She leaned into me and turned our hand hold into more of a high five. “I don’t really care for kegs, Colton.”
I loved how she said my name. No particular accent, but like we already shared something. We were on a first-name basis. I loved it. “I have really good news. If I can convince you to stay, that is.”
Her smile was finally genuine, her eyes involved in the action. “I’ll stay for good news. Especially coming from an angel like yourself.”
I chuckled, glancing down at my costume. I might have been dressed like an angel, but I was actually a magician. I transformed Violet from freaking out to smiling. My hockey captain motivational skills had a use outside the rink, and I was beyond chuffed about it. “I live here, and we’ve got a whole fridge of drinks downstairs. Wanna follow me?”
She hesitated, and just like that, her smile turned cold. “I should probably take off.”
“No, no. Tell me what you like and I’ll pick it. Or you can come pick for yourself. No tricks. Promise.”
She sniffed in a breath and rolled her lips between her teeth. “Okay.”
I took her hand and tipped my head toward the stairs. “Follow me.”
I led her through the party by her hand, feeling like I’d just won some fantastic prize. Everything worked out. Instead of this pretty girl leaving my house upset, she was staying to have a good time.
Everything always worked out for me.
It was quieter in the basement, faint bass, stomping, and laughter drifting through the floorboards above us. I opened the grimy old fridge door. “Sorry it’s not fancier. But grab whatever you like, and make it two. I’m going to hit the bathroom.”
She met my eyes with a shy, “Thanks, Colton.”
When I came back into the room, she sat on top of our washing machine, picking at the bottle label. Her eyes flicked up to mine, that stunning blue almost stopping me in my tracks. I approached her, leaned my hip on one side of her legs, and crossed my arms. “So.”
“So,” she said, extending a bottle my way. “I got you a cider.”
“Perfect,” I said, cracking the top and clinking my bottle to hers. I watched as she swallowed, the delicate column of her throat working. “Before we go back up there?—”
Violet physically tensed and I stepped back. I pointed at her.
“That. That’s what I’m worried about.”
“What?” she asked, looking more afraid.
“You’re skittish. Like I’m going to hurt you.”
She hesitated. “There are some creepy guys at this party. I’m just being cautious.”
I raised my eyebrows. Someone at my party had her shaking and pale? “Who? I’ll throw them out right now.”
She extended a hand to stop me and rushed her words. “No, it’s fine. No one in particular. Sometimes I just want to have fun at parties, you know? Not be bothered.”
“Violet, if someone’s bothering you, I need to know about it.”
She chuckled, and even if it was at my expense, it was nice to see her relax. “Look at you, guard dog. I’m surprised the hair on top of your head didn’t stand up from raising your hackles.”
I smirked. “You can put a leash on me and I’ll bark for you.”
She fully laughed, leaning forward from her perch on the washer before looking back up at me. “Bite the mailman?”
“If the mailman is bothering you, then yes.”
Violet was still laughing when she patted the glitter pipe cleaner halo above my head. “I don’t need all that. But you seem like a nice guy. Maybe we just pretend to have a thing going and then all the other guys won’t mess with me. I can play beer pong in peace.”
I hesitated, my throat going dry. Pretend? It wasn’t exactly going to be heavy labor to pretend to like Violet. She was funny. Witty. But given she was just talking about creeps, I didn’t want to add myself to that roster.
“Unless that’s going to ruin your game for the night,” she added. “I can just go home.”
