Marred

by Tess Thompson

  Violet

  * * *

  VIOLET AND KYLE arrived in San Francisco around noon. Brody and Kara had gone to see the specialist that morning and were already home. Results of an MRI wouldn’t be back until later that afternoon. Honor had suggested they take Kara shopping while the Dogs hung out at the condo. The doctors had warned Brody to take it easy. He was in a neck brace until they discovered the extent of his injuries. The Dogs had promised to do nothing but play poker.

  Kyle had slipped some bills in Violet’s hand as she and Kara were about to leave. “I don’t want you to be the only one without shopping money.”

  She’d said no, but he insisted. “Consider it a bonus. I know you’re paying down your debt with every cent you’re making, and I want you to buy something nice for yourself. Please, let me do this for you.”

  It wasn’t until they were in an Uber to the shopping district that she unfolded the wad of bills to discover ten one-hundred-dollar bills. She had fanned them out on her lap and told the other ladies she couldn’t possibly accept them. They disagreed, adamant she should take the bonus and buy herself some new clothes.

  “Do it for me,” Kara said. “It’ll be so much fun to help you pick out some new things. Perfect distraction.”

  They spent the day in and out of shops, trying on clothes and looking at accessories. At the end of the afternoon, they all agreed that shopping was harder than it looked, and they couldn’t wait to get home and go to dinner with the Dogs. If Kara was worried about Brody’s test results, she didn’t mention it.

  Around five that afternoon, they rushed in with their packages, laughing and pink-cheeked from the cold. All five of the Dogs were in the living room. It was if a black cloud had entered the room. Brody was slouched in one of the armchairs with a bottle of whiskey in his lap. Jackson leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. Zane sat backward in a hardback chair. Kyle was on the floor with his back against the couch, peeling the label off a beer bottle. Lance paced around the room.

  “What is it?” Kara’s face drained of color. She dropped her bags on the floor. “What did the doctor say?”

  “I’m done.” Brody tugged on his neck brace like he wanted to peel it off.

  “Done? For the season?” Kara asked.

  “Forever,” Brody said. “They said it’s too risky. One wrong hit and I may never walk again.”

  Honor deposited her bags on the floor, speaking in an even tone. “What did they say exactly? Jackson, tell us in a way we can understand.”

  Jackson interpreted it for them, explaining that an injury this severe meant a risk of paralysis if he continued to play. “There’s nothing that can be done. There’s too much nerve damage.”

  Kara dropped to her knees near Brody’s chair, obviously too shocked to speak.

  Clearly no one knew what to say. Even Honor, who always knew how to wrangle any situation, seemed at a loss.

  “But you’ll be fine if you don’t play, right?” Honor asked. “If you retire?”

  “That’s what the doctors said to me this afternoon. They were quite clear on it.” Brody took a swig of whiskey. “Football has been my life. All my life. I don’t know what to do without it.”

  “There’s a whole world out there,” Lance said. “You’ll have time to actually explore it now.”

  Brody looked at his brother with blank eyes. “I don’t want to. I want to play football.”

  “This doesn’t mean you have to leave the sport,” Lance said. “You could coach or go into announcing like Dad. You’ve had a good run. It’s time, with or without the injury.”

  “It’s not time,” Brody said. “Not like this.”

  Zane perched on the arm of the sofa. “You won a Super Bowl. Everything you set out to do, you’ve done.”

  “I didn’t want to go out like this. Not injured. I wanted to go out on my own terms, not because I have to,” Brody said.

  “Take it easy on the whiskey,” Kara said. “You haven’t had a drink all season.”

  “You’ve been disciplined and driven for a long time,” Jackson said. “You’ll have the chance to have a life without so much pressure. You can take Kara places. Have a family. Spend time doing normal stuff like the rest of us.”

  “My life was football,” Brody said.

  “I thought I was your life,” Kara said.

  “Baby, you are. Of course, you are. You know what I mean.”

  “I do,” Kara said. “You knew eventually this was going to happen. Like Lance said, you’ve played longer than most. It’s not like we need more money.”

  “It’s not about the money,” Brody said.

  It was about identity. Violet understood. She wrestled with this very thing when she had to close the store. Who was she without her shop? She looked over at Kyle. He hadn’t said anything this entire time. What was he thinking?

  “What about Honor?” Brody directed the question at Kara like it was her fault. “She’s suddenly out of a job.”

  “Not really,” Honor said. “You’re going to remain a hot commodity for years to come. I’ll still be figuring out ways for you to make more money than you know what to do with. Anyway, you don’t owe me anything. I’m perfectly capable of working for someone else. We know everyone in this business, and I have a good reputation.”

  “I don’t want you working for anyone else,” Brody said.

  “You’re not responsible for everyone on the planet,” Zane said. “Honor’s the queen of her own castle.”

  “I’ll always be grateful, Brody, you know that. But you don’t have to take care of me,” Honor said. “You’ve done so much for me already.”

  “And I could use your help with the brewery plans, to tell you the truth,” Zane said to Brody.

  “I know what you guys are trying to do here, but I’m not buying it. Help out with the brewery plans? You don’t need help. The only thing I know is football. Who am I if I’m not a quarterback? I’ve been one since I was in seventh grade.”

  “You’re a husband, brother, friend,” Kara said. “Hopefully a father soon.”

  “A Dog,” Zane said. “You’ll always be the quarterback of this motley crew.” He gestured around the room.

  Maggie stepped forward. “Brody, I understand this better than anyone. When they told me I couldn’t dance any more it felt like my life was over. Who was I if not a song and dance girl? But it was just the beginning of something great. Different, but equally wonderful. I know it’s impossible to see now, but you will get through this and come out the other side.”

  For the first time, Brody’s stubborn expression softened. “I forgot that part of your story.”

  “I got through it. You will too. And like the Dogs said, we’re all here for you.” Maggie still clutched her bags to her chest like they were a life jacket.

  Kyle spoke for the first time. “Man, you’ve been my hero since the day I met you. Not because of your game but because of who you are down deep. You’ll figure out what to do next and you’ll do it like you’ve played football—with grace and integrity and hard work. It’s a blow. I get that. But we’ve all had setbacks and got right back up to try again. You taught us how to do that better than anyone.”

  “Thanks, man,” Brody said, wiping his eyes. “I just need some time.”

  They should leave. Give the couple some time to talk. “We should maybe let Brody and Kara talk alone,” Violet said.

  Jackson nodded. “We can go down to the bar. Give you guys some alone time.”

  The other Dogs quickly rallied, gathering coats and wallets. Before she knew it, all seven of them were crammed in the elevator headed down to the lobby. No one spoke until they reached the first floor. Then, they stood huddled together, unsure of what to do.

  “What do we do now?” Kyle asked.

  “Crap, I don’t know,” Honor said.

  “Should we go home?” Jackson asked.

  “We can’t. I have a meeting in the morning,” Maggie said.

  “Ri
ght. I knew that. Sorry, I’m shaken up,” Jackson said.

  “Me too,” Zane said. “I’ve never seen him like that.”

  “He’ll recover,” Lance said. “Tomorrow he’s going to be majorly hungover. But he won’t be down for long. He’ll rally. You’ll see. He’ll be in the broadcasting booth by this time next year. In the long run, this is better for Kara. She worries herself sick over him every single practice and game.”

  “It did have to happen eventually,” Honor said. “I thought he should’ve retired after last season, but he wouldn’t even consider it.”

  “Kara misses him a lot when he’s on the road,” Jackson said. “And I know she’d prefer to work more at our office. She keeps saying her nurse practitioner degree is being wasted as the invisible partner to a famous football player.”

  “I never thought of it from that angle,” Zane said. “Come on, let’s get some food and drinks. Let’s toast our favorite quarterback of all time.”

  Violet ended up sitting next to Kyle. They were seated in the largest booth in the restaurant. She and Kyle were on one end, with Jackson and Maggie on the other and Zane and Honor in the middle. Lance had grabbed an extra chair from another table.

  “Did you get some pretty things?” Kyle asked, leaning close to speak into her ear.

  “You gave me too much money.”

  “Did you get some pretty things?” he repeated, smiling indulgently.

  “Yes. I spent the whole amount. I’m disgusted with myself.”

  He chuckled. “Good. You’ve made me happy.”

  “Flora texted and said everyone was doing well and behaving themselves. Jubie hasn’t left the baby for a moment, which made Dakota jealous. Flora was able to distract him by making cookies and buying him a new truck at the toy store.”

  “Well played, Dakota,” Kyle said.

  They ordered dinner and drinks, more subdued than usual, given Brody’s situation. Finally, Lance broke the mood by ordering a round of shots. “Listen to me, you guys. Brody’s basically lived a charmed life. He got to play football for most of it. Yes, it’s a bummer he’s forced to quit, but we need to keep this in perspective. He’s rich and he’s married to a beautiful and smart woman who worships him. We don’t need to feel too sorry for him. He’ll bounce back. Our dad did after he retired. Now, let’s have some fun.”

  “To Brody and the future,” Jackson said.

  “Down the hatch,” Honor said.

  They all did as they were told. Violet almost gagged, not used to hard alcohol. “You okay?” Kyle asked.

  “Strong.” She coughed. Everyone laughed.

  A DJ played music from the corner of the restaurant while they were eating. The lights were dimmed and a disco ball hanging from the ceiling cast sparkles on the walls and floor. A woman came over and asked Lance to dance, which he reluctantly agreed to. The others got up to dance as well, leaving Violet alone with Kyle.

  “We could dance, if you wanted to,” Kyle said.

  “Do you?”

  “It’s perilous,” he said.

  “Yeah.”

  “But so is sitting this close to you, so we may as well go for it.”

  “Fine.”

  She scooted out of the booth. He followed her to the dance floor. A ballad was playing. The place wasn’t busy, with only a few others besides their friends on the dance floor. Kyle held out his arms and she walked into them. He was taller than her by about five or six inches, but in her high-heeled boots, she could easily spread her hands in his hair. Not that she would, of course. His spicy cologne was enough to make her want to take a bite out of his ear.

  A man at the bar with a thick neck and square head was staring at her. She avoided looking at him again by concentrating on Kyle. The way his hair curled just above the collar of his sweater made her fingers itch.

  “That guy’s staring at you,” Kyle said.

  “Maybe he’s staring at you.”

  “It’s not that kind of bar.”

  “Doesn’t he see I’m with you?”

  “Clearly not. He reminds me of someone I once knew,” Kyle said under his breath.

  “Just ignore him.”

  “Good idea. I’d rather look at you anyway,” he said.

  After a few songs, they decided to go the bar and order a drink. Kyle asked if she’d order him a scotch, neat, while he used the restroom.

  “I know what you want,” she said.

  He tucked her hair behind one ear and looked right into her eyes. “Do you?”

  She held her breath, as if that would squelch the rush of desire that coursed through every nerve ending.

  “I meant what you like to drink,” she said.

  “I know. I’m just teasing you.” His hand lingered on her arm for a moment, warm and dry.

  She watched him walk away, his hard body visible through the tight knit sweater. What was she going to do about this man? She knew what she wanted to do to him, which was unfortunate. She ordered Kyle’s drink and asked for a white wine for herself. The bartender, a slight, balding man with a bored expression told her he needed to grab a few bottles of wine from the storage area. She perched on a barstool, nervous to be left alone at the bar with only the thick-necked man. The others were still on the dance floor. Seconds later, the guy started toward her. She looked down, pretending to be interested in the coaster. He slid onto the barstool next to her, close enough to look down her blouse.

  “What’re you drinking?” His words slurred. He was drunk. Great. She’d never get rid of him. He tipped toward her. One wrong move and he’d be on her lap.

  “I’m with someone.”

  “With gay boy?”

  “Please, just leave me alone. I’m not interested.” She looked away. The bartender had yet to return.

  “Why’s that? You think you’re too good for me.” He sneered and put his face close to hers. His breath would light the whole place on fire if someone struck a match.

  “No, I told you, I’m here with someone.” She slid from the other side of the stool. Considering how intoxicated he was, the man moved quickly, pinning her against the counter with the bulk of his body.

  His hands were as thick and large as his neck. He placed them on her shoulders. Something hard pressed against her stomach. She gagged, realizing it was his erection.

  “Get off me.” She tried to push him away, but he trapped her hands in his fat ones and twisted her arms behind her back. And then he was gone. Kyle had lifted the man and thrown him three feet across the room. Before he could get to his feet, Kyle was on top of him, pummeling the guy’s face.

  She screamed for help. Her friends were already there by then. Jackson and Zane, both strong from years of surfing, managed to pull Kyle off the guy, whose face was bloodied and already starting to swell. The bartender finally appeared with two bottles of wine in his arms.

  “Oh, for Christ’s sake. Go. Before anyone calls the cops,” he said with the same bored expression as before. “I’ll take care of this one.”

  Jackson and Zane each held one of Kyle’s arms as he struggled to get away from them. “Calm down, buddy,” Jackson said.

  “Let me go.” Kyle panted, flushed with anger. “I’ll kill that asshole, I swear to God.”

  “Please, Kyle, we should go,” Violet said. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

  Her voice seemed to calm him. He nodded and followed Jackson out the door and onto the street. Violet and the others followed. Within minutes they were back in the lobby of Brody’s building. No one spoke as they headed up in the elevator. Maggie’s face was white and scared. Honor looked mad. Other than Kyle, the men, strangely, seemed amused.

  They entered the empty living room quietly. Hopefully Kara had gotten Brody to bed with some water and pain killers.

  Once they were safely inside, Honor said something about Kyle’s hands. Violet hadn’t noticed before, but they were bloodied and bruised. “I’ll get something to clean up your knuckles,” Honor said.

 
; Violet froze in the middle of the room. Cold after the rush of adrenaline, she started to shake.

  Jackson took her by the hand and led her over to the sofa. “Here, just sit. I’ll get you something to calm your nerves.”

  “Better get one for him too,” Zane said, pointing at Kyle.

  “Make it a double,” Kyle said.

  Maggie sat next to Violet on the couch and took her hand. Violet rested her head against Maggie’s shoulder, happy for the warmth of her friend’s body next to hers. “It’s okay now,” Maggie whispered. “You’re safe with us.”

  “What the hell happened?” Zane asked.

  “He had Violet pinned against the bar with his hands all over her.” Kyle winced as Honor placed a damp cloth on his hands.

  Violet shuddered. “He had me trapped.”

  “That piece of shit deserved everything he got,” Kyle said.

  Jackson handed Violet a glass of whiskey.

  “No, I’m fine,” Violet said.

  “Drink up,” Maggie said. “It’ll warm you.”

  Violet did as she was asked. The whiskey helped even though it tasted terrible. Kyle was on his feet, pacing between the fireplace and the sofa, looking like a thundercloud.

  Lance planted a drink and a plastic bag of ice on the coffee table. “Kyle, come sit. You need to relax. It’s over now.”

  Kyle picked up the drink but remained standing and talked about her as if she weren’t in the room. “I shouldn’t have left her alone. It was my fault.” He downed his drink in one gulp. “I saw that asshat looking at her earlier. I know his type. I grew up with a dozen guys just like him.” He turned to Violet. “I should’ve stayed with you.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. The bartender went to the back and the guy just pounced on me.” Her voice shook almost as hard as her trembling hands.

  He crossed over to the couch and sat beside her. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  “I’m fine. Just shook up, that’s all.”

  Jackson announced that it was time for him to get Maggie back to their hotel room for her meeting tomorrow. Zane and Honor agreed that it was time for them to go as well, leaving Violet alone with Kyle and Lance.