Falling into You (Falling Stars 3)

Violet scowled at me, and not an adorable, cute way. She looked like maybe she would stab me right then if she could get away with it. Or maybe she’d be willing to give it a shot, anyway.

“I’m not letting you do this to me, Richard,” she grated under her breath, the anger shifting to desperation.

“What’s that?”

“Toy with my heart.”

“I never wanted to.” My voice was as low as hers.

She stared at me, and I was trapped. Lost in the haze of those enchanting eyes as she took me in like she was trying to see through the garbage that had littered our lives.

Find the man she’d thought I’d been.

My lungs squeezed, and I kneaded at the steering wheel and forced myself not to say anything else. Not to tell her I missed her. That I still couldn’t fucking sleep at night, and when I did, she was there.

A hostage I only knew in my dreams.

I was already doing so much damage just being there, and there wasn’t a chance in hell that I could stay.

Finally, she gave a tight nod. “I need to get my purse and tell my daddy what happened. I’ll be right back.”

“Fine.” The word was grit.

Maybe I was hoping she would refuse. Or maybe that Royce would come and drag my pathetic ass out of this truck and knock some sense into me.

But everyone was held.

Watching this shitshow go down.

Me as the star.

Violet fumbled around the truck, glancing back once as she took the steps onto the porch and then disappeared into the house.

I watched her go.

Unable to look away.

My heart raged. A caged beast screaming for its match.

“What do you think you’re doin’, Rich?” Emily’s voice hit me from the side. A torrent of worry gushed out with her words.

I tossed a glance her way. My sister stood there twisting her fingers together. Our ma was behind her, brow twisted in concern and looking like she was itching to smack me again.

My tongue darted out to wet my lips, keeping quiet enough that only she could hear. “You asked me to come here. What did you think was going to happen?”

“I thought you were gonna stand up in my wedding.”

“Next to her. Don’t act like you don’t know what you’re doing, Em.”

Her chin quivered. “I…I want you to get back on track, Rich. Find your joy. What’s right in this world. I’m just prayin’ you don’t hurt her along the way.”

“I think I’ve already done plenty of that.”

The door reopened, and Violet came rushing out. Wearing that floral dress she’d been wearing all day, the one that had just about done me in, long locks of black hair braided in a pretty twist, errant pieces falling in delicate wisps around her gorgeous face.

Want fisted my stomach.

“Only question now is why,” Emily pressed, the words secreted by the wind.

“Why doesn’t matter. The only thing that does is it’s too late,” I grunted, shifting in the seat when Violet opened the front passenger door. “I’ll give Rhys a text to come pick me up when we get back,” I said.

Emily gave a wary nod.

“I’m sorry again, Emily,” Violet rushed through the open door. “We can regroup tomorrow…for now, just start getting the invites prepared. Those need to go out ASAP.”

“Don’t worry about it. Take care of your sweet girl. That’s the only thing that matters.”

Violet sent her a bumbling nod as she climbed in. I was slammed with a wave of her.

Violets and dreams and the girl.

Emily angled her head in behind me so she could talk to Daisy. “You get all fixed up. We need our pretty dancer better for this wedding.”

“I will,” she sang, though it came out weaker than the kid’s normal exuberance.

A sad smile graced Emily’s face. It passed from Daisy to me and over to Violet. “Good luck. Text me later and let me know what they say.”

Violet hugged her purse on her lap. “I will. Thank you.”

Violet turned to check on Daisy, cooing a bunch of words, promising it was going to be okay.

Emily stepped back, and I leaned out to shut the door. I caught the disturbance that hovered around Royce.

The warning he wore in the set of his jaw.

I lifted my chin at him because I wasn’t walking away from this.

For once…for one fuckin’ time…I was going to be there for Violet, whether she wanted me there or not.

He just shook his head and pushed off from where he was leaning against the Suburban.

He knew it as well as I did.

I was in deep.

And I wasn’t sure I wanted to get out.TwelveVioletHad you ever felt like you were being conned?

The wool pulled over your eyes before you realized what was happening?

Deceived into thinking you were making the right choices for you and your family?

Problem was, too often you were opening doors better left shut.