Dancing with the Varsity Bad Boy

Chapter 18

Violet's POV

****

"Hey Brett, ready to talk about ink?" I ask as I push the door open for him to step through into our living area.

"I'm always ready to talk about getting inked," he laughs and I chuckle as I follow him through. He'd texted me only ten minutes ago to let us know he was on his way, and he's here, at 7:00pm on the dot. I do love a person who takes time management seriously. Lex looks up from his spot at our family dining table, his laptop and papers surrounding him, Imogen waves while Tamsyn frowns at the man as she walks through from the kitchen to the dining table with a tray of drinks.

"Tamsyn, you shouldn't be carrying anything, you didn't sleep well last night," Gypsy tells her off, and takes the drinks off her, her "peg leg" as she calls it keeping her up right as she half limps over to the table with the drinks, Causing Tamsyn to roll her eyes.

"I'm fine," she mutters but doesn't fight us on it. That girl has a stubborn streak that rivals my own.

"Am I disturbing something?" Brett asks, coming to a stop, staring at the table covered with papers, sketchbooks and art supplies.

"No, we're just studying, or working on personal projects," I tell him and walk around to pull a chair out for him at the table, and take the one next to it.

"Well, I'll be damed. The tat looks good," Lex makes a low whistle as Brett removes his jacket, his hair still damp from his shower after training. Brett grins and lets Lex have a better look at the art work as I grab my sketchbook, a set of penciles and a eraser.

"She did good right?" My head snaps up at Brett's praising me, and I frown slightly, not really used to anyone other than my friends or family praising my artistic talents.

"She sure did, you're going to have clients banging on the door with stud muffin here showing off your designs," Lex grins when Brett tips his head back with a laugh and I shake my head at the both of them being so silly.

"So, what were you thinking?" I ask, and listen as Brett describes what he's after, and the symbolic meaning for him behind it. He, thankfully, has already worked with me so brought reference pictures on his phone for me to flick through. By the time we've hammered out the finer details it's nearly 9:pm and Lex is cleaning up after our dinner, which Brett stayed for, and was raving about Imogen's cooking. I even get to see him joke about with Lex about helping him get with a couple of the Hockey boys he knows are gay, only to have Lex turn him down, with an "I have a boyfriend, long distance". It's the biggest lie Lex has ever told, and I know he hates saying it. He's, however, forced to say it every time he's questioned about his hidden relationship.

"So, when do you think you'll have a few rough draft ideas for me?" Brett asks as I show him out, tilting my head to the side to really think it through.

"Maybe in a week? Could be two depending on classes and homework," he nods at my reply. I lean against the doorframe of our front door as he wires half the estemated sum we've pre- agreed upon, and we both signed Lex's make-shift contract. It works in two ways, one, it protects him if I pull out of the project, meaning I can be legally made to pay back what he's already payed me, and 2, my artwork is copyrighted so no one else can use that tattoo design which means he can't then go and sell the design to a tattoo studio.

"Alright, still got my email address?" He asks, smirking at me.

"Yeah, I keep a log of all my customers contact details in case I need to chase them for that second payment," I grin and Brett gently chucks me under the chin before heading off for his truck. I scoff at his wink and roll my eyes at him, wondering how long he'll be keeping this up. It's been nearly three years now he's been all flirty with me. Ever since that team mate of his dated Gypsy for six months.

Not a good relationship either. The bastard had been abusive. Even Brett had been disgusted by his team mate when we told him the truth of the matter.

A shiver passes up my spine and I head indoors, locking us in for the night. Lex raises an eyebrow at me and I shake my head. He knows I don't date, that I probably won't be dating until I've graduated college and am making a carer for myself.

"That boy has the hots for you," he states, nodding his head to the front door, indicating Brett. I shrug, because it doesn't matter.

"When are you going to start looking for love darling? Not all athlets will be interested in who your father and brothers are," he says, slinging an arm over my shoulders.

"I don't know Lex. Finding love for the disabled isn't as easy as everyone thinks it is. We're more responsibility for our partner's," I shrug not sure how to explain it. I've certainly found love difficult to navigate when my partner is confronted with the chronic pain of the disease on a daily basis. It's also difficult for said partner to be supportive because to them my dreams are causing me pain.

"You'll find someone Vi. You're so easy to love," Lex says, guiding me to my bedroom. I roll my eyes at him but let him guide me.

"Go take your meds," he says, tapping my shoulder, splitting up with me at the kitchen to get me a glass of water as I head into my bedroom and grab my medication lock box and go through the process of getting my medication for the night sorted out so I'm taking the right dose. Lex places the glass of water on my bedside table and kisses the top of my head before going off the check on the other members of our little family while I toss the pills back and take a gulp of water, the bitter taste I used to gag on now barely noticable.

I grab my sketch book and get to work on the tattoo Brett wants, plugging my my headphones so I'm not distracted.

****

Jordan's POV

****

I pull into the driveway and look over at Violet's house, seeing the dark blue convertible parked there. Looks like he really did go over there for that meeting about a new tattoo.

I make my way inside to find Eric, Mikey and Xavier on their phones.

"What's up?" I ask them, dumping my bag beside the sofa.

"Nothing, just that chick Amy. Guess she's feeling loney," Eric says with a frown.

"Why do you think that?" I inquire, raising an eyebrow at him.

"She texted wanting to know if I wanted some company. I told her I wasn't in the mood. Then she asked if I knew if you needed her company," He replies, shaking his head before putting his phone into his pocket.

"Not tapping her again. She's a bit too clingy for my liking and she's been with the whole team," I tell him, grimacing at the thought of sharing her with the rest of the team.

"Did you see the convertible in the driveway of Violet's house?" Mikey asks.

"Yep, guess he's over there talking about tattoo's. Let's just hope he doesn't end up getting too friendly with them." I respond.

"Hopefully there's not trouble," Xavier mutters watching me as I get myself a glass of water.

"Yep," I agree

Eric looks at me, raising his eyebrows and then says. "You are awefully pissy today. Who shoved a stick up your ass? Is it because you can't find out any information on Violet?" He asks, and I run a hand through my hair, hating that he knows me so well.

"How do you get to know someone when you don't even hang out with them?" I ask when I turn to look at him.

"Just forget about the stupid challenge and move on, " he suggests, grabbing a bottle of juice from the fridge.

"What? No way, I'm backing down from a challenge, Never have, never will." I tell him, gritting my teeth at just the idea of giving up.

"Then just go talk to Alexander, or Lex I think his name is, will you? It'll save all of us a headache from your bad moods," Eric advises, smirking at my glare.

"I tried already. He's only recently gotten back from wherever he'd been and he's a hard man to get a ahold of," I mutter.

"He's over there all the time. Just wait until Violet isn't there and then go over and ask to talk to him, or to borrow a cup of sugar or something," I stand there, staring at Eric as he takes a swig of his juice, before he shrugs at me as though it's stupidly obvious what I should do.

"You want me to ask Alexander for a cup of sugar?" I ask in disbelief.

"Maybe not that. Just make up some excuse and talk to him. Damn I'm doing all the work for you that it might as well be my challenge," Eric says and throws a hand into the air in annoyance.

"Hopefully I can talk to him before we meet her father tomorrow," I mutter and look out the window when I hear a car start. I watch as Violet closes the door to the misfit house just as Brett pulls away from the house. Fu'ck it. I'm going over to talk to this Alexander, he'll want to know if Brett is going to be a problem for his house mates.

I head outside, straight over to Violet's house, knocking on the door. Luckily Alexander answers, and smirks as he leans against the door frame.

"Must be sexy jock day here! What do you want, football boy?" he asks, a half smile on his lips, very relaxed although I do notice his head tilts slightly as though he's listening out for movement in the house.

"Was that Brett Andrews who just left?" I ask straight away, no beating around the bush.

"Uh-huh, why?" Alexander crosses his arms over his chest. The guy doesn't play sports, and yet he's built like a football player, so he must work out a lot, probably to better protect the girls he lives with. I debate with myself whether or not to tell him about the bet the Hockey team have about the girls he lives with, especially on Violet and Gypsy, but decide to just go with it.

"I need to talk to you, can you come over?" I ask, watching that half smile turn into a full on smirk.

"My, my is the Badass turning sides?" He asks, and licks his lips slowly.

"What? No! I'm not turning sides. Sorry but you not really my type," I chuckle at the end and shake my head. Alexander laughs, and turns to look back into the house, looking as though he's debating with himself.

"At least you know I'm only joking, but if you ever want to try it, I'm game," he chuckles, still staring into the house, his shoulders tight with tension.

"Good to know," I shake my head, and wait as he turns and steps out onto the porch with me before shutting the door.

"I can't be gone long, what do you want to talk about?" he asks stuffing his house keys into his pocket.

"Andrews," I state and head back to the football house, Alexander following behind me.

"How is everyone?" I ask, knowing he'll understand I mean the other girls he shares a house with.

"Recovering from the past week, it's why I can't be gone for long they might need help," He doesn't elberate on what "need help" means, just follows me into the football house and stands there with his arms crossed over his chest, a frown setting lips into a thin line of worry. Although his gaze does wonder around the living room, his shoulder tense until they relax a fraction. It's pretty clear he's protective of those girls, which is good. Means he'll protect them.

"What do you want to talk about?" He demands and I sigh, running a hand through my hair.

"Is Andrews going to be round your place often? You do realise the Hockey team has a bet on the girls you live with?" Alexander's frown deepens and he sighs.

"You brought me over here just to know is he'll be visiting our place often? The answer is yes, he's commissioned Vi to design another tattoo. You could have asked me at the door and yes I'm aware, so what's the real reason you dragged me over here to "talk"?" Alexander states.

"I'm that obvious, huh? Okay, I need your help," I'm a little surprised he's already aware of the Bet but shrug it off.

"Ok, let's just cut out the bullshit shall we? You want my help in getting to know Violet for that challenge she has with you." he says, getting straight to the point.

I nod. "She's hard to get to know. All the guys here kept saying to just ask you," I mutter.

"Why would I help you get to know Violet so you can share at bed with her? We both know you're just going to find another girl the next day. Did you ever stop to think what that might do to her?" he challenges.

"Alexander, "

"It's Lex. No one calls me Alexander," He interrupts me, the venom in his voice surprising me.

"Ok, Lex, everyone knows I'm not a relationship guy. She knows this," I reply, folding my arms over my chest to watch him.

Lex shakes his head and sighs heavily, as though disappointed. "You may have had flings with a lot of women but the truth is you haven't had a lot of meaningful relationships," he scoffs.

"What does that mean? It's not as though you've had a lot of women," I argue back, getting upset with how this conversation is going.

"Dude, first of all. I actually have had women. I know shocking right? Before I was true to myself I was with girls so yes I think I know them better then you do. One of the things I know about women is they don't just have s*x. Their emotions get involved, it means more to them then a stress releaver." Lex explains, rubbing a hand over his face as though he's tired.

"First of all, I can't believe you've been with a woman. But I know girls are emotional. It's why I don't get into relationships," I tell him honestly.

"Really? That's the first thing you focused on, me having s*x with women? That's really all you care about?" Lex asks, then sighs.

"Highschool, and family pressures, especially when you're popular like I was. I was in denial for a long time about being gay so I slept with girls, was a player like you." He continues, looking at me with a half smile even though his eyes tell a darker story. Something he won't talk about.

"The only thing though, is while I was screwing those girls, I was picturing the hunky defense linemen. Then one day I ended up kissing my crush and realized that I needed to stop pretending."

"Lex, I'm not gay," I insist with a frown.

"I know, but you're like I was. Screwing girls because you're hiding something about yourself. All of you are." He asserts glancing at the other team members in the living room listening to our conversation.

I don't say anything so Lex says. "Now, you got to know a bit about me. If winning a stupid challenge for your own ego is that important, that's how you get to know someone, just talk to them."

"Think I haven't tried?" I scoff, earning me a cold, hard glare.

"You've stalked her. That's not trying to get to know her, there is a difference. You had nearly a whole week with her sharing a room with you, and you didn't try and get to know her then." I shrug as Lex glances at his watch before turning to leave. I rub the back of my neck. I'm starting to think this challenge isn't worth all this frustration.

Lex opens the door, then turns back to look at me.

"She likes to go to the coffee shop on campus between classes to work on papers. It's a habit she's formed growing up in a small town, okay?" He asks before walking out and closing the door behind him, leaving me with a lot to think about.