Strictly for Now by Carrie Elks

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

MACKENZIE

The next morning dawns and I arrive early to the stadium. The staff areas are buzzing – Brian is throwing a fit trying to make sure that we’re ready for the influx of spectators and cameras – and the rink is also full, with Dad’s team having first practice.

Mom grabbed Isabella as soon as we arrived, pulling her off to a side room, presumably to tell her about Danny. I left them to it, not only because I don’t want to be anywhere in the vicinity when Issy finds out that our ex is playing for Dad’s team, but also because I have a billion things to do before tonight.

I’m also missing Eli like crazy. He’s way too busy for me to talk to right now. I haven’t even told him my ex is here. I don’t want to do anything to cause problems with the team. Not after the towel incident.

Brian’s talking me through the profit and loss sheet for the game when the door to the staff area opens and Pam from accounts walks in.

“Have you heard what’s going on down on the rink?” she asks, inclining her head at the door.

Brian looks panicked. “What?” he asks. “Is there something wrong with it?”

Pam shakes her head. “There’s a huge fight. Screaming and everything. That pretty girl from the ice show and one of the players are going at it.”

My stomach sinks. I guess Isabella knows about Danny being here. I look at Brian. “I’ll go see what’s happening.”

He nods, looking relieved that he gets to stay in the relative safety of the staff area. “I’ll keep working on this.”

As soon as I walk down to the rink area I can hear the shouting. When I push open the door, Dad’s players are standing by the boards, watching Isabella and Danny going up against each other.

Even worse, the cameras are there, too.

I spot Dad and widen my eyes at him, trying to send him a mental message to get between them, but he doesn’t get it.

And then I see Mom and rush over to her. “Somebody needs to stop them,” I whisper.

“I’m on it,” she says. “I just wanted to give her a minute to let it out. Better now than during the game.”

She’s right. “Bring her up to my office,” I say. “She can let it all out there.”

Mom nods, her face stormy, and walks over to where Isabella and Danny are facing off against each other.

“Well maybe you should have kept your diseased riddled dick locked up where it belongs,” Isabella screams. There’s laughter from the team. Thank God the Mavericks aren’t here yet. They will be soon, though.

Mom calls out Isabella’s name and she turns around, blinking. “Honey, you have a phone call,” Mom shouts out, lying through her teeth.

“Just keep away from me,” Isabella says, jabbing her finger at Danny’s chest. He’s wearing his full kit so I doubt he can feel it.

“Whatever.” He skates away and Dad finally seems to wake up. “Let’s get on with this, shall we?” he says. “Before the Mavericks arrive.”

Mom finally pulls Isabella off the ice. There are tears on her face, ruining her makeup. Her skin is blotchy and her eyes are ringed with red.

“You okay?” I ask.

She shakes her head. The three of us walk back to my office, past the staff who are watching with wide eyes.

Brian opens his mouth to say something but I shake my head, and he wisely looks back at his spreadsheet.

None of us says a word until we’re all inside and the door is closed.

I lead Isabella over to my chair and make her sit down, while I pour her a glass of water.

She takes it with shaking hands and sips at the cool liquid, tears still flowing down her face.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask her.

“Not really,” she says, her lip wobbling. “Unless it’s about how we cut Danny’s balls off with a pair of rusty scissors.”

“Ouch.” I wince. “But sure, we can do that.” I touch my lip. “Maybe shears would be better. Or a plastic knife.”

“You hold him down and I’ll do the rest,” she says, her voice stronger. “I hate him.”

“He’s not worth hating,” I tell her. And it’s true. I’m over him. Over all of it. The thought makes me feel light.

Isabella, on the other hand, doesn’t seem over anything. “I can’t believe I ever let myself fall for him.” She gives me a sad look. “Or that I lost you over him.”

“Well, let’s not let him ruin our day,” Mom says.

“I can’t believe Dad recruited him after everything that happened,” Issy continues, ignoring her. “Did he do it on purpose? To get more publicity?”

“Your dad is stupid,” Mom says. “But not that stupid.” She looks at her phone. “I’ve asked the makeup team to meet us at Gramps’ house,” she says to Isabella. “I figure the longer we can stay away from here the better.”

It’s a good idea to keep them separated. I smile at Mom and she smiles back.

“Will you come, too?” she asks.

“Me?”

She smiles. “Yes, you. I’d like to spend time with both my girls. We’ll get our hair done, eat some bad food, have some fun.”

“I can’t,” I say. “I’ve got too much to do.” There’s not enough staff to cover everything we need to finish before the game. If I leave them I’d feel terrible.

“Are you sure?”

I nod. “I’m sure. But I’d like to do that… another time.”

She beams. “I’d like that, too.” She looks at Isabella. “Go ahead, honey, I’ll be right behind you.”

Isabella nods and stands, looking more like her normal self. She puts her arms around me and hugs me tight. “Thank you for not hating me anymore.”

“Likewise.” My voice is muffled by her shoulder.

She walks out, closing the door behind her and it’s just me and my mom.

“I’m sorry,” she says. “That you’re all caught up in this. You shouldn’t have to deal with the cameras or the drama. And you certainly shouldn’t have to deal with Danny. I’ve told your father he owes you big time for this.”

“It doesn’t matter,” I tell her. “It’ll all be over after tonight.”

“When you agreed to come here and help Gramps, I was so excited. After all these years, it felt like you might finally want to be part of our family again.” Her face crumples. “And now we’ve made you unhappy.”

For the first time, I see things from her view. How hard it must have been for her two daughters to be fighting. And then rather than talk to her, I turned away. Changed my name, moved to New York, refused to have anything to do with being a Gauthier.

I pushed her away because I was scared she’d choose Isabella over me.

I think of all those times she tried to call and I was too busy with work. All those times she messaged and I didn’t reply for days. Or at all. I made a choice to isolate myself so I didn’t have the pain of them doing it to me.

“I’m not unhappy,” I tell her. “I’ve never been more happy.”

“Really?” Her eyes light up. “Is that true?”

“It is,” I tell her. “It really is.”

“Oh honey.” She pulls me into her arms. “That’s all I want. To know you’re happy.”

For a second I tense. I’m not used to so much physical affection from my family. But again, that’s because I’m the one who’s run away from it. I will my body to relax and I hug her back as she sobs into my shoulder.

“I’d like to talk to you and Dad after the game,” I tell her. “With no cameras.”

“Of course there’ll be no cameras,” she says. “I’m putting my foot down. I’ve had enough of living my life on screen.”

“You’re not doing the reality show?”

She shakes her head. “No. And I’m hoping that once I talk to him, your father will see sense. They can use what they have, but I’m not doing this anymore.” She pats my cheek. “What is it that you want to talk to us about later?”

I take a deep breath. “I’ve met somebody.” There, I’ve said it. Now I can’t go back on it.

Not that I was planning to. But it’s good to have insurance.

“You have?” She looks genuinely excited. “Who is he? Somebody from New York?”

“Can I tell you later?” I ask her. “It’s just there’s so much to do, and Isabella’s waiting for you.”

She nods. “I hate waiting, but I’ll do it for you.” She pats my cheek. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Thank you.” I open the door and she goes to walk out.

“Oh, Mackenzie?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like me to send my hair and makeup people to you when we’re done? They’d be happy to work in here.”

“That’s really sweet of you but I’ll be fine.” I don’t have the time but also I won’t be on camera. I’ll be hiding in the staff box, away from it all. “I appreciate the offer though.”

“Anytime, honey.” She goes to walk away but can’t resist giving me one last hug. “Thank you for coming back to us. You don’t know how much it means to me.”