Page 87 of Take Two

This time, it’s me who runs my hands over my face. I leave him in the entryway and throw myself on the couch. I stare at the ceiling and resist the urge to scream.

“She loves you. She’ll—”

“Don’t. It’s not the same as you and Vickie. You didn’t live a thousand miles apart, and she knew you were a package deal. I’m already a drunk. She’s already given up alcohol for me, and I just accepted it like the selfish jerk I am. I can’t ask her for anything else!” I say. “Every time I think my life is going well, something like this happens. I can never have anythang. Nothing good ever lasts for me. I’m fucked.” I stand up, but I don’t know what I’m going to do or where I’m going to go.

Colt takes me by my biceps and pushes me back on the sofa. He sits next to me.

“Calm down,” he says. “I mean it. Take a breath and calm down. You’re not selfish. What you need to do is tell Violet about this.”

“I want to take the test first. Maybe there won’t be anythang to tell her.” I pray to God that’s the case.

“No. Tell her right away. Don’t keep this from her. Treat her as your partner and don’t keep secrets. She loves you. I promise you she’ll understand, but if you don’t tell her, it’s going to tick her off. Listen, she’s understood everything else, right?”

“Yeah, but this is a child, Colt.” I put my face in my hands and mumble, “It’s hopeless.”

“Yeah. A child. A sweet innocent child who would be lucky to have you as a parent.”

“What kid wants a drunk for a father? The poor thing already has a mother who’s a drunk. She doesn’t need my gene pool too.” I put my face in my hands again and let out a deep breath. “Don’t make it seem like it’s nothing.” He puts a hand on my back but doesn’t say anything else. He probably thinks it’s as hopeless as I do.

“Our dad had his issues, but he got himself together just like you did. You’re the best uncle in the world; of course you’ll be a great dad too. It will be okay. Why don’t we all do something together today? Then tonight, you’ll tell Violet and let her support you through this. It’s nice having someone who—”

“I won’t have her for much longer. What if—” I shut up when Colt’s phone rings, and I recognize Vickie’s special tone.

“My queen, my liege,” he says. After a few seconds, his head whips around and he looks at me. “What?” he stands abruptly and I do the same. “Hold on, baby.”

“What happened?”

“Turn on your darn phone. Violet’s been tryin’ to reach you. Some guy showed up at the gym and made a scene and tried to assault Terri.”

“Oh, that fucking asshole,” I say as I turn on my phone. There are three messages from Violet. I hit her name and put the phone to my ear.

“Charlie,” she says. I can hear how upset she is.

“Did that asshole lay a hand on you?”

“No,” she says, “but he really upset Terri and my mom.”

“I’m on my way, Lettie. I’m sorry I wasn’t there because if I was, I would have put his head through the wall.” I mutter the last part because there’s a part of me that I hope Violet never has to see, but a man threatening or putting his hands on a woman is enough to make me show him what it’s like to fight a man. “Stay on the phone with me until I get there.”

“Hold on, Charlie. I’m going to take the boys upstairs to Tara’s and I’m going with you. Help me. It won’t take more than five minutes.”

He turns back around, and in record time, we wrangle the boys and take them to the penthouse. We’re out the door in under five minutes, and we practically jog to the gym.

Luckily no one stops Colt for an autograph. The police are there when we arrive, and Terri is giving a statement while Violet and her mom hold her hand. Violet sees me, and she lets Terri go. I open my arms and she flies in. I kiss her temple, cup her face, and look into her eyes. I only breathe a sigh of relief when I see with my own eyes that she’s unharmed.

“What happened?” I ask. “Where the hell is he?”

“He’s gone. He left before the police got here. He said some awful things to Terri, and when I asked him to leave, he threatened me and called me an evil bitch.” I tighten my arms around her. “I’venever—”

“Shh,” I say while I kiss the top of her head. “If he disrespects you one more time, he’s going to be eating through a straw for the next year.”

I hold her while the rest of the gym members file out. I don’t let her go while Terri is giving her statement. Even when there’s no one left but me, Colt, Terri, Violet, and her mother, I don’t let her go. When Wanda starts to sway and almost falls over, I finally let Violet go so I can catch her mother.

“My car’s here. Why don’t we all go back to my house,” Colt suggests. “I’ll call my doctor.” No one objects. I hold Wanda and Violet’s hands. Wanda and Terri ride with Colt and Vickie, and I walk with Violet.

Chapter 47

Violet

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