. He leans forward, and I shit you not, the soft look in his eyes confuses me. Why does it seem like he actually cares?
"But this." I now gesture to the table and our comfortable setting. "It's not just that I want to bend Ellis over the table and show him my dominant side while you, Nate, stuff his bratty mouth."
Ellis groans and takes a sip of his beer to cool off. Nate laughs, making me smile and realize how easy this feels.
"It's not just the attraction. Talking to you both, hanging out, being in your presence is...nice."
"Hear that, babe? We're nice," Ellis mocks, smirking at Nate who rolls his eyes.
"Fuck off," I huff and nudge him with my foot beneath the table.
"Careful," Ellis teases. "You know I'll crawl down there and make sure you don't kick me."
Before I can come up with a retort, Nate steers us back in the right direction. "We feel the same way, Jamie. We've been looking for our third for a long time, and you've come as a surprise to us as well. So what's holding you back?"
"Or who?" Ellis chimes in, with his eyebrows raised. "We're not blind. I can see the hurt every time you smile and the guilt every time a dirty thought crosses your mind. Does someone already have your heart? And would we like them?"
I frown as the image of all four of us together flashes through my mind and sends blood rushing to my cock. "I don't know. I can't even get her to commit to me."
"Well, I'd like to meet her," Ellis states seriously just as my phone begins to vibrate in the pocket beside Nate's firm grip.
My stomach swoops when Nate doesn't release me as I dig my cell phone out. They watch, making me feel warm.
Nate is so damn intense it's easy to get sucked into his unreadable gaze. "You gonna answer that?" he rumbles, nodding at my hand.
I jolt and answer the call without looking at the screen. "Hello?" Jesus, my voice is so deep and rumbly you'd think I was about to get my dick sucked again.
"Jamie, where the fuck are you? Open the door right now."
Immediately my palms begin to sweat, and my back straightens. "Bash?"
"Who the fuck else?! Open the door. NOW!"
Bash is an MC brother who's on rotation keeping an eye on Violet when she's in town. The club never contacts me, and they aren't supposed to unless there's a concern about V.
As fast and loud as the crack of a whip, I'm out of my chair and rushing for the restaurant door. Nate's shouting behind me, and Ellis accompanies him. I have no time or fucking ability to give them my attention when I have Bash demanding things of me sounding scared.
"I'll be there in five. What's going on?" My chest is tight, but my voice is calm. How? I have no idea because on the inside I'm freaking the fuck out.
Bash curses, and there's some shuffling. "Violet's hurt."
Throwing myself into my car, I'm peeling out of the parking lot with Nate and Ellis on my ass. With Bash on speakerphone as I speed through Detroit, I beg for more information. "What happened?! SHE'S HURT?!"
Bash grunts. "Unconscious. Breathing’s a bit rough, but otherwise she seems fine."
"FINE?!" I shout, narrowly missing a fire hydrant.
The shuffling coming from Bash's side of the phone call pisses me off. I should be there. I should know what's happening. Violet shouldn't maybe be fine. FUCK!
"She has a big jacket on. It's ripped a bit, but I can't tell if there's any damage beyond the fact that she was passed out when I chased the guy off."
"Chased who off?! What happened?"
Bash loses his patience with me and snaps, "Just fucking get here!"
He hangs up on me when I'm about a minute away from the apartment. As if on autopilot, I call Nate. He picks up almost immediately, and his steely tone booms through my speaker. "What's going on?"
"Vi—Someone I care about is hurt outside of my apartment. She needs help. I have to help her. I should have—"
Nate cuts me off, maybe sensing my impending rise of guilt. "We are right behind you. We'll help in any way we can. It's not your fault, Jamie."
I shake my head even though he can't see me. It's absolutely my fault. Being available for her if she needs me is all I ever want to be. Yet I was at dinner with two men, fantasizing about how good they must be in bed, when she was...what? Attacked? Assaulted? Mugged?
Swallowing, I slam on the brakes in the parking garage. "Follow me," I say, finishing the phone call.
Aches and sharp pains pierce the heels of my feet as they slam against the ground in a frantic need to get to my woman. My sweet Violet.
Ellis and Nate fall into step behind me, each running just as fast. They don’t know what's going on or who Violet is, yet here they are, determined to help me and an unknown woman.
I watch, pissed off, as the elevator closes and rises. Stairs it is. The burn in my thighs is well deserved and the least of what I should be punished with right now.
After what feels like an eternity, I'm bursting through the stairwell door and sprinting down the hallway. Then I see her in the arms of Bash. Her blonde and purple hair tumbles over his arm making my lip curl up in a possessiveness I didn't realize I contained until now.
"Violet!" I gasp, already reaching for her and punching the code into my door. Bash gives her to me willingly, but he's no longer my concern once I hold her small frame against my heaving chest.
"Sweets," I cry, my throat thick with horror. She's so pale and still.
After depositing her on my couch, I start piling blankets on her because I have no clue what else I can do. Shit, what do I do?!
"Jamie," Bash rumbles from his spot against my kitchen island. His face is serious and beckoning me forward.
Nate and Ellis look worried and like they bit into a lemon, but I can't blame them. I probably look like someone just killed my fucking dog and threatened my mom at the same time.
"Please sit with her?" I croak out. "I need to talk to Bash."
"Of course," Nate agrees thickly, glancing at me for just a second before his eyes go back to Violet.
“I’ll check her pulse,” Ellis whispers, moving closer.
Good, he'll watch over her for the few minutes I need to figure out just what the actual fuck happened to the love of my life.