Levi's ready for me, deflecting my flailing, weak attempts at pummeling him into the ground. Instead, I come out with a throbbing face, a gut that wants to throw up, and the wind knocked out of me.
"I expect you to be in this room every other morning at nine A.M. You'll learn to wield the negativity into a fucking hobby. Clean up. Get out. See you at Blue's if your priorities are straight."
Oh, I'll be there. Seeing Violet is the only reason I peel myself off the fucking mat. That, and Nate's worried gaze swimming above me.
Fifteen
BLUE
I'm worried about Violet. Seeing her on Jamie's lap last night solidified the idea that he's good for her. His presence and care calmed her in ways I can't. It was as if she truly felt safe in his arms.
I recognized it almost immediately because that's how my men make me feel. There was also the slight frustration that I noticed in her eyes after she realized she had melted into him. I could relate to that, too.
For a long time, I wanted to curse my men to hell. They deserved it for how they left me. Jamie doesn't, though.
So waking up early this morning, then finding Jamie gone and not wrapped around my daughter in her bed makes me uneasy. I should feel relieved that a man wasn't in her bed, but she's denying herself his love, and it breaks my heart.
I don't know why she was crying in the first place and, to be honest, there are too many fucking reasons she could have been. Jamie handled her feelings beautifully.
Grumbling into my only cup of coffee for the day, I squeeze my eyes shut. I have no idea how to navigate this. Is it inappropriate to push her toward Jamie because I know it would help?
"You're thinking too hard," Jared whispers. He kisses the side of my neck and wraps his arms around my waist.
I melt into his embrace and smile. "I know," I murmur. "What should we do? Do we back off and let them figure it out, or meddle a bit more?"
Jared chuckles against my skin, sending goosebumps down my spine. "I don't know about you, but my meddling last night ended in V crying."
"No," I argue, shaking my head and looking out the kitchen window. "It ended with her and Jamie bonding and talking. Which is exactly what she needs."
"She doesn't need a man to be okay, Bee."
Huffing, I turn around and narrow my eyes at Jared. "I know that. I'm saying she needs someone to push her. Someone to talk to. She needs to talk and figure things out. The longer she hides in my library, contemplating her life, the more likely she is to detach and run again."
Jared hums and glances over my shoulder. His facial expression shifts from thoughtful to humorous. "Jesus," he groans and turns me around to look out the window. "Even if we decided not to meddle, it seems Levi has other plans."
A gasp gets lodged in my throat when I catch sight of Levi standing menacingly in front of Ellis and Nate. Jamie walks up the driveway shortly after and stops dead in his tracks.
"Fucking hell," I groan and slam my coffee cup down. Yep. This mom needs to fucking meddle I guess. "VIOLET! Get down here!"
Sixteen
VIOLET
With my heart beating rapidly in my chest and annoyance hot on my heels as I hobble down the stairs, I follow the sound of voices. I'm trying my best not to be defensive, but when Mom yells for me like I'm a teenager, it's hard not to get annoyed.
No way she's yelling at me for sleeping in. I'll actually be pissed then.
I clearly woke up on the wrong side of the bed.
Hushed whispers draw me to the kitchen, where I find Mom and all of her men talking. Immediately, they stop and look up at me.
"Wow, don't stop on my account. What are you saying about me?" I'm no stranger to their worried looks or hushed conversations. Today feels different and concerningly tense.
The guys all kiss my mom on the cheek and rush from the kitchen. Their departure makes me feel even more anxious. My empty tummy twists with dread as Mom eyes me like she's trying to find all the secrets I keep hidden away in my mind.
"Come here," Mom says, and I'm surprised by the softness of her voice. With a deep breath, I give her the hug she's asking for. "I'm not mad."
Snorting into her shoulder, I burrow a little further, even though it hurts my ribs. "That doesn't make me feel any better."
