Page 69 of Take Two

“Darlin', I’m here to take you to lunch. You can drink all the lemonade you want when we get to the restaurant,” Colt says.

“But I want a cute cup like Violet’s.”

“I didn’t even notice that cup until now.” Colt playfully punches me. “Stop makin’ me look bad. How about I take everyone to lunch? Violet?”

“I’m out,” Mama says. “I need a shower, and I already made a salad this mornin’. I’ll see you at home later.” After waving at us, she walks out the gym door.

“I’d love to,” Violet says. “Vickie, you can shower upstairs if you want.”

Chapter 37

Violet

After a quick shower, I apply light makeup. I take my hair down and fluff it with my fingers. I put on a yellow maxi dress this time before I put on the necklace Charlie bought me.

The house is quiet when I step out of my bedroom. I spot Charlie on the patio still talking to his sponsor. Vickie must still be in the guest bathroom, so I start to walk to thekitchen determined to make nice with Colt for Charlie’s sake. He’s the brother of the man I love, and despite his annoying and heavy-handed ways, he means a lot to Charlie. Besides, Charlie was so charming and accommodating to my family that I decide I’m going to do the same with his.

Colt’s back is to me when I get to the kitchen. He has my fridge open as he rummages through it. I decide not to alert him of my presence and watch him instead.

He pulls out a bottle of sparkling water, examines it, and puts it back. He does the same with a bottle of still water. He closes the fridge and walks a few feet over to the pantry where he proceeds to rummage through that too. I’m a minimalist, and since I live alone, I only keep what I need. I don’t keep pre-packaged or canned goods since I tend to eat healthy. There’s nothing but water and a few random cooking supplies in there.

I clear my throat to get his attention. When he turns to face me, I arch an eyebrow at him and cross my arms. If he’s embarrassed at being caught, he hides it well. He stands there and stares into my eyes. He closes the pantry and returns to the fridge.

“Can I help you find something?” I ask, doing my best to remain calm.

“Just looking for some water.” He grabs a bottle and closes the fridge. “I hope you don’t mind.” He lifts the bottle and shakes it. I narrow my eyes at him, but he doesn’t flinch.

“No, you weren’t,” I say. “I know what you were doing.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“What the hell is your problem with me?” I walk closer to him, but all he does is open his bottle of water and drink. “Why are you in my house digging through my things looking for alcohol?”

The sliding glass door opens, and Charlie comes inside. Colt never answers my question. In fact, he acts as if nothing happened, and I didn’t catch him snooping.

“You look pretty,” Charlie says against my temple. Colt leans on the counter and watches us, and I decide I’m going to endure this lunch and avoid Colt Chastain as much as possible from now on, which won’t be difficult with Charlie leaving in a couple of weeks.

I give him one final side-eye when I hear Vickie’s footsteps. “I’m starving,” she says. She takes Colt’s hand, and he opens the front door. He gestures for me and Charlie to follow as if this isn’t my home. He stands at the door and waits for us. I look him up and down on my way out.

“That doesn’t bother you?” I ask Vickie. From the moment we sat on the back patio at the restaurant, Colt has been inundated with eager fans who either want to chat, shake his hand, or take a picture with him. He indulges everyone. I slide my hand onto Charlie’s lap and hope this doesn’t bring back all the things he lost.

“No. It’s one of the things I love about him,” Vickie says. “Colt’s a giving person, and he loves his fans. It’s part of him.”

I try not to roll my eyes, but I wonder how much of it is loving his fans and how much of it is ego. I’d like to give him something, and it’s a punch in the gut, but I know better than to voice my thoughts, so I sip my peach iced tea and offer Charliesome.

“Nope. Not this time. Even though I’m tempted because you look so pretty.” He shakes his head at me. “Next time, try getting’ somethin’ I like.”

“You should like this. Something’s wrong with your taste buds.”

“I found this family-friendly resort in Tuscany, and we’re going when Charlie and Mama go back to Alabama. Actually, we’re flying there from Birmingham. We’re gonna go with you guys for a few days.” Vickie smiles as if it’s a great idea, but I know in my core that this trip to Birmingham is Colt’s idea. This is more of Colt monitoring me to vet me for his brother, but I do my best to hide my disappointment.

“Great,” is all I can think to say. “Tuscany is beautiful,” I add, suddenly liking the idea of Colt taking a trip out of the country. Colt finally joins us, and after me and Charlie give our orders, I turn to him and whisper, “What do you think about—”

“I love it. Let’s do it,” he says before I can even finish.

“Going somewhere tropical right after Christmas. We can leave on the twenty-sixth. I have a few places in mind.”

“I already said yes, darlin’. I don’t even care where we go as long as I get to see you in a purple bikini,” he says.

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