"I have all the confidence in you, Violet Bennett."
Fifteen
JAMIE
I'm no stranger to Violet's silence, but this time everything is wrong. Promises were never made between us, yet I feel as if I broke something. Not only did I hurt her with my words, I've let another touch me.
It feels wrong. I feel wrong.
The longer I stare at my unopened texts to my sweet woman, the angrier I get with her. It's not fair, but when feelings are involved sometimes all rationality flies right out the damn window.
I shouldn't have told her to get over the shit that happened with her mom. I know that. Hell, everyone should know that.
Allowing my frustrations to get the best of me after she got mad wasn't right. Talking to Blue Bennett on the phone that night gave me hope. Violet's mom was kind and a little suspicious.
Promising to look after Violet was easy. I dove right into wanting Blue and her men to accept me in Violet'slife. So much so that when Violet yanked the dream away from me, I lashed out.
I'll never lash out at her again. I'm prepared to swear on it if only she would text me the fuck back.
My stomach has been in knots since I came down that stranger’s throat. Another thing I shouldn't have done. Violet will need to know if we ever make us official.What will she think of me?
I'm not worried about how she will feel about my being bisexual. I'm talking about the fact that after an argument with her, I went and fucked around almost immediately.
We aren't together. I haven't promised loyalty. There's just no way my heart, body, and soul will accept that because I pledged myself to Violet a long time ago. Silent or not, I came to the conclusion that I was hers.
Now I've given myself to another. And I fuckingenjoyedit.
Anxious nausea swims at the base of my throat. The sensation only builds the longer I stare at my goddamn phone. Then a notification comes in, and I have to swallow the bile that rises rapidly.
Ellis and Nate want to meet up for appetizers. I'm not an idiot; I know our night wouldn't end there.
My anger builds when I realize there's a giddy feeling buzzing in my veins at the idea of seeing them again. Exchanging numbers felt good in the moment, but I've regretted it since. Except right now, hanging out with two sexy men whowantto be near me, I don't regret a damn thing.
I send off two messages. The first goes to Violet as afinal attempt for the evening. Deciding to give it four minutes, I wait for her to respond. She doesn't.It's Friday night. Where is she?
Because of her silence, I send out the next text to Ellis. I agree on a place and time to meet up. I plan it so I have to leave in a few minutes and not give myself any extra time to realize this is a shit idea.
I know wholeheartedly that I'm going to feel sick after my evening, but I can't bring myself to stop it from happening. Ellis and Nate draw me in and seem to know just the right time to pull me into their orbit.
They're intoxicating.
Just like Violet, which is probably why I decide to make a quick stop on the way.
The last time Cassidy opened her apartment door for me, I was in much higher spirits. Sure my girl wasn't doing well, but she was still a bit mine then.
This time, only negative feelings drive my voice and my actions. "What do you mean she's not home?"
Cassidy shifts around on her feet, looking nervous as hell to be talking to me. "Violet left a few nights ago. She's safe, just not here."
"Then fuckingwhere?" I snap, my voice rising in exasperation. "She's not due for another trip that I know of."
Cassidy frowns and glances down at the ground. "Jamie, I'm not going to tell you where she is."
"Why the hell not?!"
"HEY!" an older man down the hall bellows. "Watch your mouth around the young lady or I'll be forced to mess up your face."
The man is hardly more than skin and bones who probably couldn't walk to me without his cane, but I admire his protectiveness. "You're right. My apologies to you and Cassidy," I attempt to amend.
