No, that wasn’t right. Because she was afraid. She was downright terrified, so it wasn’t about proving she was strong or brave. It was about laying her heart at his feet because she simply could not wait.
She was really losing her marbles.
One of the llamas bleated, and she had to squeeze her eyes shut, because her first thought was that it was Mystery, and if she was starting to recognize llamas by their bleats…well, she’d already lost her marbles.
So…why not go for it?
*
Dan didn’t mind the suit so much, but all the people were driving him nuts. He’d answered what felt like the same question about thirty times.
No, it’s not about the cheating allegations.
Yes, I realize people will think that no matter what happens.
No, I don’t care.
It was at least somewhat refreshing to find it was true. Sure, he’d love everyone to think his career was a grand and shining example of how to play the game, but even if he’d done everything right, that was never going to be the case.
He’d just be happy if this official announcement took some of the heat off Dad. Few people had suggested he was an accomplice, but there was no doubt Dad had spent his summer being asked about his son’s possible shady dealings. Dan preferred people ask Dad questions about actual hockey, about his actual job. If this took the heat off Dad a bit, so be it.
And if Dan had snuck a little line in there about hoping the NHL considered investigating someday so they could offer a formal apology, well, it was his say, and he got to say it.
The press conference was over, but there was still a room full of people to contend with. But he was ready to be done. Done with reporters, done with a few teammates who’d come to wish him well. Done with Mom’s buzzing anxiety in the background.
He supposed that’s why Dad had disappeared a few minutes ago. They had enough tension between them, Mom sighing and wringing her hands over the amount of people in the room was probably overwhelming.
“Mom, you can go now. It’s over.”
Mom managed a paltry smile. “I’m sorry. Is it any wonder your father and I got divorced? I never could stand all this attention.”
“Well, it was hardly the only reason.”
“Yes. There were a legion.” She paused, moving to stand closer. “I’m sorry you ever thought you were one of them,” she said quietly, her hand clasping around his arm—a little awkward, but an attempt nonetheless.
“Let’s save that for another time.”
“Of course, I just… Your father mentioned the possibility of a woman and I hated to think you might be…hesitant because of…things.”
Dan thought his head couldn’t hurt any more. “Believe it or not, I was not the hesitant party.”
Mom’s forehead furrowed in confusion. “Oh, how odd.”
“I know I’m a rather charming SOB, Mom, but it’s not that crazy someone wouldn’t be head over heels for me.”
“No, it’s not that. It’s just…” She nodded toward a space by the door. “I thought perhaps she was here to try to convince you.”
Dan felt as though he’d just been checked headfirst into the plexiglass. Everything seemed fuzzy and not quite focused, muffled.
The woman Mom nodded toward was tall, brunette. Sharp nose, full mouth. Freckles on her nose and fear in her hazel eyes.
It took at least a minute for all the pieces to align themselves into sense. Probably because Mel being in Chicago was just out of the box enough to make zero sense, but she’d thrown in a dress.
An honest-to-God dress, but her hair was still in a braid, and she wasn’t wearing heels. Her makeup wasn’t any more jarring than it’d been that night she’d shown up at the cabin demanding sex.
Which he really needed to not think about right now—except he couldn’t think at all. How was she here, standing in a doorway of a Chicago media room, let alone why?
“I have to go,” Dan managed, his voice rusty. But he didn’t take his eyes off Mel, who was talking to Dad. Awkward discomfort came off her in waves.
Everything inside of him wanted to go over and sweep her away. Back to his apartment. Back to Blue Valley, anywhere where he could…
Yeah, none of that. I don’t believe in you. He had to focus in on that moment, not the one when her hazel eyes met his across the room, so many emotions swirling under the nerves that he wasn’t sure he could say where he was, let alone what day it was.
“Yes, I think that’d be a good idea. Your father will handle anyone else who wants to talk. And, I think we’ll assume you’ll be busy this evening.”
He forced himself to look away from Mel, even though it was physically painful. But he trained his eyes on Mom. “I may not be.”
Mom laughed, and he thought how odd it was he couldn’t remember the last time she’d sounded so natural. She pushed him toward Mel and, well…
Maybe he would not be busy this evening, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to at least listen to her. She had come all this way.
All this way. What the hell was she doing?
She said something to Dad then stepped toward him. They met in the middle of the room, surrounded by all these people…people he barely cared about outside his parents.