Page 6 of Might as Well

When I first saw her in the casino, my eyes latched onto her. I couldn't look away, even only seeing her side profile. My legs carried me over to her before I could think twice about it. She looked distracted and not all that happy, but somehow content at the same time. And then later, she told me her secret. It broke my heart a little bit, honestly. Between the romps in the sheets, she told me scant details about her parents being gone, her grandmother raising her, and then later losing her grandmother,the last bit of family who loved her, she said. There was this inexplicable connection to her.

I asked her what would she say if I could offer her a family. She seemed stunned silent for a moment. I know I hurried her down to a jewelry shop and she picked a ring. By the time we found the chapel where there was another jeweler nearby, I asked her again. This time, though, the question was followed with a marriage proposal.

I can confidently say we weren't married by Elvis. The ceremony itself is a bit fuzzy. I remember bits and pieces of it. We escaped to her hotel room afterward. Violet was over the moon. That much I remember. The anxiety of how to tell her that her new family is a hockey team bubbled, and that's the last thing I remember before passing out for the night.

Let's be honest. Like everything else in my life, this will probably be a disaster, but should be fun regardless. Doubt curls its way in as I go about my life and for days and days, I don't hear from Violet. My teammates throw me curious looks and occasional questions, but I have no update to give them. At this point, it looks like my wife already abandoned me. But I have no way of getting in touch with her. We didn't exchange numbers before falling asleep and my only option was leaving mine with my note. I’ll give her some more time before I hire a private investigator to find her.

It's not until an entire two weeks later when a confused and unsure arena employee approaches me after a game.

“I'm sorry, Zane, but she insists she knows you personally and that you'll want to see her. She said her name is Violet.”

I bolt out of my seat, my heart hammering away in my chest. “Where is she?”

“Still in the stands, by the bench. There's someone with her, too.”

“Thanks.” Walking back out to the ice, it only takes me a moment to spot her. I think she may have moved because now she's looking down at me from where the walkway opens up into the arena. And she looks pissed.

“What in the hell, Zane? I thought you said youweren'tZane Landry. What else did you lie about?”

“Nice to see you too, babe.”

She clenches her jaw, but doesn’t say anything.

“I was trying to focus on you; if I had answered yes, that would have taken time away from us.” My answer doesn't satisfy her. Meanwhile, her friend stands next to her, grinning. “Hi. I'm Zane.”

She gives me a small wave. “Cassie. Nice to meet you.”

“Can we focus please?” Violet huffs.

“You have my number. Why don't you use it and we can talk about whatever you'd like.”

That doesn't make her any happier, but she nods. We part ways and I could not be more thrilled that she resurfaced. I was starting to think she was part of my imagination despite evidence otherwise. By the time I leave the arena, Violet has texted me. It's short and not-so-sweet. It simply states we need to talk.

I give her my address, offer to go to her place, or some place in public, if she wishes. It seems to take forever before she texts back to meet her at a local pub. Maybe she doesn’t trust me, or trust herself around me. Either way, I navigate my way to the pub.

Violet sits at a small hightop table in a corner. She doesn’t smile when she spots me. Her hands rest underneath her chin and I frown.

“You aren’t wearing your ring,” I state as I take a seat.

“I can’t believe youare. What kind of shit is this, Zane?” She takes a shaky breath and in a lower tone with a hint of despair she adds, “What did we do?”

“You don’t rememberanything?” Please, let her remember something. I’ll feel like utter shit if she was that drunk and I didn’t realize it.

“I remember us being in my hotel room and,” she winces, “looking at rings, but I don’t really understand what led to that or the wedding. It’s all a little fuzzy with entirely too many pieces missing. I’ve been racking my brain for two weeks and still can’t figure out why in the world I would marry a stranger.”

“I offered you a family,” I blurt out.

Violet tenses and her gaze moves away from mine.

“Outside of my parents, though, I only have the team. I probably should have clarified.” The longer she’s quiet, the worse I feel. How could I be so stupid? How could I actually think marrying a stranger would work out somehow? I’ve never felt like such a loser. Well, aside from what happened with Deanna. This is worse, though. Way worse. Once again getting my hopes up on a woman, on a situation, that will clearly lead nowhere.

“Look,” I start. “I’m sorry. I should have had a clearer head. This is my fault. My attorney will fix this. I’ll reach back out when he’s gotten everything prepared.” I stand, needing to get out of here and away from yet another mistake.

I’m a few steps away when I hear, “Wait!”

I turn to face her, and she sighs. “You didn’t murder me like I thought you might.”

“Why would I kill you?” What is with this girl thinking she’s surrounded by murderers?

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