“I have good news,” I announce. “The, uh, the house. I met with Morgan tonight, and, uh…” Shit. How is this harder than when I told my brothers? “I took care of it.”
Suspicion winds its way through Violet’s voice as she asks, “And how did you take care of it?” I can’t help but wonder if she sees right through me the same way Hawke did. The same way Roman and Ford did until Ford became distracted with another fight night to plan.
I squeeze my eyes shut, my free hand pressed to the mantle as I take in a deep breath through my nose. “It’s yours.”
“Jagger.”
“Violet,” I volley.
“How did you…? What did you…?”
“I said I took care of it,” I repeat. “I called because I was excited to tell you, okay? Now, get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Jagger-–”
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I repeat.
Silence rings out through my cell until her quiet voice cuts through the static. “Okay,” she breathes out. “I, uh, I…”
I wait for her to finish her sentence, but I’m only greeted with another round of silence. She what?
What were you going to say, Vi?
Something knocks me in the chest as I consider the short list of options. She wasn’t going to say loves me, was she? Would she? Does she? I shift my cell to my opposite ear. “Yeah?” I urge.
“I…I miss you,” she rushes out. “And thank you.”
My mouth lifts. “No need to thank me, Vi.”
“You didn’t have to step in. You know I would never ask you to, but…you did it anyway, and…I know I’m not used to someone looking out for me, but…thank you.”
Doesn’t she get it, by now? I’m in this girl’s corner no matter what. Even if it kills me.
“Anytime, Little Thief.” And damn, if it isn’t the truth.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she murmurs.
Still smiling in spite of the shitty night I’ve had, I reply “See you, Little Thief.”
Then, the call ends, and I tap the edge of my phone against my chin. Even now, I can’t make myself regret it. The deal I made with Ethan. Because if it means I get to hear my Violet’s relief, then it’s enough. Hell, it’s more than enough. But for now, I gotta figure out what I’m going to do from here.
And that, is a problem.
50
JAGGER
There are perks to being a Harden. Telling Professor Donahue about my relationship with Violet and how much of a shame it would be if he decided to delve out any repercussions for said relationship while also delivering the news about a new donation the Harden family has made to the school’s new library is one of them.
Fuck, it was a mouthful when I explained it to the professor, too, but I’m feeling even more of a headache now. Or maybe it’s from the impending nuclear bomb coming up this weekend. Rolling my shoulders, I open the coffee shop’s door, anxious to see my girl, but stop short.
What the hell is he doing here?
Violet’s expression lights up at whatever Uncle Judge said before her attention catches on me. She gives me a bright smile, then turns back to Judge like he’s any other customer. “And what’s the name for your order?”
“Judge,” my uncle answers.
“All right, Judge, your hot coffee will be—wait.” She looks at me, then back at my uncle as if seeing him for the first time. “Y-you’re Judge?”
