He Shoots, She Scores

By Emeline Piaget

Violet Byrd is beautiful, smart and successful. She has it all, or at least she thought she did until it was time to go to her ten-year high school reunion. Suddenly she has to confront her days of braces, pigtails, and HIM, International sports star Eduardo Mondragón. Confronting her former flame and love of her life proves to be quite dramatic. How will she react when she sees him? Will she be able to overcome her past to ensure her future happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emeline Piaget
• Release date: Mar 25, 2018

Book preview

One

VIOLET

I can’t believe it’s reunion time already, Greta exclaimed.

I know, right. That flew by, Dory added.

Ugh.  Ten years. I feel old, Greta sighed.

You might be getting old, but I’m refined, I teased.

Shut up. We aren’t old, and ten years isn’t even that long. Nina fussed.

I had so many things that I wanted to do before our ten-year, so that I could come back and rub the ‘Britt-threes’ noses in it. Shelbi lamented.

Oh, my lord, the ‘Britt-threes’. I haven’t thought about them in forever.

It was a reference to the most popular cheerleaders in our school; Brittney Kranz, Brittani Schultz and Brittany Szabo. Imagine Regina George on steroids times three.

I looked them up on Insta, Szabo’s page is the only one that’s public, Dory uttered. She posted a pic of ‘the three’ at brunch or something recently. All I’m saying is we’ve got nothing to worry about.

Do we have to go? Can’t we just continue stalking Facebook? Greta pouted.

Yes, we have to go. I chided.

Nina gave me a knowing look that said, you just want to see if he’ll show up.

For the last three years, the five of us have been getting together at least every other month, to catch up, gossip and unwind. It could be anything from drinks after work, to breakfast or dinner, sometimes we even went bowling. It all just depended on our schedules.

Nina was a travel writer, so she was off exploring the world several weeks at a time. Shelbi was an obstetrician, Dory a singer/waitress, Greta worked for a radio station and I was an anesthesiologist.

Nina has been my best friend since middle school. We instantly bonded over our love of boy bands and unconventional shoes. The first day we met, this quirky blonde approached me and commented on my black sneakers with silver and gold polka dots. The next day she showed up to school in the exact same shoes.

The rest of us have been friends since high school. Shelbi and I were in band together, from Freshman to Senior year. She hadn’t changed much since high school. She was the tallest of us all, slender, with brown eyes and chin-length light auburn hair. I don’t know whose legs were longer, hers or Nina’s.

Greta and I had English together, with Mr. Shields, the meanest teacher in the school. We never thought we’d survive, but he ended up liking us. He even asked each of us to watch the class for him on different occasions. Greta had changed a lot since high school. She had naturally red hair that she used to keep pixie short and dye black, and her hazel eyes were covered with cat-eye glasses. She was also the shortest of all of us. She was barely over five feet. After high school, she stopped dying her hair and let it grow out. She still wore cat-eye glasses, but they were much trendier now. She used to hide her curvy shape, but she learned to embrace it during college.

Dory was a late comer to our group. Her family moved from Toronto, late in our junior year. She dressed a decade behind and said ay a lot. One day after school, I saw her sitting on a bench, waiting for a ride and I went over and commented, in my opinion Toronto is a cleaner version of NYC. We became fast friends after that. Dory had long brown hair, that went down her back and brown eyes. The most remarkable thing about her was, how average she was. Height, weight, looks, she was average.

Today, we decided to grab brunch at a spot that Gianina, Nina, had been bragging on for months, called Javaddiction.

I’m so excited we finally came here. I think you guys are going to love it. The food is amazing.

Are you guys ready to order? Our server, Kelly, came back to the table.

Um. I looked around and everyone nodded. Yea, I guess so. Everything on the menu is so unique. I think that I’m going to have the sautéed honey and thyme linguine.

Oh, yum. That sounds good. I want the fried saffron and shallot scrambled eggs, Dory said.

I scrunched up my face.

What? It sounds just as good as yours.

Mmhm.

Whatever.

Well, while the two of you bicker, Nina rolled her eyes at us. I want the tenderized ginger beef. I’ve been dying to try that.

It’s one of my favorites, Kelly replied.

Oh, dang, that’s what I wanted, Shelbi pouted."

Get something else and you can share mine.

Okay, Greta you go, so I can look.

Um. Yes. Have you had the gooseberry and apple fruit salad? I’m looking for something light.

Perfect choice and yes, it’s delicious, Kelly answered.

Okay. Well, since Nina took mine, I guess I’ll try the Smoked Rice and Chicken, with a small cup of the fire grilled coconut bisque.

Excellent choice ladies, I’ll go put those in for you.

Thank you, we said in unison.

Okay, so have you guys looked at the Facebook group for the reunion? Dory asked.

No. For what?

Because, darling Shelbi, it lists the activities for the four days.

And you can see everyone who has said they are coming, Greta added.

I was getting to that. Yes, you can see who RSVP’d to come.

Anyone good RSVP? Nina cut her eyes to me and smiled.

Hm. Rosana Kemper and Constantine… Dory started.

Constantine Lincoln? Shelbi asked.

Yep.

Oh man, I used to have the biggest crush on him.

What! Dory exclaimed.

No way, Greta.

Really? I asked in disbelief.

Ew. Why? Nina said.

What? You guys he was so cute back then, Shelbi defended her crush.

If you say so, Nina teased.

He was.

I think we all had crushes that we could look back on and everyone would ask, what were you thinking, Greta came to Shelbi’s rescue.

Everyone except for Violet, you mean. Dory gave a smirk.

Everyone just looked at me and grinned.

So, who else has RSVP’d? Nina jumped in taking the spotlight off me.

The Westra twins are coming. Timothy commented saying that he and Tiffany would definitely be there. Dory recalled Let me think. Who else?

Carleen Thistle, Greta added.

"I said good," Nina retorted.

Oh, Alex DeCosta and Billy the bomb Beerbohm, Dory said.

Okay. Okay. Getting better, Nina chuckled.

Gawd, Alex used to be so damn fine. Nina swooned.

Still is, Dory said in a matter of fact tone.

Anyone else? I asked, trying to seem low-key.

Yea, a couple people. Greta’s ex, Gregory Lem.

Ugh. Shit. I didn’t see that. Is his supermodel wife tagging along? Greta said exasperated.

Nope. He commented that it was just him.

Really? Greta seemed to perk up. Wonder if he’ll need a shoulder to cry on.

Get ‘em tiger! Rawr! Nina joked.

You know she’ll be all over that, Dory laughed. The only other good one I can think of off the top of my head is Westley Livingston. Greta can you think of anyone else?"

Nope.

So back to Gregory Lem, Greta giggled. Anyone know the deets?

All I know is that they are separated. He initiated it, Dory stated.

Greta was just starting to gush over Gregory when our food arrived. I tried to fight feeling deflated when I didn’t hear the name I was listening for. We spent the rest of lunch plotting on Gregory for Greta and discussing the reunion weekend events.

Two

Violet

You okay, hon? Nina asked as we walked to my car.

Huh? Oh yea. I’m fine. I knew it was a long shot. Besides, Shane, remember him?

I do, but I think you forgot about him for a split second.

No, I didn’t. How can I forget about my boyfriend?

Mmhm. So, how are things?

They’re good! I faked cheeriness.

Girl, don’t lie to me. I’m your best friend. How are things really?

Ugh. Nina! I said, annoyed as I climbed into the driver’s seat. I don’t even know anymore. Hot one minute, cold the next. Although, it’s been quite a few minutes since we were hot, if you know what I mean.

Ooo girl, how long?

Six weeks…

Okay, a month and a half. A month and half isn’t… that bad. People get busy, you get tired.

No, you didn’t let me finish. Six weeks since the last time that I tried.

Oh.

Yea.

So how long has it been since you have actually ‘been hot’?

Months. Like five.

Damn.

I thought maybe there was someone else, but I don’t know when he’d see them. All he does is sit in his recliner, drinking beer and watching the sports network.

Damn.

One time I went and bought this sexy black baby doll lingerie and matching thong panties. I brought him a beer and just stood there waiting, all he did was say ‘thanks babe’ gave me an air kiss and a smack on the ass, then continued watching TV. It was a damn commercial, Nina!

Damn.

Yea. The last time I tried, I bought a brand-new Buffalo Bombers jersey. I left it unbuttoned down to my stomach and had nothing on underneath. I was feeling sexy as hell. I went into the den and asked him if he liked my new jersey, he nodded. So, I said Shane, babe, look at me. He looked, nodded and went right back to watching the fucking TV! I stepped in front of him to try and catch his eye and he shifted to look around me. In a last-ditch effort, I went into the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Then went back in the den, opened the jersey all the way and handed him the beer. Nothing! Not even a thank you. I went to bed so frustrated that night, I grabbed my ‘buddy’ out of my drawer but I was so depressed I couldn’t even do anything. I ended up crying myself to sleep that night. After that I said forget it. I’m done trying.

Damn.

Can you say anything besides, damn?

Yea, but damn.

"Agreed. Sad thing is he used to be good, Nina. I mean good. He was the best besides… I paused. He was good."

What are you going to do?

I don’t know what to do. I mean he’s not a bad guy. It’s not like he’s mean or abusive or anything, he just isn’t… anything. Once he gets home and, in that chair, it’s over. Out in public he’s charming, witty, and affectionate. Then at home, nada.

Have you said anything about it to him?

"Yes, he thinks I’m being dramatic and swears that ‘we just did it the other day’. He’s not ‘a machine, just a man’ and I should cut him some slack. He works hard all day