Page 53 of Might as Well

Violet is quiet for a moment and then says, “Maybe we should keep her company until she can see him. If it were me…” She looks at me with a pointed glance. We both know she’d be losing her mind.

“Okay.”

I stand, take Violet’s hand as she stands, and we make our way to the belly of the arena until we find where Deanna paces, waiting until she can see Brayden.

“Is there anything we can do while you wait?” Violet asks, garnering her attention.

Deanna smiles, but it’s wobbly. “No, thanks. He’s going to be so upset. And cranky.” Her gaze shifts to me. “Two in less than five years can’t be good.”

“He’ll be fine.”

Brayden seems too stubborn and hardheaded to be anything else. I lean against the wall and pull Violet to rest against me. Deanna resumes her pacing.

I dip my head to press a kiss to Violet’s neck, just below her ear. “I think you’re fucking sweet, doing this for Deanna.”

“They would do it for me,” she whispers back. Violet wiggles in my arms until she’s facing me. “Or are you just saying this because it’s Deanna?”

“Because it’s her,” I admit. Resting my forehead against hers, I continue. “After everything that happened, I felt like everyone kept blaming everything I did on them thinking I was still upset over what happened. Even when I wasn’t. And now, I’ve got you.”

“The missing puzzle piece,” she supplies.

I grin. “Not just one piece, but all the pieces that surround me to complete the puzzle.”

“I think you’re sweet too.”

I laugh and give her a quick kiss.

“You two done?”

Violet jumps, swivels, and Deanna rushes Brayden. He’s pissed, but then he always looks a little mad.

“Confirmed?” I ask.

He nods curtly as Deanna wraps her arms around his waist.

“You mind driving my truck to my house for me, Z? Deanna can drive me home.”

“Yeah, no problem,” I agree.

“Come on, darlin’. I have a mandatory forty-eight hours of complete rest,” he says to Deanna.

We follow Brayden and Deanna to the parking lot after Brayden stops to grab his things and get his keys. Violet follows me to drop his truck off and then we’re back home.

“How are you feeling?” I ask as we settle onto the couch with the game playing on TV.

Violet sighs as she snuggles into my side. “Like I want to stop feeling so much and thinking so much.” Before I have a chance to address that, she adds, “Tell me about the team and the game,” she says.

We spend the rest of the night with me telling her about my teammates and explaining various things that happen during the game. It’s oddly one of the best nights I’ve had in a while.

CHAPTER 17

VIOLET

Things are still pretty awkward and tense between Zane and me. It’s interesting to see him walk on eggshells around me. Some moments, it’s like we forget what happened and things are normal. And then, I’ll remember he walked away and I shut down a little.

It can’t be stated enough just how tired I am. How over the bullshit I am. Zane was an ass. My parents show up with the nerve to ask me for money after I haven’t seen them in like fifteen years. Now, I’m pregnant. And despite how much of a little shit he was, I miss my brother. I don’t know what hurts more: what Zane did or my parents showing up only to ask for money.

That’s a lie. I know which hurts worse. What Zane did. I expected better from him. I’ve been upset with Zane because I’m finally making friends. Finally growing my support system and leaning on them. Then he had to go and show me how easily he can walk away.

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