The distraction

RYAN

The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden streaks of light across the campus as I made my way to the old gym.

It was strange—how things had changed between Violet and me. Months ago, I wouldn’t have thought twice about walking away from her, convinced that keeping my walls up was safer. But now…

Now, she was everything.

Her laughter was my favorite sound, soft and melodic. The way her face lit up when she smiled—that rare, genuine kind of smile—had a way of anchoring me, making the chaos in my head feel manageable. And the way she looked at me? Like I wasn’t the screw-up I knew I was.

I stuffed my hands into my pockets, a small smile tugging at my lips. Our relationship wasn’t perfect, but it was ours. It had grown stronger, steadier, like a lifeline I hadn’t realized I’d needed. Violet wasn’t just my stepsister anymore—she was my world.

But as much as I wanted to bask in those thoughts, Jack’s text lingered in my mind. His message was cryptic

“Meet me at the old gym. You’ll want to see this.”

The old gym came into view, its weathered exterior standing as a reminder of Golden Elite’s forgotten past. I pushed the door open, and the dimly lit interior swallowed me whole. My steps slowed as I caught sight of Jack standing in the center of the room.

And then I saw him.

Max.

He was tied to a chair, his wrists bound tightly behind him, his head hanging low. Even in that state, his presence radiated arrogance, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth as he lifted his head to meet my gaze.

“I brought him to you,” Jack said with a smile and I nodded.

The sight of Max hit me like a tidal wave, dragging me under a current of rage. Memories of Violet’s broken voice as she recounted what he had done came flooding back—the fear in her eyes.

“You wanted justice, didn’t you?” Jack shrugged, his gaze flicking between me and Max. “Here’s your chance.”

“You son of a—” I growled, my fists clenching at my sides.

“Ryan Jenkins,” he drawled, his tone laced with mockery. “Come to play hero again? How predictable.”

The audacity of this man made my blood boil. I closed the distance between us, my vision narrowing until all I could see was him.

“You have no idea what you’ve done to her,” I spat, my voice trembling with fury.

Max leaned back as much as his restraints allowed, his smirk widening. “Oh, but I do. Sweet little Violet. So easy to break, so easy to manipulate. She was practically begging for it.”

Before I could think, I raised my fist, ready to wipe that smug expression off his face. My anger surged, raw and untamed, but then—

“Stop fighting, Ryan. I hate the sight of blood.”

Her voice echoed in my mind, fragile and pleading. The memory of her tear-streaked face stopped me cold, my fist hovering mid-air. I could still see her eyes, wide with fear, her hands trembling as she reached for mine.

I took a step back, my chest heaving as I fought to regain control. Max laughed, a harsh, grating sound that made my blood boil even more.

“Go on,” he taunted, his tone dripping with mockery. “Do it. Prove you’re no better than me. You can’t, can you?”

My fists shook at my sides, every nerve in my body screaming to make him pay. But I couldn’t. Not like this. Not when Violet’s words still echoed in my mind.

“You’re not worth it,” I said finally.

Max snorted, shaking his head. “Pathetic.You’re not brave enough, are you?” he sneered, tilting his head mockingly. “Now this is boring. I was expecting a nice little show. Maybe a broken nose, some cracked ribs—something worthy of your reputation.”

I froze, my fists shaking at my sides.

“You’re soft,” Max continued. “Violet’s made you weak. Pathetic, really. Can’t even throw a punch anymore. She’s tamed the beast, hasn’t she?”

“You don’t know a damn thing about her,” I said, my voice low and threatening.

“Oh, I know enough,” Max shot back, a dark gleam in his eyes. “I know you’re not man enough to do what needs to be done.”

Jack, who had been silent up until now, stepped forward slightly, his brows furrowed in confusion.

I couldn’t blame him for his surprise. Jack knew me better than most, knew that I wasn’t the type to let someone like Max walk away unscathed. But this wasn’t about me—it was about her.

I turned back to Max. “You’re wrong,” I said evenly. “It’s not weakness. It’s strength. And you’re not worth the fight.”

Max smirked again, but I could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Whatever makes you sleep well at night ” he muttered.

I turned to Jack. “Get him out of here. And make sure he stays gone.”

Jack hesitated for a moment, clearly torn, but then he nodded and grabbed Max by the collar. “Come on, scumbag,” he muttered, dragging him toward the exit.

I stood there for a long moment, my fists still trembling, my chest tight. The anger was still there, simmering just beneath the surface, but it was outweighed by something stronger—something Violet had taught me.

Restraint.

Control.

Love.

For her.

Everything I did now was for her.

I exhaled slowly, the tension in my shoulders easing as I let her voice guide me back to calm. She deserved better than this side of me. And for her, I’d keep fighting to be better.

Then, thinking about her, I realized how much time had passed. The school day was almost over, and she was probably waiting for me. Shit.

I hurried out of the gym,my steps quickening as I headed to the parking lot, and there she was—standing near my car, arms crossed, her face a mix of impatience and worry.

Her half-annoyed expression softened the moment she saw me, but I could tell she wasn’t letting me off the hook that easily.

I pulled up beside her. Without a word, I leaned in and kissed her cheek.“I’m sorry, Mouse. I got stuck.”

She raised an eyebrow, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Stuck doing what? You didn’t answer my texts.”

I scratched the back of my neck, knowing I was treading dangerous ground. “Something came up. Jack needed me for… something.”

She didn’t need to know about Max. The last thing I wanted was to drag her back into that darkness when she’d finally started to heal.

“I’m sorry,” I repeated, stepping closer to her. “It won’t happen again. Promise.”

She sighed, her expression softening just a little. “You’re lucky I don’t stay mad for long,” she muttered, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

I grinned and opened the passenger door for her. “Hop in. I’ll make it up to you.”

She raised an eyebrow but slid into the passenger seat, muttering under her breath. Once I was in the driver’s seat, I started the car but didn’t move. I glanced over at her, and that faint pout on her lips just about undid me.

“Violet,” I said, my voice a little rougher than I intended.

“What?” she asked, looking over at me.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I reached for her, my hand sliding behind her neck as I pulled her closer. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t resist. I kissed her—a kiss that wasn’t soft or gentle. It was desperate, ferocious, filled with everything I’d been holding back. For that moment,everything else disappeared. It wasn’t just a kiss; it was a claim, a reminder to myself that I still had something worth holding on to.

She made a soft sound against my lips, one that only fueled the fire inside me. I deepened the kiss, needing to claim her, to ground myself in the one person who made sense in all the chaos. Her fingers curled into my shirt, holding on as if she was as lost in the moment as I was.

When I finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, and her breathing unsteady. She blinked up at me, clearly trying to process what had just happened.

“That was…” she started, her voice barely above a whisper.

“The distraction I needed”