Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

VIOLET

A lovely aroma wakes me up. Is that…bacon? I pull the blankets down just enough to peer at my surroundings. The sun manages to shine through my closed blinds some, but the light doesn’t hurt. Man, that migraine was a whopper. I’m still tired. A clanging from another room causes me to remember my guest.

Right.

Zane.

I asked him to stay. And to lie with me. He’s still here? Rolling over, my old-school alarm clock shows it’s nearly seven at night. Goodness. The entire day is about gone. Surely, he left. Which would mean an intruder is cooking in my house and that seems just as unlikely as the thought that Zane is still here. But it has to be him; my brother certainly wouldn’t be cooking anything.

My stomach grumbles and the harsh pangs make me realize anyone cooking in my kitchen will be a welcome sight. With a bout of nerves washing over me, I toss my covers aside and venture into the kitchen, noting the door to my brother’s room is open, a sign he’s left to go who knows where. Sure enough, Zane is here and apparently cooking a feast. Nearly every breakfast item I had is now spread over my kitchen table. Eggs, sausage, biscuits, pancakes, and french toast.

Zane jumps as he turns to place the bacon on the table and spots me.

“Sorry, Violet. I tried to stay in there with you, I really did, but I had to use the restroom and my stomach was attacking itself from hunger.” He looks down at the table as if just realizing how much food he fixed. A boyish grin appears as he lifts his gaze to mine. “Sorry. I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I made a bit of everything.”

I shake my head and wave a hand in dismissal. “It’s okay. Thank you. I’m sorry you felt like you had to stay.”

He raises his eyebrows and then frowns. “You slept all day, Violet, and that’s after presumably sleeping all night. I couldn’t leave until I knew you’d wake up at least.”

My grandma always said when something seems too good to be true, it usually is. Zane seems too nice, but I haven’t yet figured out what badness lies beneath the nice, gorgeous surface. With a squeak of a thank you, I walk around him to grab something to drink. I’m so thirsty, I could probably drink a gallon of water right now.

“Want anything?” I ask.

“Water, please,” Zane replies as he takes a seat at the table.

I place our glasses down and take a seat as well. Zane obviously familiarized himself with my kitchen enough to find the plates and utensils.

“I feel ridiculous,” Zane states a few moments after we’ve begun to eat. His cheeks flush a little. “There’s so much food here. How in the world will we eat it all?”

I shrug. “No one said we had to do it in one sitting. You did good, though; it’s tasty.”

Zane grins at the compliment, but it falls away. Whatever he’s thinking, he doesn’t mention it. We eat in silence, both of us stuffing ourselves until we’re full. Zane stands and starts clearing the table.

“Leave it. I’ll do it.”

“Are you sure?” he asks. He doesn’t even know where everything is to put the food away, yet he’s perfectly okay to search and help anyway.

“I’m sure. Thank you.”

He nods. “I, uh, should probably go. Is it…is it okay if I text or call you? I’ve got some road games coming up. Maybe we can go out when I get back?”

I nod and Zane grins. He hesitates for a moment and then leans down to kiss my cheek.

“See you soon, Violet.”

And then he’s gone. It seems only minutes later when I’m putting the leftovers away that Cassie bursts into my home.

“ Finally !” she exclaims. “I’ve been texting all day and when you didn’t answer I started doing periodic drive-bys, but I saw another car here. Was that Zane’s? What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing! Nothing at all ? His car has been here since yesterday. It was here all day and now it’s gone. You’re telling me nothing happened between you and your hunk of a husband?” Disbelief saturates her tone.

I cringe. “Please don’t call him that.” Thank goodness my brother isn’t here; he still doesn’t know what I’ve done. Embarrassment and shame prevent me from telling him as long as I can keep it a secret.

“But he is your husband.”

A thought suddenly hits me. “How do I know he actually is? I haven’t seen any paperwork.”

“He wears a wedding band, Violet,” Cassie points out with the duh clear in her tone.

I take a seat at the kitchen table and clasp my hands together. He does wear a band, but that doesn’t mean our marriage is real.

“You could wear yours. On your right hand at least.”

During my two weeks of contemplation, one of my concerns was how much this man spent on those rings. I had them appraised out of curiosity. Let’s just say I don’t even have that much in all of my everyday use bank accounts. That’s another reason why I don’t wear them. That is entirely too much money on my finger.

“I should probably give them back.”

Cassie’s excitement over my situation finally dampers. “It didn’t go well?”

I shrug. “He brought me home because I had a horrible migraine and he didn’t feel comfortable leaving. I slept most of the day.”

She smiles. “So, he’s sweet.”

I nod because I can’t deny her statement. His actions thus far do imply he’s sweet. “He said he would be in touch and we’d go out once he returns from some away games.”

Cassie claps her hands. “I’m so excited and jealous! I still can’t believe you not only met a professional athlete, but you also married one! Your life is going to change forever, Vi.”

Will it, though? Do I even want it to change that much or in the ways it’ll change?

Cassie continues, unable to read my uncertainty. “I mean, Zane has money. Way more than either of us could ever dream about. He travels and could take you places. If he gets traded, you could experience living in a new place.”

“Cass,” I interrupt. “None of that particularly excites me.”

Money doesn’t matter to me. Cassie met me only a few years ago and doesn’t quite know everything about me. But money is not an issue for me nor something I need a man to have in abundance. My grandma had a life insurance policy with me as the beneficiary. My grandma did well investing her money, too. She also lived below her means. Needless to say, I learned good money habits from her. I could have flashier things, but I don’t need them. It’s hard to think about even spending too much of that money. It’s all I have left of her. Not to mention, I take care of my brother.

She frowns. “That man doesn’t excite you? You said he was fantastic in bed and that’s with a fuzzy memory.”

I laugh. “That doesn’t mean this will work, or that packing up and moving every time he’s traded sounds appealing. And what about Graham?”

“It’s time for Graham to take care of himself. It’s past time. Way past time. And you are such a negative Nancy about Zane, Violet. You just wait. Zane Landry will sweep you off your feet.”

We’ll see.

A few nights later, it’s late and I’ve been tossing and turning in my bed for hours it seems. My phone vibrates, the light hurting my eyes a bit. I pick it up to see Zane’s name on the screen. Just when I thought he wouldn’t actually reach out.

“Hello?” I answer hesitantly.

“Hey. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. How are you?”

Zane sighs. “It’s been up and down with our playing. Aside from that, I’m doing fine. You? Any more migraines?”

“Will probably have one soon; things are okay, though. Can you do me a favor?”

“Anything.” He’s way too quick to answer and seems way too serious. Yet my heart gallops anyway. As if he truly means it.

“Can you admit this is weird?”

Zane laughs. “Definitely weird. A photographer caught my ring and my mom called me today to find out what the hell is going on. Not a very pleasant conversation. She thinks I’ve lost my mind and…” His voice trails off. “Anyway, she’s not too happy with me.”

“I bet.”

Things fall silent before Zane picks up the conversation again. “So what do you do for work?”

“I’m self-employed. I design cross-stitch patterns and sell them.”

“How did you get into that?”

I snuggle into the pillow and smile as I think of my grandma. “With my migraines, I needed a flexible job. My grandma loved the craft and taught me how to do it. She always said I had an eye for creating my own patterns. She was right. After she passed, I decided to start a business and it’s done really well.”

Well enough that it most certainly is more than a full-time job and I’ll have to figure out my next step as my home office is running out of room.

“That’s amazing, Violet. My captain’s girlfriend owns a craft store. You would probably get along with her.” He’s quiet for a moment before he adds, “But full disclosure, she’s the girl I told you about in Vegas.”

My brows pinch together and then I remember. “The girl who was fooling around with one of your buddies while seeing you?”

“The one and only.”

“And things are okay between the three of you?” I ask, skeptical.

“Yeah. It took some time, but yeah. It all worked out.”

Sounds messy, but he seems confident it’s resolved. We fall into another lull.

“So, your brother.”

I wait for Zane to say more, but he doesn’t. “What about him?” I ask. If only he wasn’t part of the conversation at all. My brother drains me mentally and emotionally. The thought of discussing him with Zane darkens my mood and brings the faint throb of my impending migraine closer to the forefront of my mind.

“I was under the impression you basically had no family left,” he says gingerly.

He has me there. I may have exaggerated things about my family, but that’s because implying my parents are dead and who’s left has abandoned me is better than the truth. With a deep breath, I respond to him. “I might as well not. Graham hates me. I’ve been taking care of him since he was fifteen; he’s twenty now. I think losing my grandma was the last straw. He did a one-eighty and has been nasty toward me ever since.”

The line goes quiet and I have a feeling Zane wants to ask more, or give his opinion. He doesn’t, thankfully.

“Hey, that reminds me. There is a Halloween party when I come back. Do you want to go with me?” he asks. “The captain throws it every year.”

“My brother reminds you of Halloween?” I ask skeptically, knowing that can’t be the case.

“No,” he confirms, “but I’m trying not to make assumptions and say something that’s none of my business. A change of subject seemed like a good idea.”

I appreciate his honesty and decide to move on with the change in subject as well. “So, it’s with your teammates? Would I have to dress up?”

“Yes, and yes.”

I pause and then ask, “Do they know about me?”

“Yes.”

When Zane doesn’t elaborate, I can’t help but take it as a bad sign. I decide to ignore it for now.

“What are you dressing up as?” I ask.

“I was thinking an ugly troll.”

The thought makes me laugh. I highly doubt Zane could be an ugly anything.

“Will you go with me? Please?” Zane asks again. Hope blossoms in his voice. How can I turn him down?

“Sure. Might as well.” After all, what do I have to lose?

Cassie is way more excited about this party than I am. She tortured me for hours in various stores, searching for the best costume. In the end, she decided I would be a sexy fairy. Cassie has the utmost faith that this thing between Zane and me will work out. I think she reads too many romance novels.

Zane has called me every night, talking to me until it’s entirely too late. It’s a slow getting-to-know-you kind of process. It’s been nice, honestly. And easy. Easier than I thought it would be. Zane is so laid back; he seems the opposite of me in that regard. I always feel wound tight. Zane breathes fresh air into my life.

I stand before my dresser and give myself a once-over in the mirror. My gaze drops to my jewelry box where my wedding bands rest. I pick the set up and turn it this way and that. The light reflects off it beautifully. Before I can think too much about it, I slip the set on my right ring finger. Part of me feels naked without it, knowing I’ll be out with Zane tonight.

The doorbell tolls throughout the house and with a deep breath, I head for the front door.

“Wow,” I breathe. I didn’t think it was possible for Zane to look ugly, but he does. Green body paint covers his face, neck, arms, and legs. He wears a bright blue wig with crazy hair. Warts sprinkle his face. His clothes are tattered. He looks as if he just jumped out from underneath a bridge.

“Took the word right out of my mouth,” Zane says, looking me up and down. His once-over feels like laser beams slowly burning into me.

“Are we actually married?” I blurt out.

Zane frowns. “Yes, why? The certificate is at home, but I can bring it to you if you’d like.”

I shrug. Zane moves aside as I step out of the house and lock the door. Graham is off who knows where once again. I try not to worry about it. I asked him where he was going and he cocked an attitude, telling me it was none of my fucking business. He is an adult, but he’s also my baby brother and the last thing I want is for him to get into some trouble.

“You’re wearing it,” he says as he opens the car door for me, grabbing my hand and pulling me from my thoughts. His thumb rubs over the rings. Who knew such a simple act was so hot?

“I go back and forth between they are too pretty not to and too expensive to wear.” I slide into his passenger seat, mindful of my little wings hanging from my shoulders. “It doesn’t mean anything,” I add when he grins.

I’m not sure he believes me. He catches me up on the past twenty-four hours since we last spoke as we ride to a banquet hall. For some reason, I was thinking of a house party, but this is way more than that.

The dark room glistens with strategically placed lights all around to prevent it from being completely blacked out. The spooky decorations are impressive. All kinds of costumes mill around.

“Let me introduce you to some of my friends,” Zane says as he immediately leads me to the right with a warm hand on my lower back.

“Z!” a man shouts as he spots Zane. He looks like a horrifying clown, and a woman in a matching costume stands next to him. “Who’s this?” he asks once we’re closer.

“Violet. Violet, this is Ian and his wife, Sydney.”

They shake my hand and give me the usual it’s nice to meet you greeting.

“Savannah misses you,” Ian says.

“I’ll be over soon,” Zane promises. “What did she decide to be this year?”

“A mermaid, and Andrew is a bear,” Sydney answers. She glances at me. “Savannah and Andrew are our kids and our daughter just loves Zane. He’s like a fun uncle or big brother to her.”

Zane seems embarrassed at her words. It’s kinda cute. “They have great kids,” he tells me.

“Uh, Deanna was looking for you,” Ian says, earning a glare from his wife. “Just giving you a heads-up.”

Zane shrugs. If I remember correctly, that’s his ex who is now with his teammate. Before I can wonder what she wants, Sydney peppers me with questions about myself. Zane and Ian step away to get us drinks. At some point, Ian returns, but Zane doesn’t. My gaze travels until I spot him with a woman dressed as a cowgirl.

“Is that her?” I interrupt Sydney.

“Yeah,” she sighs.

She’s pretty. “Does she still have feelings for him?”

Ian scoffs. “No,” he says as if it’s such a ridiculous idea.

“Does he have feelings for her?”

Their beat of silence causes me to look at them. “No,” Sydney answers. “Zane loves with his whole heart, even if he just likes someone. He wants to be someone’s everything and be that for someone else. He wore rose-colored glasses with her and when they came off, he was pretty hurt.”

I can understand that. But if neither has feelings for the other, then what does Deanna want with him and why is he over there with her instead of here with me? And why does jealousy surge through me when I was just questioning whether I’m truly married?

Sydney talks about her kids, but my focus stays on Zane. He looks bored, honestly. He looks over at me and smiles before shifting back to the woman. I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but their body language alone causes me to relax and find the strength to beat down the jealousy. She’s moved on and Zane seems more than ready to do the same.