Jagger eyes me carefully while bending closer to Violet and dropping his voice low.“I’m thinking it was a business transaction, Little Thief.”
“Oh.”She shoots June, who’s as quiet as a damn mouse, a quick look.“That makes more sense.”
Makes more sense?For who?
Eyeing both women, I challenge, “And why were we confused?”
She tosses June another look, though I can’t help but wonder if it’s because they’re on the same wavelength or so far off, Violet’s debating on whether or not it’s her place to keep talking.
Curious.
June’s lips stay firmly pressed together as she toys with her fingers in front of her, just like she had on stage.She looks around the rest of the area like a celebrity might pop out from behind one of the curtains at any second.
“They’re wondering why you bet twelve grand on June only to walk backstage and talk with someone else.”Jagger leans to one side, eyeing his girlfriend the same way I had.“Am I right, Little Thief?”
“Maybe,” she caves grudgingly.
Seems Violet’s looking out for our girl here.
Interesting.
Question is…do I put them both at ease, or do I add fuel to the fire?
Decisions, decisions.
I must be tired because I choose the former, giving June a rare break while refusing to acknowledge it might have something to do with the nerves bubbling off her as we stand side by side.“Like Jagger said, business never sleeps.”I turn to her.“Although I am flattered you noticed my absence.”
“Just like how Bryan’s noticing June’s,” Violet quips across from me.
She’s a feisty little thing.Knew it from the moment she met my brother and kneed him in the balls.I, however, can’t fuck her into submission like he can.Not that I would want to, but the sass could be turned down a notch, especially when it comes to her sticking her nose in my business.
Oh, we’re really going to go there, Violet?Fine.
Folding my arms, I cock my head.“If my winning bothered Bryan so much, he could’ve always countered my bid.”
“Not everyone has thousands of dollars lying around,” Jagger interjects.
“Very true,” I agree.My gaze stays glued on June.She keeps rubbing her lips together as if she isn’t used to lipstick.Keeps picking at her cuticles, too.And the way she keeps most of her weight on one foot, like her already short height might be mitigated even more, making her almost small enough to disappear entirely?Yeah, she’s definitely on edge, though I have no idea if the quirks she’s displaying were apparent before I walked over or if I have my presence to thank for them.
“His loss.My win,” I tell her.
Tucking my hands into my slacks, I lift my shoulders in a shrug and shift closer.“Guess we’ll have to cut him some slack, now, won’t we, June Bug?”
Her weighted side-eye finally meets mine, but only for a split second.She doesn’t like it.How I called her out and addressed her directly instead of letting Violet and Jagger speak for her.I can tell by the rigidity in her posture.The way her pretty eyes keep bouncing off every surface in the room.Yeah, I definitely threw the girl for a loop by bidding on her tonight.Truth be told, I threw myself for a loop, too.I did not see it coming.At.All.Not that she doesn’t deserve a bid and whatnot, but the girl literally invited her boyfriend.Why the hell would I waste my time?Yet, here we are.
“What do you say, Bug?”I push.“Do we cut your boy some slack?Just this once?”
“Bryan and I are fine,” she finally says.
Not what I was inferring, but okay.
“See?I knew you would be.These two, man.”I hook my thumb toward June while addressing my big brother.“They’re the real deal, am I right?”
Amusement flashes in his eyes, but he shuts it down just as quickly.Probably because he wants to stay on his girlfriend’s good side, but what do I know?I’m not whipped.
Violet turns in Jagger’s arms and wraps hers around his waist.“So, what are we doing for our date?”
The question is clearly meant for her boyfriend alone, effectively dismissing June and me from her conversation while simultaneously leaving us to our own devices.
