Page 20 of Against All Odds (Ember Falls #3)

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Violet

I made it through the day without any major catastrophes, which is a win in my book. The kids behaved, we made it through more of Romeo and Juliet , and tonight I don’t have to cook.

When I stopped in Prose & Perk for some required caffeine, Hazel invited me for a girls’ night where I can get to know Penelope and Ainsley better. I’m really excited because I miss Ana and that close friendship with other women.

I drop my bag and head upstairs, flopping on the bed.

The bed.

This bed.

The bed he bought me and where last night there was very little sleeping. I roll over, burying my head in the pillow, and catch the remnants of all things Everett. Fresh air, woodsy, and a little bit of farm, but when you bundle it together, it’s just him.

I flop back over, refusing to be a pillow sniffer, and grab my phone as it rings. Well, this should be eventful.

“Hi, Mom,” I say in a sweet singsong voice.

Whenever I talk to her, this is how I sound. My mother doesn’t like unpleasant people, so I’ve spent my entire life being—happy.

“Hello, Violet. How are you?”

“I’m good. You?”

“Wonderful. Your father is off on a hike today while I stayed back at the village.”

“And you’re in Peru?”

“Yes, it’s wonderful here. Very hot, but we’ve made some interesting findings that could lead to a real discovery.”

I love my mother, but this is the script she follows all the time. Not that she hasn’t already done some incredible work, but she’s had a lot more misses than wins.

“I’m sure that no matter what, the work you’re doing is meaningful.”

“Yes, dear, that’s why I continue to do this. How is teaching? Have you spoken to Dylan?”

“Teaching is great, I love my students. I haven’t spoken to Dylan in a while other than when he called me asking for me to get him out of the PR nightmare he was in, but he fixed it.”

By getting engaged.

Mom huffs. “Did he?”

“Yes, and I have nothing more to say to him.”

“That’s your decision.”

One she doesn’t agree with. Although that’s nothing new. Mom is my biggest critic. “It is and I’m content with it.”

“Good, then. And Ember Falls? Have you seen any of your old friends or Gran’s old neighbors?”

I smile at that, because yes, I have seen Gran’s neighbor. “A lot of the people we knew here are still in the town. Hazel is doing great, Miles is the principal, which I told you, and I saw Everett as well.”

“I hope you stop by to see their families, and when you do, be sure to send them our love.”

“I will, Mom. I know Dad will want me to do that as well.”

My father grew up in Ember Falls, but he never felt like he belonged here. He was into digging holes and finding buried treasure. He would tell me about how the other boys wanted to ride bikes and play sports, but he’d rather dissect something.

However, this place was his home.

“Yes, he would. Now, I’m curious, did you file for divorce, or are you and Dylan going to find a way to work through your issues?”

My head drops and the exhaustion overwhelms me. Not just because I’m running on only a few hours of sleep, but because talking to her always drains me.

There are expectations I can never meet.

I don’t do things well enough. I don’t work hard enough.

I don’t put the effort in required to be a success.

“It takes a lot of work to be at the top, Violet. You can’t worry about boys and makeup, you need to focus on what matters.

” I heard it over and over or I got: “Marriage isn’t for quitters.

You have to give more of yourself than you take. ”

I gave all and was left with nothing.

“Mom, there is no marriage to save. He cheated on me, and he’s now engaged to another woman,” I say, using the firmest voice I can manage with her.

She’s silent for a moment. “That’s that then.”

“Yes, that’s that.”

It should’ve ended years ago, but when I went to my parents to talk about how I was feeling, they nearly blew a gasket about walking away from a marriage. It’s unforgivable for them.

“I’d love to stay and chat, darling, but I need to meet your father and get things organized for the dig. We’re finding that doing it a little later is proving to be better.”

As if I knew what that meant. “I’m glad you’re finding success.”

“Take care of yourself, okay?”

“I will, Mom. Give Dad a kiss for me and tell him I love him.”

“I will. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hang up. “I love you too, Mom,” I say quietly.

After I take a twenty-minute power nap, I hop in the shower and get ready to head to Hazel’s. Once I’m in my jeans and USC hoodie, I make the fifteen-minute drive. Hazel moved out of her family’s home and into her own that’s closer to the center of town. It’s small, but super cute.

“You made it!” Hazel says as she sees me climbing the stairs. She and the girls are out on the porch, which has an adorable swing and two chairs.

“Oh wow! Your porch is to die for.”

She smiles as she closes the distance between us. “It’s why I bought this place. I loved the porch and figured I could fix whatever I hated inside. Luckily, I love the inside just as much.”

“I love it.”

Hazel takes my hand in hers, leading me up the stairs. “Ainsley, Penny, you guys have all met Violet.”

They both come over and give me hugs. “It’s great to see you outside of the coffee shop,” Penny says.

“I know we’ve met a few times, but it’ll be so nice to get to know you for real.” Ainsley’s warmth is laced in each word.

“Thank you for letting me crash your girls’ night.”

Ainsley scoffs and waves her hand. “You’re not crashing! You’re a welcomed member to our little squad.”

“Well, I’m grateful to be welcomed into the fold then.” I’ve been in Ember Falls for a little over a month, and this place has started to feel more like home.

“You may have regrets about that,” Penny says with a grin. “These two are relentless, and while both are amazing, you’ll find it hard to say no to them.”

“I’m a delight,” Ainsley says while batting her lashes.

I laugh, instantly loving her. She reminds me of Analeigh. “You sound like my best friend. I swear that’s her catchphrase.”

“It’s a good one.”

“It is and also completely untrue about her,” I tell Ainsley.

She grins, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “My fiancé would agree that it also does not apply to me, but ... I don’t give a shit.”

“Neither would Analeigh.”

“Then when she comes to visit, you have to bring her.”

The idea of Analeigh in Ember Falls is almost funnier than anything. She would absolutely lose her mind here. “If that ever happens, I definitely will.”

Hazel’s eyes narrow slightly as though she’s figured something out. “Analeigh? Like as in Analeigh Walsh?”

I nod. “That’s the same one, only now she’s married.”

“Oh my God! I loved her dad!”

I laugh because everyone does. Her dad was a famous boy band member whom my grandmother loved before he became an actor. There are generations of women who adore Eli Walsh. “He’s really a sweet guy.”

“That makes me so happy to hear,” Hazel says with a dreamy sigh. “So many times you find out a person you idolize is a dick, and that ruins the fantasy.”

“Don’t I know it.” I married one.

“Yes, well, don’t worry. We all hate Dylan now,” Ainsley says.

I love that they have my back without even knowing me. Besides Analeigh, I never really had someone watch out for me like that. “I appreciate the solidarity.”

We spend the next hour laughing and talking about life and some fun gossip about Ember Falls. I laugh way too hard when Ainsley talks about the fire at the cabin she was staying in when she first got here.

“That cabin should’ve been condemned when I used to visit,” I say between giggles.

“The listing online didn’t mention any of the issues it had,” Ainsley says with a sigh.

“And then it caught fire?”

“Well, it caught smoke. It didn’t get to a fire, but without that event, I wouldn’t have been forced to stay with Lachlan.”

Aww, that’s sweet. “When is the wedding?” I ask.

“If you ask Lachlan, he’d say tomorrow, but we really don’t have a plan. I’d like to have a small wedding, on the beach, with just our families there. However, his daughter, Rose, wants a huge wedding where she can be the flower girl who wears a tiara. She also demands I have a very big dress.”

“That is something to consider,” Penny says. “I mean, she’s a princess.”

Ainsley turns to me. “She really is. She’s so adorable and I love her so much. Most likely, we’ll find a compromise.” Then she looks at Penny. “And what about you guys?”

“Oh, we’ll have a bigger wedding. According to Miles, I’ve spent way too many years hiding away, and I’m going to have a day where I’m the center of attention. Even though we all know I’m not all that excited about it.”

Hazel sighs dramatically. “Oh, the horrors you both face.”

“I had a big wedding and an even bigger marriage implosion,” I say absently.

My wedding was truly one for the books. My parents, being as conventional as they were, had a lot of things they felt were necessary for their only—virginal—daughter. Yeah, that conversation was hilarious to sit and listen to, since I stopped being a virgin when I was sixteen.

I really didn’t care about any of the things they asked for, but my mom suddenly was the mother I always wanted. She was so much fun during the planning. I think it was a lot like an expedition for her, so I let her have control and enjoyed our time together.

Hazel reaches over, taking my hand. “It brought you back to Ember Falls, and I know that there are several people truly happy about that.”

I think about last night and the way he touched me, kissed me, how he made me scream his name and how I could feel my body temperature rise.

I do my best to hide my thoughts, but Hazel is close and she studies me. “I wonder if you’re happy about someone too?”

“Oh, Everett and you were a thing as kids, right?” Ainsley asks.

Hazel shifts. “They were so gross. Seriously, Miles and I would have to go in other rooms because they were horny teenagers.”

“Hazel!” I protest. “It was not like that.”

“Ha! You were always making out, and after you and he finally”—she makes a very clear sexual innuendo with her hands—“it was even worse. Then you guys would actually ask us to go away.”

I hide my face in shame. “Oh my God.”

The girls laugh and Hazel nudges me. “Don’t be embarrassed, Vi, you guys were actually super cute.”

I peek through my fingers. “Cute? You just said we were gross.”

“Okay, maybe gross isn’t the right word. However, let’s not get away from my original point. Are you happy to be back because of someone else?”

“Am I happy to see Everett? Of course. I loved him with my whole heart, and I’ve always had regrets around how that all ended.

I’m really glad we’ve been able to talk and work it out, find a new .

.. friendship. He was a huge concern when I decided to come back here.

I wasn’t sure if he was married or had kids, so I was really uncomfortable. ”

Ainsley smiles. “I get that. I knew Lachlan since I was a kid. He and my brother are best friends, and I remember wanting to puke thinking I’d have to come here and find him with someone and pretend I didn’t care.

Not that I would’ve been upset if he was happy, but facing it is super hard when you loved them. ”

I’m glad someone understands. “Exactly. I want him to be happy, and it seems like his life is pretty great here. It’s going to make it easier when I have to leave.”

“Why do you have to leave?” Penny asks.

“My contract here is just one school year.”

Penelope pulls her legs up, wrapping her arms around them. “Talk to Miles before you decide anything. The worst he can say is no.”

I nod even though I know that won’t happen. Besides my contract being valid for only one year, I can’t stay because there’s no way I’ll be able to resist wanting something more with Everett, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want that.

Just like I have.

“I don’t know that I can hide away here forever.”

“Is it hiding?” Penelope asks. “I know all about hiding, but it seems like I found myself here more than anything. Maybe the same can be for you.”

“I hope I find myself, but on the heels of this ordeal with my ex, I don’t know that love will be what I find,” I confess.

Not that a part of me won’t always love Everett, because there will always be a part of my heart that’s been reserved for him.

You can’t love someone that much and not be forever altered by it.

“He’s always missed you, Vi,” Hazel says cautiously. “Please just be careful, because the two of you could very easily fall back together, and when you leave, I don’t want to pick him back up again.”

Yeah, I need to be careful for myself too.

I’m blaring my favorite song, singing as loud as I can as I drive back home. The sun has set, the stars are shining, and I’m still singing my silly heart out when I put the car in park. You don’t just shut the car off in the middle of a ballad.

The song finishes and I’ve grabbed my purse to exit the car when I see a shadow of someone moving on my porch.

My heart starts to race, and all the blood drains from my face.

Oh, God. I’m going to die.

I try to remember what to do from those self-defense classes.

However, my brain seems to have gone blank. I should do something. I should ... run or use my car. That’s what I should do.

I start my car back up and then the shadow is at my window, the hood is pushed back, and I realize it’s not a serial killer or someone who wanted to abduct me. It’s Everett.

I let out a very heavy breath and pry my fingers from the death grip I have on the steering wheel.

I manage to get out of the car on shaky legs. “Everett, you scared the crap out of me.”

“I was sitting right there. You probably didn’t notice me as it was all coming back to you, huh?”

Great. He heard me singing. Fabulous.

“After a good girls’ night out, you should always end it with a song.”

He chuckles. “I’ll take your word for it.”

My heart is finally beating at a normal pace. I lean against my car door, wondering why he’s here and also hoping it’s for the same reason I thought about turning down his driveway when I was coming home.

I lift my gaze, our eyes meeting, and it feels as though we’re both saying a million things.

Do you want me still?

Did we make a mistake?

Should we make another one?

Neither of us speak, and then I feel the brush of his knuckles against my face. My eyes close as I lean into the touch. So soft. So gentle. So perfect.

“Everett, why are you here?” I ask, barely a whisper.

He holds my face in his hands, tilting it up until I’m looking into his gorgeous brown eyes. “It’s still tomorrow.”