Page 7 of Tasting Innocence

“She’s a smart girl, though,” I offer.

“I know she is. I just don’t like it. I know she’s growing up, and I know I’m being a hypocrite, but fuck it.”

He laughs, bumping his arm into mine before he spins around and jogs back to Ronan.

The rest of the night, I can’t tear my eyes away from Violet. I track her every step, watching her flitter between the keg and the limbo game, laughing with Monique, and then with some guy who starts hanging around her.

She touches his bicep while she laughs, her green eyes twinkling up at him. He places his hand on her hip and leans in to whisper something in her ear. I can see the blush appear on her cheeks from here, and all I want to do is rush into this guy and tackle him to the ground. A bit much? Perhaps.

“Why are you over here looking so angry?” Jayden asks, coming to a stop next to me and following my line of sight. “Didn’t you just hookup?”

“I’m not angry. I’m just looking around.”

“Looks like you’re staring in one particular direction.” He raises his brows when he looks at me and then tilts his head toward Violet.

I scoff. “You’re crazy.”

He chuckles. “Seems like you are. You into Vi? Little Violet Hayes?”

“She’s not little anymore.”

“Don’t I know it, brother,” he says with a laugh. “But you know that’s gonna be an issue, right?”

“I’m not even...nothing is going on.”

Jayden gives me a knowing look, his dark brown eyes full of amusement as he smiles wide. “Mmhmm. Okay.”

“I’m not talking about this,” I say, standing straight. “I’m gonna go get another drink.”

His laugh follows me as I leave the area.