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Only my mother doesn’t care about the lake. Nor does she want to talk to anyone but me. Hours pass before I can break away and get back to the cabin, hoping that Violet has a solution to our sleeping arrangements.
She does, but not one I like.
Her clothes are gone, even the bra hanging from my lamp. There’s not a trace of her anywhere. As I search the cabin, calling out her name, dread settles in my bones. I’m greeted with a silence that quickly turns to heartbreak. Violet fucking left.
I’m about to head back to my office when I see a piece of paper sitting on my kitchen table.
I didn’t want to get in the way and figured it would be better for all of us if I see myself out. I hope you and Mrs. Fitzroy enjoy the party I planned. All the details have been taken care of and there shouldn’t be any problems. If anything comes up, I’m sure you can handle it. Especially since you don’t want your mom knowing I had anything to do with it. Don’t worry about thanking me. Consider it a charity donation.
Goodbye, Donny. It was fun but that’s all it was. There’s no need for us to talk about it. I’m sure you understand.
CHAPTER TEN
Violet
This is incredible.Astonishing. Dreadful and just plain rude.
I’m not talking about Mrs. Fitzroy because she’s always abrasive. I fully expected that from her. What I didn’t expect was the silence from the other side of the desk. The woman implied I was using her son—really all men—for money, so I would never have to get a real fucking job. Moved herself into the cabin. And then acted appalled about the thought of me lifting a finger to help for their precious hotel party.
Donovan sat right there listening to everything and not once did he defend me. Not once did he have my back.
I wouldn’t have cared about any of it, but I worked hard on planning that party, and I deserve a little recognition. And I’m not talking about a plaque or a medal, I just needed Donovan to say, ‘Violet did a good job’. That’s it. Five simple words.
But no. The jackass just fucking sat there. He took all my hard work and hid it behind his back like he was ashamed of it. Like he was ashamed of me. Like I wasn’t enough.
And to think I almost let him brainwash me into thinking this thing between us could be more than just a week of fun. Fuck him for making me have so many feelings. Especially the ones where I just can’t make myself hate him. Not anymore.
None of this would have happened if it weren’t for Natalie backing out of our vacation weekend. If she had been the friend I needed her to be, I wouldn’t have even laid eyes on him the entire time.
Which is why I’m banging on her door instead of going back to my condo. She better be back from her sex-a-thon. And you know, if she’s not, I’ll go find her there. I don’t give a fuck. I need someone to talk to and since she put me in that situation, she’s going to listen. Whether she likes it or not.
The front door opens and I’m greeted by her wide-eyed football playing roommate. I guess I was knocking rather loud, but he gets paid to tackle people so I don’t feel bad.
“Well, hey there, Violet.” Hudson gestures for me to enter and then shuts the door. “What did Natalie do?”
My eyes narrow on him and I’m instantly suspicious. Not only is Hudson her roommate and best friend number two, but Nat’s on-again, off-again football-playing man friend is on his damn football team. If anyone knows exactly where she’s been this week, it’s him.
“Where is she?” I jab my finger towards his neck, and he scrambles away before I make contact.
He looks toward her room at the back of the house and then back at me, holding his arms out like it’s going to stop me from barreling right through him.
“She’s here?” My voice was already a bit raised, and now I’m almost shouting like a lunatic.
Hudson flinches and tilts his head like a puppy trying to look innocent. “Maybe.”
I growl and Hudson is smart enough to move out of my way, allowing me to stomp all the way to Natalie’s room.
I’m not entirely sure why she’s here and not with the boy-toy, but I’m too focused on her closed door to really think about it. I don’t knock or give her much warning before I fling open her door. If she didn’t realize I was here with all the yelling, that’s on her. She needs to be more aware of her surroundings.
I’m ready to read her the riot act but everything I have to say dies on my tongue the second I see her under a pile of fluffy blankets, surrounded by tissues, empty bottles of water and various medicines.
“Hey, Violet.” Natalie waves halfheartedly before her arm falls limp to her side.
“You’re sick?” I whisper-yell, gesturing at all the stuff surrounding her like she doesn’t know all the crap is there. “And you didn’t tell me?” My voice goes up a few octaves. “You lied to me?”
Nat holds her hand out like that small gesture could calm me down. I’m mad again, but for a whole different reason.
“I would’ve been here. I could’ve helped you.” I continue my tirade even though I know I should let her respond. “You know I’d be right there next to you, fetching you as much soup as you wanted and watching shitty movies until you felt better.”
