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“People don’t change, Mike. If there’s one thing that life has taught me, it’s that,” she says, and her body relaxes, but the sadness that emotes from her and the somberness in her voice both combine to tell me that it’s not a good thing. She hasn’t forgiven me… she’s just tired.
“You shouldn’t have to change for anyone. You should be who you are,” she says, her eyes closed.
Suddenly I get the feeling she’s talking more about herself than me. I bend down and kiss her forehead, holding the side of her neck as delicately as I can.
“I’m sorry Violet. I’m so fucking sorry. I was a jealous ass and you didn’t deserve any of it.”
“Why were you jealous?” she asks, a line forming on her forehead that I automatically kiss again to try and make it smooth out.
“You were leaving to go with my brother. I saw the way you checked him out before I got there—”
“Whoa, I did not check your brother out.”
“Now who’s lying?” I half-laugh, the sound cynical even to my own ears.
“I’m not. I looked at him, I mean I’m a girl and he’s hot as hell—”
“That’s not helping, Angel.”
“It’s just being honest, but I was not sizing him up. Jesus, I got one Huntington annoying the shit out of me. Do you really think I want to try and tackle another one?”
“All the girls do. Hell, half of the girls I’ve been with only get with me in hopes of moving up to my brother.”
“Oh please, if Lindy is any example of the girls in your past, it’s no wonder.”
“You’re telling me that you wouldn’t try for my brother if the opportunity arose, or we didn’t work out?”
“First of all, what you’re suggesting is just gross. Secondly, you and I aren’t together to work out. Will you let me go, please? I need to—”
“You need to give me a second chance,” I tell her, holding her gaze with my own.
“A second chance to what? Blackmail me? You did great at that the first time. No reason to try a second time,” she gripes.
“Violet, let’s start over. Spend time with me. Give me a chance. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure you don’t regret it.”
“Mike—”
“Please, baby?” I beg, sensing her softening toward me, but also knowing that I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.
I want her.
“I bet you’ve never begged a girl before,” she mumbles, with a drawn-out exhale of breath—that for some reason gives me hope.
“I’ve never begged anyone,” I respond, and I’m kind of lying, I have begged to my father, at least early on. She doesn’t need to know that. I want her to want me. I don’t want her pity. “It’s never been more important to me, though, Violet. Give me another chance.”
“Chance for what? What exactly are we doing here, Mike?”
“I think you know the answer to that. If you’re honest with yourself it’s the only reason you’ve put up with my bullshit to begin with. You like me Violet, as much as I like you,” I tell her, praying she’ll admit it. There’s no way in fuck she likes me the same. Hell, I’m obsessed with her. But, I can’t tell her that. It would probably scare the hell out of her.
It scares me.
“You haven’t given me a chance to like you, Mike.”
“That’s going to change. Starting today, if you agree.”
“You’re saying you’re going to keep my secret, not give me shit about dancing and do your best to be a decent human being?” she asks, and I can’t blame her for being skeptical.
“I still don’t really like you up there dancing,” I mutter, unable to lie. She immediately stiffens, but I don’t let her leave my arms. “But, I can deal. I just… I need you to give us another go, Vi. I promise you won’t regret it.”
“I already do,” she responds, resigned.
“That mean you’re staying?”
“I don’t know how I’ll explain the change to Mr. D and the board of the BMA, but I guess,” she mutters.
“I’m going to kiss you, Angel,” I tell her, feeling the weight on my shoulders begin to lift. Hell, I’m barely resisting the urge to yell out in victory.
“Don’t make me regret this, Mike. I may be attracted to you, but there’s no reason I should be. If you hurt me or play me for the fool again—”
“Not happening, Violet. You’re going to see a different Michael Huntington from here on out.”
“Do you even know who Michael Huntington is?” she asks, proving she’s smarter than anyone I’ve ever had in my life.
“Not yet, but I’m hoping we’ll find that out together, Angel.”
“Kiss me before I regret this decision even more,” she orders and I smile as I take her mouth, claiming it, but doing it with more tenderness than I’ve ever shown her—with more tenderness than I ever knew existed. I do it because it’s Violet and she matters.
