So I stand here, Violet waiting patiently beside me.
Over in one corner, I spot Nancy from the Big Brother office, head thrown back and laughing at something a gray-haired dude is saying. She’s about as dolled up as she can get: full-length mother-of-the-bride dress, hair curled, eye shadow so bright you could see it from the moon.
There’s a band setting up, a small area sectioned off for dancing in the center of the room? and lining the perimeter, long banquet tables showcase the raffle and auction items. The moneymakers. Stars of the show.
The fundraiser isn’t as formal as I’d expected; people are milling about, most of them with drinks in hand, in all styles of attire. Khakis. Dressy denim. Suits and ties. Floor-length numbers.
Stifled, I yank at the tie around my neck that seems to have gotten tighter on the ride here—like a noose.
My black suit coat stretches too snugly across my broad back and shoulder blades. The collar of my baby blue shirt buttoned too high and cutting off my air supply. Shoes too new and stiff to be even remotely comfortable.
Fucking Coach.
I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t forced me to be.
And with Violet, no less.
Quiet Violet, waiting patiently next to me, near the coat check area, her calm demeanor only slightly quelling my resentment at being here. Always serene, always composed—if you don’t count the random, nervous stuttering.
Her colorless blonde hair is down and arranged in loose curls down her back, a stark contrast against the dark-as-night dress coat she’s wearing over her dress.
I know it’s a dress because I checked out her pale bare legs when she was climbing into my truck, plum-colored heels boosting her height by several inches, the pastel nail polish she’s always wearing playing peekaboo out of the tips of her shoes.
Cheeks pink. Lips dark burgundy. Lashes long and coated with black mascara.
Pretty. Real fucking pretty.
When she smiles up at me, skin positively glowing, flush with excitement, her teeth are straight and perfect, highlighted by her dark lips.
Violet bites down on that lower lip, probably chewing off her lipstick in the process, then beams up at me, hopeful and sunshiny and bright, like she’s waiting to blow sunshine up my ass.
She looks happy, but I didn’t come here to have fun and I didn’t come here to fundraise. Or socialize. Or see people.
I’m here out of some twisted obligation.
“Daniels. Son,” says the devil himself.
I turn to acknowledge Coach with a dispassionate dip of my head. He takes inventory of me, of my attire, and I take in his. Shoes, pants, shirt, eyes raking up my expensive paisley tie, his critical blue eyes are shrewd, shifting once I pass his inspection.
However, when he turns his attention on Violet?
His entire demeanor changes. Relaxes.
Softens.
“Want to introduce me to your beautiful date, Mr. Daniels?”
Nope.
I nod in her general direction. “Coach, this is Violet.”
She blushes, nervously tucking an errant strand of hair behind her ears. Her shiny rhinestone earrings sparkle.
I wonder if she’ll stutter when she has the chance to speak.
Coach grins down at her, his hulky physique towering over her. He casts a disappointed glance in my direction, mouth set into a hard line.
“Now, now,” he chastises. “I know you were raised better than that, Mr. Daniels. Why don’t you introduce her again? This time show some respect, eh?” He winks at Violet.
Fucking dickhead.
It takes every ounce of willpower I possess not to turn on my heels and crash back through the door we just strolled through to get in here. I’d do it too—I’d fucking bolt, with little thought to Violet’s ability to keep pace.
I suck in a breath, tempted to loosen this fucking tie around my neck and yank it off completely. It’s choking the shit out of me.
“Coach, this my tutor, Violet.” Dammit, why the hell did I say that? Even I know I sounded like a fucking asshole, especially after the whole thing at my house with my roommates.
I take another drag of air, dialing down the angry a notch, and start over.
“Coach, this is my friend Violet, from school. Violet, this is Iowa’s wrestling coach.”
“Good to meet you, Mister…” Violet’s inflection rises at the end, waiting for him to supply his name.
“Just Coach will do fine, young lady.” He smiles. My brows go up—this is the first fucking time I’ve ever seen the bastard smile.
I note that when Violet extends her hand, Coach gives it a gentle but firm shake.
He likes her.
Well, at least I did something right by bringing her.
“You kids heading to the bar for drinks?”
The bar? Now that’s the shit I’m talking about.
“You’re not drinking tonight, are you Mr. Daniels?”
I nod. “We have to hit the coat check first, but yeah. I’m going to need to be piss-ass drunk to make it through tonight,” I joke crudely.
Coach shakes his head back and forth. “Daniels, the correct answer I’m looking for here is No sir, especially if you’re driving this young lady home tonight.”
Mother. Fucker. Is he here just to lord over me? Because he’s off to a good start.
“No sir,” I grumble, sounding a whole lot like a goddamn pussy.
“Good decision.” He smacks me on the bicep, pleased. “My wife Linda and I are seated at table twelve if you kids are open to joining us.”
“Th-That’s,” Violet stutters, then pauses. Takes a deep breath. “That’s very kind of you to offer, Coach. I’m sure we’d love that, thank you.”
We’d. We.
I’m not a religious person, but when Violet prettily accepts for both of us, I swear to God Coach smirks with satisfaction.
“Yeah, Coach. Thanks.”
He smacks me on arm, taking a sip of his drink—probably to rub it in. “Good. Check your coats and grab something to wet your whistle. Find us when you get settled.” The old fucker grins at Violet. “Young lady, it was nice meeting you.”
I watch him walk away, whatever uncharitable thought I have interrupted by Violet clearing her throat.
“Should we check our coats? Or…did you want to put them at the table?”
“Check them. I want to avoid that table as long as I possibly can, no offense.”
She nods, though I doubt she understands.
She has no idea that Coach is forcing me to volunteer with the Big Brothers Mentor Program—veritably blackmailing me. Has no idea I’m on the verge of losing my spot on the team because of my bad attitude. Has no idea that the wrestling team is the only family I have, and Jesus Christ do I sound like a whining little fuck.
I trail behind Violet as she gets in line for the coat check. She peels down the zipper on her black jacket, slowly shrugging it off her narrow shoulders.
Her bare, narrow shoulders.