BookToReadChapter 74 "Of course-" Lately, Curtis had seemed off at their get-togethers-distracted, distant, hardly trying to hide his disinterest.
While McNeil, Isaac, and Marcus were off playing pool, Violet spoke up, her tone casual but her words pointed. "Actually, Victoria's marriage is a mess. From what I've heard, her husband's seeing someone else." Curtis, despite his feelings for Victoria, had never been one for gossip. Still, if Violet wanted to talk, he'd listen. "He doesn't care about her," Violet continued. "And honestly, he and that other woman? They've known each other since they were kids, high school sweethearts. Victoria was the one who cbetween them. And from what I've heard, the other woman's got everything going for her-she's sharp, ambitious, way out of Victoria's league." Curtis bristled at the criticism. He didn't like hearing people badmouth Victoria. The truth was, all of them had grown up with Violet; she was practically family.
But even so, Violet's words didn't sit right with him.
"Victoria's... great," Curtis said quietly.
In his eyes, nobody compared to Victoria.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEven Violet, once the object of all their affections, seemed dull in comparison now.
Back when they were younger, Violet had been their collective crush-the unattainable girl every guy dreamed about. It wasn't just McNeil; Curtis and the others had all harbored those feelings, too.
But Violet had eventually chosen McNeil. The rest of them-brothers, really-had let those feelings go, treating her like a sister ever since.
Curtis used to think meeting Violet was what love felt like. It wasn't until he first laid eyes on Victoria that he realized how naïve he'd been. That bolt of lightning he'd felt-he'd carry that memory with him forever.
Violet glanced at Curtis, her gaze lingering. She felt a pang she couldn't quite name.
Curtis was defending Victoria now. Funny-he used to be so protective of her. "Even so," Violet said, "Victoria and her husband are getting divorced." Curtis stared at her, stunned. "Seriously?" Just then, McNeil, Marcus, and Isaac cback from the pool table.
McNeil grabbed a bottle of water for Violet, while across the room, Gwyneth and Max were still hunched over their game.
"Let's go again!" Max suddenly shouted, startling the adults at the table.
Gwyneth, on the other hand, looked fed up.
They'd played twenty rounds already, and Max had lost every single time. At first, Gwyneth had enjoyed winning, but the ty had worn off. She just wanted to be done.
But Max refused to give up; he wanted another round.
"I'm done," Gwyneth announced, shoving the tablet aside and scrambling into Violet's lap.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmMax fumed. "No way! Nobody else can beatat this game. You must be cheating or something-there's no way a girl could win like that!" Marcus shot Max a look. Normally, the boy was pretty mild-mannered; today, he was on edge.
Gwyneth, meanwhile, looked smug.
"I am not cheating. You just can't handle losing. Maybe you'd do better if you had as good as Ms. Marchand to help you. She's a feal racecar driver—she's the one who helpedget good at this. So it's not weird that I beat you"
Her voice faltered a little at the mention of Violet's coaching-she couldn't exactly bring her mom an front of everyone. But it was true Violet had been the one to teach her how to play these competitive games. sŵ Face flushed with frustration, Max tried to argue, but Marcus gently pulled him back.
"Alright, that's enough. It's just a game. Don't take it so seriously." Gwyneth, undeterred, pointed at BUT
Max, a mischievous grin on her face. "You just can't stand losing! If you think you're so good/beat me-unless el you can find someone as awesas Ms. Marchand to coach you.
Con, admit it. You just can't take losing!" McNeil watched Gwyneth sticking her tongue out at Max, her pride written all over her face. He ruffled her hair with a smile.
"Okay, that's enough sass. Say sorry to your friend."
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