Unbreakable(76)

Peyton spent time earlier today putting together Vi’s outfit: a beautiful blue cashmere sweater, skinny dark-washed blue jeans, and knee-high black boots. She insisted that we didn’t do anything too far out of her comfort zone.

“Damn, you look great, Violet,” Will says as I spritz her face with my favorite makeup setting spray. “Maybe your derby name should be Vixen, eh?”

He grins at her, and I watch in amusement as her cheeks turn pink from his compliment.

“Well, it’s all thanks to your girlfriend’s awesome makeup wizardry. She’s great at this stuff.”

“And good genes,” Peyton says, nudging her. “It helps when you have such a great canvas to work with.”

“Absolutely,” I agree. “You’ve got the most beautiful skin. I’m so jealous.” I turn to glance at Will. “Maybe her derby name should be Heartbreaker.”

Violet snorts. “You guys are sweet, but Derby names are a little more creative than that. And Vixen and Heartbreaker don’t seem like suitable names for someone who doesn’t even have a date tonight.”

“Who doesn’t have a date?” Sully walks past my bedroom door and stops cold. “Holy shit. Violet?” His mouth drops open as his eyes sweep from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. “You look…”

“Hot?” I finish. “Delicious? Fuckable? Incredible?”

My brother can’t take his eyes off of her. “Yeah,” he says, swallowing. “You look f*cking awesome, Violet.”

“Um... thanks, Sully.” Her face turns scarlet, and her voice cracks.

Peyton, who’s standing behind her, gives her a swift poke in the back that only I can see.

“Isn’t it great that you finally get to see your sister’s artistry come to life?” Violet asks, recovering just enough to give Sully a warm smile.

“For sure. It looks good,” Sully murmurs. His gaze drops to Violet’s chest. “Real good.”

“Score,” Peyton whispers under her breath to me.

I bend over my makeup case and give a little nod. “Yep.”

“Anyone home?” a deep male voice calls from down the hall. A guy—a very cute guy—with semi-long brown hair and eyes the color of the Mediterranean Sea appears in the doorway.

“Well damn, no wonder everyone is up here.” A smile lights up his face as he looks at Violet, Peyton, and me. “Hello there, ladies.”

Will snorts. “Easy, Xander. Alexander Christiansen, these are my friends Violet and Peyton, and my girlfriend, Emmy. Xander’s new to the Smoke this season,” he explains.

Xander’s eyes linger on Violet the longest. “It’s nice to meet all of you.”

Suddenly, I’m struck with inspiration. “So Xander, what are you doing for Valentine’s Day? Any plans?”

“Nope. Just meeting Sully here and then heading over to his place.” He gives Sully a nod. “What’s up, Sul? Axel and Dylan are still coming over for our The Walking Dead marathon, right?”

“Yep,” Sully says, looking down at his phone.

“Dylan doesn’t have a date tonight?” Peyton asks casually.

I give her a knowing look. I’m sure she’d love to give Dylan a Valentine’s Day to remember.

“No. Valentine’s Day is just f*cking stupid,” Sully grumbles.

“Yeah, Violet was just saying the same thing,” I say airily. “They make such a big deal out of this holiday. It’s ridiculous.”

Will gives me an amused look. “Should I cancel our dinner reservations, then?”

“Of course not. We still have to eat something,” I say solemnly.

He starts laughing. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“So Will and I are the only people going out on Valentine’s Day? Wow,” I say, shaking my head.

“How is someone as gorgeous as you dateless on Valentine’s Day?” Xander asks Violet.

Violet laughs nervously. “Oh, you know. Just lucky I guess.”

I glance over at my brother, who’s frowning at Xander.

That’s right brother. Time to put up or shut up.

“Aww. If I didn’t already have plans, I’d ask you out myself,” Xander says, smiling at Vi. “Maybe we can make plans to go out sometime.”

Yesssssss!

Sully’s frown deepens at Xander’s comment, and he looks over at Violet.

“Sure. And if you didn’t already have plans for tonight,” Vi says, brushing a strand of blonde hair away from her face, “I would have said yes.”

Is she actually flirting? I might do a happy dance right here, right now.

I also can’t resist pushing my brother’s buttons a little more.

“Oh, you guys should totally go out tonight. I’m sure my brother won’t mind if you bail just this once, Xander.” I pipe up. “Right, Sul?”

All eyes land on Sully, including Violet’s.

He crosses his arms and gives a shrug. “Why the hell would I care? Do whatever you want.”

I’m quite familiar with the look that’s currently on his face. He cares, all right. I can tell that he hates the idea of Vi going out with Xander.

“I’m heading out,” Sully says curtly. “Axel and Dylan will be at my place in an hour. See you guys later.”