Page 45 of Playing with Trouble

“Are you sleeping?”I asked, studying him closely.“You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine,” he insisted.“It’s just work.”

I truly did hope that’s all it was.I lightly and playfully bumped my shoulder against his.“Well, you’d better get used to sleepless nights if you’re serious about community college.You’re still planning to do that at night while working at the museum, right?”

Christopher shifted uncomfortably.“Yeah, about that...”

I frowned, my chest tightening.He’d been so excited when he’d first mentioned it, his eyes lighting up with possibilities.Now…he just looked like he was already giving up.“What’s wrong?”

He avoided my gaze as we crossed the street.“Nothing.Just…not sure about the community college thing.I’m not sure I’ll actually have time for it.”

A knot twisted low in my stomach.I knew my brother and something was off.“Christopher…”

“I shouldn’t have brought it up,” he muttered.

“But you seemed so excited,” I said, trying to get a deeper read on him, and failing.“This would be so good for you.A degree could mean a better job, better pay, and something more reliable.”

He just shrugged.“Yeah, well, we’ll see.”

I stopped walking on the sidewalk, forcing him to do the same and look at me.Ford remained right behind us, but didn’t step into the conversation.“Are you sure everything’s okay?”I asked him again, unable to keep the concern from my voice.“Is there something going on?”

His jaw clenched.“No.”

“Christopher.”My voice sharpened, protective big-sister mode kicking in.“I know when you’re lying to me.Stop trying to convince me otherwise.”

He sighed heavily, frustration and shame written all over his face.“I got a parking ticket, okay?”he said, his tone harsh.“The cop was an asshole and we got into a bit of an argument.”

My heart stuttered.“Oh, god, don’t tell me he wrote you up…”

“No.”he shook his head.“Just a fine.I don’t have to go to court.”

I exhaled a long breath.Relief, but laced with irritation.“Please, next time, just take the ticket without an argument.”

“He was being an asshole about it,” Christopher repeated, his tone heated.

I bit back the urge to lecture him more.Stubbornness was one thing we both had in spades.“All right,” I relented.“As long as you don’t have to go to court, and you’re okay.”

He didn’t answer, just looked away.And still, that knot in my stomach wouldn’t untangle.I knew my brother.Better than anyone.And something about him felt off, and the last thing he needed was more trouble.

After a tense, awkward lunch, we parted ways with Christopher and headed back to Ford’s car.As soon as we slid inside, Ford glanced at me with concern.

“Everything okay?”he asked, his eyes searching my face.

I stared out the windshield, fingers twisting in my lap, debating how much to share.It wasn’t that I didn’t trust Ford.It was that I hadn’t opened up about my family to anyone since Andrea and Madison came into my life.I’d told Ford about my parents, but Christopher’s struggles were ours…private and complicated.

“Hopefully,” I finally said.

Ford started the car but didn’t start to drive.“Violet, I hope by now that I’m your friend.But I’m also your bodyguard.It’s literally my job to know about possible issues in your life that might affect your safety, even if that’s indirectly through your brother.”

I stared at him incredulously.“Seriously?That’s the card you’re going to pull?”

He arched a brow, mouth quirking.“I figured pulling the dom card wouldn’t work in this situation.”

“You’re damn right it wouldn’t.”I couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.God, I hated how he did this to me, cutting through my defenses without even trying.

He put the car into gear and eased onto the street, and after a moment I sighed and relented.“Christopher is a good kid but he’s had…issues.Even Andrea doesn’t trust him.She thinks he takes advantage of me.And…maybe he does.But all she’s seen is him showing up asking me for money.She wasn’t there during our childhood.”

“This isn’t my place, maybe, but you told me your father drove Andrea and her sister into debt,” he said, his tone even, but there was a gentleness and understanding to it, as well.“Chase has mentioned to me that she still has issues about it, sometimes.I guess she had a panic attack once when she burned dinner?”