Page 96 of Crash
“I know,” I replied, my voice sounding tight and far away.
“Well, good luck is all I can say.”
“Thanks, Josie. I owe you one.”
“Just…” She sighed sharply. “Just tell her how you feel, okay?”
“I was planning on it.”
“And watch out for Ash’s right hook.”
“Night, Josie.”
The call disconnected, and I dropped the phone onto the bed. There was no way I was sleeping tonight.
Vee had put all of herself on the line to come see me, so putting my life and dream right out there was the least I could do. I could get booted for skipping out on a contractual agreement by missing the press conference, go to the airport and lose her anyway. Or I could put it all out there, every last drop, and win her heart back. It was a gamble, but she was worth it.
I’d never been one for love or grand declarations, but that was before I met Violet Fuller in the office at Pulse for the first time since we were kids. She’d been wearing this purple dress… I sat up straight as I realized she’d been wearing the same dress when she stumbled out of my room earlier.Motherfucking…
Violet was in love with me. I was in love with Violet.
I couldn’t let her slip away.I wouldn’t.
It was time to do what I did best.
Fight.
**
I ran full tilt through Sydney Airport’s domestic terminal, searching frantically for the Qantas check-in desks.
I weaved through slow-moving packs of tourists and leaped over piles of suitcases in my desperation to find Violet before she went through the security checkpoint.
Finally, I saw the red and white kangaroo logo in the distance and began searching for her familiar form amongst the sea of bodies queuing up for their flights. As I searched, people were starting to stare at me like I was a lunatic, but I couldn’t care less what I looked like. All I wanted washer. I couldn’t be too late.
Up ahead, I made out a big beefy guy and a smaller woman walking along with a suitcase rolling in-between them, the woman’s hand wrapped around the handle. As I pushed through the throng, I realized it wasthem, and my heart began to pick up speed.
“Violet!”
They turned and her gaze met mine. The moment she realized I was standing there, she glanced away awkwardly, her hands tightening around the handle of her suitcase.
“Great,” Ash said, rolling his eyes as I came to a standstilla few pacesaway. Best to leave a little distance betweenme and himin case he tried to take a shot.
“You can’t leave,” I exclaimed, trying to get her attention.
“Well we are, thanks to your credit card,” Ash shot back.
“What?” I shook my head. “Stop. Just let me explain.”
“Explain what?” Violet murmured, her voice sounding thin. “She was in your bed. I got the message loud and clear.”
“She broke in there. I didn’t even know—”
“Fuck off, Lincoln,” Ash hissed. “I’m taking Violet home. You are not welcome back at Pulse or in our lives. Fuck off and leave her alone. You’ve done enough damage.”
“She thought by just showing up like that she could win me,” I said desperately. “That’s not how it works. It could never work like that. I fell for you, Vee. You.”
She shook her head, her gaze on the floor. “Those are just empty words.”
