Chapter 17
Chapter seventeen
Violet
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had vivid dreams, ones that make absolutely no sense.
They say dreams are your subconscious trying to process information.
If that’s true, I’d love to know what mine is working through when it decides I need to be chased by a giant squirrel.
Especially since I wake up to the sound of frantic skittering across the roof of my lodge, like my dream rodent wasn’t quite ready to let me go.
The room is unnervingly still as I roll over and reach for the warmth that isn’t there. The bed is empty, cold.
For a fleeting moment, I cling to denial, telling myself he’s in the bathroom or the front room.
But the silence is absolute. The truth settles in like a dull ache.
He’s gone. If not for the soreness between my thighs and the lingering trace of his cologne on the pillow, I might have convinced myself last night was a dream—or worse, the kind that turns into a nightmare.
I wince, sucking in a sharp breath as I drag my sensitive body out of bed. The man is an animal, his hunger insatiable. He barely let me sleep before waking me with his mouth between my thighs, taking me in every way he wanted, as if he could never get enough until I collapsed with exhaustion.
Ruining me and leaving.
Stepping under the shower, I try to wash away the disappointment clinging to my skin.
I tell myself he has a client to impress, that this is business.
But a persistent voice in my head reminds me—he could have at least said goodbye.
By the time I shut off the water, regret has shown up to the party in a well-worn suit.
Reminding me, I’m a stupid, na?ve fool who got sucked in by a man whose only version of commitment is a limited-time contract with an easy exit clause.
My cheeks burn when I remember all the times he murmured in my ear how beautiful I am, how he’s never wanted someone more, and how I lapped it all up.
The sky is a brilliant cobalt blue as I make my way to the main lodge, my packed bag slung over my shoulder.
The morning air is a refreshing contrast to the city smog I’m used to.
Gravel crunches beneath my sneakers, the only sound in the stillness.
A lone hawk circles high above, gliding effortlessly, its sharp cry cutting through the silence.
I’ll grab a quick breakfast before the company transport arrives to take me home.
Although it’s only eight a.m., the breakfast hall is almost empty.
Everyone must have been keen to get home and reclaim their weekend now the retreat is over.
I grab a bacon sandwich and a giant cup of coffee, the first bite hitting my empty stomach like salvation.
After last night, I’m ravenous, and I scarf it down quickly, washing it down with gulps of coffee that are strong enough to jolt me halfway back to life.
I’m about to head to reception to drop off my room key when Elliot appears in the doorway, looking like death warmed over. His usual polished demeanor is nowhere to be seen—his shirt is crumpled, his hair slightly disheveled, and his complexion has a definite green tinge.
“Morning, Elliot,” I say, pausing by the fruit cart to grab an apple for the journey.
“Good morning, Violet.” His voice is hoarse as he scans the empty room with confusion. “Where is everyone?”
I shrug. “Seems like they had better things to do today.” My gaze flicks over him, noting the dark circles under his eyes. “You okay? You look like you lost a fight with a bottle of tequila.”
He groans, rubbing a hand over his face. “Whiskey, actually. Richard Morgan is a savage.”
“With the amount Richard drinks,” I say, a grin tugging at my lips. “Everyone will need to check into rehab by the time the contract is signed.”
Elliot forces a weak smile before reaching for the coffee jug, filling his mug to the brim. “How are you getting back? Do you need a ride?”
“No, it’s fine. My transport is here now,” I say, shifting the weight of my bag higher onto my shoulder.
His eyes sweep the room again. “Where’s Chase and Austen?”
“I think they left.”
His expression darkens. “Typical Chase.” He spits out the name like it leaves an unpleasant taste in his mouth. “If you worked for me, I wouldn’t abandon you in the middle of nowhere.”
I press my lips together, suddenly embarrassed on my behalf. Elliot doesn’t know the half of it. God, I’m such an idiot.
I fell for Chase’s charm hook, line, and sinker. Perhaps he does this wherever he goes—says all the right things, makes you feel special, and then vanishes before morning.
Millie’s voice echoes in my head, smug and infuriatingly right. He ruins women, Vi. Makes them think they’re special, then moves on.
And that’s exactly what he did last night—made me feel special.
Until I woke up alone.
“You know, you should come work for me, Violet.” He leans against the nearest table, watching me closely. “I’d pay you a hell of a lot more than Chase.”
I blink, taken aback. “That’s...unexpected.”
“I’m serious.” His eyes meet mine with conviction. “Think about it.”
I hesitate for a fraction of a second before forcing a smile. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
Before he can say anything else, my phone buzzes with a message. My transport is here.
“Well,” I say, turning toward the exit, “guess that’s my cue.” A pang of guilt pricks my conscience as I glance at Elliot, slouched and miserable. I’m leaving him here alone. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
He lifts a hand in a lazy wave. “Safe trip, Violet.”
The company car is warm, a stark contrast to the chilly morning outside.
As the driver pulls onto the winding road leading away from the retreat, I watch the landscape roll past—the jagged peaks of the mountains in the distance, their tips still dusted with the remains of winter, the frost-kissed fields stretching endlessly beyond the tree line.
Eventually, exhaustion wins out. My eyelids grow heavy, the gentle hum of the car engine lulling me into a dreamless sleep.
By the time we reach home, the sun is higher in the sky, and the retreat seems like a distant memory.
I pull open the front door, dropping my bag on the doormat.
Gracie stayed overnight at her best friend Gabi’s house as they had a game this morning, so the apartment is eerily quiet.
Loneliness creeps in like a shadow. These are the times I miss Mom the most. All the things I took for granted.
The smell of her home-cooked food wafting through the door.
Her gentle humming from morning to night.
Even the constant nagging about my messy bedroom.
I didn’t realize it, but I was the luckiest girl in the world.
Kicking off my sneakers, I dive onto the couch and scroll my phone, my eyes drooping. I’m still tired from a busy day yesterday and an even busier night.
As I drift off, my mind replays last night in vivid detail.
Chase on top of me, his hand caressing my face, his worshipping gaze locked on mine.
The way he ground into me so softly, almost like we were making love, has the confusing mix of emotions rising to the surface.
I swallow them down; I don’t want to be that person who gets hung up over some stupid fling or whatever that was.
The slam of a door has me jolting up. I squint, shielding my eyes with my palms, when Gracie switches the main light on.
“Oops, sorry,” she says, not sounding sorry at all. “I didn’t wake you, did I?”
I stretch with a groan, rubbing my eyes. “What time is it?” I get a shock when I pick up my phone and see six p.m., realizing I’ve snoozed the day away. I’ll never be able to sleep tonight. There’s also about five missed calls from Seb.
“How was the work thingy you went on?” Gracie says, nudging my legs up to perch on the end of the couch.
“Oh, you know... just work. It was okay,” I say, heat creeping up my neck.
Okay? Try mind-blowing, earth-shattering sex okay—something I thought was a myth.
But I’m not about to tell Gracie what a hussy I am.
“How was your game?” I ask, quickly changing the subject.
She sighs. “It was a tie. I almost scored, but it hit the crossbar.”
“Still, at least you didn’t lose.” I pat her leg, leaning my head on her shoulder. My cell lights up with a text, and I swipe over it to see a message from Seb inviting himself and Ryan over for pizza and a movie night.
“How do you feel about a pizza and movie night?” I ask. “Seb has been blowing up my phone. He wants to come around with Ryan. I’ll call Millie and ask if she wants in. You can ask one of your friends too, if you like?”
“Cool, I’ll ask Gabi.” She brightens, pushing to her feet. “But how are we gonna watch a movie? I thought you canceled Netflix?”
“I did, but I got a pay raise, so I resubscribed.”
A slow smile spreads across her face, and she bounces on the balls of her feet before spinning toward the kitchen. “Let me check the pizza menu.”
She pauses in the doorway, glancing back.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you—Gabi’s family is taking a road trip along the West Coast this summer before we start college.
They invited me to come. They have a holiday home in Santa Barbara, and I can take all my college stuff with me.
Then, after the trip, they’ll drop me off at school. ”
My heart sinks, but I plaster on a smile. She deserves this—her own adventure, her own life. Still, I’m going to miss her like hell. Gabi’s acceptance into the same college program is a blessing; it means she won’t face the new start alone.
“Of course, Gracie,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat. “If that’s what you want.”
Her eyes light up, and my chest tightens. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen her this happy.
“But you’ll visit?” she asks, a flicker of worry creeping in.
“Try stopping me.”
A loud banging at the door cuts our conversation short. “Police open up.”