Page 79 of Chips & Checks
Bowen
Of all the ways I’ve been ambushed in a locker room, this one’s new.
“Catch.” Viktor chucks something at my chest mid-undress. “From my mom.”
I fumble the frilly envelope before it can hit the floor. Pink. Red. Embossed. Heart sticker seal. Jesus.
“Are your parents trying to set the mood for an orgy?” I ask, flipping it over like it might explode. “Are they secret swingers?”
Camden snorts behind me.
“It’s a Valentine’s party,” Viktor says, somehow managing not to die of embarrassment. “Couples only. You and Vi made it official, didn’t you?”
I pause, halfway through shoving gear into my bag. “Did we?”
“Bro.” He points at me like I’ve just failed a pop quiz. “You hugged her. On live TV. There were forehead kisses.”
“Okay, so we’re emotionally adjacent.”
“And yet, you’ve gone all knight in shining armor for her over the Chad situation. Which means she probably thinks you’re her hero. Which means my mom says you’re invited.” He shrugs. “It’s Layla designing the theme and planning it, and that’s like her career and shit. You say no, and you’re basically breaking up with the whole Venom family. Forever.”
I sigh and peel open the invitation. Dress code. Fancy script. Little swirls. Probably sprayed with something that smells like cupcakes and doom.
“Fine,” I grumble. “But if I end up in a matching outfit, I’m blaming your mom.”
On the way out to the car, Camden elbows me and hisses, “Looks like your fake-dating cover even fooled the parents. Nice work!”
“What?” I look up from the invitation that’s still clutched in my right hand. “Oh, no, I… I mean, we’re actually dating now.”
“Wow, what a twist.” Camden tries to pull me into a headlock. “Who could have seen that coming?”
“Nice try, short guy.” I bat his arm aside and return the attack. Camden’s strong, but I have a definite size advantage. He taps out after a brief scuffle and darts away from me, already trying to fix his hair.
“Deny it all you want, but you two are cute together. I can’t wait to see the photos of you two looking all matchy-matchy at the old-person rager.”
“What’s with this attitude all of a sudden?”
Camden unlocks his car and heaves his gym bag into the back seat. “I don’t know. Where’syourgratitude?”
“For what?”
“For your wingman. Don’t worry, you can thank me later. I expect a gift card or a nice dinner or something.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You didn’t do shit.” I dump my own gym bag, but I keep a tight grip on the invitation. If this is going to be a fancy party, I should dress for the occasion. “Hey, Cam?”
“Yeah?”
I turn to lean my elbows on the roof of his car. “Do you know anything about fashion?”
* * *
The three hours of Camden roasting me alive while we scoured the city for a decent outfit somehow turn out to be worth it the moment Violet opens the door.
She sucks in a breath at the sight of my arms emerging from the rolled-up sleeves, and yeah—I clock it. The hitched inhale. The quick flick of her gaze over my chest and up to my face. Victory. But it doesn’t settle me. If anything, it makes my pulse jack even harder. Because this isn’t just a date.
This is the first time I’ve ever picked someone up.
The first time I’ve ever bought a gift.
