“Nah. He’s just good at looking at the big picture. Finding cracks in plans. Weak spots. That kind of thing.”
“Is that what I am? Your weak spot?”
His smile softens as his hand tugs me even closer, bringing us chest to chest as he bends down until his breath teases the shell of my ear. “You have no idea.”
45
VIOLET
After dancing until my feet literally can’t take another second on the floor, Jagger drives me to a burger place where we pick up some food before taking us to my apartment. After eating, he kisses me goodnight and slips outside. It feels weird not having him here, but sharing a room with June makes sleepovers a bit difficult.
June’s already asleep when I finally tiptoe into our bedroom and climb under the covers. I’m not sure how long I’m in bed when the loud thump of knuckles against wood echoes from the front door.
It’s so loud, I jolt upright, and June does the same.
“What was that?” she whisper-shouts.
The same pounding comes again.
“I have no idea.” Slowly, I slip out of bed and tiptoe down the hall.
“Should we call the cops?” June asks behind me.
I shake my head and wave her off, continuing toward the front door, my nerves thrumming with every footstep. Who the hell would be pounding on our door in the middle of the night? Peeking through the peephole, I feel my body slump in recognition.
Well, shit.
“Who is it?” June prods, her voice quivering in fear.
“It’s my, uh, no one.” It’s a knee-jerk reaction. To lie. To cover for him. To pretend my sperm donor is no one but a stranger despite sharing his blood. I shouldn’t be surprised he found out where I live. Not that he’s much of a stalker or anything. He probably only wants to beg me for some cash. It wouldn’t be the first time, and since he no longer has free access to my room, it almost makes sense.
June reaches for her cell. “I’m calling the cops?—”
“Don’t bother. I’ll get rid of him.”
“Violet, don’t?—”
My hand hovers over the door knob, as I turn to her again. Her bright blue gaze pleads with me. It only feeds my guilt. I brought this to our doorstep. I broughthimto our doorstep. “Seriously, June, I’ve got this, okay?” Keeping the chain lock in place, I open the door a crack, more determined than ever to cut the cord with this man. “Can you be quiet?” I seethe.
“Quiet?” His labored laugh is tainted with cheap whiskey. It’s enough to make my eyes water. “You think I should be quiet?”
“If you don’t, my roommate’s calling the cops,” I inform him.
The mention of the police is enough to sober him, but only a little. “Open the door, Violet.”
“Yeah, not happening,” I tell him.
“Violet—”
“If you came here to say something, you can do it through the crack. How can I help you?”
“Help me?” He scoffs. “Since when have you done anything but be a pain in my fucking ass?”
I rub at the corner of my eye, too drained to contend with his bullshit tonight. Besides, it’s not like it’ll get me anywhere. “Is that it?” I ask. “Are we done now?”
“No, I’m not fucking done,” he snarls. “This is all your fault. All your fuckin’ fault.”
“Violet?” June whispers behind me.
