With one last punch to Thomas’ jaw, my white knight turns to face me, a fire burning in his dark blue eyes. Once our eyes meet the fire extinguishes and concern washes over his features.
“You okay?” he asks me, looking me over, shaking off his hand.
My neck throbs and I can still feel Thomas fingers around my throat. I rub my hand across the pending bruises and look towards the ground in relief. “Yeah, thanks to you.” Thomas is moaning on the floor, not moving, and his face is bleeding like crazy. With my attacker detained, I let out the long breath I was holding in.
I have no idea what would’ve happened if he hadn’t come to my rescue.
My hero gives me a small smile, exposing a dimple on his right cheek. I don’t get time to process how cute he is, or why he looks so familiar when he grabs my hand.
“We need to get out of here.” He grabs my fallen backpack and slings it over his shoulder.
We run down the hallway and out of the school to safety. The cool breeze hits my face, easing me and my heated skin for only a second. I glance back to the school doors, wondering what’s going to happen to the bloody boy on the floor and the boy holding my hand.
“Shouldn’t we tell someone about him and what he did?” I ask him, though I don’t know why, no one would believe it anyway.
“He got what he deserved, Violet,” he spits.
Goosebumps prickle on my skin as a chill runs up my spine once again.
“How do you know my name?” I stop in the middle of the sidewalk, yanking my hand from his. He looks at me confused, his eyebrows knitting together.
He’s a sexy son of a bitch, but I don’t need another stalker on my hands.
“Everyone knows who you are…and it’s not like I could ever forget the name of the most beautiful girl in the world.” He smiles, showing off his dimple again.
I blush. I’m not popular by any means, but I get along with mostly anyone I run into. I look over the almost six-foot guy, whose arms bulge every time they flex, and try to figure out where I know him from. I know I’ve probably seen him in the halls, but there’s another memory in my mind attached to his face. With everything that just happened, my mind is in a fog.
“I wish I could say the same, but I’m afraid I don’t know yours?”
“Cooper…Cooper Reid.”
“That sounds familiar.” I’ve heard the name before, but it’s not clicking.
“Have you heard of X-rated?”
Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. Though, the last time I saw him was from the stage of a full club. I never got a clear look at him, with the array of colorful lights on the stage, but now it’s coming back to me. Along with the sound of his honey voice.
“You’re the lead singer. I saw you play at Sonic Boom last weekend. You’re amazing.”
“Thank you. I saw you too, and I had to ask about you.”
He saw me? How the hell did he see me?
“Really? Me?”
He stifles a laugh. “Yes, you. I saw you in the crowd dancing around, then later when I passed you in the hallway of the bathrooms. You were laughing with someone, and wearing a skin-tight dress, looking sexy as hell.” He shakes his head. “My guitar player, John, has English with you and told me about you. He mentioned you joined yearbook and I was waiting to talk to you. When you didn’t come out with everyone else, I asked Kayla and she said you went to your locker.” His hand meets my cheek and I lean into the smooth, warm skin of his palm. “There’s something about you…”
I giggle nervously at his compliment and don’t know what to say. I notice his free hand, and it’s cut up and bleeding. I pick it up and exam it, his left hand falling from my face. “We should get some ice on this. It’s starting to swell.”
We walk the block to my house and since my mom isn’t home, nobody can ask any questions about what happened. I grab an icepack from the freezer and we sit on the couch.
“This should help.” I take his beat-up hand and place the icepack over it.
“I think you need one for yourself,” he mutters, his free hand touching my neck.
“I’ll be okay. It doesn’t hurt as much as it did a little while ago.” I wave it off. It’s true it doesn’t hurt that bad, but I also don’t want a freezing icepack on my neck.
“You sure, because I’m not sure if I believe you?”
I nod. “I am. My throat does hurt a little, but I’ll be fine. I swear. I can breathe again, that’s what counts,” I reassure him. “You saved me from that animal. Who knows what he would have done if you didn’t.”
“I was told he’s been giving you problems.”
Everybody knows, yet he still roams the halls like he owns the place. I wouldn’t be surprised if he cornered me in the open like he did because he thought he was invincible and would get away with it. I can only hope that Cooper’s fist has taught him a lesson.
“Yeah, but nobody seems to believe me...not even my mom.” I frown and look down at my lap, wondering if now they’ll believe me?
“After today, you shouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.” His arm wraps around my shoulder and I instinctively rest my head on his shoulder. It oddly feels right. He smells of aftershave with just a hint of sweat. Surprisingly, it’s intoxicating.
I never liked the way a boy smelled before.
This is new and I like it. I inhale deeply.
His fingers brush through my hair and I turn my face to his. Our noses touch, and his warm breath tickles my lips. His deep blue’s gleam, and I don’t allow myself to think before grabbing the sides of his face and pressing my lips to his. His mouth parts, his tongue slips through my lips, brushing with mine. My arms move around his shoulders and he pulls me closer to him.
I’ve never been kissed like this before. It’s freakin’ amazing.
I break away from him slightly, our lips only millimeters apart. “More,” he murmurs, and he kisses me again, not allowing me to reply.
When we are both panting for breath he pulls away.
“Go out with me,” he breathes, his eyes searching mine.
“What?” I swallow, not sure if I heard him right.
“You heard me. Go out with me. Be my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend?
My head spins; that happened fast.
But, shit, why not? He’s hot and an amazing kisser, the lead singer in a band—what do I have to lose?
“Yes…”
He pulls me back to him, his hand roaming up and down my back, kissing me intently. I was only attacked an hour ago, I shouldn’t feel so relaxed, but being held in his arms makes me feel safe. The affection, the sweetness of someone caring for me is overpowering and melts the shit away from earlier, making it feel like a distant past.
There are fireworks and unicorns jumping over rainbows. I’m elated to feel so wanted by someone.
“VIOLET HARPER SPENCER!” my mother bellows, causing Cooper and me to jump apart.
Cooper slides to the other side of the couch like I’m on fire. I try to fix myself, but what’s the use? My lips are swollen from his kisses. I touch them, missing the connection already.
“Hi, mom,” I say cheerfully, pretending I wasn’t seconds away from letting Cooper defile me on the family couch.
Maybe I should be an actress.
“What do you think you are doing?” she asks me with her hands on her hips. “Who the hell is this?” She points over to Cooper, whose eyes go wide. Welcome to the Wrath of Amber Spencer.
“Mom, this is the milkman…he said we can buy the cow and save on delivery fees,” I tease, trying to lighten her mood, but fail. At least I got a chuckle out of Cooper.
Come on mom, not even a crack of a smile?
“This is Cooper…He’s my boyfriend.” I take his hand.
“Boyfriend?” she scoffs. “I don’t care who he is. Do you think it’s appropriate for you to be doing that on my couch?”
“No, ma’am.” I frown and look towards the dining room, however, inside I’m
laughing.
“He needs to go. Now!” She points her manicured finger towards the front door.
Cooper stands, bowing his head, and walks to the door. I rise to my feet and quickly follow him out. Once we are safely to the sidewalk, I grab a hold of his arm. “Sorry about that.”
I’m embarrassed and hope this doesn’t change anything that happened between us. His head pops up from its bowed position, his winning smile back.
“It’s okay. I can’t blame her. You’re her daughter and I was kissing the fuck out of you. Can I see you tomorrow to finish?” He wiggles his eyebrows, making my cheeks redden.
I nibble on my lower lip, glancing up at him shyly. “Yeah, of course.”
His lips press gently against my cheek, and my heart flutters.
“I’ll see you later, baby.” He winks at me and I can’t help the giggle that escapes my throat. I wave him off and watch as he walks down the road.
I turn around, facing my front door, and my stomach twists as I prepare myself for a lecture. I feel there’s no point of telling my mother about Thomas and how he gave me the bruises on my neck. She didn’t believe me about his letters and she saw those too.
With my mother it’s like talking to a wall. I can never do anything right. The only thing I do is disappoint her.
It aches all over that she can’t just be a mom, tell me she believes me, hold me, and tell me it will be okay.
At least something came out of this horrible day; a white knight saved my life, swept me off my feet, and now I get to call him my boyfriend.
A person who will hug me and tell me it will be okay.
May 19th, 2006
Violet
“S ay yes, Violet. I never want to let you go again…”
“Yes…”
I just told him yes…Didn’t I? Because yes, yes, yes, always.
Before I can wrap my head around it, I’m in Cooper's arms and our mouths are absorbed in a kiss so hot and cosmic my foggy, alcoholic brain has cut off all sense of my reality.
I was single only hours ago and now I’m getting married. If it wasn’t for the deep throb between my legs I would say all of this was a dream.
“I love you. I’m going to make you so happy, Ace. I’m never...” He’s cut off when Brody grabs his shoulder making Cooper stumble backwards out of my arms.
“What the fuck, man?” Cooper punches Brody in the arm.
Alexa and Julie giggle like little school girls beside him.
“Sorry, I thought I would save Vi from you sucking her face off. So, I’m guessing this means you two are back together?” He flicks his finger between us.
“We’re getting married!” I shout over the loud music. I’m giddy, jumping and clapping like a child on a sugar high.
“What?” Alexa and Julie both yell, their eyes wide and jaws hanging down to the ground like cartoon characters.
“Violet and I are getting married, and we’re going to do it now.” Cooper grabs my hand and pulls me flush to his body. “So, if you want to come along, get your stuff because we’re leaving.”
“Holy shit, Cooper” Brody claps his hands together. “I’m so there. I’ve been waiting for this for six years.”
Brody used to believe by the time Cooper and I were nineteen we would be married and have a kid or two. That might have been true if I never left. I guess we’ll never know, but we’re catching up now.
“Just you three. I don’t need everyone following us. Can you inform Collin? Let him and the others know we’re going to “The Little Chapel” down the street. Tell him to bring Tucker as well for back up.”
“Will do.” Brody dashes over to them. I laugh at the departing man who might be happier than I am about my impending nuptials.
“Vi?” Alexa grabs my face and has me look at her. “This is what you really want to do?”
Wow! I don’t remember there being two Alexa’s.
I smile at my best friend when my vision focuses and she becomes one again. I nod. “I’m sure,” I chirp. She lets go of my face and looks at Cooper, then back to me.
“You sure, you're sure?” she says more forcefully, double checking with me.
She’s always been more of the mama bear between the three of us.
And even if I never dated Cooper before, who in their right mind would turn down a proposal from Cooper Reid? Julie would be all over this like a bad rash.
“Of course, this is what I want to do. I love him!” I tell her, wrapping my arms around Cooper, kissing his stubbly cheek. My man grins from ear to ear. “And if you’ve seen the size of his you know what, you would snatch him up too.”
“Violet!” Cooper shakes his head at me, fighting back his embarrassment.
“Yeah, Vi! Nobody here needs a visual,” Brody groans as he comes walking back over, dramatically putting his hands over his eyes.
“Don’t be jealous, Brody!” I stick my tongue out at him and he does it back to me. I really have missed our brother-sister relationship. Hell, now we're really going to be brother and sister. Vegas is playing out for me.
“Come on, let's gooooooo! I'm not getting any younger,” I yell to the four most important people in my life.
This girl is getting married. I don’t have a white dress, but I suppose this cocktail dress will do. I look hot. It’s enough to get the man putting the ring on my finger to drool.
“Let’s get you married, girl!” Alexa cheers. “I can't believe this happening.”
“Well, there go my dreams of ever being Mrs. Reid,” Julie tells me with a playful pout before jumping up and down. “I’m so happy for you… if anyone else should have the title it should be you.” She gives me a hug and squeals in my ear.
“Does that mean you’ll take that picture of my husband off your wall now?” I stare at her pointedly and put my hands on my hips, playfully.
Julie blushes, looking shyly towards my man. “Umm... maybe…?” I have a feeling it's not going anywhere. “Come on girl, let's get you married. WOOO!”
“We just need to make a quick pit stop first. I need something shiny for your finger.” Cooper grabs my left hand and rubs his thumb over my naked ring finger. “Come, fiancée.”
Fiancée!
I’m floating on the clouds next to a tiny angel, as my future husband yanks me from the bar.
This girl is getting married.
The five of us, plus two Jolly Green Giants, make our first stop at a high-end jewelry shop on the strip. I don’t think I should even be allowed to walk in here. All the jewels shine brightly, all worth millions I can’t afford.
Violet don’t touch anything; you break it, you buy it. And you’ll be paying forever out of your ass if you do break something.
“Pick something,” Cooper whispers into my ear while I'm blinded by all the sparkly, pretty stuff.
“What?” I gasp in surprise. Isn't this every girl’s dream? A guy telling her to pick whatever they want from a display of jewels?
Somebody pinch me.
Wait, don't. I never want to wake up from this dream.
“Pick something. You're going to need an engagement ring and a wedding band. I want you to pick whatever you want. Sky's the limit, baby.”
“Shouldn’t you do that or should we be somewhere less, umm, fancy? Maybe a Zale’s or something?”
“I want you to have the best. I can afford it, trust me.”
Oh yeah, he's a superstar. How could I forget that?
Because to me, he's just Cooper. My Cooper.
“I know, it's just—”
He places a finger to my lips, cutting me off. “What if I pick out your engagement ring and we pick out your wedding band together?”
We could be here all day if I had to pick my ring because I’ll spend too much time debating about price and style. I just want to hurry up and get married.
“How about you pick out both of my rings and I pick out yours instead?” I counter, and he squints his eyes at me.
“I see you still have t
o debate everything.”
“It’s what I do best,” I tease, a cheeky smile rising on my lips.
He grabs my chin and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Since I don’t want to argue about this all night. I’ll let you win. This time.” He releases my chin then gives me a hard smack on the ass. I yelp in response and rub my now sore behind. “There will be a lot more of those coming later, don’t you worry.” He winks, a cocky grin playing on his lips.
“I’m not worried.” I return his wink and move to the display boxes.
The man behind the counter pulls out a bunch of rings for me to see. There’s so many to choose from and I need to make sure it’s perfect. Cooper will be wearing it for the rest of his life.
Talk about pressure.
After what seems like an eternity, we pick out our rings, and take the short journey to the “Little Chapel.”
Outside two large white doors—doors once we enter, we’ll become one—Cooper grabs my hand, halting me from pushing them open.
“Ace, one more thing before we go in.”
“What?” I gaze down at the man who I’ve loved since I was fifteen, as he takes both of my hands and falls to one knee, giving me an honest to goodness proposal. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch our friends with their phones capturing the moment.
“Violet, I’ve loved you forever. I remember the first time I saw you dancing at my show, you were stunning, but it was your eyes that captivated me, and I found myself desperate to talk to you. Then once we kissed, I knew you were going to be the only girl for me. I became who I am because you believed in me, encouraged me, and kept me in line with your smart mouth. I love how adventurous you are because you always kept life exciting. I love how you love everyone, especially me and give second chances. There was never a moment you didn’t have my heart even when we were apart. It will always be yours and I promise I’m never letting you go again. Here, today, I want to make an everlasting commitment to you because you'll always be my number one girl. You're my forever. So, Ace, will you marry me and be mine for as long as we both shall live?”
He pulls the velvet box from his inside pocket and presents it to me. Between the cushions is the largest diamond I’ve ever seen. The man is nuts; I’m going to tip over wearing that. Maybe I should’ve picked it out.
I Found You Page 5
