Page 91 of Merry Mayhem
She’s even avoiding her own house.
When I show up at her house after the scavenger hunt, Bruce and Bebe are there.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Bebe says. “But I took it upon myself to pack your things. Violet wasn’t feeling well and needed to lie down.”
Of course she did. She’s suffering from a major concussion.
And I was sleeping in her room.
“Of course it’s fine,” I tell Bebe.
I’m grateful that I didn’t need to dig out the condoms the night before, now for a reason even beyond how amazing it was to fuck Thea without one. God knows, in my haste to get back toher bedroom, I would have just upended my toiletry bag in the middle of the room.
“I don’t mean to insinuate that you can’t stay here with Violet,” Bebe says quickly. “I just moved your things so that she could lie down.”
I shake my head. God, I can’t stay here in Violet’s room with her. “No, of course. She needs time and space to rest. I was thinking maybe I should drive back to Autre.”
Bebe’s eyes go wide. “But there’s still a lot of Merry Mayhem left. No, you can stay over at Bruce and Harley’s. They have an extra room.”
I’m relieved. The drive to and from Autre is too far in case there’s a surprise challenge, but more, I want to be close in case Thea wants to talk.
This isn’t over between us. I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to fix this whole thing, but Violet and I are okay. Maybe once Violet tells her sister that, and about our conversation, Thea will come clean with Violet.
“That would be great if it’s not an inconvenience,” I say.
Bruce overhears. “Don’t be silly. We’re having people over tonight to play cards. You’re welcome to join. Or to just hang out with us.”
I’m actually praying for a surprise challenge, but anything to take my mind off the fact that I’m madly in love and can’t do a damn thing about it is welcome.
A few hours later, I am sitting on Bruce and Harley’s couch, nursing a very strong mix of something that’s supposed to be an apple cinnamon cocktail but is absolutely mostly whiskey.
Not that I’m complaining.
Bruce and Harley are playing cards with Brewser, Wilson, and Leo and Ellie Landry.
I feel perfectly comfortable around all of them, even after just a couple of days. I’ve always loved being with Leo and Ellie, andspending time with this group feels like being with them. They are no bullshit, warm, welcoming, fully accepting people. I love them.
But I can’t concentrate on a card game, so I brought myself over to the couch where I’m watching a Sandra Bullock Christmas movie.
The irony that the man she thinks she’s in love with is in a coma while she’s falling in love with his brother is not lost on me.
But I don’t change the channel.
I’m still keeping my phone close and alternately hoping for a surprise challenge or a text from Thea, but it’s nearly ten now and I’m starting to lose hope.
Ellie Landry sinks onto the couch next to me after they finish another hand of cards, and everyone takes a break to refill drinks and snacks.
“You’ve had a fun few days here in Rebel, sounds like,” she says, her eyes on the screen.
“I have.”
“They all love you. I knew they would.”
I nod and sip, swallow, then say, “I love them too.”
“I knew you would,” she says.
We are past the part of the movie where Sandra Bullock’s character has confessed to the family friend that she and the guy in the coma were never actually engaged or even involved.
