Love's A Game // LN4 ; GR63

Costly Mistakes

Early the next morning Violet woke up to yelling coming from the kitchen.

?: What the HELL were you thinking?!
?: I'm sorry, it was a mistake!
?: Maybe you should've been more careful!
?: I said I was sorry! What more do you want?!
?: Watch that attitude or I'll have you withdrawn from the shop immediately!
?: So what, you're gonna fire me now?
?: Asher Evans you best watch yourself! This was a HUGE opportunity and YOU screwed it up! If the shop closes it's on you!
Asher: Wow dad... if the shop closes it's on YOU. For years I've been saying we should expand and you said no. I was just doing what you would've!

Asher stormed off and slammed his room door. Violet didn't know what just happened but fights like that are unusual for her family, and what was all that about the shop closing.
She looked at the time, she didn't have long but there was enough time to talk to Asher before work.
She walked over to his door and knocked softly.

Violet: Hey Ash?
Asher: Come in
Violet: Everything okay?
Asher: Not really. I screwed up some big investor's order and now he's threatening to pull out of the shop. If he does, over half the shares become null and void and the shop will have no choice but to close.
Violet: But that means-
Asher: -Dad won't have work...
Violet: Moms salary can't support all of us...
Asher: That's exactly the problem. Vi, I made such a big mistake and dad won't see that I really am sorry. I don't know how to fix it.
Violet: I'll help you fix this. Once I get back from work we'll figure out a plan.
Asher: Thank you. Good luck with work. Don't let the assholes beat you down.
Violet: Thanks.

She grabbed her apron and went off to work. The entire shift she couldn't stop worrying about her dad's shop. It wasn't until after 2 spilled coffees and 1 burnt hand that she decided to take her lunch break.

Josh: Evans? You've been distracted all day. What's up? It's very unlike you to spill...
Violet: It's nothing, family stuff. Don't worry about it.
Josh: Okay. Well I'm here if you need me.
Violet: Thanks.
Josh: So... any news regarding your F1 hottie?
Violet: Ew, don't say it like that. We called last night. He gave me his number...
Josh: No way! That's awesome! Are you going to try see him?
Violet: How? I can't tell him that I work in a tiny, mid-income town café and certainly can't afford tickets to a race.
Josh: True. But if he can't like your true self, waitress and all, he doesn't deserve you.
Violet: It's still early days. Let's see what happens... but thanks. Look, I've got to get back to work now so I can get home. See you in there.
Josh: See you in there.

She returned to her work and after a long second half of shift she finally ended work for the day.
When she went to her bag she noticed she'd had a missed call from George...
Violet: I gotta run. See you tomorrow Josh!

Josh: Woah! Wait! No game tonight?
Violet: Um, not tonight. Come tomorrow

Without allowing Josh to make further comments she ran off and called George back.

George: Evans! How are you?
Violet: Hey George! I'm good thanks, how are you?
George: You sound like you're running
Violet: Oh, I'm walking back from work.
George: On a Sunday?
Violet: Uh, yeah. I work Tuesdays to Sundays but sometimes Monday to Friday. It depends on the week's schedule. Sundays at least are half days.
George: Interesting schedule. What did you do again?
Violet: I- Oh it's race day! How are you feeling about it. It's still later right?
George: Yeah. In about an hour. I guess I'm feeling pretty confident. Got good pace and all.
Violet: I can't wait to watch it...

She walked into her front door and saw her dad over a stack of papers on the dinning room table as her brother paced the kitchen. Suddenly she was brought back to reality.

Violet: I- uh... I've got to go. We'll talk after the race. Good luck!

She ended the call and joined her dad at the table.

Violet: Mom not back yet?
Johnny: She took on an extra shift today...
Violet: How come?
Asher: Vi...
Violet: Did the investor pull out?
Johnny: He certainly is thinking about it. We're so close to keeping him but yet so far at the same time.
Violet: What does this mean then?
Asher: We either have to give him full ownership or he's out.
Violet: But your shop...
Johnny: Without him we lose it either way. I have to hand over sole ownership.
Violet: All because his stupid order got messed up?!
Johnny: This has been a long time coming. Smaller businesses like mine are bound to be bought over. It's a big investment for him and it's going to be profitable.
Violet: So unfair...
Johnny: I know. Ash and I will still work there though-
Asher: -Just earn half as much profit and get paid minimum wage.
Violet: There must be something we can do
Johnny: I pushed the deal back three days. Asher and I will figure something out. Don't you worry sunshine. Just stay doing what you do.
Violet: Okay... I'll be in my room.

Violet walked into her room and closed the door softly. She set up her computers and the live coverage of the race but before she started the live time race stream she hesitated.
Was this enough? Waitressing and the little bit of money from subscribers?
Her phone buzzed, bringing her out of her daze.

Josh
Vi, we need to talk. Now. I'm coming over even though you said not to x

Just then she heard a knock at the front door. She got up to open it and saw a stressed Josh at the step.

Violet: What's wrong?
Josh: It's- can I come to your room?
Violet: Sure.

They went into her room and Violet was now stressing.

Violet: Josh what is it? You're freaking me out.
Josh: There's a new management sign on your dad's shop... did you know?
Violet: I-
Josh: -I saw it today. Is that what got you all distracted? You could've told me.
Violet: It's not finalized yet. Some big investor's order got messed up and now he wants full ownership or he will pull out and the shop will have no choice but to close.
Josh: Oh Vi...
Violet: There's nothing I can do in this situation and it makes me feel helpless.
Josh: I suppose you must leave it to your dad to sort out. How about you start today's stream, let's watch the race and just have fun.
Violet: Okay, let's go.

She started the stream just in time as the 5 lights went out and Lap 1 had started.
Her and Josh watched the whole thing with Asher joining halfway through.

Violet: Well that was an excellent race if I do say so myself. And congrats to Max, another simply lovely win. Pity George missed P2 with that slower stop but Carlos earned it.
Asher: Of course you're sad about George.
Violet: Ash!
Asher: Well he is one of your favorite drivers isn't he?
Violet: Oh yeah, right. He is.
Josh: Well I should get going. Bye you two and bye chat!
Violet: Wait! Bye chat, this is Evan's signing off.

She ended the stream quickly and ran up to Josh.
Josh: Yeah?
Violet: Thank you for checking on me earlier. What would I do without you. Always there for me.
Josh: Through thick and thin Vi. Through thick and thin. That's what best friends do.

She smiled and closed the door as Josh disappeared down the driveway...