Chapter Twenty Seven

Lucky Charm

I woke up the next morning still hurt about what happened at the dance last night.

I rolled out of bed lazily grabbing my work clothes. The cold tile pressed against my toes causing goosebumps to crawl up my legs. Turning the water to hot, I stripped free of my polka dot pajamas. I hummed along to one of the songs played last night as the warm water invaded my body. I usually took fairly quick showers but I couldn't motivate myself to get out. Why do showers have to be so relaxing? It's probably the only time I get to myself where I can think and keep in touch with my emotions.

I sighed leaning my forehead against the shower wall hearing a small knock on the door. It creaked open slightly and Cherry's bubbly voice came through the steamy room.

"Hey hun, there's some waffles on the counter for you. You should get ready for work now you only have thirty minutes." She called through the tiny crack she made. I yelled an OK back as I shut off the water. How long was I in there for? I swear it only felt like five minutes. I stepped out of the shower drying myself quickly throwing on my clothes to keep me warm. So much for thinking out my emotions. I fixed my hair doing a french braid that Lizzie taught me. I didn't have the appetite to eat. Before I knew it Aunt Cherry was driving me to the shop.

"I'm closing the shop a little early today so we have enough time to get the groceries before everyone shows up." She said in her usual happy tone.

"For what?" I ask wondering if Cherry was taking a step on the wild side and throwing a party.

"The annual family cookout silly," she chuckled taking a left, "the one we always have. You know there's a baseball game and we have a giant bonfire." Slowly it came back to me, I haven't been to our annual family cookout in years. Knots tied themselves in my stomach as I started to think of what everyone would ask. Why are you living with Cherry? Where are your parents?

"Don't worry hun your parents have no idea it's happening and definitely weren't invited," she assured. But it wasn't so assuring because no excuse like that has ever stopped them before. My parents cut off their family after Ash died. If I was going I better plan on the boys going as well. They wouldn't let me go out without at least one of them.

"Do you think it's a good idea to have the cookout?" I hesitated to ask. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin family traditions.

"Well, why not hun?" She asked with a bit of confusion.

"After this party, everyone is going to know where I'm living and who I'm with and somehow it's going to get back to my parents." I jumbled out. I was playing with my fingers trying to ease the anxiety that was about to burst out of me.

"You don't have to tell anyone where you're living Vi, you don't have to tell them anything." She said calmly as she pulled into the pet shop. I'm not that quick or witty to come up with lies under pressure.

"Everything will be fine okay?" she said stroking my hand before she got out of the car. She was right, I was being paranoid. I mumbled an okay and followed her inside.

"Where is the party anyway?" I asked just the slightest excited to see everyone.

"Uncle Jim's, he's got a big yard and apparently a brand new grill." she smiled flipping the sign to open. I nodded making my way to the backroom. Uncle Jim must've moved because he used to live in a small cottage deep in the woods. A few hours passed and only a few dogs came through. I was at the reception desk now flipping through a peoples magazine. Oh good, another pregnant celebrity and another divorced couple. The bell above the door dinged as it opened.

"You must've had lucky charms for breakfast because you look magically delicious," Camden smirked at his predictable pickup line. But once again it put a smile on my face.

I looked up at the four boys I've grown so close to. My stomach was in knots at thr sight of Austin. He wouldn't meet my eyes. Austin had a new bruise on his arm that I was quick to notice. Aunt Cherry had waved the minute she saw them.

"Hey, boys. Did Violet invite you to the cookout yet?" She smiled looking a little too eager to invite them.

"No, she didn't," Camden said as he faked being hurt.

"In my defense, I just heard about it only ten minutes ago." I slightly mumbled to myself.

"Our family throws a huge cookout every year and this year we're lacking a few people so you guys are invited if you'd like to come. There will be plenty of food and some games." Cherry said as she completely ignored my comment.

"Free food? I'm in." Declan chirped.

"I'll have to see if I'm busy with my super busy schedule full of hot dates." Camden sighed dramatically as he pulled out his phone.

Austin peaked over at his so-called busy schedule and I watched with amusement.

"There's not a single thing planned in that calendar." Austin said. Camden laughed quickly hiding his phone, "that's cause its all memorized in my head, and I just remembered I'm free today."

Thinking of the cookout earlier would've given me an anxiety attack, but now I was excited. I get to see all my family I lost contact with and the boys will be there. I could be just friends with Austin, easily. After all we had never even kissed, we were almost nothing more than friends.

The boys waited till we closed the shop around three which was only a few hours after they arrived. I hitched a ride with them to uncle Jim's house after I changed into leggings and a blouse. Cherry had given them directions, she had given us bags full of food for the cookout. Ignoring Austin was easier than I thought, it was almost like he wasn't even here.

Uncle Jim lived about forty minutes away from Cherry's house. We pulled into the driveway of a huge two-story house in a big neighborhood of the same houses. It was definitely not like Uncle Jim to be living in a place like this. He was more into the countryside living in the woods surrounded by trees. The boys each grabbed a few bags, Luke took the last of them.

"Two trips are for pussies." He hissed before helping himself inside the house. Even I wasn't comfortable with walking in to peoples houses. Although he must be used to it. Aunt Cherry was already here, she was talking to Jim behind the marble counters. His blonde hair was now white and there was less on his head. He gained a little bit of weight but in all he looked pretty much the same. There was a smaller lady next to him, with big brown hair and red lips. She was hanging onto him.

"Oh good, Violets here with the food, Jimmy." she said taking some of the bags. The boys dropped them onto the counters taking a glance around.

"Who's that next to Uncle Jim?" I whispered leaning over to Aunt Cherry.

"Oh that's Mary, they just got married last year." She said before taking off down the hall. This place was definitely big enough for a party.

Uncle Jim came crashing over to me pulling me into a long hug.

"Violet, how have you been? Its been so long, my have you grown. Where are your parents?" He smiled at me. The boys ears suddenly perked up as they were probably curious too, I never told them what happened.

"Good, you?" I hesitated before internally slapping myself. I had obviously skipped over his last question. After a few more awkward sentences we made our way to the backyard where most of the cookout would be happening.

There was a small fire pit and then a giant stack of wood and old cardboard to be burned later. There was a bunch of camping chairs and folding chairs set out with tables. There was even a pool but it was way too cold out to go inside.

The boys were putting chips into bowls and setting up the grill. Luke was talking to Jim probably giving him cooking tips.

I was watching the boys when three kids came flying past me. They were three of my cousins, Tommy, Jacob and Katie. Tommy was the oldest, probably around 10 now, he was so young the last time I saw him. They probably wouldn't even recognize me. Out followed their parents, Uncle Charlie and Aunt April. They never got along with my parents. Something happened when they were younger is what they always told me. Aunt Cherry said there's a baseball field in the neighborhood. Cherry greeted the people as they walked in and I stood awkwardly next to the boys.

"Hey you don't happen to have any hot cousins do you?" Camden asked. I rolled my eyes shaking my head no.

"Unless you want to get with a fifteen-year-old then no." I laughed.

"No thanks, I prefer them over 18." he laughed back.

As if on cue more cousins showed up, including the fifteen-year-old. These ones, however, did recognize me. Bailey was the fifteen-year-old who came running over to hug me.

"I didn't know you were coming Vi, I haven't seen you since the funeral." she smiled. I frowned a little before covering it up with a giant fake smile. All the kids got so big, Katie was just a baby last time I saw her and Bailey was only ten.

More and more people showed up which meant more awkward conversations. Overall I was glad to see everyone. I had just finished saying hi to my great aunt when the boys called me over.

"Violet! Come on, the games starting!" Camden yelled. Oh, shoot the baseball game. I ran over to them following the crowd of the Morris family to the baseball field down the street. It wasn't that long of a walk, maybe five minutes. They picked teams, conveniently the boys and I were all on the same team. There were about fifteen people per team. We are the blue team and out in the field first. I followed the boys to the outfield. Most of the adults didn't play and if they did it wasn't for too long. Tommy was up first. Uncle Charlie was the pitcher. He threw him a ball and luckily Tommy hit it on the first try. He ran to first base successfully. Next thing I knew they had three strikes and it was our teams turn for bat. For some odd reason, I got chosen to be first. It was the boys' idea, not surprising.

"Come on Vi, you got this!" Luke yelled as I slowly made my way up to bat. My cheeks were a little flushed as I stood on the home plate. I grabbed one of the bats, I was prepared to embarrass myself.

Charlie threw the ball and I swung a little too late. The field went silent as the catcher threw the ball back. He threw it again and this time I was too early. My face was beyond red now. The boys were calling out my name as they announced it as "strike two". Come on vi, don't embarrass yourself.

He threw the ball again and this time I hit it just right. I hesitated to run since I wasn't sure if I had dreamt that or if it actually happened. I ran to first base and then second. Cherry was cheering from the sidelines along with Uncle Jim and April. Connor, one of the oldest cousins grabbed the ball and threw it to Charlie who caught it. Camden was up next, he hit on the first try. I was now on third and Cam was on second. Luke was up to bat. He hit the ball far scoring a home run. All three of us made it home and I was squeezed into a hug with the boys. Next up was Austin.

He hit the ball on the second try and it went far like Luke's. He was running to second base before the kid even reached the ball.

"Third base! Go to third base!" I yelled watching as he ran past second.

"Hear that Austin? She wants you to go to third base with her!" Luke yelled. I frowned, a few days ago I would have but not anymore.

"Hey, Luke!" I shouted back. He was a little taken back since I was right next to him yelling in his ear.

"What?" He responded.

"Shut up," I said punching his arm. Cam must not have told the others what happened, maybe he was waiting to see if Austin would.

"I'm right next to you, you don't have to yell." he chuckled. I shrugged watching the game go on. Austin made it to third and next up was Ducky.

Being here at this baseball game made me feel like I was a kid again. Like nothing bad ever happened and my family was just as perfect as it was before. But then reality hit, oh wait no, that was a ball.

"Ow, what just happened," I whined rubbing the sore spot on my leg.

"Well for one, Declan sucks at all sports, and two I warned you like three times but you were too deep in thought," Cam said poking my forehead. It hurt like hell, cherry came running over with a bag of ice. I sat on the bleachers holding the cold ice to my sore leg. Eventually, the game ended and we went back to the house for a late dinner. Luke helped grill the burgers and hot dogs. I ate some but for the most part, I wasn't hungry. Anxiety hit me like a rock or maybe it was the ball. Either way, I had no appetite.

It was just me and Austin as everyone else either got up to grab more food or were deep in their own conversations. It amazed me how easily the boys got along with my family. Aunt Cherry had really surprised me by letting me still be friends with them. I figured now was the time to ask what was up.

"Can we talk?" He asked. Don't look up Violet, his eyes will trap you.

"There's nothing to talk about." I mumbled.

"Violet, I know Cam told you, there's nothing I can do." He sighed.

"You didn't have to pretend to like me if you knew this was going to happen. Why did you hold my hand and almost kiss me?" I asked.

"I do like you, I like you a lot. I'm going to find a way to fix this. I don't want to lose you and I can't stand the fact that you hate me. You should know I haven't slept with Kara since I met you. If shes pregnant its not mine." He spoke his hand grabbing mine to hold onto.

I knew she was lying. My heart came back to life as did the butterflies in my stomach. How was he going to go against second in command? He was willing to do all of this just for me. The thought made my heart swoon.

"What happened after I left?" He asked next.

"Cash was acting weird. He wanted Lizzie to go and when she said no he tried to drag her out until Cam stopped him." I explained what I understood happened.

"Something about that is fishy," Austin admitted.

The bonfire had started and we were all quietly sitting around it having our own conversations. I was sitting between Cam and Austin, Luke was next to Cam and Declan was next to Austin. It was starting to get cold out as night drew closer and closer. I had brought Austin's sweatshirt to return to him but now I wasn't so sure I was going to give it back.

"Can I have your keys, I need my sweatshirt?" I bent over to talk to Luke.

"Don't drive off," he said tossing me his keys.

"Everyone knows she doesn't know how to." Austin chuckled. I scoffed jokingly hitting his arm.

"Yes, I do." I stuck my tongue out at him. He is truly a piece of art. Pretending I didn't have feelings for Austin was difficult, I was glad that was over. His hair all tousled somehow perfectly and his full lips daring me to kiss them.

"Do you want me to go with you?" he asked preparing to get up. I nodded making the butterflies in my stomach flutter. He hopped out of his seat following me through the house. I was surprised when he took my hand and held it. Most of my family were still here, except the ones with young kids.

We made our way out to the front. I unlocked the truck grabbing Austin's sweatshirt that I kept.

"I knew you'd sleep in it." he laughed watching me put it on.

"Who said I sleep in it?" I replied back struggling to get my arm in. He looked amused watching me struggle. Before I could take a breath I was trapped between Austin and Luke's truck. He was so close I could feel his hot breath on my neck.

His eyes were burning into mine as his mouth moved closer and closer. I could faintly feel his lips on my cheek as my breath got caught in my throat. I let my eyes flutter shut but then he was ripped away from me.

"Did you hear that?" he asked looking around the lawn. I peeked around not seeing anything.

"Um..no?" I said catching my breath again. But then I heard it. The faint sound of a cell phone jingle. Austin headed towards the ringing phone carefully. It was coming from the other side of the truck. My hands were sweating from nervousness. Austin felt around the dirt before clutching onto the iPhone. It was face down in the dirt and a random number appeared on the screen.

"Who's is it?" I whisper asked. I wasn't sure why I felt the need to whisper but these kinds of scenes happen in murder shows.

"That's a good question." He said looking out into the empty lawn once again. Austin and I walked back to our chairs, he seemed a bit tense.

"What's up with you?" Luke asked noticing the smoke coming from his presence.

"This." he sighed as he plopped back into his chair. Luke looked at it not knowing what the point of his frustration was.

"It had to have been Cash. He was here." Declan declared investigating the phone. The person calling when we found the phone was Lizzie.

"Hey, you think there are any nudes on there?" Camden joked trying the lighten the topic.