Page 51 of Tasting Innocence
Chapter Twenty
Like I thought,Jayden was the first to leave, but Trevor hangs around, drinking a beer, so I don’t think he’ll be leaving any time soon. If we thought there might be a chance to come clean, I know now that that’s not gonna happen.
“Well, I guess we’re gonna go,” Vi says before quickly turning to me. “I mean, if you don’t mind taking me home.”
It was a tiny slip, but I don’t think anyone noticed. Well, Ronan might have based on the look he’s giving me.
“Yeah, sure. I don’t mind. I’ll see you guys tomorrow night.”
“All right, man,” Zo says, coming to give me a fist bump before hugging his sister goodbye.
Once in the car, we both exhale deeply and then burst into laughter.
“I already hate being a secret,” Vi says as she buckles her seatbelt. “And it hasn’t been that long.”
“I know. It sucks.” I gnaw on my bottom lip for several seconds before I tell her what’s on my mind. “Zo is not gonna be okay with this. You know that, right?”
She sighs. “I know. It doesn’t seem like it. He’s acting like I need some perfect guy but he never put much thought into who he was dating or fucking. Why do I need to have Saints? No offense. I’m not saying you’re not perfect, but—”
“I’m not,” I say, cutting her off. “And Renzo knows more about me than you do. He’s gonna hate it, and it’s gonna be ugly, Vi.”
“What are you trying to say?” she questions, shifting in her seat to stare at me.
“I’m not trying to say anything except the truth. I just want you to be prepared for the drama, because if he didn’t want you dating douchebags who slept around, then he’s not gonna want you with me.”
“You’re not a douchebag,” she offers quietly.
I turn and give her a small appreciative grin. “Everyone thinks I’m a douchebag. It’s part and parcel with being rich and being a jock. Plus, I have slept around.”
Violet huffs and gazes out the window. “Still. He doesn’t get to have a say in my life.”
“I agree, but I don’t want you to be caught off guard by his reaction. Honestly, he’ll be more mad at me than you.”
“Are you willing to put your friendship at risk?” she asks. “I’d feel terrible, because y’all have never had a major falling out.”
I don’t answer until I pull up to a stop sign a few yards away. Turning my head, I study her face while I reach for her hand.
“I think it’s worth the risk.”
She leans over the console and kisses me until a horn sounds off behind us.
As I continue driving, she says, “Okay. But not tomorrow, because it’s Ronan’s party. Sunday. Sunday for sure.”
“Okay. Sunday it is.”
* * *
Saturday night,I show up to Jayden’s fraternity solo, thinking it’s best me and Vi don’t keep showing up places together. It’s nearing ten o’clock and the place is fairly packed. Inside, I zig-zag through people and find Jay and Trevor in the kitchen.
“Whatcha doin’ over here?” I say loudly, popping between them and slamming my hands on each of their shoulders.
Trevor jolts, spilling some of the alcohol he was pouring into a shot glass. “Fucker,” he hisses.
Jayden laughs, less affected by my sudden appearance. “Pouring shots of different shit. We’re gonna line up everything on the table in the other room, and everyone has to roll a can of beer along the top, and wherever it stops, they have to take that particular shot. Saw something similar online,” he says with a chuckle. “Some of this shit is gonna be nasty.”
“Well, count me out of that game.”
“Pussy.”