Page 44 of Petals of Blue, Part One (Wilted Duet #1)

Thirty-Nine

BLUE

Bacon. All hail the motherfucking bacon.

The only reason I'm dragging my ass out of bed right now is because of the mouthwatering scent of breakfast. My head pounds, but it has nothing on the grumbling of my belly.

Did I drink on an empty stomach?

Hangover headache aside, I'm fine. The urge to vomit hasn't risen, I'm not still stumbling, and I remember everything from last night. I may have made out with Jared on the dance floor and dirty danced with Roman, but I at least put my foot down when Declan offered to tuck me in last night.

They all walked my giggling self up to my apartment. Violet was waiting up with a cheeky little grin on her face when she saw all four of them follow me inside. Once she made sure I was home safe, she went to pick up Bethany, Janine, and Dakota from the club too.

Gosh, I love her.

What I don't recall is anything after I wished them goodnight, forced myself through the shower, and passed the fuck out. For once I was able to sleep all the way through my sexy dreams which was an awesome birthday treat.

I rush through pulling some cozy shorts up my legs beneath my baggy T-shirt and quickly brush my teeth. Glancing at my hair, I decide the ratted mess would be better pulled back into a bun. All squared away with a ball of fuzzy socks in my hand, I start to the kitchen.

Deep voices that definitely do not belong to Violet make me slow down and lighten my steps. Did the guys spend the night?

"Listen, kid..." I was right. It's Roman. "I'm not teaching you that until Blue gives the okay."

Now in my line of sight, I watch Violet cross her arms and square off with him. "I'm not a kid. I'm eighteen, and Blue won't care."

"Violet," Roman sighs, looking lost and a little frustrated on the other side of the kitchen table as V. "I know your Ma and there's no way she'd allow this."

My heart simultaneously flips and warms at hearing Roman call me Ma. Not only is that a representation of his acceptance of Violet in my life, but I can also see Roman as a dad now. Firm, kind, and a little bewildered at all the questions.

Wait, why do I care if he would be a good father?

Violet twists in her chair and addresses the shirtless man making bacon in my kitchen. "Felix, what do you think?"

I lean against the wall because I'm damn curious about what's happening out here. My eyebrows jump to my forehead when Felix's shoulder start bouncing and a laugh sounds through the apartment.

"Sorry, sunshine. I'm not getting in the middle of...what was it?"

I swear I can feel Violet rolling her eyes. "Roundhouse kick. And you wouldn't be my practice dummy. Just tell Roman to teach me."

Oh wow, now she's pouting. Sometimes I forget she's still only eighteen. A soft snore draws my attention to the living room where Declan and Jared are splayed out on the floor in a makeshift bed of blankets and throw pillows.

Jesus, they really did sleep over.

Felix turns around, spatula in hand, and pins my kid with a look. "How 'bout you start with simple moves? That one is too dangerous for beginners."

She sucks in a breath, and I know exactly what's about to happen. Violet's had her fair share of training and moments where she's actually had to use her knowledge, which is a touchy subject. Felix just pissed her off.

"I know enough about self-defense. If Roman would just—"

"I said no," Felix states firmly. Honestly I'm a bit surprised about how many toes he's stepping on.

"You aren't my dad!" Violet all but shouts, making me cringe.

I should step in. But if they want to be with me, then they need to figure out their own way to deal with Violet's behavior.

V has a lot of trauma. While she is happy, outgoing, smart, and motivated, she has triggers, and she's still young.

"Violet," Roman says softly, drawing her fiery attention to him. "I never said no. I'd like to make sure Blue is okay with me teaching you that move because I'm not comfortable without her permission. This isn't about your capabilities or me trying to control you."

Violet deflates and murmurs what I hope is an apology. Taking that as my cue, I exit the hallway and beeline right for the bacon. To Felix, who’s looking at me with a heated expression, I whisper, "Now you tell her your point of view."

He swallows, looking me up and down before addressing the situation.

"I have a thing about safety and respect.

One, I didn't want you learning something that could hurt you.

Two, you weren't respecting Roman's decision when you asked me to force him into something he didn't want to do.

I apologize for being too direct and snappy with you, sunshine. "

She doesn't hesitate. "I'm sorry too," Violet's voice wobbles a little, and I know she's anxious to mend these new bonds she's forming. "To you and Roman."

The bacon in my mouth struggles to go down as I swallow when Roman gets up and pulls V into a side hug.

"You okay?" Felix asks, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. All I do is nod, because wow, what a morning already. "Where'd you get that shirt, sweetheart?"

Confused by his question while being distracted by Declan and Jared standing and stretching in my living room, I stutter. "Wh-What?"

"I said," he presses into my side with a heated look on his face, "where did you get this shirt?"

"Oh...I actually don't know." Where did I find it?

"Hey!" Declan shouts, eyeing me like he wants to eat me. "Is that my favorite fucking shirt from junior year?!"

Oh shit! "Oh my god! I totally forgot! I took this after we did that hike in the pouring rain!"

How could I forget? I was freezing, and when we got back to the car, Declan offered me his extra shirt in the back. I never gave it back.

"Do you want it back?" I ask hesitantly. This is my favorite shirt.

Declan saunters over to me, loops an arm around my back and shakes his head. "It's all yours. Just like we are," he adds and presses his lips to mine so fast I don't even have the chance to close my eyes.

Violet saves me from his delicious touch and suggestive words with her own demand. "I need all four of you guys in a line, kay? I'll teach you a new viral dance that my followers will love. Then after that, someone can teach me to do a roundhouse kick."

I laugh, rush over to her and kiss the top of her head. "I'll teach you, V. Don't worry."

Her wide-eyed look of shock lights up my morning. I love surprising her. My four men surprise me not half an hour later when they've completed the dance perfectly. And so damn sexy. Especially when they continue feeding me bacon and fruit.

Wait...my four men?!