Strictly for Now by Carrie Elks
CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN
ELI
It’s the next day and the two teams are actually bonding with each other. Greg’s older and wiser team take the Mavericks under their wing. Goran has a long, deep discussion with Greg about the next steps he should take in his career. Mackenzie’s brother, Brad is exchanging goalkeeping stories with Max, the two of them agreeing that the rest of their teams are assholes.
And I’m talking to Johnny, Mackenzie’s other brother, who’s a fucking hoot, just like I thought he’d be. He reminds me of my youngest brother, Brooks, except he’s not such an asshole.
I find myself wanting to ask him about Mac. About how she had to give up so much to take care of him and his brother when they were growing up. But instead I laugh as he recounts a story of how he and Brad swapped positions in college for one whole semester and nobody noticed.
Greg keeps looking at his watch, because his two new recruits haven’t arrived yet and they start practice in five minutes. I’ve promised him we won’t stay and watch – it’s only fair that the All Stars get a chance to learn how to play together without their opponents taking notes.
In a weird way it feels good to finally meet Mackenzie’s family. Sure, I’m pretty much avoiding Isabella, but once Mackenzie tells her the truth about us she’ll hopefully see the funny side.
And Brad and Johnny are completely chilled. I’m hoping they’ll stay that way when they realize I’ve been spending most of my time with their big sister.
Greg is interesting. I heard him telling Goran about how hard it was to get out from his father’s shadow when he was a kid. Every team would target him when they played because he was Wayne Gauthier’s son and they wanted to show him who was boss.
I guess being a celebrity in his own right has made him feel better about himself. So I’m giving him a partial pass for being so camera hungry.
“Here they are,” Greg calls out, standing and walking over to the two new guys who’ve walked in. He’s in my line of sight so I can’t see past him.
But then he steps to the side and my blood runs fucking cold as my gaze rests on a pair of ice-blue eyes I know all too well.
It’s fucking Hart. Center for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The asshole who caused the injury that sent me right out of the NHL and over here to the Mavericks. I haven’t seen him since that day, but he’s grinning at me now, and I’m trying to keep my cool.
Greg says something to him and he turns his head, not bothering to acknowledge me.
Good. That’s good. Because I’ll probably punch his face in. The guy didn’t apologize even though my injury was his fault. And even though I had to retire from top class hockey before I was ready to.
With a tight jaw I bring my attention back to my team, calling out their names. They look up at me and I nod at them.
“Time to go, team.”
For once they do as instructed, without me having to yell at them three times. We head to the locker room and I tell them to sit down, annoyed at how much I’m affected by Hart’s arrival.
I pinch my nose and take a deep breath, trying to get my head straight.
“Okay,” I say. “The fun’s over. Thank you for being so gracious to our guests, but now it’s time to focus on our game.”
They nod, wisely keeping quiet.
“And it’s time to think like a winning team.”
* * *
ELI
“Hart’s here,” I tell Holden, because he’s the only one I can call right now.
“What do you mean he’s here?” Holden says. “Where?”
“At the stadium. Practicing. He’s been recruited to the All Stars.”
“What? Who invited that asshole? Don’t they know what he did to you?” Holden can keep a grudge better than anybody I know.
“I guess not.” Or they don’t care. I think it’s likely the first though. I can’t see Greg inviting Hart to play just to piss me off. He’s not that kind of guy. He wants this game to be fun, to be a spectacle people will enjoy.
Otherwise, it’ll reflect badly on him.
“So what are you going to do?” Holden asks. A voice echoes – an overhead announcement in the hospital I think. He’s supposed to be off work for the next few days, taking some long-unused vacation time to come watch this game with our family.
I guess he couldn’t quite drag himself away from his patients until the last minute.
“I’m not going to do anything,” I say. “I just wanted to warn you. And ask you to warn the others that he’s here.”
My whole family will be at the game. I don’t want them being surprised by Hart coming on and playing.
“You’re still going to play though?” Holden says.
“Yeah, that’s the plan.” I have clearance from the team doctor. It’s an exhibition match and I can’t see myself being on the ice for more than thirty minutes. I want to give the whole team a chance to play. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to try to get revenge.”
Holden chuckles. “Good. You already ruined one knee, let’s try to keep the other one working, okay?”
“That’s the plan,” I tell him. It’s good to hear his voice.
“So I talked to Liam and Sophie last night,” Holden tells me. “They told me you and Mackenzie are getting serious.”
“Yeah we are,” I say softly, because I’m still in the stadium.
“They also told me what he got Brooks and Linc to do to your cabin.”
I roll my eyes as he laughs again. But it’s good to hear him happy. He works so hard with kids that need all the help he can offer. It’s rare that he turns off from being a doctor.
“That was fun,” I say, deadpan. “I’m still working out how to get them back.”
“I’m looking forward to that.”
There’s another voice echoing through the other line. “Listen, man, I gotta go,” Holden says. “But I’ll see you after the game tomorrow night.” He clears his throat. “Don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t.” I already feel better. “Thanks for listening.”
“Any time.”
* * *
MACKENZIE
I’m in my office when I hear the soft tap at the door.
“Come in,” I call out and my Mom walks in, giving me a soft smile when she sees me at my desk.
“Am I interrupting?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Just answering a few emails,” I tell her. “Is everything okay?”
She pulls the door shut behind her and sits down at the chair opposite me, the desk between us. There’s a strange look on her face that I can’t quite place.
“Danny’s here,” she says.
For a minute I say nothing. Maybe I didn’t hear right.
“What?” I ask. “Why?”
“Your father had two drop outs. He called in two new players. One of them’s Danny.” She twists her hands together. “He didn’t talk to me about it because I would have told him he’s an idiot. He just doesn’t think sometimes.” She looks up at me, and I realize the expression on her face is fear. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t let this come between us again.”
“Does Isabella know he’s here?” I ask. Because yes, Danny hurt me, but he hurt her too.
And she hurt me. It’s a mess. And I have no idea why Dad wouldn’t have anticipated this.
Because he’s an idiot. And he doesn’t hold a grudge so he doesn’t think anybody else does either.
She shakes her head. “She’s going to throw a fit when she finds out,” Mom says. “And she has the semi final dance off on Sunday night.”
I know this. She has to fly directly to L.A. after the exhibition match so she can be in L.A. on Sunday. Justin has already flown back. “Can you talk to Dad?” I ask. “See if he can find somebody else?”
“I have and it’s too late. Even if he finds somebody they won’t get to practice with the team.” She grimaces. “I’m so sorry, honey. I know Danny hurt you more than anybody.”
“I was a kid then. It feels like old history.”
“Really?” There’s hope in Mom’s voice. “Because I feel like we’re just getting you back. I don’t want to lose you again.”
“You won’t,” I tell her. “I promise.”
And it’s not a lie. I’m over what happened. All I want to do is think about the future. With Eli. I’m pretty much avoiding the ice so it won’t be hard to avoid Danny.
Isabella, on the other hand, won’t be able to.
“Are you going to tell her he’s here?”
She nods, looking resigned. “I’ll tell her tomorrow morning.”
“Good luck.”
“Thanks. I think I’m going to need it.” She reaches for my hand. “Thank you,” she says. “For being so calm. For being you.”
I squeeze her hand. “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be fine.” And tomorrow night it will all be over. The game will be played, the cameras will go, and I can come clean about everything with Eli.
I’m not going to let a piece of slime like Danny ruin anything. The future is too bright for that.
“I love you,” Mom says. “So much.”
