CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Violet
Football Friday night.
The phrase is foreign to me. No matter where I’ve lived, I’ve never been a participant. Even last year. After everything that happened with Brent, I couldn’t bring myself to come out and support Caleb, but with this being his senior year, I feel as if I kind of owe it to him.
Sitting next to Anthony on the bleachers, I have my shaker and we’re ready to go. “How do I know when something good happens?” I ask as he looks at me like he doesn’t want anyone to know we’re even here together.
“The crowd will let you know, the team will let you know, hell I’ll let you know. Do you know anything about football?”
“Other than the fact that Whitney loves it?” I shake my head. “No.”
“Jesus Christ,” he mumbles as he takes a drink of his Coke. “I brought you to a high school football game where these boys could end up state champs, and you have no idea what that even means.”
“That they’re good?” I giggle, laughing at how annoyed he is.
“Caleb will be playing for the University of Alabama, Vi. That’s better than good.”
I gaze out onto the field, trying to figure out what’s going on. It’s a little chilly tonight, which I use as an excuse to snuggle up next to Anthony. “Tell me, what’s happening now.”
He sighs good-naturedly, but slings his arm around my neck. “It’s the opening kick-off. You see this line?” He points to a group of young men on the field. “They’ll kick the ball, and one of those” – he points to the opposite end – “will return it.”
“Who are we rooting for?”
Anthony points to the team set up to receive the kick-off. “Caleb’s number fifty-four. It’s Renegade’s old number which burns Menace’s ass up.” He laughs as he drops a kiss on my cheek.
“Well Ryan was a great player, so he should be thankful.” I hear Whitney’s voice as she comes to sit next to us, holding Stella in her arms.
“Renegade working the game?” Anthony asks as he helps her get situated with the toddler.
“Yeah, but Trevor wanted to come to see Caleb, so we tagged along. Blaze is working the EMS truck tonight. It’s a family affair.” She screams as does the rest of the section we’re sitting in. Her eyes having never left the field after she sat down.
“What happened?” I completely missed it, and I’m unsure as to why everyone’s yelling and patting each other on the back like they had something to do with the play on the field.
“Caleb returned the kick-off for a touchdown. He’s no match for these little boys, they may as well go home,” Whitney yells through palms cupped over her mouth.
As I glance around, I think I may have just stepped into the Twilight zone.
* * *
“You okay?” Anthony asks at what I’ve learned is half-time.
“I’m good, just feeling a little out of my element.”
“You’re doing a great job.” He tightens his arm around me. “Besides that whole rooting for the other team thing.”
I defend myself. “I apologized, and Ernie promised not to dock my pay after I apologized. I got the colors mixed up.”
He laughs, curling a lock of my hair around his finger. “You’ll get it.”
Beside me, Whitney stands, Stella in her arms. “We’re going to the ladies’ room, if you want to come with us.”
“Sounds good.”
“Maybe she can give you some tips on the game,” Anthony throws out.
“Honey.” Her voice is shot at this point. “There ain’t enough tips in the world to help her, but if you stick around, we’ll get ya fixed up. I’ll have you in Tuscaloosa with me in no time. We gotta go see Caleb next year anyway. Do you realize how excited I am to know somebody on the team?”
I’m almost scared for Caleb, but I don’t say anything. All I do is nod. “I’d appreciate anything you can do to help me.”
As we descend the bleachers and make our way down to the bathrooms, Southern Belle Whitney is back.
“I wish we could go inside and not use these out here. They always stink to high Heaven.”
Looking around, I notice Karina. “Karina!” I wave her over.
“Hey, it’s good to see you.” She gives me a smile. “Surprised to see you at the game though.”
“No one is more surprised than I am, trust me. Is there any way we can go inside to use the bathroom?” I point to Whitney and Stella. “It might be difficult out here with her daughter.”
“Oh yeah.” Karina takes off for the school. “No problem. The alarm isn’t on while the game goes on, but they do keep a close watch on the hallways and stuff. The back bathroom is always open, because it’s handicap accessible.”
“Thanks for the tip.” Whitney puts Stella down on the ground. “Those stalls outside are so small, and while she’s mobile, I can’t always keep her in there with me. Last time, I ended up chasing her with my pants around my ankles. Thank God, the only person who came in there was my brother’s girlfriend.” She shudders. “Talk about embarrassing.”
I laugh, glancing at my friend. “I can’t even imagine you being that undignified.”
“Oh yeah, when you have a baby and your hoo ha is laid out for everyone to see, you kinda just let some things go.” She opens the door and we file in after her and Stella.
“She’s really cute,” Karina comments as she looks at Stella. “How old is she?”
“She’ll be two in December. She’s my little miracle.” Whitney gazes down at the face that looks so much like Ryan it’s scary. “We thought we might try for another, but I’m too old and too damn tired.” She laughs.
“Now you can count on Holden and Leighton for your baby fix.”
“Oh yeah.” She nods. “And someday my brother will make it official with Blaze, then I can be the best aunt ever.”
As she takes her stall, the words she’s spoken roll through my mind. What would it be like to have roots like that? As a warmness penetrates my chest, I realize I’m looking forward to finding out.
Ace
“My wife around here?”
I glance up from my phone, seeing Renegade standing over me. He’s wearing our typical uniform when we’re out in public. Bullet proof vest, shirt, and tactical pants, with military boots. “She and Stella went to the bathroom with Violet. Have a seat and take a load off for a minute.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” He sits down with a sigh, running his hands over his thighs.
“How’s it going?”
“It’s been a shitty night, let me just tell you that. Havoc was here with me for a while, but he had to go. I’m ready to get this night over with and go to bed.”
Renegade isn’t one to complain, not typically, so I know something has happened. “Care to fill me in?”
“Two things. We found some kids with moonshine before the kick-off, and they relayed the same story you got when you questioned the driver of that car. Whoever is dealing, is doing it within the school, and almost with the protection of the school, which is fucked up on all accounts.”
I sigh, he’s right. The question is, how do we figure out who our main source is. “And what is the second thing?”
“You remember finding that shallow grave out in the woods at the barn party last year? You know it got sent off for testing, to see if we could make an identification?”
My memory is a little fuzzy, but it’s coming back, and I have a horrible feeling of dread. “Yeah, I remember.”
“ID came back as Leighton’s mom. Havoc left to go tell her.” His voice is pitched low so no one else can hear the conversation we’re having.
“Fuck,” I breathe. We’d all been worried about that. Havoc had all but bet his career on it being Leighton’s mom, but none of us wanted it to be true.
“He’s requested a couple of days. Leighton didn’t take it well, and with the baby due in about ten weeks, he was worried.”
“No doubt, I would be too. I wish there was something we could do for them.”
Renegade pulls his phone out of his pants pocket. “I already got a text about making them a casserole or some shit. You know how us Southern folk are. Somebody dies, you eat. Somebody is born, you eat. Check your phone; you’re part of the group text.”
Just as he says it, I feel the vibration. “I’ll make sure we take something over.”
“Keep it quiet for now, they don’t want word to get out, in case it wasn’t Jefferson.”
We wrap the conversation up as the girls come back from the bathroom.
“Daddy!” Stella reaches for her dad as the girls make their way to their seats.
He grabs hold of his daughter and gives his wife a kiss on the cheek. “I can’t stay, but I wanted to come and say hi to my girls.”
Violet has a seat next to me, resting her head on my shoulder. “What would it be to have a life like that?” she questions as she watches them.
“If you wanna find out, I’d be game for it.”
Her eyes are wide with surprise as she turns to face me.
“What?” I shrug. “You think I’ve been hanging around you for over a year because I feel sorry for you? Violet, I got it bad for you, you have to know that.”
She reaches over, hooking her hand in my elbow, pulling me close. “I got it bad for you too.”
Turning to face her on the bleachers, I hook my free arm around neck, pulling her in for a kiss.
“Kiss!”
Breaking apart, we laugh as we look down and see Stella clapping for us. As we separate, I reach down to grab her, sitting her on my lap as Whitney and Renegade continue talking for a few more minutes. Sitting with these friends, this woman at my side, in my town, watching our friend play football? I realize it’s everything I’ve ever wanted in my life and I’m extremely grateful I didn’t let that ring on Violet’s finger dissuade me from going after exactly what I wanted.