Page 11 of Eternal Pieces (The Violet Delights Duet #2)

MADDOX

A fter what was the best winter break of my life—days of solid fucking topped off with an engagement and a pregnancy—it’s been three months of hard work as I turn the building I bought with Dad’s help into an actual functioning auto shop.

It’s situated just on the outskirts of town, close enough to our home at the cabin so I don’t have to travel too far.

Music blasts throughout the large empty space, the drums of Architects bouncing off the walls. A warm breeze comes through the open doors and helps to blow away some of the old smells of dust and chemicals that linger no matter how hard I scrub the place clean. It sets my spirits high.

I whistle along to the music from the top of a ladder as I change another faulty bulb. Max is below me, helping to deep clean the place.

It’s crazy to think that one day it’ll be open for business. I get to finally have a purpose. Maddox the fuck up, Maddox the one who was never good enough, Maddox the second thought is now a business owner.

I may not have succeeded at high school or gone to college, but I know plenty about cars, and I can’t wait to show off my skills here.

Between cleaning days, I’ve been using the space to fix my own baby up since Max fucked her with his damn baseball bat.

She was pretty banged up, but she’s all better now.

I even got her a few aesthetic improvements, like new leather upholstery, since Max paid for it all.

“You could hire someone to do all this,” Max grumbles, rubbing his shoulder as he scrubs a thick layer of grime off the windows.

“I could, but this feels more personal. Plus, we’ve got nothing better to do. I can’t handle you sitting at home, checking your phone every two minutes while Vi’s at college. How’s your job hunt going?”

“I have an interview in two weeks.”

“Another one? That’s good. I hope you get it this time.” He may not have any experience other than baseball, but he’s smart. Way smarter than me. I’m shocked that one of the companies he’s applied for hasn’t picked him up yet.

He rubs the wet cloth against the glass harder. “Most places don’t want to hire someone who might not show up every day because they’re stuck in bed with crippling pain.”

Realizing how pissed off he actually is, I climb down from the ladder. “Shit, Max, I didn’t think it would be like that.”

He gives me a look telling me to shut up already, but I can’t drop this. “They’re not allowed to discriminate, I’m sure Dad could get involved and help you out.”

“I don’t need his help.” He tosses the cloth aside and heads to the small restroom on the other side of the floor. I follow him, and he glares at me in the mirror as he cleans his hands at the sink.

“Got something else to say?”

“No…just…have you mentioned this to Vi?”

He dries his hands with a paper towel and scrunches it tight in his fist. I see the shake in his hands. Then I notice the lean in his posture. He’s been pushing himself too hard again.

“She doesn’t need to know. If you tell her?—”

“I won’t!”

Deciding to drop the issue, I check the time. We’re picking Vi up for her first scan in a bit anyway, so we might as well call it a day here. “How about we head outta here early and grab some burgers?”

“We’re barely halfway through clean up,” he protests.

I say the one thing I know will make him change his mind. “I’m sure Vi’s not had time to eat yet either. We can pick her something up. You can choose for her.”

As he thinks it over, I push past him to scrub my hands at the sink. The last thing I want is dirt in my car.

Like shrugging out of a too-tight jacket, I feel his anger ease from my own shoulders. I catch his reflection in the mirror, and a sharp nod is the only answer he gives me.

I knew that would work.

The wind blowing in through the open window of my car is helping me stay awake as we drive to the burger joint.

I’m going to have to grab a coffee there so I don’t fall asleep in the hospital waiting room.

I barely slept last night, I was too excited and had to keep myself occupied by switching between eating Violet out in her sleep and playing video games.

At the drive-through, Max chooses a chicken sandwich for Violet, something to do with her needing the protein.

He’s been a bit over the top when it comes to feeding her now that she’s pregnant.

I’m not allowed anywhere near the meals he preps, and if Vi ever skips a meal, then he’ll feed her by hand.

Now that I think about it, I’m pretty sure she does it deliberately to get his attention.

Not that it’s ever not on her. She is the center of our universe after all.

I park in my usual spot at Violet’s campus, far away from the trees so no birds can shit on my car while we wait. I learned that lesson the hard way.

“What do you think it’s going to be? Boy or girl?” I ask Max after taking a bite of my hamburger.

“I doubt we’ll find out today,” Max mumbles, his hands stuffed in the front pocket of his dark gray hoodie and his eyes locked on the flag pole on the lawn ahead of us.

I can’t help but smirk as I remember castrating a certain creep called James while he was tied to it.

That’s what happens when someone fucks with our girl.

“I know. Just thought it would be fun to guess, help pass the time. You’re extra grumpy today.”

He doesn’t say anything, and I doubt I’ll get much more out of him until he knows Vi and the baby are healthy.

Leaving him to his brooding, I scroll through my emails on my phone.

It’s weird having responsibilities now. There are so many businesses to communicate with to get everything I need to make my own one run smoothly.

Deadlines to meet. Payments to keep up with.

It’s a lot and I’m not used to it, but I am enjoying it.

Out of nowhere, Max gets out of the car.

“Where are you going?” I lean across the seat to ask him. He’s not even touched his food.

“She’s late.”

Checking the time, I find she’s only late by two minutes. “We’re not going to miss the scan. Chill out.”

“Something could have happened to her. You know what she’s like. She loses track of time studying and forgets to eat. She could have collapsed.”

That is an image I really don’t need in my head.

“Just check her location on your phone.”

She’s aware we keep tabs on her, and I think it’s actually a turn-on for her, the naughty girl.

Max gives me a look, debating whether to start the manhunt across campus for her now or to wait. With an annoyed sigh, he pulls his phone from his jeans pocket, and I see his shoulders visibly relax when he looks at the screen.

“She’s on the other side of campus.”

“I’m sure her class ran late or something,” I reassure him. “Give her time to get here before you start stalking her again.”

He doesn’t get back in the car. Like a guard dog, he stands out front with his arms crossed as he surveys the grounds, checking his phone every minute.

Leaving him to it, I finish my food and steal a handful of his fries.

Soon enough, Violet’s walking out the doors. She’s wearing a cute, fluffy cardigan over a light yellow dress today. Fucking adorable as always.

Her arm is linked with her friend Sarah’s. They’ve really hit it off over the last few months. Granted they did get to know each other because of the shit James did, but it’s nice to see Vi with a friend.

Judging by the excited way they’re talking and the way Vi keeps touching her stomach, I’m guessing Sarah knows about the scan.

Violet spots us and excitedly waves, running up to Max. He immediately opens his arms for her, and she dives into them.

I get out of the car to say hi to Sarah while they have their moment.

“You excited, sweetheart?” Max asks Violet.

“Yes! And a little nervous. I couldn’t concentrate in class. Sarah had to give me her notes. How about you two?”

I open my arms for a hug, and she comes to me, giving me a soft kiss. She smells so good, and I can’t help but press my nose to her hair and breathe more of her in. So sweet and floral with undertones of us.

“We’ve been…managing.”

“Don’t lie, Max, we’ve been shitting our pants all day. We grabbed you some food, by the way. Thought you’d be hungry.”

“I’m starving, but don’t know if I’ll be able to keep it down.”

I kiss her forehead tenderly. She’s been dealing with some morning sickness, not too much thankfully. But still, I hate seeing her in any kind of pain. Max gives her a look like he’s mentally battling the sickness away for her.

“There are extra tomatoes on it,” he adds, and her eyes light up at the mention of one of her cravings. She’s into a weird mix of tomatoes, olives, and peanut butter. Sometimes all at once, which has made me gag watching her dip an olive into the same jar I use to make my sandwiches.

“Slut!” Some guy shouts from across the parking lot, and Violet tenses in my arms.

“Brotherfucker!” Another guy jeers.

“What the fuck?” Max and I both shield Violet with our bodies as we look for who the hell thinks they can say that shit. Some dark-haired jock whose head is too small for his body is laughing with a group of friends who are all looking this way from across the lot.

Who the fuck do they think they are? Max’s eyes lock with mine, and I know he’s thinking the same.

First, Violet got harassed when Max and I weren’t around, and now she still is when we’re here? Some big brothers we are. This shit ends today.

Sensing what I’m about to do, Violet tugs on my t-shirt. “Ignore them. They’re just a bunch of jerks.”

“How long has this been going on?” Max asks, hatred for the guys burning in his voice. He’s already rolled the sleeves of his hoodie up, ready to fight them.

Violet swallows nervously. “Since last year. It’s not all the time, and it doesn’t bother me. So please ignore them like I do.”

Last year…

“Sarah?” Max snaps.

“Yes?” she squeaks back.

“Who are they?”

She looks at Violet, who shakes her head at her friend.

“Sorry, Violet, but they might be able to help. The dark-haired guy is Aaron, and the smaller one is Theodore. They’re the ones who have been saying shit like that to her. The others just laugh along with them. They’re…they’re friends of James.”

“It’s honestly fine. I don’t care what they think,” Violet persists.

My blood is pulsing, my fists ready for a fight. “It’s not about what they think. It’s about them having the fucking nerve to want to hurt you at all.” James is a rapist pig and who’s to say Aaron and Theodore aren’t the same?

Violet’s eyes go red like they always do when she’s about to cry.

“Shit. Sorry, baby. I’m not angry at you. It’s just…” I gently squeeze her shoulders and bend to look her in the eye. “Max and I worry when we’re not around to keep guys like that away from you.”

“Please. After everything with James, you’re lucky you had your dad on your side. But you can’t risk everything again because of those jackasses. I rarely see them anyway. They’re not in my classes, and it’s only if they randomly see me in the halls that they say anything.”

I share another look with Max. We’re still on the same wavelength.

“If they do anything else, you’ll tell us straight away,” Max says, it’s a clear command and not a question.

“I promise, I will. Can we leave now?”

“Sure,” I say, giving Aaron and his friends another glance as they get in their cars and drive off.

Violet hugs her friend goodbye and gets in the car with Max. I turn to Sarah. “Make sure Violet stays away from them.”

“O-okay,” she stammers, her eyes wide.

“Thanks.” I flash her a smile. “You’re a good friend to Vi. Now, I’ve gotta go meet my baby.” I can hardly stay angry when I’m about to meet a mini-me.