For people to connect the two of them romantically after what he did to her was so deeply hurtful.
“I have to warn her.”
COLTON
hi baby
VIOLET
hey :)
COLTON
so i guess things are pretty rough online so i just wanted to tell you to stay off the internet
VIOLET
fuck. why? what are they saying?
COLTON
just don’t look. i love you. this will pass.
VIOLET
it will, whatever it is. people are stupid.
and i love you too :)
I sat back after texting her and Sorrento kept looking at me and opening his mouth like he was going to say something. I turned to him and pinched my lips together. He lowered his brow and nodded.
“And hey.” He nudged me so I’d look at him. “Whatever it is, you made him pay. He’s not special. You fuck around, you find out.”
A hearty “that’s right” and “fuckin’ right” came from around us.
“Yeah, remember when you beat my ass for the clapper on the empty net when I played for L.A.?” Leroy laughed.
My lips turned up. “How could I forget?”
“Yeah. You made him pay for being an asshole. And Pete was an asshole to you. And if you hurt one of ours, we hurt you,” he went on. “We’re with you, Cap.”
More cheers spread and he slapped me on the back.
“See? We got ya. Whatever happens out there, we know you’re the good guy.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest, but there was still a pit in my stomach. Because I wasn’t the only one affected.
I knewit wouldn’t be pretty. But when I stepped on the ice for warmies in Dallas, the boos were almost deafening. People had signs. Some were from our fans and were supportive. But others were not so generous.
A picture of me with demon eyes. STOP THINKING WITH YOUR STICK. Someone had even printed a picture of Violet and I making out from that party and wrote WAS SHE WORTH OUR GOALIE on the sign.
The answer, of course, was yes. She was fucking worth it and I’d do it again. I’d do it even if I got suspended. I’d do it if it got me kicked out of the league. He was a motherfucker and he deserved pain, even though no amount of his pain would take away hers.
As lonely and shitty as it felt, the guys rallied around me. Every time I waited to take a practice shot, I got slaps on the back and “attaboy” and dapped up.
Pete was still out and would be until he was cleared from the concussion protocol. Rusties PR suggested I go visit Pete to show some good will, but Coach quickly shot that down. I was shocked how willing Coach was to back me up, to back Violet up. I already wanted to have a good season for myself, for the team, but now I wanted one so maybe he could staylonger.
A crowd full of angry strangers was intimidating, but they didn’t feel as powerful as a bench full of guys having my back.
