Chapter 30 Jude #2
My phone vibrates on the table before I get a chance to read her expression further.
Julian
You’re not here. Father is livid.
Me
Couldn’t care less.
You promised to make it to dinner tonight.
I just said that so he’d shut up.
He says if you don’t make it in the next thirty minutes, he’ll lock you up.
Typical fucking Regis.
Resorting to threats when things don’t go his way is his modus operandi.
He wouldn’t do that during the hockey season and jeopardize my nearly perfect stats that he loves so much.
He would, judging by his expression as I read that text. He said: I’ll also erase that girl you’ve been roaming around lately, not knowing what’s good for you.
You told him about Violet?
I didn’t need to. You seem to forget he’s still the head of the Callahan family, and considering you’re the apple of his eye, he’s bound to survey you.
Apple of his eye, my ass. Julian always says that, probably so I won’t feel bad that he’s Regis’s favorite, but it’s getting tedious and old.
Twenty-eight minutes, Jude, or tonight will be the last night you see Violet breathing.
I stand up, my grip tightening on the phone. “I’m leaving.”
“Whaat?” Preston stands, too. “But I still didn’t beat your ass in all the board games Dakota brought.”
“It’s Dahlia,” she grumbles.
“Sorry. Dallas,” Preston says with a grin.
“You didn’t finish your dinner,” Violet says with a wounded expression that stabs me in the chest.
Fuck. Since when do I care about her moods? And why does she even look so disappointed?
Kane abandons his fork on his plate. “Where are you going?”
“Regis,” I say, then face Violet. “It’s my father. He asked for me urgently.”
She doesn’t show much of a reaction as I step past her and toward the door.
My brain is full of ways to make the night insufferable for both Regis and Julian so they’ll regret ever dragging me back.
Just when I’m mounting my bike, Violet hurries outside wearing a jacket and a scarf. Her cheeks are flushed by the cold as she approaches me.
Something about this girl looks otherworldly. It’s not only the blue-teal color of her eyes or the delicate features on her face.
It’s everything—from the way she carries herself to the way she looks at me.
It’s been even more prominent lately, and I can’t keep my eyes off of her.
“What?” I ask. “Did I forget something?”
She hesitates, her lips parting. “No, I just…”
“What?”
“I thought you looked odd, especially while you were typing on your phone, so I wanted to make sure you’re okay,” she blurts out, staring down at her feet as she finishes.
Fuck.
Fucking hell.
When has anyone ever wanted to make sure I was okay? Even my mother didn’t do that, let alone Regis.
This girl is demolishing me, piece by each agonizing piece, and I can’t seem to fight it.
Maybe I don’t want to fight it.
“What if I weren’t?” I ask like a dick. “Is there anything you could do about it?”
“I could try to cheer you up.”
“And how would you do that?”
“Give you a blowjob?” she whispers.
“Fucking hell, sweetheart. You’re trying to get me hard as I’m about to make the most annoying journey of my life?”
“No. Just trying to help.”
“Thanks.”
She blushes, and the view makes me glare. “Why were you shy when Kane praised your food?”
“I wasn’t shy. I was just happy.” She touches her wrist. “It really felt nice to have a proper dinner with so many people I care about.”
“Right. Including Pres and Kane.”
“They’re your best friends last I checked.” She narrows her eyes. “You’re kind of over-the-top possessive.”
“Am I?”
She chuckles. “You totally are.”
I stroke her cheek, and she leans into my touch. “It’s because of you, sweetheart. What the fuck are you doing to me?”
“I don’t know, but I like it.” She pauses. “Despite everything.”
“Everything?”
“Mmm,” she whispers, “do you have to go? I made the cookies you loved the other time.”
“Just make sure Pres doesn’t eat them all.”
She laughs. “Will you be okay? I know you’re not on the best terms with your father.”
“Julian and his wife serve as a buffer.”
“Are you sure?”
“If I’m not, will you join me?”
She flinches a bit, and I curse myself for bringing up something that makes her uncomfortable. “If you…want.”
“I was just kidding.”
She lifts her chin. “I meant it.”
“You don’t have to put yourself through this. My family is kind of fucked up.”
“So is mine.” She grabs the extra helmet. “People like us need to stick together.”
“What about the party you’re hosting?”
“Ah.” She pulls out her phone and types something, then grins. “Dahlia will take care of it. Besides, I wouldn’t enjoy it without you there anyway.”
“Hard to believe with all the Preston entertaining you did.”
“That’s because…he’s easy to talk to.”
“And I’m not?”
“Sometimes? But truly, I did everything so you could officially meet Dahlia and we could have a get-together, but if you hate it…”
“I only hate your attention on someone other than me.” I shove the helmet on her head and reach under the visor to touch the freckles that are visible through it.
God, she’s beautiful.
A part of me knows I shouldn’t drag Violet into my family drama, but as she hops on and wraps her arms around my waist, I feel a sense of peace.
Strength.
And I know that I can handle anything as long as she’s by my side.
My demons included.