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“No! The whole point of you staying was to work on stuff. I’m trying to talk to you.”
“Oh,” Violet said. “Well, if you want to know, the roof is covered with a tarp, but it doesn’t like they’ve started working on it. My renter’s insurance already sent me the payout from the damage, but I can’t replace my furniture until I have a place to put it.”
“Shouldn’t this be more of an issue to them? Have you been withholding rent payments?”
“Of course,” she said. “And I know the family who lived above me is too. They’re even thinking of suing, but the guy who owns the building had always dragged his feet on repairing things. I knew when this happened it would be awhile before I could get a new place.”
“Why did you live there if it was so bad?”
Violet narrowed her eyes at him, and he rushed to explain.
“I know teachers aren’t paid enough, but why not move out of county?”
“Because I didn’t want to drive more than thirty minutes into the school every day. It’s nice to be able to grab something from my home if I need it, or if they need me to pull a late night or extra hours, I don’t have to spend all my time driving. Plus, all my friends live here.”
“Then hopefully he will get it fixed soon, but you’re welcome here. I never thought I’d say it, but I need help with this house. I’m not good with maintenance.”
“Don’t feel too bad about it. You inherited a gorgeous house, but not everyone finds repairing things relaxing.”
“I would say most people don’t find that relaxing.”
“Well, I never was a normal one.” Violet smiled at him. “But I do worry that even though you’re fine with it, I’m less of a guest and more of a roommate, and even if I go stay with Liv, I’d be doing the same there.”
“It’s not so bad. I never got to have roommates in college, and it could be worse.”
“I know it could be, but it’s still hard. No matter who I stay with, I don’t have space of my own.”
Charlie could fix that for her. He had an empty room he kept closed off. She could fill her things with it and make this house her home.
But as soon as the idea came to his mind, he remembered his mother’s words. Violet could easily decide not to be his friend, and she had the right to. So why the fuck would she want to stay in his house?
And besides, he never wanted anyone else in his space.
But he wanted her in it.
He needed to stop thinking about this, and fast. He didn’t want to open doors he didn’t need to think about.
“I bet you’re stressed.”
“I really am, and it’s not like I’m even working right now to distract myself. Usually, I’d hang out with Liv right about now, and go bowling or something.”
“I like to bowl," Charlie offered. “I could do with you.”
“Seriously?” Violet asked. “You’re inviting me to go bowling? The last time we did we almost killed each other.”
She was right. But that was then, and he was eager to pave over the mistakes of their past.
“We have a good track record lately,” he reminded her. “And this is a chance to see if we can hang out without problems when no one is there.”
“Hm,” Violet considered it. “It’s probably would be good for me to do something fun before school is back in session.”
“We made it through the wedding - bowling can’t be much worse.”
“You know what,” Violet said. “Fuck it. Let’s give it a try. How about tomorrow?”
Chapter Twelve
Violet
