The knock on my door is like having an icy bucket of water thrown on us, and we jump apart.
“Vi,” my mom calls. “Are you awake?”
Thatcher smirks as my eyes pop out of my head, and I quickly shove him into my closet before opening my bedroom door.
“Are you doing bed checks now?” I clip.
Her lips press, her eyes scanning my room before answering. “Maybe I should. I thought I heard you talking to someone.”
I point with my thumb over my shoulder to the radio. “It was only music, mom. You’re being paranoid.”
She hums. “Well, you look flushed. Are you feeling okay?”
A fire breaks out across my cheeks as she reaches out to feel my forehead, and I bat her hand away. “I’m fine, mom. Jesus.”
“Oh shit…did I interrupt you? You know that’s nothing to be ashamed of. A little self-exploration is healthy.”
“Oh my god, mother! Boundaries!”
“It will be good to know your body before things get too far with a boy. What was that boy’s name? Thatcher?”
And, I officially want to die.
I groan in agony. “I’m closing the door now.”
She stops me, placing her hand on the door. “I love you, Vi.”
“I know, mom. I love you too. Good night.”
“Good night, baby.”
Mortified, I shut and lock the door again. Thatcher emerges from the closet with a huge grin on his face and I cover mine with my hands.
“Dear lord,” I grumble, peeking through my fingers at him as he comes to stop in front of me. “Please tell me you didn’t hear all of that.”
He chuckles, removing my hands from my face. His fingers lace with mine as he tugs me closer. I’m falling for this boy faster by the second, and I’m going to hit the ground hard.
“Not a word. Unless you mean the part where your mother encouraged you to explore your body in preparation for some boy named Thatcher. Then, yes. I heard every word.”
My cheeks flame as I squeeze my eyes shut. “Shoot me, now.”
“Don’t be embarrassed. It was very entertaining. And, fun. I’ve never hidden in a closet from a girl’s parents before. Never actually snuck into a girl’s room at all.”
I smack my lips. “Yeah, right. You’ve probably crawled into a hundred girl’s windows before.”
He smirks before nudging my nose with his. “Nope. Never cared enough about anyone to put out that kind of effort. Never been so desperate to see someone I’d do anything to get to her. But you, Saint…you make me reckless.”
His lips land on mine again. This time his kiss is soft, sweet, chaste, ending much sooner than I’d like.
“I should go. I’ll be back to pick you up in the morning. You aren’t riding the damn bus. You can ride with me.”
“What if I don’t want to ride with you?” I challenge.
He quirks an eyebrow. “I’ll be here at 7:15 that way we have time to stop for some breakfast.”
I gape at him as he kisses my forehead, certain I’ve stepped into a twilight zone. He has the window open, straddling it with one foot in and one out, by the time I speak again.
“I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“Sure, you do. I warned you I’d come for you. You’re mine now, baby doll, and I fully intend to play with you.”
Chapter Thirty
THATCHER
Cole huffs as he plops down at the cafeteria table. He saw me walking Violet to ISS this morning and tried to grill me about it in the hallway, but I made him wait until lunch. If the asshole hadn’t been avoiding me, he’d already know.
“Hold up…you’re telling me after all the bullshit and drama, you decided to say fuck it and go for it?”
My lips spread into a huge grin. Last night still feels like a dream. When Violet stared up at me with those big, blue, innocent eyes, I knew I was never going to be able to walk away from her. I have no freaking clue how to do this whole dating thing, and I’m terrified I’ll screw everything up. But I’m deliriously happy.
“I didn’t see the point in holding back anymore.”
“I never saw the point,” he mumbles, annoyance laced in features. “Did you actually ask her if she wanted to date you or assume it was a done deal?”
His attitude isn’t entirely surprising, but I don’t know why he’s trying to rain on my parade right now. Shouldn’t he be happy for me?
I twist the top off my soda and take a long gulp before answering. “There wasn’t a verbal agreement, but there was no mistaking my intention or her response.” My blood heats thinking of the way she melted into me as we kissed.
“Yeah? Well, I know Saint,” he says, a condescending smirk on his face as he opens a bag of Funyuns. “She’s going to want and expect you to actually ask her out. She’s going to want you to take her out on a proper date.”
He pops a chip in his mouth, and the loud crunching grates my skin. That ugly green monster wants to rear his head, but I stomp it back down. I don’t have to like the fact that Cole knows more about Violet than I do, but I do need to accept it. He’s her friend too, and she cares about him. Besides, he won’t always know her better than me.
“Don’t worry about it. I know what I’m doing. After I talk to her parents tonight, I plan to ask her out on a ‘proper date.’”
“What?” he chokes out around a mouthful of food. My lips press as I wait for him to wash down his sandwich with his Mountain Dew. “You’re going over her house to talk to her parents?”
“Yeah. She shouldn’t be grounded. I’m going to plead her case, tell them what happened that day was my fault.”
He laughs. “And you expect them to let her go out with you afterwards?”
I throw one of my grapes at him. “I’m hoping they’ll appreciate my efforts to make things right. Besides, I have no choice. She won’t tell me what happened with Joey, I doubt she’ll be willing to tell her parents.”
“Joey? Roberts is the one who made her cry?” He lifts slightly off his seat as his eyes scan the cafeteria. “If you know he did it, why isn’t that fucker in the ground?” he growls when he doesn’t spot him.
“Violet doesn’t want me to do anything to retaliate.”
“Well, of course she doesn’t. She’s a freaking saint,” he booms. I cut my eyes at him, and his tone is much softer when he continues. “You know that asshole needs to be dealt with. Why the hell are you letting her protect him?”
I scratch at my ticking jaw. “She’s not protecting him, she’s protecting me. She made me promise her this morning I wouldn’t go after him because she doesn’t want me to get in trouble, and she’s right. He’s not worth it.”
“I’ll be damned. Our little saint has managed to tame in you in less than a day. That must be a record.”
I let out an angry laugh. “Screw you, Cole.”
“No, screw you.” He pushes his tray toward me. “I can’t believe you’re going to let him walk around thinking he can get away with fucking with Violet so you can save your own ass.”
I come to my feet, not caring who’s watching as I stare down at him. There’s a slight tremble in my hand as I point to him. Holding in my anger has never been my strong suit.
“I’m going to let that go because I know you care for her and because Violet wouldn’t want us fighting. I’m trying to be sensitive to the fact that you have feelings for her, but you need to get the hell over it. She’s not our saint, she’s mine. I would do anything for her, including respect her wishes. If you call my intentions into questions again, we’re going to have a problem.”
His shoulders slump as he rubs the back of his neck. “You’re right. I’m sorry, man.” The cafeteria returns to a roar as I take my seat again, almost everyone losing interest when they realize we won’t be fighting. Cole leans over the table, his voice low and eyes sincere as he goes on. “I do care about her and hate the thought of someone hurting her. My feelings for her aren’t what you’re thinking, though. I
mean, the lines were blurred a couple times for me because she’s…” his hand swirls in the air as he tries to conjure the right words, “well, she’s Violet. But that girl only has eyes for you. I love and want to protect her in the same way I do you and Arwen.”
His head turns to the side like a dog as he studies me, trying to gage my mood when I don’t respond.
“So, are we good?” he presses.
A smile tugs at my lips as I throw my empty Coke bottle at him. “Yeah, of course.” We might be better than we’ve been in weeks.
Cole and I get up to throw our trash away as the bell rings. Once we’re in the main hall, he steps up beside me, clearing his throat.
“So… I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but considering our conversation, I thought it might help for you to know I’ve sort of been talking to someone.”
I come to a stop, giving him my full attention. “What? Who? Why haven’t you told me?”
He shrugs as if it’s no big deal, but Cole doesn’t keep things from me. He’s mister open, hates secrets. Says they’re basically lies. “I don’t know. It’s new and…”
He pauses as he checks our surroundings, officially making me suspicious.
“You’re being weird. Does this girl have like two heads or something? You know I wouldn’t judge, that could actually work to your advantage.”
He chuckles, shoving my shoulder. “You’re such an asshole. No, she doesn’t have two heads.” His eyes dart from right to left before he adds, “At least, not that I know of.” His mumbled words are rushed, likely hoping I wouldn’t be able to hear him over the chaos around us.
My forehead creases. “Go back. Not that you know of…?”
His cheeks puff as he lets out a long breath, running a hand through his shaggy blonde hair. “We haven’t actually met up in person yet. She sent me a DM on Instagram a few weeks ago. Then we started messaging back and forth.”
My eyes pop open, and I clamp my mouth shut to keep from laughing in his face. “Dude, please tell me you’ve actually talked to a live person. You know you could be chatting it up with some three-hundred-pound fat guy who’s been whacking off to your photos and shit.”
He laughs my comment off, but his features remain rigid. If he’s annoyed with me, it’s because I’ve hit a nerve. He knows I’m right. “I’m undoubtedly in several dudes’ spank banks, but she’s real. We’ve talked on the phone a couple times.”
I rub my jaw, fighting the urge to shake some sense into him. Cole has always been a bit of a romantic, but I never thought he’d do something so irresponsible. “What about FaceTime? Where does this chick live? Why can’t you meet up? I don’t think you’re thinking clearly on this one.”
Cole’s face goes red, and I’m not sure if he’s embarrassed or mad. Perhaps both. “She doesn’t want to do FaceTime. She’s not ready for me to know her identity.”
I scoff. “Come again?”
He steps a little closer to me, lowering his voice as he explains. “Her account is like all aesthetics. I don’t even know what she looks like. She goes to Westbrook, and says she’s had a crush on me for a while, but I guess she’s insecure or some shit. I’m trying to give her some time and gain her trust.”
He’s lost his mind—romanticized this girl to the point of denial. If she knew him at all, she would know Cole doesn’t give a shit about outward beauty or social status. He simply wants someone with a good heart. Someone who’s honest and kind. Someone who will care for him as fiercely as he cares for the people he loves.
“Please tell me you’re screwing with me. She could be catfishing you. Who says she’s not sharing your private conversations with everyone? You aren’t sharing personal shit with this girl, right? I mean, you’re not that dumb.”
His nostrils flare, and he takes a step back. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you, Thatch,” he shouts, clearly no longer concerned with keeping his voice down. “I knew you’d react like this. It’s not like that, though. I trust her.”
The warning bell rings, but the people around us remain still and quiet, watching with rapt attention. “Don’t y’all have class to get to? Move on!” Students scurry down the hall as the final bell rings, and I turn my glare back to Cole. “Trust her? You don’t even freaking know her.”
“I know her better than you know Violet,” he spits out.
I rub my pointer finger and thumb across my forehead to ease the pounding. “Wow…” I whistle, “that was a low blow. Excuse me for being concerned about my friend. Why don’t you look into her? We both know your nerdy ass could figure out who it is in no time. You’re a freaking computer whiz.”
His eyes are softer as they lock on mine, his lips twisting with amusement. “I know, dude. If the tables were turned, I’m sure I’d feel the same way. But I’ve got it handled. If things start to get shady, I’ll dig and figure out who she is. Right now, it’s nice having someone to talk to.”
“All right. Let’s get to class, but I want to hear more about this later.”
His face lights up in a genuine smile this time as we head toward class.
Chapter Thirty-One
VIOLET
Austin’s singing helps fill the silence of the dinner table, the rest of us watching and laughing at him. Things with my mom have been much more cordial tonight, but there’s still tension in the air. I know she’s hurt because I won’t talk to her. To tell the truth, it’s killing me. Especially now that Thatcher and I are…well, whatever we are. I’m terrified, happy, and excited all at once. It feels like I could burst. But because I’m grounded, it’s one more secret to keep.
I literally went around pinching myself all day today to prove I wasn’t dreaming. He certainly looked like a fantasy come to life when he picked me up this morning. Then he kissed me hello and I nearly begged him to stay here with me all day instead of going to school. There were a few stares and whispers as we walked into school hand in hand, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d been expecting. Of course, things will be a little different once I’m out of ISS and we’re in class together again.
It took hours after he dropped me off to stop smiling. Before he left, he gave me another core tightening kiss and told me he had a surprise for me later. I’m hoping it involves him sneaking back into my room tonight.
The doorbell rings, pulling me out of my thoughts, and Mom grumbles as Dad gets up to answer the door. She hates when someone interrupts dinner trying to sell us something or help us find Jesus.
I don’t pay much attention as Dad answers the door, stuffing another bite of baked ziti in my mouth.
“Hi. Mr. St. James?” I nearly choke on my food when I hear his voice, my entire body freezing in fear as my mom jumps up to join my dad at the door. “And you must be Mrs. St. James. Hello. My name is Thatcher Michaelson. I was hoping I might be able to speak with both of you for a moment.”
My eyes must be as round as the dinner plate in front of me. It’s hard to miss the excitement in my mom’s voice as she invites him inside, and I pray for the ground to swallow me whole.
“Violet, your friend Thatcher is here,” Mom announces, like I’m not already aware. Like I’m not having a full-on panic attack over it.
I remain rigid and unmoving as my eyes lifts to find him. He’s wearing a long-sleeve button-down shirt tucked into a pair of khakis. I bite down on my bottom lip as a giggle begins to rupture out of me. He winks at me, and my cheeks heat. This is very un-Thatcher.
“I’m sorry,” Thatcher says. “I didn’t mean to catch you in the middle of dinner.”
“It’s no problem,” Mom coos. “Why don’t you join us? We can talk while we eat. Violet is a very good cook.”
My stomach flutters as Thatcher smiles at me, a look of admiration on his face. “Violet is a very talented girl. I would love to join you. Thank you.”
Mom instructs him to take a seat next to me while she scurries to get him a plate and a glass of water. My dad is quiet, his attention on Thatcher and me. I’m careful to keep my
focus on my food.
Austin says hi to Thatcher, and I try not to melt into a puddle as they converse back and forth. He’s earned the Austin seal of approval.
“So…” Mom begins, “what is it you wanted to talk to us about?”
I reluctantly look over at Thatcher as he sets his fork down, taking a sip of water before answering. “Well, I came here tonight to tell you I’m responsible for what happened with Violet at school the other day.”
“Thatcher, what are—?”
He cuts me off, taking my hand in his as he continues. “I was acting like an idiot that day. Violet was trying to talk some sense into me and got a little heated. She didn’t want to tell you what happened because she was protecting me. My father is very strict, and Violet doesn’t want to see me in any kind of trouble. She truly has such a good heart. Which is why I needed to come here and clear the air.”
My parents exchange a look, as if they’ve found the missing piece of the puzzle. When my mom’s eyes land on Thatcher again, her face is painted with delight. “So, let me see if I understand correctly. Are you telling me you two had a lover’s quarrel in the middle of class?”
“Oh. My. God. Mom!”
Thatcher chuckles. “Yes, ma’am. I suppose you could call it that.”
“Please, call me Josie. Ma’am makes me feel old as hell.” Thatcher nods as she continues. “Violet doesn’t lose her temper easily. She must care about you a great deal.”
“You are literally the worst,” I whine, planting my forehead in my palm.
“I can’t speak for Violet, but I definitely adore her. Which is the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to get your permission to take Violet out on a date this weekend.”
“Well, if that isn’t the cutest thing. Isn’t that adorable, Daniel?”
“Yeah, sure.” Dad raises an eyebrow as he glares at Thatcher. “Just be sure to keep it in your pants, kid.”
When the Saint Falls: a high school bully romance (Westbrook three Book 1) Page 14
