Chapter 17 Thea
THEA
Everyone wants to talk to Violet after the first challenge, and they all head to Perks and Rec for lunch. It seems the entire town packs into my grandfather’s charming little coffee shop/ café/ bar.
Thank God.
It’s so busy that I end up helping take orders and deliver food, which keeps me moving and too distracted to obsess over Josh sitting next to Violet with Harley, Leo, Brewser, and Wilson, smiling and acting the part of the doting boyfriend.
I could tell Josh wanted to get me alone when we first arrived at the café, and was frustrated to have no chance to talk to me, but what good would that do?
There’s nothing more to say. I don’t know a way out of this without someone getting hurt.
If it’s me or someone I love, then I’ll pick me every time.
He’s here to help Violet. Nothing he and I do or say about a relationship between us helps Violet.
Sam is still here with his new fiancée. Literally up in front of everyone, her diamond sparkling in the sunshine and twinkle lights.
I was actually glad Josh was beside Violet when Sam approached her—after the kiss, of course—to tell her he was so glad she was okay.
Even if it killed me a little to watch Josh slip an arm around her waist when she put hers around him.
Every move like that just goes further to confirm them as a couple to the town.
“You okay?” Nora asks me after I deliver the last burger and BLT.
We’re now leaning against the wall near the door to the kitchen in case Bruce needs to yell for help.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“You fell for him that fast?” my cousin asks.
What’s the point of denying it? “Yep.”
“You’re really going to be okay with him dating V?”
I laugh. “Absolutely not. I’m hoping they break up, and I never have to see him again.”
That’s not nice of me, but I’m not sure how I’ll survive seeing him with Violet across my parents’ dinner table for the rest of my life.
Actually, I’m sure I won’t survive.
If they don’t move away, I’ll have to.
Nora’s quiet for a moment. “You know, I love the new Merry Mayhem motto. I might expand it to everything Parks and Recreation does.”
“Motto?” I ask, looking over at her. What are we talking about?
“The all fun, no rules thing,” she says.
Ah. I laugh. She’s so transparent. “We need rules, Nora. They keep us safe.”
Rules like not breaking your sister’s heart if you can help it and sisters before misters, for instance.
“Well, sure, sometimes. But if rules keep us safe but unhappy, are they really good?” Nora asks. “They need to at least be revised, right? Like letting Patty and Muriel compete in the obstacle course with partners who would push them in amazing chariots when they couldn’t run or walk the course.”
“Chariots?” I ask, instead of commenting on the rest, because my chest feels really tight.
“Better word than cart,” she says with a grin. “Plus, those things are chariots.”
I smile, but then sigh. “What’s your point?”
“On the surface, not stealing a man from your sister is a very good rule.”
“I didn’t—”
She holds up a hand to stop me. “But it also seems obvious that people should be able to do an obstacle course in order to, you know, participate in an obstacle course. But sometimes, you look closer and dig deeper, and it’s not that straightforward, and communicating about the rules and how a rule is actually not good in a certain situation for everyone is a really good idea. ”
“How can this be good for Violet?” I ask.
“Not sure. But you could ask her. Maybe see if she’s got a grocery cart you can paint pink.”
“I—”
“It’s a metaphor,” she says.
I laugh. “Not a great one.”
“I think it made my point.”
I look across the café to where Josh and Violet are sitting.
They’re getting up. Together. Just them.
And my first thought isn’t that they’re leaving together because he’s chosen her. Instead, it’s he’s going to see if she has a grocery cart we can use to get through this.
“Maybe your metaphor isn’t terrible,” I tell Nora.
She gives me a bright smile. “Thank you.”