Shattered

Chapter 16: Too Far

Violet's POV:

"The heart was made to be broken." – Oscar Wilde

I walked down the street with Kaden, feeling awkward at the silence but not knowing how to fill it. The way I felt drawn to him seemed to have only gotten worse after spending time with him, after taking that nail polish off where we were touching for several minutes. I didn't know what to make of any of it and I sucked at conversation but the silence was making me even more anxious.

"I really am sorry about the other night," I said, avoiding the cracks on the sidewalk. "I know I gave... Mixed signals. So I'm sorry if I made you feel bad."

"Violet," he said, grabbing my arm, stopping us. "Don't apologize for setting boundaries when you don't want something. You're not a kid being forced to do what everyone tells you to do. I wasn't upset with you. I was more worried you were upset with me."

God, he was so fucking perfect it was ridiculous.

"I don't think it's possible for anyone to be upset with you," I said, raising an eyebrow. "You're way too nice."

He laughed and shook out his hair with his hand, giving me a shy smile that I'd only seen a couple times but kind of completely adored. "Trust me, Violet. There's plenty of people that don't like me. What did you say that day in the grocery store? I'm one of those people that puts a positive spin on everything? Not everyone likes that."

"If someone doesn't like you it says infinitely more about them than it does about you," I said, shaking my head.

"That sounded like a compliment," he grinned. "Does that mean you're warming up to me?"

"I don't warm up to people, Kaden," I sighed, stuffing my hands in my jacket pockets. "I seriously meant it when I said you need to let it go and move on."

"Well," he shrugged. "I would like to move on. To the bar," he said, inclining his head to the bar behind us. "Will you come with me?"

He was persistent. Normally it would bother me but he wasn't like other people. His persistence wasn't arrogance, it was something else I'd never experienced before. I should not encourage him. I should definitely not encourage him.

"Lo is waiting for me," I reminded him. "I can't leave her."

"Is that an invitation?" He asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Dear God, I bet this boy could get anything he wanted with a look like that.

"I mean, it's a free country," I shrugged. "I can't stop you."

"Do you want to stop me?" He pressed.

Dammit. I could get away from being nonchalant with most people but he wouldn't let me. Punk ass.

"I want you to do what you want," I shrugged. Well, that was true.

"Oh," he said, his eyes getting a glint in them. "Great. I wasn't sure if you'd dance with me in there," he said, nodding to the club next to us. "But if we're doing what I want," he said, offering a hand. "Then let's get in there."

"I don't dance," I said, looking between him and his hand. "I can't dance. I'm really bad at it."

"Lucky for you, I'm an excellent dancer," he grinned. "Come on, what are you afraid of?"

You and all the feelings you evoke.

He frowned in confusion, looking at me strangely. "Did you just..."

"What?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

He stared at me a moment longer, confusion on his face. Eventually he shook his head and that adorable smile was back. "Nothing, sorry. Seriously, what are you afraid of?"