Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Chapter 17
Violet
Things have been more fun than I expected. Griffin grilled burgers while Callum, Paxton, and Brock stood around, looking as though they were helping, but mostly just chatting and laughing. It was amusing, watching the three of them, all brawn and bravado, pretending to assist when Griffin clearly had everything under control. Meanwhile, Hartford, Anya, Willow, and I sat around the fire, relaxing and enjoying the evening.
As we ate, I listened to everyone talk and joke, the easiness flowing between them. This family isn’t just close, they’re genuinely good friends. It’s heartwarming to witness and makes me feel almost honored to be part of it, even if my place here is temporary. It’s a glimpse into something I never realized I wanted until now.
Now, we’re roasting marshmallows, which had been deemed an essential camping item. The fire crackles as the sugary treats toast on the end of long sticks, each of us trying to get the perfect golden brown, or in Anya’s case, the perfect charred black.
"Anya, that’s disgusting. How can you eat a marshmallow that’s burnt completely black?" Paxton asks, grimacing as he watches her happily stuff the crispy blackened lump into her mouth.
"You don’t know what you’re missing, big brother," she teases, mouth full, laughing as we all join in.
I can’t help but feel at ease, surrounded by their humor. For a moment, it’s like I’m not the outsider and that I belong here, laughing and roasting marshmallows with them.
I glance over at Callum, who’s been quiet for the past few minutes. He’s staring at me, his expression soft, his eyes full of something I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s not intense or overbearing, just different. Like he’s seeing me in a new light.
“What?” I ask quietly, a small smile playing on my lips.
“Nothing,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “Just glad you seem to be having fun.”
His words are simple, but there’s something deeper in the way he says it. I can see the sincerity in his eyes, and it tugs at something inside me. Callum is more than I expected and I believe more than people probably realize. Each time I learn something new about him, it surprises me, and I can’t help but wonder how much more there is beneath the surface.
I smile back at him, feeling the strange pull that I’ve been trying to ignore. Being around him is becoming harder to compartmentalize, which is not what this is supposed to be.
Yet, when he looks at me with those intense eyes, it makes me feel things that I haven’t felt in far too long.
"Look at the lovebirds just staring at each other," Anya teases, her voice cutting through the quiet moment between Callum and me, bursting the bubble I hadn’t even realized we were in.
“Anya, stop,” Callum barks, his grumpy, no-nonsense side snapping into place. He runs his hand through his hair, clearly annoyed.
“Seriously, you guys are just married on paper and that's it?” Hartford chimes in, looking between the two of us with genuine curiosity.
“I’ve explained it all already,” Callum replies, the edge of frustration clear in his voice as he leans back, his jaw tight. He hates having to repeat this story, and honestly, I don’t blame him. The more people dissect what we have, the more confused I feel about it myself.
Anya and Willow exchange a glance, and my stomach knots with unease. The last thing I want is for people to start analyzing our situation, especially when I haven’t even figured it out yet.
"Well, Brock and I had a fake relationship going, and look where it got us," Willow says, smiling warmly as she leans into Brock. Her eyes sparkle with the kind of love that makes my heart twinge.
“True,” Brock adds with a laugh. “I didn’t think I’d end up falling in love with Willow. She drove me fucking crazy in the beginning.” He laughs, but it’s cut short when Willow playfully punches his arm.
“Ouch,” he winces, but the grin never leaves his face.
“Relationships aren’t always what you expect,” Hartford chimes in. “Look at me and Paxton. We were best friends for years before we finally figured out we wanted more.”
“Yeah, she couldn’t keep her hands off this perfect body,” Paxton adds, grinning as he lifts his shirt, flexing dramatically.
"For fuck's sake, put your shirt down," Callum groans, pinching the bridge of his nose, clearly annoyed. His frustration isn’t just about Paxton’s ridiculousness but the whole conversation. His patience is wearing thin, and I can tell he's had enough.
“Violet and I didn’t come camping to be judged or put under a microscope,” Callum snaps, his voice hard as he looks around the circle. “We came to relax because we both work our asses off and thought some time away with you idiots would be fun. But if this is how it’s going to be, I have no problem packing up and heading back home.”