After The Fire (One Pass Away Book 3) (14 page)

“You weren’t arrogant. You were playing God. You and my
mother. Moving us around like pieces in your own personal chess game. Why let
us make our own decisions when you knew better? Well, fuck that. And fuck you
too.”

“You’re saying I’m wrong?”

“I’m saying it should have been up to us. We deserved the
chance to decide. I don’t know if we would still be together. Maybe. Maybe not.
We’ll never know.”

“Please.” Walter wasn’t bending. “You were a kid. Gaige wasn’t
much older. The temptations he deals with on a daily basis are beyond your
comprehension. At twenty-two? He found naked women in his bed. They would sneak
into his room and be there when he returned. Without you in his life, he didn’t
have to worry about remaining faithful. He did what came naturally.”

“Enough!” Violet couldn’t take another second of his
convoluted logic. “It doesn’t matter anymore. Whatever your reasons, it’s in
the past. There is no going back.”

“Exactly.” Walter seemed relieved. “You’re a successful
doctor. Gaige is one of the greatest to ever play the game. You’ve lived
fulfilling lives. Forget about the past.
Now
is your time.”

“I’m going to tell him, Walter.”

“What?”

Walter took a step toward her, the anger on his face clear
for her to see. For the first time, Violet realized how vulnerable she was. She
was alone with a man she didn’t know. A man who saw her as the enemy. Violet
eased behind the sofa. It wasn’t much of a buffer, but it was something.

Her phone was on the table behind Walter. Even if she could
get to it, she didn’t know if she would have time to use it. Her best bet was
the French doors leading to the deck. If she could get outside, her chances
were better. She was fast. Hopefully, faster than Walter.

“I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Okay.”

Walter stepped back—five paces instead of one. It was
better, but Violet wasn’t going to let down her guard.

“You haven’t told him. Why now? What purpose would it serve?”

“It’s one more lie I don’t want between us.” Violet didn’t
expect Walter to understand. “I didn’t tell him yet because I don’t want him
distracted. Winning the Super Bowl means everything to Gaige. He deserves to go
into the playoffs without your betrayal on his mind.”

“Betrayal.” Walter shook his head. “You sanctimonious bitch.
What if Gaige sees it my way?”

She was right, Walter didn’t understand anything.

“That will be up to him. Eventually, I will find a way to
forgive my mother. Gaige may come to terms with what you did. I won’t try to
influence him one way or the other.”

Walter gave her a short nod then turned to leave. Not
willing to trust that his mood wouldn’t change, Violet stayed where she was. He
was halfway out the door when he paused, looking back.

“Would it help if I said I was sorry?”

Violet shook her head. “No. Because you’re only sorry that
you got caught.”

Walter shrugged, his eyes meeting hers. His gaze was
enigmatic. Violet watched as the door shut behind him and wondered if he
finally grasped what she had told him? She wasn’t his enemy. Nor did she want
him to pay for his sins. What she wanted was Gaige. She couldn’t have him if
the past hung over their heads.

One last secret. It might anger Gaige when he found out she
hadn’t told him everything. But Violet was confident he would forgive her when
he found out the reason. Nothing would get in the way of his dream. Super Bowl
champion. And then? Violet smiled. She didn’t care. He could do whatever his
heart desired. She planned on being by his side. All the way.

“THERE IS ICE water in your veins.”

Gaige opened one eye, looked Logan up and down, then closed
it.

“I’m nervous. I simply don’t choose to expend unnecessary
energy. It’s halftime, kid. Take a few minutes to gather your thoughts.”

“I admire the sentiment.” Logan resumed his pacing. “But
this isn’t a random Sunday in October. This one is for the conference
championship. And then—” Logan swallowed. “Shit. I can’t say it. It’s too big.”

The tension seeped from Gaige’s body. It had always been
this way. The more others panicked, the calmer he became. High school. College.
The NFL. It was a gift he didn’t take lightly. He was expected to settle his
teammates. It was his job to focus their nervous energy onto the game.

Gaige let Logan blow off steam for a few more minutes. When
he felt it was the right moment, he jumped to his feet.

“Super Bowl.”

“What?” Logan froze in his footsteps, certain he misheard.

Gaige knew exactly what he was doing. After weeks—months—of
jumping all over anyone who looked beyond the game at hand,
he
spoke the
words. Super Bowl. Partly for the shock value. It got Logan’s attention. Hell,
he had the attention of every player in the locker room.

It was more than that. It was time.

They were locked in a close game with a team that wasn’t
going to roll over in the second half, handing them a ticket to the big game.
The opposition wanted to win. It was up to the Knights to prove that they
wanted it more.

“I can taste it.” Gaige raised his voice until there was no
chance for anyone to miss what he had to say. “Are we going to let another team
come to this stadium—our home—and take what we want?”

“Hell, no!” Logan yelled. Sean, Sol, and the rest of the
team pounded on the lockers.

Gaige hopped onto the wooden bench.

“This is our game,” he told them, his voice reverberating
through the room. Every eye was on him. Their quarterback. Their leader. “Our
time. Ours. Not some other wannabe champion. Us. The Seattle fucking Knights.
Get your asses out there and prove it to me, the fans, and the goddamned world.
We
are the badasses.
We
are going to the mother fucking Super Bowl.”

Gaige pushed his way to the exit, busting through the door,
his teammates on his heels. His blood pumped. His words weren’t rhetoric from a
million other games—recycled for this moment. The speech came from inside of
him. It wasn’t planned. You couldn’t rehearse for something that meant so much.
His team responded because they trusted him to lead them to victory.

Running onto the field, Gaige knew without a doubt that was
exactly what he would do.

“IT WAS LIKE something from fucking Braveheart.” A bottle of
beer in his hand, Logan twirled Claire around in a circle.

“Without the Scottish accent. Or the kilts—thank God.” Sean
grinned at Riley when she joined him on the sofa.

“We are going to the Super Bowl.”

The whoops were a bit subdued compared to the locker
room—but not much.

It seemed natural for the party to end up at Gaige’s house.
After hours of post-game interviews, endless press conferences, and too many
pictures with jubilant fans to count, the Knights needed to unwind—as a team.

“Are you coming off your adrenaline high?” Violet asked
Gaige.

“I can feel it winding down.” They sat on the sofa, his arm
around her shoulders. “In a couple of hours, I’ll be ready to crash.” He
whispered, for her ears only, “After you help me top off the evening.”

Violet laughed. “Where do you find the energy?”

“What energy? I’m counting on you to do all the work.”

“After the thrills and chills you gave me tonight? I’d say
it’s the least I can do.”

Gaige rubbed his cheek against her soft, fragrant hair. He
hadn’t exaggerated. He was still riding the high of that second half. The game
had played out in slow motion. In a good way. Behind the line of scrimmage, he
saw every defender. He anticipated their moves. Fading back, he and his
receivers communicated without words. If they zigged to the left, he knew
exactly when and where the zag to the right would be.

It was magic. One of those rare sports moments that came out
of nowhere. By the middle of the fourth quarter, the outcome of the game was no
longer in question. They and their fans were able to savor the moment.

For the first time in franchise history, the Seattle Knights
were headed to the Super Bowl.

“How are you feeling, boss lady?” Gaige asked Riley. She had
been quiet since they got here—unusual for her.

“I wish my grandfather was here to share this with us.” A
little teary, she rested her head on Sean’s shoulder.

Gaige understood how Riley felt. Douglas Preston had been
one of those men you either loved or hated. Bigger than life, he dominated a
room—and every conversation. When Gaige was drafted by the Knights, Douglas
embraced him as a son. He invited him to his home and his table. He had been
more than the team’s owner; he became a friend. His passing had left a hole in
all their lives.

“Do you think he’s up there, enjoying the ride?” Gaige posed
the question to Violet.

“A higher power?” She smiled. Yes, her eyes told him, she
remembered. “I’m still on the fence. But I would like to think so.”

“When we met,” Gaige explained to their friends, “Violet
asked me if I believed in God. Or Buddha. Or fairies dancing around a blazing
fire.”

“Late at night,” she added.

“Late at night.” Gaige brushed his lips over her forehead. “Neither
of us were completely on board. But I agree. It would be nice to think of
Douglas, a cigar in one hand, a whiskey in the other, sitting on a cloud
cheering us on.”

“I like that,” Riley smiled. “His voice booming through the
heavens, cursing the officials. If you’re allowed to curse up there.”

“Douglas made his own rules. If he wants to curse, he’ll
curse.”

VIOLET WONDERED IF love ever stopped growing. Was there a limit
to how big it could get. It seemed every day, she loved Gaige more than the day
before. Little things he did. A glance he sent her way. Last night, after
hearing the words he spoke to Riley—the way he made missing her grandfather a
little more bearable, Violet thought her heart would burst from her chest.

As she packed her suitcase, she wondered why she hadn’t told
him how she felt? What was stopping her? Violet sighed. No. She knew why. It
was ridiculous, but she wanted him to say the words before she did. Admitting
that to herself made her feel needy and immature. But it didn’t change a thing.

“I wish I could stay.”

“Me too.” Gaige walked up behind her, wrapping his arms
around her waist. “Between practice and media obligations, my time won’t be my
own for the next two weeks. But I will miss not holding you at night.”

“I’m needed in New York.”

“You’re needed here.” Gaige turned her around. “
I
need you.”

“That’s good to hear.”

She willed him to say the words.
I love you, Violet
.
Instead, she received a very satisfactory kiss. It felt like I love you. For
now, she would settle for that.

“We won’t see each other for almost two weeks,” he reminded
her. “Facetime isn’t quite the same.”

“All I want is for you to concentrate on getting ready for
the game.” Violet shook her head. “Theoretically, I understand why there’s a
two-week gap, but don’t you want to get to it?”

“It’s all about the hype. Which adds up to more money in
everyone’s pockets. On the field, football is a game. The rest of the time, it’s
big business.”

“How do you feel about that?”

“Look around.” He spread his arms. “I would be a hypocrite
if I complained.”

“Complain all you want. I won’t tell anyone.”

Gaige laughed, his eyes crinkling at the sides. “Maybe
later.” He pulled her close, his kiss sweet. “I wish you would let me take you
to the airport.”

“And cause a riot?” She followed him out the door to the
waiting taxi. “You would be mobbed. Do us both a favor, stay here and veg out.
You’ve earned it.”

They both knew that the instant Violet was gone, Gaige would
be on his way to Knights’ headquarters. There was too much to do between now
and Super Bowl Sunday. Two weeks seemed like a long time, but for Gaige, the
days would fly by. For Violet, it would seem like an eternity.

“Call me the second your plane lands.”

“I will.”

Violet didn’t know why, but she felt a chill race down her
spine. She wasn’t big on premonitions. Everyone had those moments when it felt
like their world was about to turn on its side. Nine times out of ten, nothing
happened. It was that tenth that had her suddenly on edge.

“Hey,” Gaige said when she threw herself into his arms. “What’s
this about?”

“I—” How could she explain the feeling? She shook her head. “I’ll
miss you.”

“I know.” He hugged her close. “Two weeks. And phone calls
every night.”

Violet watched him until the taxi turned the corner. She
gave herself a mental shake. Gaige was right. It was only two weeks. She had
his phone number. His face had a permanent place in her mind and her heart. No
one could keep them apart. She knew all of that. But the feeling of unease
followed her onto the plane and all the way to New York.

“ARE YOU READY for one more mindless press conference?” Sean
asked.

“It’s not so bad. Yesterday a reporter wanted to know if I
were a natural blonde.”

Sean snorted. “She asked because she was hoping to find out
for herself. Paula Brand isn’t a reporter. She’s a groupie with a press pass.”

“Are you speaking from experience?”

“Yes,” Sean answered without hesitation. “In my wilder days.
I don’t know why I ever thought I needed anyone but Riley.”

“Sure you do. You were young, and your dick did your
thinking for you.” Gaige slapped him on the back. “Luckily you finally grew up.”

“Come on, you two,” Logan called out. “The sooner we get
there the sooner I can meet Claire for dinner.”

“Food and a beautiful woman.” Sean sighed. He shot a look at
Gaige. “When is Violet getting here?”

“Not until Saturday. She has a surgery scheduled on Friday.
She’s taking the first flight the next morning.”

It was mid-week. Meet the press day. He, Sean, and Logan
were doing a joint Q and A session that would last until three o’clock. After
that, all official interviews were over. The next three days were set aside for
practice and strategy sessions. Gaige was ready for the circus to leave town so
they could get down to serious football business.

Gaige took his seat next to Sean, ready for the same old
same old. The next twenty minutes were exactly that. There were no questions
that hadn’t already been asked and answered at least a dozen times. But they
remained gracious and friendly. This was part of the job—a small price to pay
when you considered the alternative. They could be sitting at home, waiting for
next year.

The conference was winding down when a buzz started at the
back of the room. Gaige exchanged puzzled looks with Logan. Sean looked at his
phone.

“Shit. Gaige,” Sean put a hand on his arm. “We need to get
out of here.”

“What happened?”

Out of the corner of Gaige’s eye, he saw Harry Coleman enter
the room, followed by Riley. They were making their way to the dais when all
hell broke loose.

“Gaige,” a faceless voice called out over everyone else. “Did
you know that your father placed a twenty-five-thousand-dollar bet on Baltimore
to win?”

Son of a bitch
. Gaige knew that the Knights’
management wanted him out of there before he answered. But he wasn’t letting
the world think he had anything to hide. Or anything to do with Don Benson.

“I will answer the question.” The room quieted. “Only the
one. Let me make myself clear. I have no control over my father’s actions. Nor
did I have any knowledge that he was going to place a bet on the outcome of the
Super Bowl.”

Gaige stood to leave. Questions flew from every direction,
noise level rising, but one of the reporters managed to get his attention.

“Gaige! Gaige! Why did your father bet against the Knights?”

Though Riley urged him toward the exit, Gaige paused. He
leaned down near the microphone to make sure everyone heard his answer.

“I guess he’s a Baltimore fan.”

IT WAS ONE of those days. From the moment Violet arrived at the
hospital, she hadn’t been able to catch her breath. In a pinch, she went beyond
her duties as an in-house eye specialist. There seemed to be a never-ending
series of fires to put out. Three doctors were out sick. A bus crash. Three
cabs diverged at an intersection at exactly the same moment. And that was only
her first hour.

She missed lunch, which wasn’t unusual on a normal day.
However, by mid-afternoon, she was thrilled with a few minutes to kick off her
running shoes, put up her feet, and feast on a carton of yogurt with a
questionable expiration date.

Pauline joined her in the lounge carrying two large cups of
coffee.

“Where did you get this?” Excited, Violet removed the lid,
inhaling deeply.

“The new orderly has a crush on me.”

“Danny?” Violet sighed with pleasure at her first sip of the
dark, steaming liquid.

Pauline nodded. She kicked off her shoes and joined Violet. “I
told him I was married—happily. He claims that all he wants is to bask in my
beauty.”

Violet almost spit out her mouthful of coffee. “It’s a good
line.”

“It’s bullshit. But that doesn’t mean he can’t make himself
useful. I told him to bask by going for a couple of tall and blacks. I have to
admit it wasn’t a hardship watching that tight ass hustle across the street.”