Thirty-One
ELLIS
Ireally should have showered before starting dinner. Grilled ham and cheese wasn't the best choice for me to make either. I don't know what the hell it is, but I can never get them done at the same time as the fries.
"Just fuckingcook," I growl at slices of bread which have barely browned. Nobody likes a soggy ass grilled ham and cheese. Even if I had showered before starting dinner for me and Nate, I would probably still be a sweaty mess.
Takeout would have been a better idea. My muscles aredyingand I think I'm high off paint fumes.Can that happen?
Glaring at the stove isn't helping, so I decide to set the table. It would be good for us to sit down together and eat a meal like it's a date. Fuck knows things have been hard lately.
I'm pondering what night might work to plan a date when the front door closes. "In the kitchen!" I shout, excited to propose the idea of a date night to Nate.
A feminine cough has me stiffening and whirling around so fast the fork in my hand almost goes flying. Much like Violet's doing as she rushes toward my attempt at dinner.
"Holy crap! These are like hockey pucks!" she screeches and reaches for the hot pan. Before she can risk her soft skin, I snatch her wrist and tug her away from the burner.
"Careful, Bubbles!" I hiss, spinning her around. My eyes have a mind of their own as I check her for any burn marks.
"Ellis, I'm fine." But her nose scrunches up and her eyes narrow.
"What? What's wrong?" My heart pounds in my chest and I swear my head starts conjuring up all the things that could be wrong. She doesn't say anything, just twists her lips and tries to tug her hand free. "Damn it, Violet. What's wrong?"
That damn tiny nose wiggles again but this time it seems like it’s from annoyance. "Nothing. Let me go."
"I'll let you go after you tell me what’s wrong." No fucking way is she running from me before I can figure out how to help her.Did the cheese pop off the stove and burn her somewhere I haven't checked? Her neck maybe?
"You're annoying," she snaps and yanks on me again. This time I let myself move and crowd her instead. "Damn you, Ellis. Youstink, that's what's wrong!"
Nate chooses that moment to enter the kitchen and freezes in his tracks. He doesn't seem too surprised to see her, which means he must have brought her here. I haven't given her the code to our house yet, but I'm wondering what the hell they've been up to all afternoon.
"Ellis. Let me go before my nose sprouts legs and runs away from you."
"Har, har," I mock and release her much to my dismay.
Nate chuckles and grabs a water from the fridge, handing it to Violet. "Shit, El. What was that supposed to be?" he asks, staring into the pan where our ruined dinner is.
Grumbling, I move the pan and scowl at it. "I turned the heat up for like fifteen fucking seconds while I set the table. Grilled cheese is hard."
A twinkly laugh makes my eyes snap over to Violet. Covering her mouth, she snorts. "Sorry," she huffs and shakes her head.
"Are you still here?" I taunt, using the same words she used against me at Jamie's tattoo shop.
Her eyes light up, surprising me. Maybe my way back into her heart is with banter. "I want to see the tattoo you got." Nate clears his throat and raises his eyebrows at her. Violet rolls her eyes but adds, "Please?"
"Um." All my bravado fades away. I wasn't ready for her to be here or start asking me questions. There was no chance for preparationplusI fucking stink. "I'm going to shower first. There's dust and paint in places it shouldn't be."
"He's been remodeling," Nate explains, earning a glare from me that saysshut the fuck up.
"What are you remodeling?" she asks, sounding intrigued and suspicious.
Instead of answering her, I turn to Nate. I'm at a total disadvantage here. Thankfully, he knows what I'm asking with just a look. Coming to me, he presses a quick kiss to my lips and quietly says, "She wanted to hang out so I took her to my mom’s with me."
"Oh shit," I murmur, then my eyes fly to Violet who looks a little run down. She's beautiful as always, but her eyes are red-rimmed and her cheeks are blotchy. "What did Tina have to say, Bubbles? You okay?"
Damn it, why did I have to be such an ass right off the bat? Maybe I'll skip the shower and go for a run. Except, that's not what I want to do at all. There's nothing beneath my skin itching to get out. I don't feel like I'm about to explode with anger ortoxicity. I do feel damn protective though, and I don't like that she's been crying.
"Show me yours and I'll show you mine," she replies with a small smirk. It doesn't quite reach her eyes though.
