She giggled and her cheeks turned a bit pink. "Six fifty. I may have forgotten to ring up your drink this time."
I chuckled and put a five in her tip jar. "Thanks, Mandy, but don't get in trouble for it. Have a good one."
Her face fell as I walked away. I was pretty sure I hadn't given her the wrong impression, but that was what I meant about fragile. Her entire world was centered on winning some man's approval, and in all honesty, it annoyed the fuck out of me. That was how Meredith acted too. I was supposed to guess what she was thinking. She dropped these vague hints that I couldn't figure out, and God forbid I didn't notice her new haircut. That seemed to be how all the women I knew acted.
I just couldn't keep up with that crap. Violet was different. As I filled up my coke from the dispenser, my aching muscles proved it. Any woman who could stop a fight with a garden hose while wearing a set of purple lingerie? Yeah. She'd wielded that sprayer like it was a six-shooter from some old movie and worn those heels like a starlet. Damn, why couldn't things have worked out? But it was better to save my pride than try to grovel to a woman like that.
I was halfway through my burger when Mike from the garage next door dropped into the chair across from me. My high school friend didn't mince words. He got right to the point.
"Remember that babe you showed up with?"
"Yep," I drawled. I’d spent all day trying to forget her.
Mike clicked his phone and slid it over. "Dude, she's famous."
On the screen was the hottest thing I’d ever seen. Violet was sprawled across a bed with her legs up against the wall, looking at the camera like she was begging. The tattoo across her stomach pointed right at the one on her leg, and it was all color-coordinated with the gorgeous dark pink bra and panties. It was her eyes that looked the best. Soft and grey, they stared right back at me the same way she had in the pool. Her rose-colored lips were almost as good.
Trying to act like I didn't give a damn, I pushed it back. "Yeah, she's a model."
"She was also in Cosmo back in February. Tommy's girl had it and I recognized her hair. I mean, that's the same girl, right?"
"Why the hell were you lookin' at Cosmo?" I asked, knowing I’d regret the answer.
"Had to take a dump and my phone was dead. Told Tommy she just moved here, and he said I was full of it." Mike tapped his phone again. "Lindy said those tattoos are real, and she's famous for doing the classic pin-up poses in a whole new punk style or something."
I did not want to think about her as a pin-up girl, leaning against the hood of a truck, or in a tiny purple bra, because that made me remember Ashton. "Yeah, pretty sure the tattoos are real. She works for Risqué. I guess that's some women's underwear company or something."
"No way," Mike hissed. "Risqué is like the new Victoria's Secret, but has stuff I can actually afford."
This was really not the conversation I wanted to have. Not at all, but I had to know. "Why are you buying women's underwear?"
Mike grunted and shook his head. "To get laid, you dumbass. They sell all the hot shit, like garters and whatever. Anyway, you really think they're gonna let a girl like this open up some teen camp? I mean, can pedophiles be women?"
"She's a model, Mike. What does that have to do with anything? Especially Southwind?"
"Well, I just figured you're like the local expert on the place, you know? And this woman takes her clothes off for money, so that makes her either a prostitute or a porn star, right? I can't see where that'd be legal."
"You," I told him, pushing out of the seat, "are a complete idiot. You know that, right?"
"Admit it," Mike taunted. "You're jealous, man. February's Cosmo has so many pics of that babe, and she's hotter in every one. Can't believe I changed her tire!"
Yeah, and I had felt her melt in my arms, but I sure as hell wasn't gonna kiss and tell. Walking away was the best option I had, so I dropped my trash in the closest bin and paused long enough to refill my drink, then decided it was long past time to be out of there. As I walked back by the table, I patted Mike's shoulder.
"I think your momma dropped you on your head a few too many times. Just leave Violet alone. She's nice."
I didn't give Mike a chance to reply. I also didn't stick around long enough to take back what I'd said. Climbing into my truck, I wondered why I’d bothered to stick up for her, but I knew. Here in Cats Peak, it didn't take much to become the latest scapegoat. Even as much as I wanted to pretend that I didn't care what she did, I still wanted to take care of her, and the least I could do was try to control the rumor mill a little. She'd been here a few days now, and word was starting to spread. It wouldn't be long before someone picked a fight, and I wasn't sure Violet wouldn't be the one to start it. I just wasn't sure this was something she could win. She was too amazing for this town, and they'd rather run her out than change their minds.
Turning the key to let the glow plugs warm up, I noticed the light blinking on my phone. I’d left it in my truck for a reason, and swiping at the screen, I was glad I had. One missed call from Violet. I tapped to play the voicemail.
"Hey, Luke, it's Violet. I missed you last night and this morning. Look, I'm sorry about Ashton." I could hear a little sigh. "But I saw your horses in the pasture and took the liberty of saying hi. The red one's pretty sweet, but the white wants nothing at all to do with me. Anyway, hopefully I'll have a chance to talk to you this evening. Was hoping you were still willing to bale the hay for me. Just give me a call back, or text if you prefer." She paused. I knew she hadn't hung up because I could hear her breathing softly. "I really hope you aren't avoiding me." Then my phone started giving me the options to save, delete, or replay the message.
Without thinking, I hit save. At least this way I could hear her voice again. It hadn't even been a day and I already missed her. I missed the cute way she smiled, the little looks that made me think I actually mattered, and those quirky little comebacks she always had, but I wasn't ready to face her. Not yet. Not until I knew how to tell her about Faith. After that, if she decided she never wanted to talk to me again?
This would've been so much easier if I’d never kissed her.
Besides, it wasn't like I really knew her. I couldn't stop thinking about her, but I’d get over it. She was just the hot new thing, and maybe next week, I’d find someone better. Not like I hadn't been dumped before, but usually I’d actually had the chance to date the girl before things went to hell. Probably just a sign that this whole thing was doomed from the start, right? Things blowing up like this was a lucky break. That girl couldn't crush my heart if we never got past first base. I just had to keep reminding myself of that until she was old news.
Chapter Eleven
