Chapter 22 Garrick
GARRICK
The leather recliner groans under my weight. Denver's quarterback just threw his third interception. I'm two seconds from launching this remote through the screen.
"Fucking hell!" I'm on my feet. The recliner rocks back hard. "What kind of goddamn throw was that?"
Liam doesn't flinch from the couch. Legs stretched out like he owns the place. Reading some veterinary journal, completely ignoring the disaster on screen.
"Maybe try watching a team that doesn't choke," he says without looking up.
I pace to the window. Kansas City's celebrating. Snow's falling outside, fat flakes piling up on the sill. "They don't usually suck this bad."
"Your mood might have less to do with football and more to do with Violet."
Heat crawls up my neck. "Shut up."
"You've checked your phone six times in ten minutes." He sets the journal aside. "Waiting for her to text back?"
I'd sent Violet a message an hour ago. Asked if she'd eaten. She'd responded with a photo. Her eating one of my brownies in bed. Nothing but a tank top. The image is burned into my brain.
"Smart ass." I drain half my beer. The bottle hits the coffee table hard. Pizza box jumps.
Liam's phone buzzes. He glances at it. Grins. "Speaking of which."
"What?"
"Just texted Violet about poker tonight. Storm's coming in. Figured we should get her over before the roads get bad."
My phone buzzes before I can respond. Xaden's name on the screen.
I grab it. "What?"
"Got your text about poker," Xaden says. Wind in the background. "I'm at Violet's now. She just got Liam's message. We're heading over."
My grip tightens. "She's coming?"
"Unless you object?" Challenge in his voice. "Though based on what you two were doing this morning on that counter, figured you wouldn't mind."
Heat floods my face. Course he'd seen us. "How did you..."
"Walked past the window. Got quite a show." He's grinning. I can hear it. "She seemed to be enjoying herself."
Liam's watching me. Barely contained amusement. Clearly hearing everything based on that smirk.
"Fine." The word comes out rough. "How long?"
"Twenty minutes. Roads are slick." Engine starts. "Oh, and Garrick? She's bringing those brownies. Said they're the best she's ever had."
Something in my chest warms. "They're just brownies."
"Right. Just like this morning was just a kiss."
"Fuck off, Xaden."
He laughs. Hangs up.
I stare at the phone. Then at Liam, who's standing now. Stretching like a cat.
"Get your coat," I say. Head to the closet. "We're going to the bakery."
"You're driving?" Liam's already pulling on his jacket. "Should I be worried?"
"I don't drive like a maniac."
"You absolutely do when you're wound up." But he's grinning. "This should be interesting."
Twenty minutes later, I'm fumbling with keys outside the bakery. December air biting my face. Snow falling thick enough to blur the streetlights.
"You're nervous," Liam observes. Stamping his feet.
"Not." Key finally slides into the lock.
"Your hands are shaking."
"Cold."
"Bullshit."
I push open the door. Brass bell chimes. Familiar scent hits me. This morning's cinnamon rolls. Coffee. Underneath it, traces of Violet. Vanilla and something that makes my alpha purr.
"You're absolutely nervous." Liam follows me in. Shakes snow off his coat.
"Shut up."
I head straight for the back room. Flip on lights as I go. Need to set up before they get here. "Make yourself useful. Grab the chairs from storage."
"Grunt labor. Great." But he's already moving.
The back room is small. Barely big enough. But it'll work. I drag the table from the corner. Position it center. Legs scrape loud against the floor.
Liam returns with chairs. Sets them around the table. "You've got that look."
"What look?" I'm pulling the poker set from the shelf. Cards. Chips. Everything organized how I like it.
"Planning something."
“Leave me alone.” I arrange chips by color. Red. Blue. White. Green. Enough for four players.
"Please." Liam leans against the doorframe. “It looks like you've been planning this since morning. Question is whether you'll make it through a whole game without touching her."
Heat crawls up my neck. He's right. Violet in my space? I give myself an hour.
The brass bell chimes. Xaden's voice carries from the front. "We're here. It's a goddamn blizzard."
I leave the back room. Liam follows.
Xaden's stamping snow off his boots. And behind him...
Violet.
Dark jeans. Blue sweater. Hair messed up from wind. Snowflakes melting in the strands. Cheeks pink from cold. Carrying a plate of brownies. Smiling like she knows exactly what she does to me.
"Hey there," she says. Catches my stare. "You going to let me in or just stand there?"
"Depends." I move to help with her coat. Hands find her shoulders. "Are you dessert?"
Her laugh is husky. "Behave. We have an audience."
"When have I ever behaved around you?" My mouth finds her ear.
She shivers. "Garrick."
“Garrick drove like a maniac," Liam says from behind us.
He has a big mouth!
She sets the brownie plate on the counter. Turns in my arms. Hands come up to my chest. The casual touch makes something settle. Can't explain it. Don't want to.
She stretches up. Presses a quick kiss to my mouth. "Glad you're safe too."
Liam clears his throat. Loud. "Some of us are trying not to watch you two."
"Then stop watching," Violet calls back. Doesn't take her eyes off me. "Problem solved."
"Can't. It's like a car accident." But he's grinning. "Fascinating and horrifying."
Xaden's already moving toward the back. "We playing cards or watching Garrick make eyes at Violet all night?"
"Hell." I turn to glare. Don't remove my hand from her back though. "I don't make eyes."
"You absolutely do." Violet pats my chest. "But don't worry. I think it's sweet."
She pulls away. Grabs the brownie plate. "Now come on. I want to learn poker so I can take all your money."
"You've never played?" Liam asks. Following her.
"Nope. Complete beginner." She shoots him a look over her shoulder. "Though you promised to teach me. Among other things."
The innuendo is clear. Liam's grin turns predatory. "Did I now?"
She disappears into the back room. Leaves three alphas standing in the bakery.
"This is going to be a disaster," I mutter.
"Absolutely," Xaden agrees. "But a fun one."
"She's going to distract us all night," Liam adds. "We won't get through a single hand."
"Probably not." But I'm already following her. Drawn by her laugh as she examines the setup.
The back room looks good. Table center. Chairs arranged. Chips organized. Cards ready. Space heater glowing in the corner. Warm. Intimate.
Violet's already claimed a chair. Settling in like a queen. "This is cozy."
"It's a back room." I take the chair to her left. Close enough to touch. Intentional when I arranged the seating.
She leans over. Fingers trail along my arm. "I like it. Private."
Xaden takes the seat to her right. Boxing her between us. Liam settles across from her. Picks up the deck.
"Alright, gorgeous," Liam says. Shuffles cards. "Let me teach you poker."
"I'm a very good student." Violet watches his hands. Then looks at all three of us. Heat in her eyes. "You've all taught me so much already."
Fuck.
This is going to be a very long game.
And I can't wait.