let me talk to someone about tix when i get in the arena
VIOLET
i’m just going to grab one on the way in. don’t worry about it. it’s a big day for you!
COLTON
you don’t get to tell me what to worry about
don’t buy anything. i’ll get you
VIOLET
i’m a dr. i can afford my own ticket
besides, I wouldn’t want to take advantage of my status as your romance book friend with benefits
COLTON
you’re not taking advantage of anything
and if i get the ticket, i’ll know where to look for you :)
VIOLET
(happy crying emoji)
should i wear your college jersey to show off
u still have it?
VIOLET
…maybe
I was walking on a goddamn cloud. Take that, Dad. My college girlfriend kept my jersey all these years. I headed into the arena, waving to the photographer taking our walking-in pictures. I bumped into Sorrento on the way in.
“You look suspiciously happy,” he said. “You were all peppy at morning skate too.”
My Vi high intensified. I hadn’t been able to wipe the smile off my face since I left Violet’s office two nights before. My mind was an endless loop of her stuffing her face, explaining her work to me, and, of course, coming on my thigh, breathing on my neck, saying my name.
It was just as bad as college. I was fucking gone for Violet. Possessive. Obsessed. Wondering what she was doing all the damn time. Counting the minutes until I could see her again.
Which meant she could wreck me just as badly as she did the last time.
The lasttwotimes.
And the kicker of it all? We were just friends.
But no matter how dark my brain could make things, I always had some prickle of hope. That prickle had grown into a full-on pang, believing that maybe, if I executed the bookish spice plan just right, she wouldn’t run from me again.
Because while holding the Stanley Cup would be nice, I’d rather hold it knowing Violet Gennari was mine to keep.
But for now, I had to focus on winning this first game.
TWENTY-SEVEN
VIOLET
