Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138287 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 691(@200wpm)___ 553(@250wpm)___ 461(@300wpm)
I knew this was going to be hard but, geez. It was even harder than I’d imagined. And the thing was, Connor hadn’t lashed out like I thought he might. He didn’t act like a selfish jerk. Instead, he was entirely calm. You would think that would’ve made things easier.
It didn’t.
In fact, I kind of wished he had lost it. At least then I would know how to deal with it.
I didn’t know what to do with serene calm.
“Wow,” he said. “This is a big deal, Em.” He reiterated, “A huge deal.” Completely detached, he looked up at me and gave me the out I needed. “You have to go.”
I did. It was part of my contract to become The Violet Dame whenever needed and a tour was all about publicity. I absolutely had to go.
So why did I feel like saying it didn’t matter. Why did I want to tell him I wouldn’t go? That I’d stay with him?
My voice was small. “It is a big deal. They’re so excited.” And more importantly, “They deserve this.”
Connor agreed, “They do.”
The silence between us grew to the point of discomfort. Unable to stand it, I slid my hand across the covers to squeeze his knee. “We’re going to be okay, right?”
My unsure enquiry seemed to snap him out of his zombie-like state.
He stared at me as if I were crazy. “Fuck yeah, we’re going to be okay, baby.”
Then why did it feel as though something had changed?
And although I didn’t want to believe it, I just knew it was something we couldn’t change back.
The next day, The Vixens unexpectedly arrived at the house.
I assumed they were there to see me but when Connor whistled from the top of the staircase and jerked his chin toward the upstairs office, they all made their way up, sparing me some annoyed glances on the way.
Of course, I followed them. But when I arrived in the doorway, Connor blocked my entrance. “Baby, this will go a lot smoother if you’re not here.”
And with that, he kissed my nose and shut the door in my face.
My expression murderous, I knocked on the door and demanded, “What’s going on?”
I heard low talking but no one bothered to respond to me.
Another knock, harder this time. “Guys!”
I tried to twist the doorknob but I was locked out.
More low talking. I even heard some quiet shushing.
What the flip?
My mouth rounded.
They were ignoring me. I was being ignored. The audacity.
Jerks!
What were they talking about?
Crouching by the door, I put my ear to it.
That didn’t help.
I put my eye to the keyhole and squinted.
All I could see was Connor’s lower half as he paced.
I was so confused.
And so, I did the only thing I could.
I waited.
Over the course of the following hours, I didn’t hear much but the things I heard made zero sense.
“Connor, stop drawing penises in the boxes!” That was Cherry.
Connor responded an equally irritated, “It’s how I mark my territory! Yeesh.”
I was leaning against the door when it opened suddenly and then I was lying on the ground with five faces smiling down at me. Connor reached a hand out to me and when I slapped it away, he smiled harder. “Aw, don’t be pissed.”
I stood on my own—thank you very much—and stormed into the office. There were three whiteboards divided into three months and written within the boxes were all of The Vixens upcoming events in purple marker, written in Cherry’s handwriting. In some of the boxes were other things written in black, in Connor’s handwriting. There were also a few boxes with a black, scribbled penis in them.
Baffled, I turned and asked, “What is this?”
Connor responded, “A schedule.” Crossing his arms over his chest, he explained, “When they get you and when I get you.”
Oh.
“It was Connor’s idea,” Cherry shared, and I wasn’t sure why.
I was quiet for a while and when I spoke, my voice was barely there. “Why?”
“Because you were right. You put me on a pedestal,” he admitted like it cost him something. “You always put me first and we can’t live like that, Emmy. You can’t live like that. It’s not fair. So,” he inhaled then went on, “I called The Vixens and we put together a schedule we can all live with. One where we share you.” When he said what he said next, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. “One where I don’t fuck up your life.”
Wow.
As far as sentiments went, that was really damn sweet.
Yes. Connor Clash had indeed changed.
But I hadn’t realized just how much until a week later.
It was early afternoon Saturday and we were having a barbecue. The weather was warm and everyone was there except Micah and Amber, who unfortunately had a family commitment to attend. It was also why Cherry had turned up late and when I opened the door to let her in, my mouth dropped open.