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I shoot daggers at her while I spit, “Let. Me. Go. Now!”
“No, you listen here, you little shit. You were never grateful for what your mom and I did for you two. Never. You just wanted to throw your lives away. Waste them on these childish hobbies, thinking we’d pay your way. And throwing all the love and support we gave you in our face by bringinggirlshome. You were just spiting us then and you’re just fooling yourself now.”
“Let her go,” Austin growls beside me. I hadn’t even realized he was standing so close.
“Austin, get out of this. At least you’re getting married, as seen in the eyes of God.” He faces me again. “Not like this one ever could.”
“That’s enough!” Austin screams, lunging toward our dad. He shoves him hard enough that Dad has no choice but to let go of my arm as he stumbles backward.
“You little shit, you!” Dad screams back, charging Austin once he caught his balance.
Austin stands firm, pushing me behind him. “What? You gonna hit me? You’re going to come all the way out here just to hit me? You didn’t learn your lesson last time?”
My eyes go wide. In all the years of agony, I never once saw Dad hit Austin. There were times I was sure he would. But he never did.
“Frank, we’re leaving.” Mom finally firms her voice, demanding Dad to step back. “It’s not worth it.”
“You mean we’re not worth it,” I yell from around Austin’s shoulder.
I watch as my words stab into my mother like shards of glass. The way she recoils and a tear slips her eye.
I don’t care.
That is it. That is the last word I’ll ever speak to either of them. Ever.
Austin slips his arm around my shoulder, turning us back toward the room. We don’t make it two steps before we see Violet standing by the door.
“Violet,” I let out through a breath. I can’t figure out the expression on her face. Is she going to understand? Or is she going to run?
Violet starts walking toward me cautiously. She doesn’t say anything until she’s close enough for me to reach out, hoping she’ll take my hand. She doesn’t. “Are you okay?” I still can’t discern her emotions.
“Um, yeah.” I toss my head over my shoulder enough to make sure our parents are gone.
“Was that…?” Violet already knows the answer.
“Um,” Austin interjects. “I’m going to go back in the room.” He points to the room awkwardly.
“Yeah.” I give him a quick but weak smile. In time, we might talk about what just happened but more than likely, we won’t.
We wait until he’s stepped back in the room before either of us speak up.
“It’s okay, Violet. I promise.”
“It doesn’t look okay.” Her voice is soft and filled with worry.
Again, all I can muster is a weak smile. “It’s fine now. Come on, we’ve got a wedding to get to.”
“Yeah, Kate started freaking out and sent me to get you.” I can tell she’s trying to put it behind her for my sake but she can’t.
I close the distance between us and bring my hand to her cheek, pushing the lone curl from her face. “You look beautiful, Vi,” I whisper before pressing my forehead to hers.
“You too,” she whispers back before pressing her lips to mine.
I kiss her back before replying, “I’m not even dressed yet. No make-up even.”
“I know.” I see her lip curl at one corner. “You’re beautiful whether you’re in a dress, a t-shirt, or naked.” Violet caresses her thumb across my jaw just before encapsulating my mouth with hers. I can feel her intensity, her desire.
For me.
