Still grinning to myself, I retreated to my bedroom and closed the door. Dad was probably right, I needed to be patient with Violet, but just in case I was wrong about her ignoring me, I sent one last text.
Indie:
Hey, Vi. I know you’re mad at me, but can we talk? I really want to apologize.
Once my jeans were swapped for a pair of sweatpants, I brought my backpack over to my desk and took out my physics textbook. I’d missed a lab on Wednesday and had to solve an entire packet of practice problems to make up for it. Before digging in, I checked my phone to see if Violet had responded. There were no new notifications, but I clicked on our conversation anyway. When I spotted the tiny gray message below my text, I did a double take.
Indie:
Hey, Vi. I know you’re mad at me, but can we talk? I really want to apologize.
Read 4:12 PM
At some point between texting Violet about coming to New Edge and now, she’d turned on her read receipts…so I’dknowshe was ignoring me.
Greeeat.
Unlike me, Violet wasn’t normally one to hold grudges, which meant she must be beyond pissed. I had a sinking feeling that a mere conversation wouldn’t be enough to get rid of the wedge I’d driven between us.
But what could I do? I was stuck at home while Violet was clearly avoiding me at all costs.
I slouched against my computer chair and let my head fall back as I mulled over how I could show my sister how sorry I was. Ten minutes of staring at the ceiling later, an idea came to me. It wasn’t a very good idea, and I’d most likely wind up serving more time on house arrest if I was caught, but it was all I had. I scooped up my phone, scrolled through my contacts, and selected Galaxy Rider.
Xander picked up right away, and my ears were immediately assaulted by whatever loud music was playing in the background. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I have a major crisis on my hands, so I figured I’d call the most reliable person I know to help me problem solve,” I told him.
He laughed, and despite my situation with Violet, the sound of his amusement was enough to make me smile. “I’ve never thought of myself as a problem solver, but all right. What’s this crisis of yours?”
“Well, I want to apologize to Violet for being a crappy sister,” I said, and either Xander moved closer to the music or someone cranked up the volume, because it was suddenly blaring. “The issue is, not only am I being ignored, but—”
“Sorry, Indie, I can’t hear you. Hold on a sec.” He must have put his hand over the receiver, because everything suddenly soundedmuffled. It wasn’t muted, however. “JJ, stop being an asshole! I’m on the phone.”
A moment passed, but then the music cut off, and Xander’s side of the line went crystal clear.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “What were you saying?”
“That Violet is ignoringandavoiding me.”
“Okay. Is there something specific I can do about it?”
“Actually, there is,” I told him. “Were you invited to her birthday party tomorrow?” I crossed my fingers and prayed he was. If not, my plan wouldn’t work.
“Well, it’s more of a backyard cookout than a party, but yeah. The whole band was,” he replied. “We’re going to play a quick set.”
I grinned. “That’s even better. I’m going to need your guys’ help.”
Chapter 18
“Sorry I’m late,” I called, scrambling out of my car. “I hope you guys haven’t been here for too long.”
It was Saturday night, and I’d just pulled up to a fancy house in the hills. The Heartbreakers were spread out around a now familiar Range Rover, which was parked on the side of the street—JJ and Oliver were lounging in the grass, while Alec perched on the rear bumper, headphones in. Xander was nowhere to be seen. After our phone conversation yesterday, he’d texted me the address for Violet’s party and promised to wait for me out front so we could go in together. What I hadn’t expected was for the rest of the band to wait as well, but I was starting to realize the four of them came as a package deal. We’d agreed to meet at four—well after the party would be in full swing, so Violet wouldn’t notice me until it was time—but I hadn’t anticipated my dad being so strict.
“Absolutely not,” he’d said when I told him I was leaving for Sofia’s and would be home in a few hours. “I understand this is a relatively new concept for you, Indie, but being grounded means you’re not allowed to engage in social or recreational activities.”
I blinked at him.Engage in social or recreational activities?Who the hell was this man?
“Yes, but this is anacademicactivity.” Unzipping the main pocket, I showed him the inside of my backpack, which was loaded with textbooks. “I missed a really difficult lab in physics, and I’m struggling with the practice packet. Sofia offered to help me.”
