Page 57 of Eternal Pieces
Max looks me dead in the eye and says, “It’s over.”
CHAPTER 24
MADDOX
After explaining to Dad what happened, he agreed to go back home early. Max and I spent the rest of the day glued to Violet’s side. She didn’t complain or ask for space once. The close proximity is what we all needed.
Violet told us exactly what happened with Aaron and divulged how her mom sprang up out of the blue as well. I want to deal with both of them, but hurting Violet’s mom would hurt her. If she shows up again, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
For now, knowing I get to deal with Aaron is enough to calm the rage inside me.
Max and I tried to make the day as nice as possible for Vi. We took her mind off of it in all the ways she loves in the bedroom and watched her favorite movie after, cuddled up in bed until she fell asleep. There’s no denying that she knows exactly what we’re planning. It feels right to have her approval this time around.
Grabbing what we need, Max and I leave Vi sound asleep in bed and head to the car.
Earlier today, I got Sarah to tell me where Aaron lives. Turns out he’s part of a fraternity, and tonight is their graduationparty. Luck must really be on our side because the party is actually a costume party.
I park a few blocks away, far enough away from the house to not have my car seen, but still within a good distance for a swift getaway.
We grab our costumes from the backseat and put them on once we near the party. “We’ve really got our money’s worth out of these masks,” I joke to Max. He doesn’t say anything back, doesn’t even chuckle a little. I can feel his anger. If I don’t deflect it with humor, I worry it’ll eat me up like last time. As pissed off and hungry for retribution as I am, one of us needs to keep a clear head and this time it seems like it’ll be me.
I’m no stranger to a house party, back in high school, I went to almost every one. But once Violet came into my life, they lost their appeal. Why would I want to be up close and personal with a bunch of sweaty strangers when I can do that with my gorgeous girl at home?
“Let’s split up. If you find him first, take him to a secluded room and text me where you are. I’ll do the same,” Max gives me my orders as we put our masks on at the edge of the lawn to the frat house.
I hold my baseball bat over my shoulder and salute Max. “Yes, sir. What are we actually going to do once we have him?” I have plenty in mind, but since we didn’t want to leave Vi alone all day, we couldn’t make any plans, and the car ride here was full of silent tension rather than devious plotting.
“We’ll figure it out once we have him. Try and find his friend Theodore as well. We saw that he was part of it back when we first should have dealt with them. He could be sending those texts as well.”
I nod, confirming I’ve received my orders loud and clear. At the front door, we part ways inside. Max heads into a side room that looks like it leads to a kitchen and the back patio; I take themain hall, which has turned into a dance floor. Loud EDM blasts out of the speakers on the DJ’s set-up.
It’s packed tight in here. All sorts of costumes bump up against me. Slutty cops and bunny girls. One of them starts brushing up against me, and I nudge her away with the bat. I smirk as I imagine Vi dressed up in these outfits. Fuck that would be so hot.
There are some low-effort costumes as well, so no one pays much attention to my simple mask or cares why I have a baseball bat.
According to Sarah, the whole frat should be wearing togas. Very original. I spot a few jocks with white bed sheets wrapped around them and laurel wreaths on their heads. None of them are who I’m looking for. I could ask them where their friend is, but I can’t risk being remembered here tonight.
The next room over is less crowded. A few couples are making out on the couches, and there’s a game of beer pong being played on the pool table.
I’m about to move on to the next room when I spot another wreath-adorned head. Some girl dressed as a sexy cat has it hooked over one fuzzy ear as she makes out with a guy.
Pretending I’m going to the drinks table, I circle the couch. It’s Aaron. I’d recognize his tiny head anywhere.
I flop down next to them, my knee knocking against her leg. She looks blankly at me. I wave my hand, and she doesn’t blink. Lipstick is smeared across her dark cheek, and her mouth is losing a battle of tongues as Aaron persistently tries to get his down her throat.
I watch them for a little while, figuring out how to get him alone. The girl is pretty out of it, her eyes are glassy, and the light of my mask reflects in them, making her look particularly cat-like. She doesn’t stop looking at me as she struggles to keep upwith Aarons’ one-sided game of tonsil tennis.Is she not enjoying herself?
Aaron’s hand goes between her legs, and she winces. No, she’s really not into it. I’m surprised I care. Guess my upcoming fatherhood has changed me for the better.
“How much?”
Aaron abruptly breaks off his tongue wars and slips his hand out from beneath her miniskirt. “Who the fuck are you?”
“Whoa, man.” I hold my hands up, the bat resting on my legs. “I heard you were the guy to see if I needed any party favors. Guess I’ll look elsewhere.”
I make to get up and he says, “Wait. Sash, fuck off for now. I’ll find you later.”
The girl barely registers what he’s saying, but hops off his lap and staggers out of the room.
