3. June
JUNE
“Heyo,” Violet says as she closes the front door.
The Bean Scene was slammed after my conversation with Bryan.
So much so, I finally gave up on the possibility of Violet slipping in an extra break to help me with my homework, so I came home to study.
Two hours later, my brain felt like mush.
When I couldn’t make sense of another equation, I gave in to procrastination and texted Lexie, asking if she wanted to hang out.
Because the girl’s a gem, she took a bus while I showered, then we spent the rest of Violet’s shift eating popcorn and watching reality TV.
Normally, it’s not my cup of tea, but as long as it’s not math, I’m not complaining.
“Hey, you!” Lexie calls over the edge of the couch. “How was work?”
“Amazing, as always.” Violet shrugs off her coat, then smiles at me. “So, who was the cutie at the coffee shop this morning?”
I blanch. “Who? Ford?” It isn’t the first time Ford’s name has left me a nervous wreck. I doubt it’ll be the last, either. Still. I figured Violet understood not to bring the guy up unless she enjoys watching me squirm. Which I’m not. Because that would be weird.
Violet smirks. “I meant the other guy.” I’m grateful she has the decency to keep her amusement in check. Somewhat, at least. “The firefighter?” she prods.
“Oooo, June has a firefighter?” Lexie fans herself. “I love a man in uniform.”
“He’s only a friend,” I start when Violet’s pointed stare cuts me off. “Okay, he may or may not be a friend who asked me on a date.”
Violet’s jaw drops. She rounds the edge of the couch and plops down beside me.
“Are you serious? I knew it! I seriously knew it.” She leans forward so she can address Lexie directly.
“You should’ve seen the way he was looking at her at The Bean Scene.
He was like an adorable puppy or something.
And the way he approached her while she was sitting with Ford—”
“You were sitting with Jeep?” Lexie interjects, calling Ford by the nickname she gave him after they first met. She reaches for the remote and pauses the show. Apparently, a retelling of this morning’s event is juicier than Love Island. “Like, willingly?”
Lexie has a thing against the Harden Brothers, though I still can’t decide how much of it is a facade and how much is based on actual vehemence.
Personally, I don’t think they’re too bad.
Cocky, yes. A little entitled, sure. But who wouldn’t be when they were raised with a silver spoon for each of them?
Even so, would I consider them evil or rotten or… intrinsically bad? Not really, no.
Maybe I just don’t know them well enough.
Or maybe Lexie’s older brother, Ethan, has skewed her perspective because, from what I understand, he absolutely loathes all things Harden Heights.
And the Harden Brothers specifically? Talk about beef.
Thankfully, I’m removed enough from all of it that I don’t really know the details, but it doesn’t erase the tension anytime they’re all in the same room together.
And last night? Watching Ethan and Jagger go head-to-head in the fighting ring?
It was insane and bloody and, truth be told, really eye-opening.
Ethan doesn’t seem like a kind person. And even though Jagger was in the ring, too, it felt like he was fighting for something other than sheer brutality.
Or maybe I’m biased because Violet’s dating the guy, and his brother has been…
getting under my skin lately. I’m not sure.
And truth be told, it isn’t really my place, either.
Pushing aside the memory, I say, “Ford’s not so bad.”
“You sure about that?” Lexie replies. “And also, we’ve been hanging out all afternoon, yet you failed to mention you had coffee with the enemy?”
Violet leans forward so she can look her best friend in the eye. “Enemy? Really?”
“Hey, I’ve already lost one friend to the dark side, no need losing another,” Lexie volleys, though I don’t miss the dryness in her tone.
Yeah. Say what you want about Lexie Morgan, but she knows how to put her friend’s happiness above her own, even if it means accepting the fact that Violet is very much in love with a Harden Brother.
“So?” Lexie prods. “What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Withers?”
“Ford only came over to say hi,” I argue. The words sound stupid even to me. Why would Ford follow me and sit with me only to say hi? It makes no sense. I’m still not sure what his motive was, other than the possibility of Ford finding amusement in watching me squirm anytime he’s around.
Lexie purses her lips, unconvinced. “Hi, huh?”
“Yeah.” I shrug. “Hi.”
“That’s it?”
I shrug again. “I don’t know? He was just…being Ford.”
“Ah. So, weirdly charming and overly sarcastic with a side of fuck-boy energy that anyone with two brain cells would steer clear of?” Lexie suggests. I don’t miss the, please tell me you have two brain cells and are smart enough to steer clear of him, look in her pretty brown eyes.
I stay quiet, both impressed and a little blown away at how easily she clocked him, because yup. That is…that is definitely Ford in a nutshell. And yes, I might be relatively innocent or whatever, but I know better than to get caught up with a guy like him.
“Anyway,” Violet continues. “About this fireman. Does he have a name?”
“Bryan.”
“Fireman Bryan.” Lexie’s brows bounce up and down. “I like it.”
I give her a mock glare. “Just Bryan works.”
“So, when are you going on this date with Fireman Bryan?” Violet prods, well aware the newly appointed nickname is already under my skin.
My attention shoots to her. “Saturday. Although I’d love to spend some time studying before my date. Are you free?”
Violet nods. “Sure thing, and I am so sorry about today.”
“Don’t even worry about it.”
“No, seriously.” She shifts on the couch until she’s facing me fully. “I really am sorry. I know how much you’re struggling in math, and you have a test coming up.”
She’s right. I’ve been running on crappy sleep for weeks, thanks to the pending exam date. Why? Why does math have to hate me so much? My bottom lip juts out in a pout as I will myself not to lose all hope of my degree.
“Don’t worry. It'll be fine,” Violet promises. “We’ll cover a bunch on Saturday, and you’ll nail your test. You got this.”
Sure, I do.
“Thanks, Vi,” I murmur.
“No problem. That being said,” she grimaces, “Do you mind if we study at Jagger’s place on Saturday? Lexie asked to borrow my car, so I’m kind of going to be bumming it at Jagger’s all day.”
I’m not surprised. Jagger and Violet are practically inseparable.
Honestly, I spend most of my time at work or at home by myself.
Not that I mind. I’m used to being a bit of a loner.
Honestly, if it wasn’t for Violet inviting me to tag along to Harden Nights, along with introducing me to Lexie, I’d say my evenings are nothing but same-old, same-old as always.
“Yeah, of course,” I tell Violet, solidifying our plans. “Does three o’clock work?”
Violet nods again. “Sounds perfect.”
“Good,” Lexie interjects. “Now, can we turn on the show or what?”