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“I don’t think it was just you. We all did shit we shouldn’t have done. Now it’s our job to make up for it. To show her that we can be better.”
“And never let her go.”
We weren’t planning on sleeping at the apartment tonight because it’s so sparsely furnished. But obviously, we couldn’t keep our hands off Vi. After her confession, I don’t think any of us want to be alone right now.
After rounding everyone up and checking into a hotel, Cody moves the nightstand and pushes the two queen beds together. Violet changes into one of my t-shirts and climbs onto the middle of the bed. I strip down to my boxer briefs and climb in beside her, pulling her to my chest.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I run my fingers along her back, the sound of Cody and Blake’s shower running in the background.
“Yeah,” she answers quietly. “I was so worried you wouldn’t understand. That you’d be angry with me.”
“Never. Not for taking care of yourself like that. I hate that you’ve been holding that back alone for so long.”
“Emerie knows a little bit and I’m sure she’s talked about it with Lars.”
“I’m glad you found them.” At least she’s had people looking out for her while she’s been alone.
“Yeah.” Her voice is lighter, a bittersweet smile crossing her face. “I think Mom and Dad would have liked them.”
“Definitely.” I sigh as my parents filter into my thoughts.
“How areyourparents?” she asks quietly.
“They’re good. About to retire in the next year. They want to sell the house and become nomads in a camper.”
She laughs quietly at that. “Sounds about right.”
“They’re going to be so happy to know we’ve reunited.”
“Have we reunited?” she teases.
“Yep. You’re stuck with us forever.” The shower turns off and I know my quiet time with her is quickly coming to an end. “In fact, Cody already has plans for a home in that meadow you showed him.”
“Will your family and Blake’s be okay with this?” Her fingers trace the violet tattooed on my chest.
“As long as Blake’s bringing in money for his family, they don’t intrude on his personal life. They know he and Cody are together and they’re fine with it. As for my parents, they’ll just be overjoyed to have you back in the family.”
The bathroom door opens, and Cody and Blake come out. Cody crawls in on Vi’s other side, spooning her. Blake lays down beside him, reaching his arm up so he can toy with her hair. She fully relaxes with all of us tucked together around her and eventually falls asleep.
I listen as first Cody and then Blake falls asleep. I’m used to not staying up for long periods and it seems like tonight will be another with no sleep. Even in the pitch-black darkness of the hotel room, I’m unable to relax.
Uneasiness and dread pump through me. I don’t understand, we’re all on the same page now. She’s ours. We’re hers. There shouldn’t be anything to cause this swell of apprehension.
The only unknown left in our future is Vi’s uncle and whatever he thinks she stole from him.
* * *
“You get any sleep?” Cody whispers groggily as he slowly pulls his arm out from under Vi.
“No.” I hold a to-go cup of coffee I picked up for everyone out to him. “Didn’t even doze.”
“Fuck. Thank you.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I thought you were sleeping better now that we’re back with Cherry.”
“Probably just a lot on my mind after everything we found out yesterday.” I give him a close look, realizing he and I didn’t get a chance to talk about it yet. “How are you doing with the news?”
“Gutted, man. That she had to go through all that alone. It’s wild to think that we could have a four-year-old kid running around.”
“I know.”
