Free Violet is Blue (Hothouse series) by Tawny Stokes, Vivi Anna

more.”
    “Wow, just when you think you know someone, they turn out to be a psycho or something.” She shook her head. “Wait till people find out at school.”
    “Don’t say anything,”
    She frowned. “Why not?  He deserves to be ousted as a psycho.”
    “I know, it’s just that, school’s almost over. I just want to be done with it.  Finish my finals, graduate and move on.”
    “Okay, I won’t.” She hugged me tighter. “But I really think you should tell your mom.”
    I didn’t say anything, but I knew she was right. I’d been foolish to not tell her right away. If something had happened to me, I knew my mom would blame herself for not knowing, not seeing it. I didn’t want to do that to her.
    Patrick returned. “All right, he’s gone. Let’s get you girls out of here.”
    As he ushered us out of the club, some revelers stopped to gawk at us, having probably witnessed Jordan’s scuffle with the bouncer. I kept my gaze downcast. But there was one set of eyes that drew my attention and I looked up.
    Devon leaned against one wall, drinking a beer, and watched me with an intensity that made me shiver.
    I looked away and continued out of the club with Patrick and Dahlia.  Once outside, Patrick led us back to his car, which was parked around the corner.  The moment I came around on the sidewalk I knew something was wrong.
    Patrick had stopped dead in his tracks.
    I glanced past him to his car and put my hand to my mouth and gasped.
    His car had been totaled. All the windows had been smashed in. The bumper was dented in several spots. The side passenger mirror had been kicked off and it hung from a few wires. And the wheels had been slashed. The car was now rested in its rims.
    “Holy fuck,” Dahlia breathed.
    “Oh my God, Pat.” I came up next to him and touched his arm.
    He swallowed, then looked down at me. He was smiling but it was forced. “I’ll call a cab and get you two home.”  He dug out his cellphone from his jacket pocket and walking down the street a little dialed a number.
    Dahlia stepped in next to me. “Do you think Jordan?”
    “I don’t want to think it was him.”
    “How would he know this was Patrick’s car?”
    “I’m pretty sure he followed us here.”
    Patrick walked back to us. “Cab’s on its way.”
    “Are you going to call the police?” I asked.
    He nodded. “Already done.”
    “I’m sorry Pat. I feel like this is my fault.”
    “Don’t. This is not your fault Violet.” He reached for me, and cradled me to him. “Just stay safe, okay? If you feel threatened in any way, from this guy, or anyone else, call me. I will be there ASAP.”
    When the cab finally came, I felt like crying. I didn’t want to deal with this anymore. I wanted it all to stop.  Why was this happening to me? Did I somehow invite this into my life? Did I somehow give Jordan permission to treat me this way?  I’d read about girls getting into trouble, being abused by their boyfriends and I’d always thought that would never happen to me. That I was too strong, too knowledgeable. That only ignorant weak girls allowed this to happen to them.  Like it was their fault.
    Now I was thinking the same thing about myself.

Chapter Nine
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    I flipped over onto my other side and pulled the blanket up tighter to my face. The light from my window nearly blinded me, so I grabbed another pillow and put it over my face. I never wanted to get out of my bed.
    When I’d gotten home last night, I’d gone straight to my bedroom and locked the door. I’d gotten into bed with my phone in my hand, and then laid there for hours wide awake, taking turns between staring at the door and the window. I didn’t know what time I’d finally fallen asleep, but I knew it had been close to dawn because I’d seen the sky pinken before I’d closed my eyes.
    My door opened and my mom came in. I closed my eyes hoping she’d think I was still asleep. But that didn’t deter her. She sat on