I shrug.“Yeah.Is that weird?”
“I mean, he’s Ford,” Violet points out as if that alone is enough of an explanation.“Don’t get me wrong.I’m pretty sure he has a good heart?—”
“Pretty sure?”Lexie interjects.
“Let’s just say, the man sucks at letting people in,” Violet returns.“The fact that he stepped up and helped you yesterday?”Her eyes bug out, emphasizing the absolute insanity of such a thing.
The issue is, I still don’t see it.
Am I the crazy one for thinking he might have a heart buried deep down in there somewhere?
“Why is it so surprising?”I ask.
“Because he’s Ford,” she repeats.“The man’s made it clear he thinks you’re cute and all, but offering to help when he knows he won’t get anything out of it is…” She hesitates.“I don’t know… Color me surprised, I guess.”
“Yeah, no shit,” Lexie says from across the small table.“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they’re from The Drift with how guarded those boys are.”
“Boys?”Violet quips.“As in…plural?As in…”
She doesn’t finish her sentence.She doesn’t need to.Lexie’s expression is more than enough proof that Violet hit the nail on the head a little too perfectly.Yeah, our Lexie isn’t referring to just any boy.She's referring to the third brother.The sexy, quiet, oh so mysterious Hawke Harden.The question is…is Lexie admitting she’s finally noticed the guy?And I mean,actuallynoticed him?If she is, I can only imagine the fallout.Hawke Harden isn’t just a rich boy from the right side of the tracks.He’s Lexie’s older brother’s literal enemy.Talk about playing with fire.Add in the fact that she supposedly hates him, and I’m a little bit confused.
“Anyway,” Lexie drags out.“Why’d you ditch our girl here?”
“I didn’t mean to,” Violet starts.“It’s just, Jagger asked if I wanted some food after my shift, and I kind of lost track of time, which is no excuse,” she rushes out.“I know I failed?—”
“Don’t worry.I won’t hold it against you,” I tease.And it’s true.I won’t.Even if I wind up with an F, it wouldn’t be anyone’s fault but my own.Add in a certain Harden brother who swooped in to save the day, and I don’t have it in me to hold a grudge.Especially not one toward my best friend.“Besides, Ford’s actually a really good tutor,” I add.“I had no idea he was so…”
“Smart?”Violet offers.
I nod.
“Yeah, Jagger says Ford got the brains of the family, which is saying something considering the fact that Jagger’s degree is in Economics.”
“What about Robin?”Lexie prods before her eyes widen.“Not that I care,” she rushes out.“It’s just, you know, the sooner he graduates, the sooner he’ll leave me alone and stop stalking me at work, right?”
He stalks Lexie at work?
“Good cover,” Violet volleys.“And I actually don’t know what Hawke’s major is.You’ll have to ask him.”
She snorts.“Yeah, no thank you.”
“Speaking of Hawke,” I add.“Maybe he isn’t stalking you.Maybe he’s stalking Ethan?”
Lexie hesitates.“Maybe.”
“How are things on that front, anyway?”I prod.
“How’s my big brother?”Lexie shrugs.“Good, I think.I’m not sure.It’s not like we really talk.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t eavesdrop,” Violet points out.
Lexie’s full lips purse before she takes another sip of coffee, not bothering to confirm or deny Violet’s assumption.Interesting.I wonder what it means.What it could mean.What does Lexie know?Ethan’s always so quick to draw a line in the sand.Hardens versus Drifters.Violet and I have clearly been lumped in with the former, while Lexie’s still attached to the latter, though I have no idea whether it’s obligatory or voluntary or even if it’s really a choice with which she has any control.She lives in The Drift.Works in The Drift.Was raised to hate anything and everything outside of The Drift.The only reason she even crosses into Harden territory is to hang out with Violet and me.Does Ethan give her crap for it?For coming here?Does he even know?
“Finally, a familiar face.”A flyer lands on our table.
“Cobie?”Standing, Violet pulls the gorgeous girl into a hug.“Hey!What are you doing here?”
After a quick squeeze, Cobie pulls away from Violet’s embrace and explains, “My dad roped me into heading up a fundraiser for charity.”She turns to Lexie, then me.“Hi, I’m Cobie.”
