Page 32 of Playing with Trouble

Now, instead of constant barbs to test my patience, she wasn’t fighting me at every turn anymore.There was less attitude and snark just to keep me at arm’s length.She was more open and receptive to me and my presence, and I enjoyed the fact that we could actually indulge in real conversations and discussions without butting heads.The tension was still there, but it was different now—less about clashing and more about what we might do with that awareness that was a constant reminder of the heat simmering just beneath the surface, ready to ignite.

The fact that Violet was sitting here, actually weighing the idea of showing up as my fake girlfriend, told me more than words ever could.That maybe she liked me, more than she wanted to admit.If she was willing to step into my world, even in a fake role, she wasn’t just humoring me—she was letting down that guard of hers and allowing me closer, even if she didn’t realize it.

“So, let me get this straight,” she finally said, her tone still a bit skeptical.“You want me—me—to play the devoted girlfriend?One half of a picture-perfect couple?”

“It’s just for this one party,” I said, wanting her to agree.“That’s it.Just play along long enough to get my sisters off my back and later I’ll tell them it didn’t work out.”

She crossed her arms and pursed her lips.“You’re insane.”

“Maybe, but it’ll work.”I grabbed one of her feet and massaged the arch, watching as her body relaxed from my ministrations and enjoying the way she let me touch her more freely now.“And it’ll be fun.Free food.Sunshine.Hanging out by the pool.”Then I brought out the heavy artillery to convince her.“And I really don’t want to disappoint my nephew.”

Guilt flashed across her expression, just as I’d hoped.“You’re ridiculous,” she said, though there was less reluctance in her voice now.“This whole plan is ridiculous.”

I grinned, knowing I had her.“Maybe, but admit it.It’s better than sitting here all day.”

She groaned and pushed herself off the couch.“Fine,” she said, sounding put out when I suspected she was anything but.“I’ll get changed.”

Victory surged through me, though I kept my smirk in check.“Bring a swimsuit and a good attitude,” I said as she walked past.

She arched a brow at me.“Why would I bring a good attitude when misbehaving has so many fun benefits?”she teased, winking at me before continuing on to her bedroom.

I shook my head, a smile tugging at my mouth.She thought she was doing me a favor, but the truth?I wanted her there, and not just for cover, I realized.I wanted to see Violet interact with my family, and a part of me suspected she’d fit in better than either of us expected.

CHAPTER14

Violet

Ihated how nervous I was for this pool party.

My anxiety was absurd.This wasn’t a date.This wasn’t me being paraded in front of a family because Ford was proud to show me off.This was a cover—fake girlfriend duty—so he could see his nephew for his birthday and keep me safe at the same time.Nothing more.

Still the thought of meeting his parents and sisters had my stomach in knots.I rarely gave a damn of anyone’s opinion of me, but Ford was a respectable guy and I wanted to make a good impression for him with his family.

Family…Christopher and I had always been thick as thieves, and when Andrea and Madison came into the picture, I’d latched onto them, too.What family I did have mattered to me.Maybe because it had been in such short supply growing up, so I understood Ford’s need to make them a priority.

My nerves only spiked higher when we pulled up in front of his parent’s house where Ford told me he’d grown up since birth.I took in the average sized two-story structure, the paint fairly fresh and the lawn neatly trimmed.His family wasn’t rich by any means.I dealt cards for wealthy people all the time, and was often in their homes for private games.I knew what rich looked like and this wasn’t it.But his parents did live way more comfortably than I’d ever been growing up, the kind of solidly middle class that I’d longingly dreamed of being when I was a kid, instead of living in various shit hole apartments that we were eventually evicted from because my mother couldn’t pay the rent.

While anxiety jangled in my stomach, Ford, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed as we got out of the car.Giving me a reassuring smile, he let his gaze travel appreciatively over the casual halter-style dress I’d chosen to wear over my swimsuit, the peach floral pattern matching the colors of the tattoo on my arm.He intertwined our fingers as we walked up to the house, and I tried not to think about how much I liked having him hold my hand and reminded myself it was all for appearances’ sake.

Without knocking, we strolled inside as Ford called out playfully, “The best part of the party is here!”

“Oh, thank God,” a woman about my age said, a grin on her pretty face as she approached us, her eyes flicking over me with interest.“I was told hiring a clown was out of fashion, but here you are anyway.”

Ford chuckled and shook his head.“Damn, I set myself up for that one,” he said, releasing my hand to give her a hug.

The resemblance between the two was obvious.Same colored eyes and dark hair, and similar facial features.

The woman turned to me with a warm smile.“Hi, I’m Laney,” she said, introducing herself.

“This is Violet,” Ford replied before I could, placing his hand at the small of my back.That simple but possessive touch made me shiver—annoying, how much I liked it.“My girlfriend,” he added.

Laney stared at me, eyebrows flying up in surprise.“Your—oh my God!”She beamed at me.“This is fantastic!Ford, you’ve been holding out on us,” she said, chastising him before she grabbed my hand, leading me to another part of the house.“It’s so nice to meet you, Violet.Let me introduce you to everyone.”

I followed along, uncharacteristically quiet, unsure what to do.I glanced around, taking in the furniture and décor as she whisked me through the house.Most of the walls were lined with family photos—two girls who had to be twins, and a boy who could only be Ford, and a few that included his parents.The house looked well lived in, with details that indicated history and roots.

My chest ached, and I couldn’t stop the envy that hit me.This was Ford’s childhood home, the only place he’d known as a family home.It was filled with memories and the kind of stability I’d never had.

Laney led me out onto the back patio.The yard opened up to a pool where a dark-blond haired man sat on the steps with a toddler on his lap, splashing at the water.A cluster of other little kids, all around one to seven or eight years in age, played in the shallow end, squealing with delight.The smell of barbecue hung in the air, with laughter and conversation floating up from all directions.