Page 61 of Peach Blossom Hollow

Daisy-Mae was asking her something.

“Do you want to make a break for it?”

Violet focused on the here and now. There were voices in the hall. The postgame hoop-la must be over, the word about what had happened spreading. The entire team must now be aware of what Leo had done, and there was no way she could face them all, leaving at the same time. The sympathy, the questioning looks… Too much.

There was a knock on the door, and Violet quickly dabbed at her cheeks, where tears had streaked anew. Daisy-Mae unlocked the door and peeked through the gap. She opened it wider and Violet stood up, unsure what to expect. Was she going to get in trouble from Nuvella for some reason? Was the press going to track her down and demand information about the attack, serving up her hurt for the world to devour as entertainment?

Leo appeared in the doorway, his hair damp, dripping onto the collar of his white shirt, which was only partially buttoned, the cuffs loose, his suit jacket bunched in his right hand. He quickly scanned the room, latching on to her with his gaze. She raised a hand to her forehead, sheltering her red, puffy eyes from his view. Suddenly she was engulfed in a warm, soap-scented hug, his armswrapped tightly around her, his bag and jacket landing at her feet.

A sob escaped her chest, and she shuddered in his embrace as she tried to draw a breath.

“It’s okay. I’m here. You’re safe.” His palm stroked the back of her head, calming her, as his other one rubbed her back. His hands were warm, the feel of his firm, solid body soothing and safe.

She heard the door thump shut as Daisy-Mae left.

As Violet settled, Leo eased his grip, craning his neck to peer down at her. He’d felt like a warm, cozy comforter after a long, hard day, and she longed for him to continue the hug.

“Are you all right?” He was studying her, checking for injuries, his right hand gently cupping her face so he could take a better look. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Tears returned as she shook her head. “I’m okay.” She stepped from his arms, tugging down the sleeves of her sweatshirt so they covered her hands. “Although I’m probably getting fired.”

“Are you kidding me?” He looked livid again, like he wanted to kick something. “I hope they fine that guy for assault.”

Her tears dried, and she gaped at him.

“Don’t look at me like that. He pushed you down!” Leo’s hands had bunched into fists, and he shoved his unbuttoned shirtsleeves up, revealing the cords of muscles in his forearms.

He seemed ready to fight. That same fierce look was blazing in his eyes, like it had in the stands. As if he was ready to kill for her.

It took her breath away.

“Did you get in trouble?” she asked, realizing that him racing up the stands in his skates and manhandling a fan was probably against a dozen rules and could get him benched or fined.

“Coach muttered something about letting security handle stuff in the future.” Leo squeezed his eyes shut for a brief second, the fight leaving him. “Do you think this’ll impact things with Family Zone?” He shook his head and opened them again, that fight blazing back. “I don’t care.”

“Leo!”

“No.” He inhaled unsteadily and faced her. “What would have happened if I hadn’t got up there when I did?”

“There was security.”

“Too little, too late. I’ll take the consequences, because you matter more to me than any deal ever could.”

Leo couldn’t stop thinking about yesterday’s game and how Violet had been pushed down by that fan. The media was in a frenzy over it, and she was refusing to talk about it with anyone. He’d been interviewed—well, there had been requests, but Nuvella, Louis and Miranda had handled his statements and talked to the press on his behalf.

“Are you sure the parade is a good idea?” Leo glanced at the rows of floats waiting to roll down Sweetheart Creek’s Main Street, tossing candy and advertising local businesses for the first annual Armadillo Day. The idea, from what he’d gathered, was that the day had involved some events and gamesalong Main Street, with money being raised to take care of repairing the town’s outdoor swimming pool. Donations were also being taken for a local animal shelter, which was being built by Brant Wylder, the town’s veterinarian.

Leo hadn’t made it to the pancake breakfast or any of the afternoon events, but was here for the evening parade, which would kick off the food trucks, dance and fireworks.

Violet had somehow wrangled him into joining the parade, along with herself, dressed as Dezzie. Naturally, Daisy-Mae was also coming, to ensure that Violet didn’t get run over by a decorated tractor.

Currently, Daisy-Mae was off to the side, chatting with someone, while Violet stood in her dragon costume with the head tucked under her arm, flouting the head-always-on-in-public rule. Then again, there weren’t any dressing rooms on the field, so she could argue that the staging grounds were her locker room.

It was already dark out, the parade preparations illuminated by the football field’s lights. Daisy-Mae had outfitted Leo with one of the Dragons’ cowboy hats, which she’d studded with small blinking lights. Being a night parade, everything that could be lit up was. One guy who’d walked by even had twinkling cowboy boots.

“Don’t forget to make yourself accessible for photographs.” Violet pointed into her dragon head and Leo reached inside for a stack of hockey cards. He glanced at them, surprised to see they were of him. He was on a card! His number, with a candidshot of him skating. Looking comfortable on skates, just like a pro hockey player.

“Whoa.”

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