AGAINST THE ICE

Chapter30

CALDER LIFTED HIS HEAD, like a predator catching the scent of his prey. “You know, I was going to get a touch of fresh air. Would you like me to accompany you wherever you are going?”

Katrina’s eyes widened. I could tell she was both flattered and impressed. She was weighing her options between a disinterested hockey player and an interested member of an elite world she so desperately wanted to be part of. Her ambitions won out. “That’d be appreciated.”

Calder stood up with a flourish and walked around the table to pull out her chair. I watched as he tucked her arm over his. As they walked away, I could hear her girlish giggle.

Max continued to give me the death stare. I took a sip of water.

He continued to glare, all riled up.

I glanced around the table. We were the only ones that remained sitting. Most people were mingling before the dance portion of the evening started. The band started the first song of the night.

“Max, why are you trying to kill me with your gaze?”

“Your date is a complete punk.”

I played indifferent. “Calder?”

His eyes looked away from me for a long moment before returning to my face. “He’s one of the Baby Men.”

“You and Katrina make a lovely couple.”

“We’re not a couple.”

“She doesn’t seem to have gotten the memo.”

He stood up and walked around to my side of the table and offered me his hand. “Would you like to dance?”

His shift in mood threw me. Nerves jangled in the pit of my belly as I placed my hand in his and let him lead me out to the dance floor where couples already moved together to the music.

The song changed to Unforgettable by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole. I stifled my gasp when Max swung me into his arms. One hand wrapped around my waist, and the other hand held my hand. I tentatively put my hand on his shoulder. Together we started to dance. Max was light on his feet, and confident in his ability to guide me around the dance floor.

I stared up at him in amazement.

“What?” His eyes caressed my mouth.

“You’re a good dancer.”

White teeth flashed in amusement. “You’re surprised?”

“A bit.”

“I’ve got a few talents.”

“What else?”

He spun me around. “Well, I make a mean grilled cheese.”

I tried to imagine Max cooking. The thought of him in the kitchen with a pair of oven mitts was somehow both domestic and intoxicating. “You should try my pancakes.”

“I guess we have breakfast and lunch covered.”

I could feel the heat of his hand on my back through the thin fabric of my dress. “It appears we do.”

His blue gaze clashed with mine. “What about you? Any secret hidden talents I should know about?”

“I used to belong to a marching band.”

A smile spread over his face. “A marching band?”

“I’ll have you know that in grade 6, that was the epitome of cool.”

“Did you play an instrument?”

“No, I twirled the baton.”

His smile was close to a laugh. “That’s adorable. Was that a lifelong passion of yours?”

“The tassel boots and sparkly outfits drew me in.”

“Will you baton twirl for me?”

“Only if you make a grilled cheese sandwich for me.”

His eyes were on my mouth again. “I think we could make that a date.”

I gasped as he spun me around again. I clung to his shoulder. “You need to warn a girl.”

“And miss that little noise you make?” Our eyes met again. “Max.”

“So, not sure if I mentioned this, but your date’s a punk.”

My smile broadened. “Funny. He was hand picked by my mom.”

“So, you’re not dating him?”

“Not that I know of.”

“How do you know him?”

“Old family friend. I’ve known Calder since we were toddlers. Why do you think he’s a punk?”

He cleared his throat. “What, Max?”

I could see his internal debate on how much he wanted to tell me. “I think your date is trying to sleep with my date.”

“Yes, he told me his plan.”

Shock crossed his face. “You don’t mind?”

“Do you?”

“Couldn’t care less.”

“Same.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

We both smiled.

“Excuse me,” Dad’s voice spoke from beside me. “But I think this next dance belongs to me.”

“Absolutely.” Max let go of me and stepped back. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Ashford.”

“Thank you.”

Dad swept me into his arms. We moved across the dance floor in silence.

“Rory, how is your night?”

“It’s good.”

“Where did Calder disappear to?”

“Not sure.”

His eyes were on my face. “Be careful.”

“Dad, I’m not actually dating Calder. You do know that Mom set us up tonight?”

“I’m not talking about Calder.”

“Who are you talking about?”

He raised his eyebrows at me.

“Max?” I sputtered. “That’s ridiculous. He’s a hockey player.”

“Yes, and you’d be wise to remember that.”

I felt my heart sink at his warning while working to cover up my feelings. “I think he felt bad for me that Calder took off.”

“Even if Max wasn’t part of our team, I wouldn’t approve of him.”

“Why don’t you like him? He’s an incredible hockey player.”

“He reminds me of someone.”

Oh, this old story again. I refrained from rolling my eyes. “Who?”

“It’s in the past.”

He piqued my interest. “Was he a hockey player?”

“Come on,” he led me off the dance floor. “Your mom is waiting for me.”

I wanted to tell Dad he wasn’t giving Max a fair chance, but this was not the time nor the place for that conversation.

“I’m going to the powder room.” Dad kissed me on the temple.

I made my way to the ladies room to freshen my lipstick. Voices from behind stall doors were talking.

“Did you see the latest tweet by Hockey Gurl?”

I froze and listened.

“No what?”

“Apparently Miss Stuck Up has been f*****g her way through the entire team.”

“Shut up.”

“Someone told me she threatens the players with their contracts, forcing them to service her. They said one night she had three different guys.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yeah, and even though she’s cute, the players hate her. They see her coming and they dread it when it’s their turn.”

“That’s disgusting.”

“Yeah, well, I heard she’s a total nymphomaniac.”

I heard a toilet flush. I tossed my lipstick in my bag and fled. Tears blinded me. That was the rumor that was going around about me? Mortification washed over me. Did Dad know?

I bumped into a broad chest and lifted my head when two strong arms grabbed my shoulders.

“Rory.”

I stared up at Max’s concerned face. Did he hear these rumors? Did he believe these things about me?

“Sorry, excuse me.”

“Rory,” he took my hand and pulled me off to the side. He leaned against the wall. “Talk.”

I shook my head. “Nothing to talk about.”

“You’re upset.”

I steeled my lip, willing myself not to cry. “It’s nothing.”

“Did someone say something to you?

“Not to my face.”

“What?”

“Have you heard of Hockey Gurl?”

Max’s face darkened. “Don’t tell me you're buying into that shit.”

“You’ve heard of her?”

“Rory, everyone knows she’s some i***t spouting her mouth off.”

My shoulders sagged. “She says such terrible things about me.”

“Lies. Everyone knows they are lies.”

“How do you know?”

He shrugged. “Why do you think anyone believes that s**t?”

“I heard two women talking about it in the washroom and trust me, they believe what they are reading!”

“f**k em.”

I swallowed. Thinking.

“I mean it. You’re tough-as-nails-Rory-Ashford. You’re not going to let a tweet take you down.”

I squinted up at him. “We both know I’m not tough.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You’ve seen me at my worst.”

“And that’s how I know you’re tough.”

I took a long-winded sigh. “Thanks.”

“No one believes that shit.”

I knew he was lying to make me feel better, but knowing he didn’t believe those lies, made all the difference.

“Okay.”

He studied me. “You okay?”

“Yeah. I guess I should get back to the table. In case my date shows up.”

He snorted. “You do that.”

Without turning back, I walked away from Max, but I felt strong. He was right. There was no reason for me to get wound up about lies that were being posted on social media.