Episode 11
1506 Words
CASSIAN
Violetta finally placed her hand in mine, and I helped her out of the truck before shutting the door behind her.
The moment we stepped inside Ethan’s house, heads turned.
‘Is that really Cassian Alexandris? And with the kiss cam girl?’
‘No way… they’re actually together?’
I expected it but judging from Violetta's reaction… Clearly she wasn’t used to this.
‘She looks so cute wearing his jacket.’
‘Didn’t Logan dump her yesterday?’
Her fingers tightened around mine as whispers immediately spread through the room.
‘Speaking of… Logan’s here too.’
‘s**t… This night is about to be entertaining.’
Without thinking, I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze and pulled her a little closer as we moved through the crowd.
The party was already in full swing, and it wasn’t even seven yet with swaying to the music… someone had somehow climbed onto the kitchen counter, and a crowd of drunk idiots were screaming over a game of beer pong.
I was willing to bet at least three of my guys had already disappeared upstairs.
Typical hockey party.
I spotted the guys near the back.
Nico saw me first and I watched with a scowl as his eyes drifted to Violetta whose hand was wrapped around my arm.
A knowing grin slowly spread across his face and I immediately regretted coming here.
As we stopped in front of them, Declan looked up from his drink before tilting his head in our direction. Jace followed his gaze.
“No f*****g way.”
Matteo simply whistled and that silence stretched as we just stood until Violetta nudged me.
Right.
“This is Violetta.”
Nico snorted, “We already know that.”
I slipped an arm around her waist tugging her closer, “My girlfriend.”
I felt her tense under my grip.
It didn’t help that these idiots exchanged knowing looks as if they hadn’t been with us earlier on… before they continued talking over one another.
“I f*****g knew this was going to happen!”
“This is going to be sick!”
“You’ve known her for, what, twelve hours?”
“Technically…” Nico began with the biggest grin on his face. “He’s been…”
Declan kicked him under the table… LOUDLY.
Nico had a smug look on his after as he dramatically zipped his mouth shut.
What long was he trying to prove?!
Violetta looked between the two of us, “He’s been…what?”
“Nothing.” Nico grinned so widely as he added, “Just pulling his legs…it’s nothing Vee.”
I was going to kill him after this!
Violetta narrowed her eyes suspiciously, but before she could question me further, Jace stepped forward, “Welcome to the circus.”
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders dramatically and immediately cracked some stupid joke.
I watched as her head fell back as she laughed.
There was nothing funny about anything that came out of his mouth… she hadn’t even laughed at anything I said all day.
Within minutes, she was arguing with Jace over hockey statistics, promising Matteo she was going to have a taste of his food, and laughing so hard at Nico’s terrible Coach Miller impression that she’d taken off her glasses just to wipe the tears from her eyes.
I just sat back and watched.
The boys even forgot about my presence… until she excused her to get another drink before disappearing toward the kitchen, did Jace finally turn to me.
“So…” He smirked. “Does she have friends?”
I stared at him with a bored look on my face as I held back from saying, f**k off.
“Don’t be a f*****g bore… does she have hot friends or not?” he added with a grin as though trying to clarify himself.
“No.”
“You don't even know anything about her.”
I knew Oliver was her best friend but clearly that wasn't what Jace wanted… I don't even know why I felt the need to be defensive in my thoughts.
“Still no, f**k off!”
Just look at you,” Nico barked out a laugh. “Mr. Possessive Boyfriend.”
He pointed dramatically at me before looking around the group.
“I just want everyone to know that I’m only here for this show because this s**t is absolutely bonkers.”
I zoned out of their banter as I searched for her.
She’d been gone longer than necessary and knowing the amount of alcohol in this house… someone was bound to become troublesome.
Declan swapped seats with Nico who was still laughing alongside Jace, “You good?”
I paused in my search and turned to look at him. He had been unusually quiet today, just staring.
He took a sip from his drink before asking again, “You sure this is what you want?”
Maybe if I ignored him long enough, he'd let me be.
“You can't ignore me forever.”
I chucked.
He was right… he could be a worse pest than Nico.
“I think I know what I'm doing.”
He didn't say anything and just stared blankly at me.
I knew that look.
“Just say whatever the f**k you are thinking and leave me alone”
He chuckled softly, “Well for a start, we all know the history between you both so I'm wondering why you sound so sure.”
“I’m Cassian Alexandris.” I shrugged.
He rolled his eyes dryly, “right.”
His gaze moved past me, without thinking much of it… my eyes followed.
Violetta.
She was standing near the kitchen counter with a red plastic cup in her hand, laughing fakely with two other girls.
Every now and then, one of the girls would glance in our direction before whispering something that made them laugh all over again.
When I looked back at Declan, he was already watching me.
“Oh f**k off.”
“I didn't say anything.” He mused, before gulping down the drink on his hand.
Nico dropped onto the seat beside Declan, “Twenty bucks says he's fucked.”
I was about to say something when Jace added himself to the conversation.
He sounded drunk already.
These men need to get laid.
He pointed toward a blonde standing near the staircase, “Forget him. Twenty bucks says I'll take her home tonight.”
Nico scoffed, “She’s been staring at Matteo for the last thirty minutes.”
Matteo casually lifted his drink, “I know… I think the bet should be I would be taking her and her friend home tonight.”
“f**k you.”
Their argument quickly shifted into who was getting lucky before the night ended.
I stopped listening as my attention drifted back toward the kitchen but Violetta wasn’t there anymore.
I scanned the crowd and found her with…Whitaker.
He was standing far too close while she had her arms folded tightly across her chest while he kept talking.
This was going to be frontline news.
“Cassian…” Nico called.
Too late.
I had already crossed the room in seconds before stepping directly between them, completely blocking Logan’s view of her.
“What the f**k do you want?”
His eyes narrowed at me, “I was talking to Vee.”
“Not anymore.”
Behind me, I heard Violetta groan before slurred something incoherent… she must have had more than enough to drink.
“Move Alexandris.”
“No.”
His jaw tightened as he stepped forward…I matched him.
Then, I felt her warm hands cup my face.
I froze before looking down to see messy red hair… bright green eyes hidden behind those oversized glasses.
Before I could say a word, one of her hands caught my ear and she tugged hard until I was on the same level with her face.
“Ow… what the f**k?” I muttered under my breath.
Around us, conversations had already begun to die down. More than a few people were now openly watching.
“Outside, Cassian.” She whispered, giving my ear another sharp tug. “You promised Coach you’d be on your best behavior. On and off the ice, remember?”
Fuck.
Obviously in this attention we had dragged our way… cameras were always turned on and if I had let Logan get to me then I would have ruined it all.
I laughed nervously before meeting her eyes.
She was angry and looked fed up with my bullshit… and at the same time, she looked beautiful?
Whitaker said something behind me but I didn't hear a damn word.
“Now.” she ordered, still holding my ear.
I sighed as I followed behind her.
She was trouble… and up until now I hadn’t realized that maybe this contract was going to be more than I bargained for.
The worst part? I wasn’t dreading whatever chaos that came with Violetta Monroe … I was actually looking forward to it.
- Writer
