Page 32 of Always a Bridesmaid
Violet worked to keep her smile in place. “I know what football is. I meant is this a league game, or…?” She couldn’t come up with any other options, although she was sure there were plenty. So maybe she didn’t know atonabout football, and apparently that was considered a crime in Alabama.
“Nah. Just a pickup game. We all like to watch. Reminds us of the glory days when we took state with most of the boys out there. You should’ve seen ’em.” The woman cheered as the football was launched through the air, and the entire crowd roared as Darius caught the pigskin and ran in for a touchdown.
She’d bet her half brother, Mason, used to be in the group. Dad often bragged about his games, and during her summer visits, he spent most of the time at football camp. Currently, he was coaching at the University of Tennessee.
Right as Violet was about to move on, the woman asked, “War Eagle or Roll Tide?”
Violet shrugged, and the woman clucked her tongue.
“Little tip, sugar. Next time someone asks, you say War Eagle, you hear?”
An arm wound around Violet’s shoulders, and Lexi smiled at the woman. “I’ll finish schooling our new resident on football, don’t you worry.”
Lexi walked her a few paces away and whispered, “People round here get beyond passionate about football. I saw the expression on your face, and thanks to wearing it myself way too many times, I thought you might need a rescue.”
Violet huffed a laugh. “Bless you.”
“Anytime. I haven’t seen you around since we picked out a cake. You and Ford disappeared mighty quickly.”
Now she needed saving from this subject. “Did you get the cake figured out, then?”
Fortunately, that was the perfect topic to bring up. Lexi informed her that she’d found gorgeous sunflowers to add a touch of earthy nature that perfectly fit Addie and Tucker. She’d also ordered rustic brown ribbon in bulk, and did Violet think that would look okay?
“It sounds lovely,” Violet said, and she meant it. At the sound of footsteps, she spun to see Maisy and Isla approach.
Automatically, Violet reached for her fussy niece, maneuvering her out of the carrier strapped to Maisy’s chest. She bounced her up and down and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Was the park not all it was cracked up to be?”
“It’s nap time, but she refuses to fall asleep. As if she might miss the party.”
In the background, people cheered, and Violet held Isla closer, one hand over her ear to drown out the noise. “Trust me,” she told Isla once the crowd had settled. “One day you’ll miss nap time.”
“Listen to your aunt,” a deep voice said. “She might be a little melodramatic, but in this instance, she’s not wrong.”
Violet’s body ignited, a fizzing sparkler that burned head to toe, and she didn’t have to look to confirm it was Ford.
Still, she turned, a glutton for handsome punishment. His hair was a mess, his clothes streaked with green. Show-off that he was, he also had on a sleeveless T-shirt that displayed his muscular arms to perfection. “I don’t think you have much right to talk. Civil people don’t tackle each other for an oblong ball. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s something yourundisciplinedpuppies would do.”
“One can only hope.” Ford nodded at Maisy, and she lifted her hand in a wave. Addie kissed the guy with copper curls, and a guy with shaggy, dirty-blond hair gathered Lexi in his arms and gave her a kiss worthy of a romance movie.
“Violet, hey!” Addie walked over and introduced Tucker.
Violet tried to keep her gaze on them, but it drifted to the guy at her side. He wasn’t paying any attention to her, though. For about the hundredth time, she reminded herself that putting space between herself and Ford was for the best.
Obviously, he’d gotten the hint. Or had forgotten about her.
An uncomfortable prickling sensation nettled her—one she did her best to convince herself wasn’t hurt feelings. She’d withdrawn to avoid future pain, so her body had better knock it off.
“We’re headed to the Old Firehouse for a drink or ten,” Addie said. “Y’all wanna come?”
“Oh, I think Isla needs a nap.” Violet peered down to see her niece’s eyes drifting closed, her chubby cheek smooshed against her shoulder.
“I need a nap, too,” Maisy cut in. “I’ll take her home so we can both get some sleep, but Violet was just saying she didn’t get out much anymore and how she would like to change that.”
Violet fired daggers from her pupils, aiming them at her sister.
Maisy gave her a grin that seemed to sayI’m doing this for your own goodas she took Isla from Violet’s arms.
In one last-ditch attempt, Violet scratched at a dry glob of paint on her T-shirt. “I’m not dressed for going out.”
