My phone buzzes, and I glance at it. The direct message on the screen makes me pale, and I drop my burger, snatching up my phone instead. “Shit. Shit shitshit.”
“What’s wrong?”
I re-read the message, a wave of panic flooding my chest.
Christian:On my way. Hope you’re wearing something sexy.
I glance up, looking at Eli but not really seeing him. I worry my bottom lip between my teeth. “I completely forgot I have a date at eight. Crap.”
“Bummer. I didn’t realize you were dating anyone,” says Eli, snatching another fry. I don’t even care this time.
“It’s not by choice,” I mutter, trying to figure out the best course of action.
His head quirks to the side as he gives me a curious look, something about the movement reminding me of a golden retriever. “What do you mean?”
I sigh, running my hands through my long hair, tugging it back into a ponytail and then letting it fall free. “It’s complicated.”
“Complicated how?” he asks. When I don’t respond, his eyes narrow. He looks so much like Landon for a moment that I do a double take. “Is he a deadbeat who’s not treating you right? Need me to kick his ass?”
Well, that escalated quickly.
My eyes widen at his questions, and I quickly shake my head. “No, no. He’s this guy at the club who’s basically forcing me to go out with him. He says he’ll get me fired if I don’t.”
I expect Eli to crack a joke, but what follows my admission is dead silence. The youngest Blair brother just stares at me, a look of outrage on his face. Yeah, now the resemblance to Landon isreallyuncanny.
“Are you fucking kidding me, Violet? Who is it?” he demands.
I’m about to respond when his brother storms into the kitchen, looking pissed. “Why thefuckis Christian McCoy pulling into my driveway?”
Eli’s mouth drops open, and his eyes slide from his brother back to me. “McCoy?That family is as slimy as they come! Why haven’t you reported him?”
I almost laugh at that. “Report him? To whom? For what? Last I checked, asking a girl out wasn’t a crime.”
“No, but blackmailing one is.”
“What are you talking about?” demands Landon, looking between us.
“McCoy’s forcing Violet to go out with him,” Eli says, shaking his head in disgust. “If not, he says he’ll get her fired.”
Landon’s eyes narrow, and his gaze settles on me. “Is that true?”
I debate how to answer that question for a moment and finally just shrug. “I mean, yes. But I need this job. What am I supposed to do?”
Eli’s hands slap the counter. “See. This is why I hate that fucking place and those fucking people. Even staying on Dad’s good side can’t be worth that weekly torture.”
The doorbell rings, and all three of our heads snap toward the sound. No one moves. “I’ll tell him to get lost,” Landon says eventually, turning toward the hall.
“Oh, no,” I say quickly, rushing in front of him to block his path. I shake my head, trying to hide my absolute mortification at this situation. “That’s okay. I can just go.”
Landon gives me a heavy look, his eyebrow quirking up like he doesn’t believe me. “You seriously want to go out with that shithead?”
“I mean, no,” I assure. “Not at all. He creeps me out. But-”
“Then let me handle it.”
“Better yet, letmehandle it,” says Eli, getting to his feet. “I promise I won’t maim him to death. Maybe just a coma.”
“Eli, sit,” snaps Landon.
