Page 55 of Reverse Pass
“I was there for her long before she even knew you existed.”
“Yeah. I see that now. I never did like the way you looked at her. Never very brotherly. I guess you were always waiting in the wings, huh. But she never noticed because her eyes were always on me.”
“Were. Past tense. Ask her whose name she says when she comes lately.”
He laughs, hard, but his fingers are white knuckling the counter and I know he’s dying to throw a punch. I doubt he’s stupid enough to, I have inches, pounds and muscle on him, but who knows.
“Like I said. She’s bored. Jealous of the fact I got my dick sucked elsewhere a few times. In the grand scheme of things it’ll be a blip in our lives. I know you don’t actually think she’s going to pick fucking you over marrying me. You’re a fucking boy who plays a game for a living. I’m a man who’s out there saving lives. Who can give her the life she wants, the life she needs. Traveling, researching, making a difference, surrounded by people who have real influence and don’t just shove each other around on a field once a week. Don’t fuck that up for her.” He swallows the last of his drink and grabs his keys. “And on that note, I have to go take her to dinner. Enjoy your leftovers.”
The door slams behind him and the microwave beeps signaling my food is done. Except I feel like I’ve just gone five rounds in a boxing ring and lost my appetite in the process. The guy is an epic fucking douchebag, and I have no idea what she sees in him. But he’s right. They have history. In another timeline they’d probably be sitting at this counter planning their wedding tonight.
I hear the door open again and tense, hoping he isn’t back to go another round. I hear the click of heels on the floor, and Joss appears, making a show of looking around the room dramatically.
“Nothing broken then? That’s a good sign. I’m too tired to clean tonight.”
I give her a small smile.
“I assume from the look on your face that he threw an epic tantrum over the fact you played with his toys while he was gone.”
I tilt my head in a half nod.
“He wanted to let me know where I stand.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. I know Joss means well, but I also know anything I say to her will be a game of telephone with Violet, and I need to get my head straight before I say anything.
“Well, if it helps, I’m Team Ben.”
“Thanks Joss.” I give her a small smile and dig into my food.
After dinner I head over to Colt’s place. We play a few rounds of video games and have a few beers, and he lets me crash there. I say I’m too fucking tired even though it’s not that late, because in reality, I don’t want to be home when Violet and Cameron get there. I don’t want to hear him proving his point in the room next door. And I want the last name I hear her call out to be mine.
NINETEEN
Violet
The secondI sit down to dinner with Cameron, I know that agreeing to come here with him was a mistake. He’s angry and bitter, and there’s nothing that’s going to be said or happen here that will be positive. But I’m already here, and politeness dictates that I at least have to hear him out.
“You look gorgeous tonight.” Cameron gives me a warm smile as we sit down at the table.
“Thanks.”
The waiter hands us our menus, and I thank him and open it. This place is far too fancy for my liking, and all I can think about is the price of everything and how I don’t want Cameron to pay for it. I don’t want him to purchase a single thing this evening because I don’t want any misunderstandings. To me this isn’t a date, this is closure so that he can move on, and we can go our separate ways. But I suspect for him this is some strange attempt to try to reclaim lost territory.
“Do you want wine?”
“You get whatever you like. I’m probably just going to get water.”
“If I get a bottle, will you drink it?”
“Probably not.”
He sets the menu down, and I can tell I’ve already hit a nerve with him.
“I’m sorry for this morning. I should have kept my cool. It should have been a private discussion between us.”
“I wish it had been.” I say softly, refusing to look at him and instead skimming the menu for something cheap, but even the salads here were closing in on 30 dollars.
