Scout: Devil's Rose #11

Chapter 25: Violet Monroe

I sit beside Major as we look off the menu to find something to eat. Spencer, Clara, and Harper sit on the other side of the booth, squeezed together for some reason.

They absolutely don't need to be, but they, more specifically Harper and Clara, are pressed together as they color the children's menu that they somehow convinced the waiter to give to them.

Spencer and Major are starting to get to know each other which gives me a moment to drift off.

I love how our plans changed like halfway through the day. We were supposed to meet at Sizzle & Savor Grillhouse, where we are now, at seven but instead, Harper and Clara apparently both really wanted to get ready together for our night out like we used to do before everything with Kai happened.

So, they texted in the groupchat at the same time to convince me to change my plans around even though last minute changes stress me out, and it didn't take my long to decide that it sounded like fun.

So, I texted Major that change, and he was happy to go along with it. The only thing I'm surprised he hasn't commented on is the fact that they let them see half their tits. Clearly, they are comfortable with him. I'm glad that they are.

Not that he would be like "they need to cover up," but I just figured he would have something to say. Like "how the fuck are they not stressed about their boobs falling out of their bras." But I didn't even get a snarky remark.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, and I glance to my left to see Major staring down at me, his eyebrows scrunched together.

"Are you okay?" he questions me gently, brushing a thumb over my skin.

"Yeah, I'm all good. Just daydreaming. Thinking about things."

"Understandable. Know what you're going to get to eat?"

"I think I'm gonna get the potato skins and the cauliflower steak. And a margherita."

He nods his head, glancing back down at the menu, clearly not knowing what to get. I rub his back and take a sip of my water, so he doesn't feel like I'm paying too much attention to him because I know he's going to get nervous, and then he won't be able to think at all.

I love having an effect on him. It makes me feel so much more attractive. Like I already know that I am gorgeous and smart and flawless, but there's something about making the most attractive man on the planet blush that boosts my ego even more.

The waiter comes back around, and we order our food all at once, and I hope we didn't overwhelm her too much. I know she's used probably used to it, we're also only a group of five, but I also feel weird about ordering twenty things at once. We will give her a big tip, so it'll be worth it.

We chat about all the random things going on in our lives, Spencer having just a promotion at his very corporate finance job, so he has been dealing with so many issues it's insane.

It's weird how I have no idea what he does, but it sounds like he's dealing with the collapses of entire businesses all the time. Maybe that is what he's doing.

Every time I talk to him about his job, I have to reexplain what he does, and these past few times, I've decided to just pretend I know what he's talking about because he's most certainly done explaining his job to me.

I have no idea how Clara understands, probably her lawyer brain. But Major seems to totally understand, which good for him, so I'll have him explain to me what's going on later.

I like being able to rely on him for little things like that. It's nice having a partner.

We soon move onto what Harper's up to nowadays because that changes moment to moment. Currently, she's trying to work at an art studio in art-deco downtown (as we call it) Grove Heights just so that she can sneak some of my artworks into the artwork for her to sell and then make money off of my work.

And as much I love the hustle, she is not going to do that. Instead, she'll probably apply to the cafe that I used to work for until I quit about a week ago, so I can dedicate more time to Vellichor and my art.

She could always be on a plane to some place in the Netherlands tomorrow; she is just that type of person. Of course, I love her for that. It could never be me, so I'm enormously grateful that it's her.

Our drinks and food arrive pretty soon, and they try to dig into more of Major's life, but he stays pretty broad with his answers. With who he is and the group that he's a part of, they are understanding, but it only makes them more curious.

I'm sure they could get someone to do some digging for them if they were curious enough for it, but they have the respect not to. I also enjoy knowing things about Major that no one else ever will.

His childhood and history in the military, the deep reason his favorite book is The Humans by Matt Haig, and how he prefers a Sprite and Pink Whitney over any other drink.

I like being the only one to know that he sleeps in pajama pants with Paul Frank (yes, the monkey Paul Frank), cries watching Logan (the Wolverine movie), and can't stand the smell of peanut butter although he will eat it.

He trusts me with that information and not anyone else. Besides Rubble probably but only because they've been friends for so long. I'm not in competition with Rubble however or anyone else for that matter.

The details about myself aren't as hidden as his are for himself, but I've shared things with him that not that many people know. I mean, that much is clear when it comes to the Kai thing, but it goes beyond that.

He knows my coffee order and why I like to paint and how I always add a little bit of blackberry jam to my red sauce to sweeten it up. He wants to know those things and cares enough to remember them.

"I've decided to let myself have this night to get blackout drunk," Harper announces to the table, not letting anyone argue with her, not that one could even try.

"As if you don't do that every time we go out," Clara snaps back because it's hella fun to tease.

"At least I'm not a runner like Miss Violet over there."

"Don't bring me into this. I've learned to be better," I sass, wanting to right my reputation.

And yes, I was a runner, but I have learned that everyone hates the runner. Because I don't want to be hated, I have changed my behavior, and I will prove that tonight. I'm only two drinks in total over the past two hours because I want to be clear-headed for Club Palace, but after that, when we meet Harper, Clara, and Spencer wherever we're meeting them, I'm about to go crazy.

I will show the world that I am no longer a runner. It took intense therapy but I got there.

"And all Spencer does is start twerking, so tonight is gonna be a good time," Clara informs the table and half the restaurant, making it known that her boyfriend twerks when drunk.

"First, I'm not at all embarrassed about that because my skills are fucking phenomenal. Second, I'm the designated driver, so my drink limit is four."

"Man, I wish I wasn't gonna miss out on that," Major teases, shooting Spencer a grin.

"Another night, when it's Clara's time to drive, you will see it all. In full glory."

"Just what I was hoping for."

I'm about to cry.

I love that they are getting along. It warms my heart. I just can't take it.