Page 106 of Eternal

I hope the running water doesn’t wake up Teal.

Violet watches me, chewing the inside of her cheek. She sways like she might go back inside, but she walks out onto the porch instead, closing the front door behind her.

“Something wrong?” I ask when she continues to stare.

“No.” She stops at the railing, leaning on it. “I’m just still waking up.”

She’s lying, but I don’t call her out on it.

“You two were out late last night.”

“Yeah.” She avoids my gaze like it will give her away, not considering that Kole is my best friend, so I’m already well aware of what they were up to.

He doesn’t talk about his twisted kinks just like I don’t talk about mine, but we’ve lived together long enough to know most of each other’s secrets.

“This is awkward, right?” Violet turns so her back is to the railing, and she’s tapping her heel against it. “You and I haven’t really spoken since…”

She trails off, not finishing that sentence. She’s thinking of the night Braxton kidnapped her in an effort for the Westwoods to take Sigma House. They figured tainting Ian Pierce’s illegitimate child was the perfect plot for revenge. Kole and I might have saved her, but the things she witnessed that night aren’t easy to swallow. So I understand why she can’t finish her thought.

“So what are your thoughts on this fucked-up family reunion then?” I ask her, trying to read the worry on her face.

She bites her lip. “It’s uncomfortable.”

“To say the least.” I chuckle, and the smallest smile cracks in the corner of Violet’s mouth.

“Sorry, I’m not good at this whole sibling thing. My brother and I were never close either.”

“Emmett? Right?”

I nod.

“I looked you guys up after I found out.”

“Cyberstalking the family?”

“Not like—I just—”

“Kidding.”

It doesn’t take much to rile her up.

“I get it. This must be a lot for you too.” I tip my chin up. “Finding out you’ve not only got a dad but two brothers. Not that you’ll see big bro around. He’s too busy running Dad’s East Coast campaign operations for when he runs for president.”

“Of the United States?”

“Yeah. Hence, keeping you in hiding.”

“Oh.” Violet’s shoulders deflate.

“Don’t worry, he won’t actually get there anymore.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, for one…” I wave my hand at her.

“Me?”

“Don’t feel bad about it. He got what was coming to him.”