Page 25 of Playing with Forever
“C’mon in.” I opened the door further for him to pass by, and for Violet’s sake, I tempered my annoyance. “You want anything to drink? We ordered pizza but it hasn’t gotten here yet.”
“I’m all good, thanks,” he replied, then smiled too enthusiastically at his sister. “Hi, Vi!”
“Chris, hey!” Violet stood up as Christopher approached her and gave her a quick hug. “Nice of you to stop by. Are you sure you don’t want some pizza?”
He shifted anxiously on his feet. “I, uh, really can’t stay long…I just need a couple extra twenties if you have them?”
And there it was…I turned away so that neither of them would see me roll my eyes. Christopher and Violet had different fathers, but shared a mom, and he was always in some sort of trouble. Violet said it was just growing pains, that he was only twenty, and that being there for each other was what siblings did, especially considering the difficult way they’d grown up—with two absentee fathers and a mother who was always off chasing some man to take care of her. My own father had been one of those guys.
I admired Violet for being such a great big sister. Violet, for the most part, didn’t let anyone too close, but she was so caring when it came to Christopher, and it reminded me of how Madison had raised me when Dad wasn’t around, which was most of the time. Dad was nothing more than a drunk or a gambler, often both at the same time, and I wasn’t sure I would’ve even finished high school without Madison’s guidance and support through some of the most difficult years of our lives.
But this—this wasn’t about cooking meals or helping with homework or taking him shopping for proper work outfits when he interviewed for jobs. Christopher just showed up, asked for money, sometimes stayed for dinner, and left until the next time he was strapped for cash.
I just couldn’t help but worry that he was using her.
“Of course, whatever you need.” Violet waved her hand and glanced at me. “Can you grab my purse, Andrea?”
I fetched her handbag. Violet always carried a ton of cash on her from tips and bonuses. I worried sometimes that she’d get mugged, but unlike me who was hopeless at self-defense, Violet took kickboxing and carried a butterfly knife and knew how to protect herself.
Violet counted out the cash. “Are you sure you’re okay, Chris?”
“I am, it’s just hard times, y’know,” he said, taking the money and stuffing it into his jeans pocket. “Not enough shifts at work to cover the rent with my roommates…our landlord’s an asshole…”
“I get it.” Violet fondly ran a hand through his hair and smiled. “You know I’ll always be there to look after you, or help you when you need it.”
“Thanks, sis.” Christopher gave Violet another hug, then left.
“His excuses are getting better,” I noted, not holding back the sarcasm in my voice.
Violet gave me a sharp look. “Knock it off.”
I folded my arms across my chest. “He only ever shows up when he wants money, Vi.”
“He’s a good kid,” she said defensively. “And once you get behind financially, it can take a while to get caught back up. I see it all the time with people who blow their money at the casino. It takes one night to lose it all and months or years to build it back.”
I didn’t want to turn this into an argument. Violet was going to see the best in her brother, and that was that, so I changed the subject.
“All right, you said it was your turn to pick the movie tonight, so, what’ll it be?”
Of course she chose a horror flick, and in order to distract myself from all the jump scares, I thought about meeting with Chase at the club the next evening. I was sure a good play session would take my mind off my worries for Violet. I was probably being paranoid. Violet was responsible with her money, tough, street smart, a badass. She could put her foot down with Christopher if she needed to, and she wouldn’t give him more than she could afford to give.
Speaking of paranoid…
The following night, as I walked to my car to leave for The Players Club, an odd sense of unease trickled down my spine. I looked up and down the street, but it was too dark and I couldn’t see anyone. And yet…I had the strange feeling I was being watched.
I tried to shake off the sensation as I headed to the club…except my anxiety escalated when I realized that someone seemed to be following me in a dark vehicle, but from a distance. As soon as I neared the gated community in Summerlin, the car veered off in a different direction, much to my relief.
I was beyond grateful when I saw Chase waiting for me out in the courtyard when I arrived, since as his guest he’d have to escort me into the club.
“Hey, you.” Chase’s easy smile turned into a frown as his gaze searched my expression when I reached him in front of the main entrance. “Everything okay?”
I forced myself to put on a happy face. “Umm, yeah, I’m fine.”
“You sure?” He tipped his head, his stare more direct now. “You look tense.”
He looked genuinely concerned, and considering Chase worked in security, I decided to tell him the truth. “I just had this weird feeling, getting into my car to come here. Like someone was watching me. And then I thought a car might be following me, but they went a different direction as soon as I reached the gated community.” I laughed, trying to shake it off. “I’m probably just being overly sensitive. Violet’s half-brother stopped by last night and he always puts me in a weird mood.”
Chase straightened, his demeanor serious. “You feel unsafe around him?”
