Page 4 of Corrupt Obsession

“No. Let’s get straight to it.”

That had an ominous ring to it. He got a preview of how she played and believed she wouldn’t use the same tactics on him that she had on her father. He was wrong. She had some skill, but she was a casual player, unlike him. He scored three times and was about to shoot his fourth goal when she kicked him in the shin.

As he dropped to his knee, Violet made her first goal and let out a triumphant shout. Across the field, Mom was on her feet with a hand over her mouth. He wasn’t sure, but he thought Isaac was grinning. He gritted his teeth as he got to his feet. He couldn’t fight dirty like her, but he was stronger and quicker. If he was unable to best a girl a year younger than him, then he didn’t deserve a spot on the team this year.

He skillfully avoided Violet’s fouls and scored goal after goal. He was having the time of his life, while she became steadily more aggravated. When she lost her temper and swore at him, he was so shocked, he stopped in his tracks. Violet seized theopportunity to take the ball, but she didn’t get more than two paces before he stole it back. Violet lost her temper and tried to punch him. He bobbed and weaved, slipping every one of her wild swings.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” he said with a laugh and held his hands up in surrender.

“You’re such a jerk face!” she shouted.

“It’s not my fault you suck,” he said, and instantly regretted his taunt when she lunged at him.

They tussled, rolling on the grass before he landed on his back with her on top of him. She planted her tiny fists on either side of his head as she loomed over him.

“You take that back!” she roared in his face.

Her face, filled with wrath, was just inches from his. Her wild hair blocked out the rest of the world. Clumps of it brushed across his forehead and cheek. It was soft and smelled awesome. He should be trying to gain control of the situation before she slapped him, but he was too enthralled to defend himself. She was the wildest, most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Something inside of him stirred, roused by the girl warrior straddling him.

His life had been filled with so much death and loss. He had no other family aside from his mother. He thought it was them against the world, but he had a sudden image of Violet at his side. She was so vivid and filled with fire and fight. Life with her would be an adventure. The tight ball of dread in his stomach that had been there since he lost both grandfathers at the age of six suddenly disappeared.

Violet was shouting, but he couldn’t hear anything over the sound of his heartbeat. When she was suddenly lifted off him, he reached out to pull her back before he came to his senses and realized Isaac had a hold of her.

“Damn it, Violet! That’s too far,” Isaac snapped before he strode away with her once again tucked under one arm.

Mom knelt beside him. “Are you all right?”

A little lightheaded, he stayed put and folded his hands on his stomach as he looked up at her. “Yeah.”

She brushed back his sweaty hair. “You held your own against her for a time.”

He heard the amusement in her tone. Under other circumstances, he would have been irritated, but he was too busy sifting through the odd feelings and ideas Violet had evoked.

“You did the right thing, taking the high road and not retaliating when she kicked you in the shin.”

“It’s not a big deal,” he said and sat up.

Isaac had taken Violet far enough away that they couldn’t hear what was being said. He cupped her chin as he spoke to her. His face was stern and very unhappy. Violet’s bravado was gone, as if it had never been. As her father lectured her, she deflated and began to blink rapidly. He got to his feet, dusting grass off his clothes, and started toward them.

“Jesse,” Mom said in warning, but that didn’t stop him.

Isaac broke off as he approached and faced him, while Violet stayed as she was with her head bowed.

“I apologize for Violet’s behavior. She has a hard time controlling her temper. We’re working on it.”

“She didn’t hurt me.”

“She tackled you.”

“I play football.”

Isaac’s severe expression eased slightly, but he said, “Thank you for letting her off the hook, but she owes you an apology.”

Before he could say that wasn’t necessary, Violet pivoted to face him. The sight of her eyes filled with tears made his heart stutter. He’d seen many girls cry, but none of them made him want to drop to his knees and beg her not to.

“I’m sorry,” Violet said, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

“You didn’t,” he said and reached for her without knowing what he wanted to do. Desperately uncomfortable and aware that Isaac and his mom were watching, he tugged on his shirt before he turned his hat backwards. “I’m sorry I said you sucked. You’re better than some of the guys on my team.”

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