I'm foolish enough to admit that I expected her to run into our arms if she ever saw us again. Of course I would have pushed her away, but I always knew her as affectionate and free with her love.
Her feelings radiated from her, even over text. Seeing her on a video call felt like a warm fucking hug. Even through a long distance relationship, Violet made Nate and me feel so loved and cherished.
What happened? Could she have really changed so much that I don't recognize this version of her?
Bluewas the one kidnapped. Not Violet. Sure, V was traumatized by losing her mama and the chaos of everything, but what the hell altered her fundamentally?
I'm confused. This isn't what I expected.
Fuck. I figured when we found her again, she would be living her best life. Maybe started fresh because Chicago reminded her of what happened to Blue. But this? This version of Violet I'm just now actuallyseeingconfuses me.
Anger is easy. Whatever the hell I'm feeling right now is fuckingnot.
Swallowing thickly, I lean toward her and say the only word that comes to mind. "Bubbles?"
To my horror, a sob bursts from her. I rear back with my heart in my throat as Jamie bursts from his chair. Nate grabs Jamie immediately and forces him to listen to his quiet words. I lose interest in their heated argument because Violet continues crying into her napkin.
She's not gone yet. I can still fix this fucked up situation.
Right? Fuck.
Twenty-Four
VIOLET
The only thing that could make me stop crying happens. Jamie steps away. He literally takes a step back.
I have no idea what Nate said to him, but I want to slap all three of them. Unfortunately my emotions are in depression territory. What I wouldn't give to have an easy anger switch like my mama.
Anger is easy...
"Hey Violet," Nate coos, now sitting beside me and looking like I'm going to burst into an explosion of kittens or something. "Jamie's going to the bathroom. I think while we have time alone, we need to clear the air."
I don't realize how stiff I've gotten until Nate tells me Jamie'sleaving. Panic seizes my vocal cords as I look back to where Jamie just was.
To my relief, he's leaning against the wall a few tables away, staring at me. As our eyes lock, Jamieplaces a hand on his chest and nods at me.He's not going anywhere. He will watch over me as I face my mistakes.
At least that's what I think he's promising.
"V..." Nate touches my elbow, making me flinch and snap my gaze back to him. He doesn't seem to have noticed that Jamie isn't actuallygone,or if he does, he simply doesn't mind my hero hovering.
Is that what Jamie is? My hero?
Mom would tell me Jamie isn't the hero in my story; I am. Especially when I feel like I can't get any lower because there's no telling when another person might leave.I am forever. My loyalty to myself makes me my own hero.
"Violet?"
Blinking, I realize I zoned out on Nate's face. "You grew out your beard," I murmur like an idiot.
Heat warms my cheeks, but I don't retract my statement because it's true. Nate didn't have a full beard when I knew him. It's not wild by any means. He keeps it cut nicely, but it's...different.
Just like I am.
Like Ellis is. I never knew Ellis to be cruel, but there's an edge to him now that scares me a little.
"He did. Many things have changed," Ellis confirms.
I cringe a little even though I'm not certain he meant that to sound as harsh as my heart felt it to be.
