by A. T Brennan
“I'm just messing with you. No need to go all caveman on me.”
“I wasn't.”
“You so were. Look at your hands.”
I glanced down and was surprised to see my hands were clenched and my arms were tense. I'd unconsciously taken on a defensive stance.
“Well, shit. This is new.”
“Honey, that's called jealousy. It happens when you care about someone. Get used to it.” Layla winked and went to the till to take out a deposit.
“I'm not sure I like it.”
“It's a protective instinct, and it's hot as fuck when Jonah or Isaac get that way about me or each other.” Cody winked. “Makes the sex even better.”
“Protective jealousy sex? Doesn't sound all that great to me.”
“It's not the protectiveness or the jealousy that makes it hot, it's the passion that comes from it.”
“Amen.” The customer in front of me nodded in agreement.
“Preach, gurl,” another spoke up.
“I'll take your word for it.” I rolled my eyes at Cody's shit-eating grin and turned to the customer in front of me. “What'll you have?”
“A double shot of whatever he's serving.” The guy tossed a look at Cody, his grin deepening.
“Well, he's about to pour a draft, so you want two of those?” I asked, ignoring the rather blatant innuendo the man was tossing at Cody.
“I'll have a seven and seven.” The man blew out a frustrated breath and looked at me. “I can never pick up anyone in here.”
“Pro tip. Don't hit on the staff. We aren't interested. Ever. Try Grindr. At least you know those guys are down.”
I heard Layla giggling behind me before she closed the till and hurried out from behind the bar. This was one of the lamer, and tamer, attempts at flirting from a customer, but it still made Layla laugh every time she witnessed someone trying to pick one of us up.
“Thanks for the advice.” The customer put a ten-dollar bill on the bar and rolled his eyes as I went to make his drink.
Suddenly tonight didn't feel like it would be too bad. Caleb's impromptu visit had been just the pick-me-up I needed to finish the night before I could enjoy two days off.
THE SOUND OF MY PHONE ringing woke me up from a dead sleep, and for a moment I had no idea what I was hearing.
I didn't use my phone to talk to people. I texted, I used social media, I video called with Violet, but I never talked to anyone on the phone unless it was an emergency or some company trying to sell me something or upgrade my services.
It was barely light in the room, which meant it was too fucking early for me to be awake. I'd gotten home around three and hadn't gotten to bed until almost four. I was exhausted. It took a moment of fumbling for me to find my phone, and when I did, I checked the caller ID.
“Mom? What's wrong?” I answered as I sat up, shaking my head to try and wake up. My mother hadn't called me in over a year. Something had to have happened.
“Is Violet with you?”
“No, why? Where is she?”
“I don't know. Her room is empty, and there's no sign she slept here.”
I pulled the phone from my ear so I could check the time. It was just after seven.
“Did you check her phone? I know you have a GPS tracker on it.”
“We took her phone away.”
“You what?”
“We took her phone and her tablet and computer. We found out she was using it to talk to some boy she was dating.”
“Mom, what were you thinking?”
“I'm thinking I don't want her to end up like her mother.”
“For god's sake, she has a boyfriend. She's sixteen; that's normal. It's not like she's cooking meth in the guesthouse.”
“We have our rules for a reason.”
“But-”
“If she contacts you, tell her to come home. If she's not here by noon, we're calling the police.”
The phone went dead in my ear, and I stared at it in disbelief.
Violet was missing, my parents knew about Aaron, and I had no way of contacting her to see if she was alright. I could only imagine the scene that had gone down when my parents confronted her. It wasn't in their nature to be cruel, but their preoccupation with how others see them made them cold and seem unfeeling. I knew they cared about her, just like they'd cared about me and Sam, but they were shit at showing it.
I contemplated going back to bed since I'd only gotten about three hours of sleep, but I was wide-awake now. Letting out a heavy sigh, I swung my legs over the side of my bed and stood up. Might as well make some coffee; it was going to be a long-ass day.
Three cups of coffee and four hours later, I was feeling jittery and panicked. I'd stalked all of Violet's social media, trying to find some indicator as to where she was, but had come up empty. Violet was one of those rare teens who only posted memes, cute animal videos, and the occasional selfie. I had found one Aaron who consistently liked or commented on her posts, but his accounts were locked down, so I couldn't even get in touch with him. I didn't know any of her other friends and was running out of both time and luck.
The ringing of my phone was so sudden and out of the blue I nearly jumped out of my chair when it went off. I grabbed it, checking the call ID to see if it was my mother again, but it was from a number I didn't recognize.
“Hello?”
“Um, Mr. Montgomery?” a timid male voice asked on the other end of the line.
“Yes, who is this.”
“Um, this is Aaron. I'm Viol-”
“Do you know where she is?” I cut in, sitting up straight.
“She's here. She has been all night.”
“Put her on the phone.”
“Um, how?”
I rolled my eyes and tried not to say what I was really thinking, which had to do with him getting his head out of his ass.
“Switch to a video call and hold the phone up for her.” It was hard, but I managed to keep my voice calm and even.
“Right. One second.”
I switched the call over, and a moment later, a tired and tear-stained face greeted me.
What's going on? Are you okay? I asked before she could say anything.
How much do you know?
Grandma called me this morning. She knows you weren't home last night. She's worried.
Yeah, right. Violet made a face and wiped her eyes.
They care about you. They just don't know how to show it.
Can you not defend them? Not right now.
I'm sorry. You're right. You're okay?
I guess. They took my phone and told me I couldn't leave my room. They said they were going to get a driver to take me to and from school and I'd have to quit everything. I just don't understand why they don't trust me?
Violet looked so crushed and lost it broke my heart.
I'm not a bad person. I never get in trouble. This is like, the only thing I've ever hid from them. I don't do drugs, smoke, drink. I've never even skipped school, and I'm still a virgin, but they act like I'm about to go on a bender and murder someone or something.
I didn't respond to her outburst mostly because I knew it was rhetoric, but also because I didn't have a good answer for her. Violet wasn't Sam, and even though they loved her, my parents would never see Violet as anything other than Sam's mistake.
Your grandma said you have to go home. They're your guardians.
I don't want to go home. It's not even my home. It's just where I live now that my mom is dead.
V-
Can you pick me up? I can't face them alone. Please.
Of course. Use Aaron's phone to text me the address, and I'll be there as soon as I can.
Thanks, Uncle Rhys.
I love you, kiddo. I'll see you soon.
Violet waved, and the screen went dark.
As I waited for the text, I let out a sigh. She was safe, and at that moment, that's all I cared about.
AS SOON AS I PULLED up to the address Violet had t
exted me, she came flying out the front door. I'd barely had enough time to climb out of my car before she was launching herself into my arms.
“I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I worried you and everyone. I'm sorry.” She sobbed into my chest as I held her close.
Seeing her so broken was tearing me apart, but what was killing me was how I couldn't do a damn thing to help her.
I rubbed her back and tried to keep my breathing deep and even to help her calm down. She wouldn't hear my voice, but she could feel me, and it usually worked. I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye and saw the boy from the pictures she'd shown me. The famous Aaron.
I nodded for him to come over and almost laughed when he sighed and began trudging toward me like he was on his way to a guillotine.
“Sir, I'm so-”
“Whatever you're going to apologize for, don't. From what Violet has told me, you've been good to her and for her. She came to you when she needed someone, and you were there for her. So thank you.”
Aaron looked stunned but managed a nod. Violet had looked up when I started talking and read my words, and she nodded in agreement with me.
“Why don't you say goodbye to Aaron, and I'll go talk with his mother.” I'd also noticed a woman standing in the doorway looking unsure if she should come out. Was I really so intimidating that the whole family felt the need to keep their distance?
I gave Violet a kiss on the forehead and released her so she could turn into Aaron's waiting arms. I didn't know how long this thing with my parents was going to last, but it would be a long time before they'd get to see each other again.
“Hello, I'm Rhys Montgomery, Violet's uncle.” I greeted as I came up to the house. Aaron's mother had come outside so at least we were face-to-face and not doing this through a door.
“Hi, I'm Lori Harper, Aaron's mom.”
“I'm sorry if Violet broke any rules by coming here last night.”
“We've never allowed Aaron to have girls stay the night, but Violet's different. We really love her, and when she came here in tears... I couldn't turn her away. May I ask what happened? All she'd said was that her grandparents had ruined her life.”
“Violet's mom was her age when she had her. My parents overacted when they found out Violet and Aaron were dating. They can be harsh when it comes to punishments and control.” I figured there was no use sugarcoating anything. It was the truth, and Aaron's mom should know if Aaron and Violet were going to stay together.
“Oh my, they don't think Aaron-”
“It has nothing to do with him, I promise. They're afraid history will repeat itself. I hate to say it, but it's Violet they don't trust.”
“Poor girl. That life sounds stifling.”
“It is. Anyway, thank you for taking care of her last night. I have to bring her home.”
“Of course.” Lori stuck out her hand for me to shake. “I hope she can work something out. Aaron will be crushed if they have to break up. We all will.”
“I hope so too.”
I gave Lori one more nod and turned to get Violet. This was not going to be a pretty scene when we got her home.
I had to wait a few extra minutes for the two young lovebirds to let go of each other. Violet was crying silently as she climbed into the car, and after I'd started the engine, I reached over and held her hand, trying to show her that no matter what, she had my support.
The drive to my parents’ house was silent, and when I pulled into the driveway, Violet let out a deep sigh.
I squeezed her hand and waited until she was looking at me. “I know it feels like the world is ending, but I'm going to try and talk to them.”
“They won't listen to you. They never listen to anyone. Not even Mom.”
“I'm sorry, kiddo. I know it was supposed to be different.”
Violet blinked back the last of her tears and nodded. She was ready to face my parents. We made our way up the long path from the driveway, and I knocked on the door.
“Seriously?” I asked incredulously when the door was opened by a middle-aged woman in a black dress. Their granddaughter was missing, and my parents couldn't even be assed to answer their own damn door and had the maid do it.
“Miss Violet, I'll tell your grandparents you're here.”
“Thanks, Marisol.”
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and gently steered her into the house. We were greeted in the grand hall by not only my mother but also my father.
It had been two years since I'd seen my father, and he still had the same disgusted look on his face now that he'd had then.
“Violet, go to your room.”
“Are you kidding me? She's been missing for almost twenty-four hours because of you, and all you can say to her is go to your room?”
“Rhys, I will not have you speaking to me like that in my house.” I could see my father's nostrils flaring as he glared at me. His hatred of me and my “lifestyle” hadn't waned over the years, that was for damn sure.
“Violet, listen to your grandfather. We need to speak to your uncle.” My mother's voice was a little kinder, and at least she wasn't looking at me like I was a pile of spoiled meat rotting on the front porch.
Violet nodded dejectedly, her shoulders stooping as her whole body seemed to fold into itself. Not wanting her to go without one last hug, I pulled her against my chest and kissed the top of her head. When we pulled apart I quickly signed a message to her.
I love you, kiddo. I promise I'll do something to fix things.
“Rhys, how many times have I told you not to sign in this house. We're trying to teach Violet how to survive in the real world, and that will never happen if you don't stop coddling her.”
I bit my tongue and gave Violet a pointed look. She nodded, smiling slightly, to tell me she'd understood before turning and trudging up the stairs.
“What?” I asked before my father could speak up. I was in for a lecture. I knew that much.
“You're not to see Violet anymore.”
“What?” They didn't let me see her now. She had to sneak away when we met up.
“We've filed paperwork through our lawyer to have a restraining order put against you.”
“What the actual fuck, Dad?”
“Don't use that language in my house-”
“You're threatening me with a restraining order against my own niece. I'll use whatever the fuck language I want.”
“She needs to stay away from your influences. Your living arrangements, that job... she's better off in our world, not yours.”
“Those reasons are all bullshit. We know it's because I had the audacity to be gay and ruin your plans. You can't keep her away from me because you hate the thought that your only son likes dick.”
“Rhys!”
“Tell me that's not the reason. It has nothing to do with my job or being single. It's because I'm gay and you're still the same homophobic asshole you've always been.”
“You've crossed the line. You are not to see Violet anymore.”
“On what grounds? What did I do that's so bad a judge is going to sign off on an RO.”
“Well, most judges wouldn't, but Ben Carmichael will.”
The blood drained from my face at my father's admission. Ben Carmichael was a sitting judge who was infamous for ruling against LGBTQ people and actively working to strip us of our basic rights. He was also one of my father's oldest friends.
“Ben isn't a family court judge.”
“A restraining order isn't a family court matter.” My father smirked.
“You're going to lose her,” I said softly. “You're going to lose her the way you lost Sam and me, and then you'll be alone. Is that what you want?”
“Get out of my house and don't ever come back.”
With my head spinning and my body numb, I turned and walked out the front door and to my car. This was it. This was the moment I was going to lose the person I loved most in the world, and the worst part was that her last memory of me would be me l
ying to her. I told her I'd fix things, and now I'd never get that chance.
Chapter Twelve
Caleb
RHYS TEXTED TO TELL me he was at my building but asked if he could come up instead of me meeting him downstairs. I buzzed him through the security door and waited outside my apartment. It was hard to read emotion and intention in a text, but something about it felt wrong.
When Rhys came out of the stairwell, I almost gasped. He was as white as a sheet, and there were dark circles under his eyes.
“Rhys?” I asked, starting toward him. I'd only taken three steps when my anxiety kicked in and my thoughts zeroed in on him being mad at me for coming to his work last night.
“I really need someone to talk to.” Rhys's voice was so quiet I barely heard him, but he remembered to look at me so I could read his lips.
“Of course. Come in.”
When we were in my apartment and the door was locked, Rhys kind of hovered in the living room.
“What's wrong?”
“I really want to hold you right now. I need to feel you.”
Rhys looked like he was only steps away from crying, and seeing him so torn up pushed the last of my anxiety aside, and all I could think about was comforting him any way that I could.
I reached out and took his hand. It was true we could get close on the couch, but it didn't seem like enough. He needed more than just comfort; he needed intimacy.
Without a second thought, I led Rhys into my bedroom and right to my bed. I wasn't in the habit of making my bed in the mornings, so I quickly pulled the comforter up as Rhys kicked off his shoes. I pulled out my hearing aids and took off my shoes before nodding for him to climb in with me.
I expected him to pull me up against his chest like he had the last time we'd cuddled, but he surprised me by rolling into me. I wasn't used to being the one who was cuddled against, and even though he was so much bigger and stronger than me, he seemed to fit perfectly against my body as his head rested on my shoulder and his arm draped over my chest.
I rested one hand over his arm where it lay over my chest and gently rubbed the back of his head with the other. I didn't know if it would comfort him, but it did wonders for me, so I figured it couldn't hurt.