21
After Caleb drops me off at the ice rink, the uneasy feeling that has been bothering me since early this morning intensifies. I”m shaky and my hands are cold. All morning, I feel out of sorts. God, I fervently hope that Jessica will be willing to talk. I can”t eat anything during the lunch break, which worries Dad. I tell him I”m not feeling well, which isn”t even a lie, as my stomach feels far from healthy. Shortly after half past three, my last massage for today comes to an end. Now, a terrible tension overwhelms me, knowing that Caleb will soon meet with Jessica. To distract myself, I go shopping. Caleb and I have plans to meet at my place at eight tonight. I want to officially introduce him to Dad as my new boyfriend over dinner. As I wander through the aisles of the supermarket, gathering all the ingredients for lasagna, I keep glancing at my phone. No messages, no calls. It”s driving me crazy! When I get home, I put away the groceries and send Dad a text reminding him of dinner at eight. It”s half past four now. Are they still talking? I decide to distract myself with housework. After all, I want everything to be neat when Caleb comes over tonight. An hour later, I can”t take it anymore and I text him.
*Everything okay with you? How did the conversation with Jessica go?
With a pounding heart, I wait for a reply. But it doesn”t come. I tell myself he”s probably at practice and hasn”t seen my message yet. Then I start making the lasagna so it”ll be ready on time.
Seven minutes past eight, my dad arrives. “Sorry, I”m late! Bill talked me into having a beer after practice!” he calls from the hallway. “Mmm, that already smells delicious,” he praises and comes into the kitchen to me. When he sees me sitting at the set table, arms wrapped around my stomach, aching with worry, he stops abruptly.
“Emma? What”s wrong, what”s going on? And where”s Caleb?”
“He”s not here.”
“I can see that. But why? I was sure he”d be here by now. He even skipped practice. I thought you”d be cooking together.”
“He skipped practice?” Has something happened to him? Suddenly I panic, thinking Jessica might have done something to him. It wouldn”t be beyond that crazy woman.
“Yeah, Bill”s pretty mad about it. The guys have their first playoff game coming up. Training sessions are crucial.”
That”s true, and it”s so unlike Caleb to miss training. I”m about to get up to go look for him when my phone, sitting next to me on the table, beeps. With a dreadful feeling, I pick it up and see that I”ve received a text. It”s from Caleb.
*Have to cancel dinner, something”s come up.
A fiery pain shoots through my stomach as I realize: I”ve worried for nothing. He”s fine, he just doesn”t want to see me. With tears in my eyes, I stare at the screen. Meanwhile, Dad grabs a chair and sits directly in front of me.
“Emma, I want to know what”s going on now. Please, sweetheart, talk to me.” I swallow the painful lump in my throat and lift my gaze. A single tear rolls down my cheek as I look into Dad”s warm eyes.
“Let me be your anchor, just like you are mine,” he says softly, placing his hand on my knee. And with that, the dam breaks. I nod and tearfully tell him about Caleb and me. How we got together and how he means more to me than anyone before. I also tell him about Jessica, her demand, and how Caleb tried to talk to her again today. He listens attentively, furrowing his brow when I show him the text where Caleb cancels our dinner.
I pour out all my heartache. Finally, I let Dad hold me in his arms and comfort me. Then he serves himself a plate of lasagna and we go to the living room. While he settles into his chair, I lie down on the couch. I have a terrible headache. My father reassures me, saying I have to wait and see what tomorrow brings. Maybe everything will turn out for the better. In his eyes, Jessica is nothing more than a spoiled brat used to getting what she wants. He believes Mr. Flake is sensible enough not to fire me just because his girl demands it. His deep voice is soothing to me. Eventually, I grow sleepy, so Dad gets my bedding and tucks me in. I know him, he”ll sit up late in front of the TV, keeping watch over me. That”s why I love him. He”s there for me when I”m feeling down.
“Sleep well, my darling,” he whispers, brushing the back of his hand against my cheek.
“Dad?” I say with heavy eyelids.
“Hm?”
“It looks like we”ve both been betrayed, doesn”t it?”
“Let”s hope not,” he replies solemnly. “Now sleep, I”m here.” He gives me his everything-will-be-alright smile and settles back into his chair. Then he quietly turns on the TV and starts eating his now-cold lasagna.
The next morning, he wakes me up at eight o”clock. I immediately check my phone, but to my disappointment, there”s neither a text nor a call from Caleb. Unable to bear the uncertainty any longer, I call him, but he doesn”t pick up. I leave him a voicemail, asking him to call me back. Then I get ready for work. Dad forces me to eat something before we head to the ice rink. Arriving there, I feel desolate and empty, much like the gloomy gray sky over Portland. Alongside my father, I descend the stairs to our massage rooms.
“Don”t freak out, Emma,” he pleads as we walk down the hallway and turn the corner. “You”ll see...” He stops abruptly and stands still when he spots Jessica and Mr. Flake in front of my massage room.
“No,” I whisper, feeling something inside me break. That”s it, it”s official now. Caleb has chosen against me and for his career. I know I suggested it to him myself. But secretly, I had hoped he wouldn”t go through with it. I see Dad shoot me a pained look. His expression says it all: You were right, my dear, it looks like we”ve both been betrayed. Then he clears his throat, squares his shoulders, and approaches the two of them. He will advocate for me, protect me. I swallow down the pain. Now you have to be brave, I tell myself, straightening my own shoulders and following my father.
“Mr. Flake, what brings us the honor?”
When the man in the wheelchair spots us, his face darkens.
“I”m not here because of you, Maxwell, but because of your daughter,” he barks, passing by Dad and heading straight for me. “You!” His finger points accusingly at me while Jessica grins maliciously behind him. “How dare you try to poison my boys with this garbage?” He tosses a small plastic bag to me, which I reflexively catch. It”s transparent and filled with yellow pills, on which a smiley face can be seen. I look at the pills with furrowed brows, realizing what Jessica”s plan is.
“Did you think I wouldn”t find out, or what? You”re fired! On the spot!”
“Just a moment! What is this about? What are you accusing my daughter of?” Dad intervenes and comes over to us. Behind him, Jessica slithers towards me like a snake.
“Your daughter tried to sell drugs to my players. Jessica saw with her own eyes how she tried to sell these pills to Durand.”
“That can”t be true, she would never do something like that.”
“Oh, so you”re claiming my daughter is lying?”
“I”m saying that Emma is a decent girl and has nothing to do with drugs.”
“Well, if your child is as decent as you claim, then please explain to me how we found these pills on her!” Mr. Flake gets louder with every word. His head is as red as a tomato. “If there”s one thing I strictly forbid my team, it”s drugs. And then your daughter comes along, trying to peddle her crap to the boys!” Still holding the plastic bag, I helplessly look back and forth between the two men.
“I told you already, Emma doesn”t deal! Where did this trash even come from? Who says it”s hers?”
“We searched her massage room and found the pills hidden under the cushion of the table! So, what do you say now? Are you still convinced your sunshine is innocent?!”
“Then someone must have planted it on her.”
“Please, Maxwell, don”t make a fool of yourself.”
“What do you think, Emma?” Jessica hisses quietly, stepping closer to me as our fathers debate fervently. “Didn”t I find a good hiding spot under the freshly covered table where you and Caleb had your fun last night?” What? I look at her in disbelief. Caleb was right, someone was outside the door!
“Don”t look so dumbstruck; I heard you two. You had a lot of fun. But where is he now, your great lover?” She raises her hands and looks around in an exaggerated manner. “Looks like he”s leaving you in the lurch.” Jessica feigns a sympathetic expression. “Well, it seems you”ve lost. Caleb has left you.” Hearing these words from her mouth is like receiving a slap in the face. I don”t know if I”d rather wipe the smug grin off her face or just run away.
“You can twist and turn it all you want, Emma brought drugs into my ice rink. That”s why she”s fired!” I hear Mr. Flake say coldly next to us. I turn my attention to my father, who places his hands on his hips.
“If you fire my daughter, I”ll leave too.”
“Please, feel free. You”re not the only sports masseurs in this world. Bill will find a replacement.” Mr. Flake”s mouth is pressed into a misshapen scar as he looks from my father to me. “You pack your things and get out. Today!” he growls, passing me by. I know he won”t believe my words any more than he believes my father”s. Still, I have to try. Even though Caleb has left me, I don”t want to leave Portland and lose Toby and the others.
“Sir, please, I know it looks like the pills belong to me. But I really have nothing to do with them.”
“Save your breath, girl. It”s over.” I”m about to explain to him that his daughter set this up when I hear footsteps. Many footsteps! The four of us look down the hallway, where Toby and the other players come around the corner. I spot Byers, Parker, and even the eyebrow-less Durand, who”s wearing a Devils cap and looks like he”d rather be anywhere else. Only Caleb isn”t with them. The guys head straight towards us and stop just in front of the wheelchair.
“What are you doing here?” Flake wants to know.
“Preventing you from making a mistake,” Toby explains, briefly glancing over at me, as if to make sure I”m okay, then turning back to his boss. “Is it true? Did you fire Emma?” How does he know?
“That”s none of your business, now let me through.” Flake tries to squeeze past Toby and Byers, but the guys form a human wall with their bodies.
“No, we won”t.” Toby”s water-blue eyes remain unwaveringly fixed on the owner. They”re all here because of me, I realize, and I”m so touched that I could cry. At least I mean something to them.
“Emma is our good luck charm!” one of the guys from the back calls out.
“Yes, you can”t possibly fire her. Especially now when the playoffs are starting. We need her,” Byers adds.
“Well, if your charm is so valuable, then you”ll have to find another one,” Flake responds sternly. “I won”t tolerate drug dealers under my roof.”
“If that”s the case, you”ll have to look for a new winger,” a voice interjects, sending shivers down my spine. My heart catches fire. Can it really be? Is he here? I watch as the rows of players part to let Caleb through. Indeed, he”s come. I can hardly believe it. Does that mean he didn”t actually leave me? I would love to run to him and throw myself into his arms. But I hold back. His gaze briefly meets mine before it travels down to the plastic bag in my hand.
“What do you mean I need a new winger? What are you trying to tell me, Caleb?”
“Your anger is directed at the wrong person. This stuff...” He gestures at the drugs in my hand. “...Belongs to Durand, and none other than your daughter planted it on Emma.”
“What a lie!” Jessica exclaims with a shrill voice.
“How dare you accuse Jessica!”
“Please, Carl.” Caleb”s hand rests on Mr. Flake”s shoulder. “Give me five minutes to explain what”s going on here.” Flake”s face is contorted with anger, but he remains silent, prompting Caleb to continue. “Durand uses these pills to make women compliant.” He turns to his teammates. “Do you remember Emma”s first night at Brillant? Do you recall how dazed she seemed towards the end? He slipped half a pill into her Long Island.”
“You did what?” I exclaim, staring at the Canadian in disbelief. So, that”s why I felt so awful.
“You”re a dead man,” Toby growls, grabbing him by the collar.
“Damn it, this is all your fault, Jess!” Durand shouts. “You said nothing could go wrong.” Now, all eyes turn to the blonde.
“I have no idea what you”re talking about!”
“You know exactly. You begged me to give you the pills so you could get back at Caleb.”
“What? You”re lying! You”ve all conspired against me!” The beast turns to her father”s side, seeking refuge. “Daddy, you have to believe me. I have nothing to do with these drugs!”
“Just like you had nothing to do with trying to blackmail me? Demanding that I choose between my career and Emma?” Caleb asks.
“I have no idea what you”re talking about. I don”t need to blackmail anyone.”
“Oh really? Parker?” Caleb turns to his buddy, who nods and steps out from the crowd.
“Mr. Flake, if you would please take a look at this. I recorded it yesterday afternoon in Caleb”s loft.” Parker taps on his phone and hands it over to his boss. Flake takes the smartphone with a furrowed brow and looks down at the display. Everyone present listens eagerly.
“So, Caleb, you said you wanted to talk? I assume you”ve reconsidered my demand. Spit it out, how have you decided?” Jessica”s voice emanates from the speaker. Dad and I approach Flake from behind and glance over his shoulder at the phone in his hand. On the display, we see Caleb and his ex, sitting at his poker table, talking. Judging by the angle, the video was taken from the stairs leading to his bedroom.
“No, Daddy, don”t watch this!” Jessica exclaims. She reaches down, attempting to snatch the device from her father”s hand, but he catches her arm and pushes her aside.
“Shhh, I want to see it.” Now it”s her turn to look dumbfounded. I refrain from making a snarky comment and instead watch the video. Caleb is brilliant. He skillfully guides the conversation so that she gradually spills the beans. I see Mr. Flake tensing up as he realizes what a deceitful person his daughter is. He watches the entire video before looking up at his forward with remorse.
“Do you believe me now, Carl? Emma has nothing to do with these drugs.” Caleb steps to my side and takes the plastic bag from my hand. His fingers graze my skin tenderly, sending shivers down my spine. He smiles at me and then turns back to the boss. “These,” he explains, handing him the pills, “belong to Durand, not Emma. I know he has more stashed in his locker.”
“Sir, please, I never took any of these myself, nor did I sell them to any of the guys. You have to believe me,” Durand pleads. He”s still hanging from Toby”s grip, looking utterly desperate.
“To my office,” says the owner.
“Sir, please!”
“Immediately!” Flake thunders, turning to the other players. “All of you, take this as a lesson. I won”t tolerate drugs in my team. Now, get out, I have work to do.” He presses a button on the armrest of his wheelchair, causing it to make a tight turn and stop in front of Jessica. She backs away like a trapped animal.
“And now, you. I am profoundly disappointed. You”ll never set foot in my ice rink again, I can tell you that much. We”ll sort out the rest later. Go home, I”ll deal with you later.” As the blonde girl stomps past her old man, teeth gritted and face crimson, he turns to Dad and me.
“I have to apologize to both of you. I had no way of knowing what intrigues were being spun behind the scenes. If you still want to, Emma, you can keep your job.” I”m still so overwhelmed by everything that just happened that I can only nod in silence.
“Very well, then welcome back, good luck charm,” he says contentedly, then turns around and follows the guys.
“I”ll leave you two alone,” Dad smiles at me, kisses my forehead, and leaves. I blink up at Caleb, who steps in front of me, looking down at me with a serious expression.
“I”m sorry,” he says softly, taking my hands in his. His touch tightens my throat. God, how I”ve missed being close to him. “I didn”t want to leave you thinking I had chosen against you, but I had to. It was the only chance to get both Jessica and Durand.”
“I don”t understand...” My voice is rough, like sandpaper.
“I didn”t tell you about my plan because Jessica could never see that we were trying to fool her. She had to take the bait and believe that I had chosen against you. That was the only way to make sure she stayed here, and I could expose her in front of everyone.”
“You planned all of this?”
“Yes. After Parker made that video yesterday afternoon, I waited for two hours and then called Jess. I told her I had reconsidered her words and had chosen my career. Then I got her to reveal her plan. I made her believe I wanted to avoid running into you again, so I needed to know when exactly she was going to expose you. She was so confident that she had won that she just told me everything. About the drugs, where she had hidden them, and when she was planning to blow your cover.” Unbelievable – and I was so sure he had chosen against me. I feel the painful weight that has been on my chest since last night start to lift.
“I thought you left me,” I whisper, looking between his wonderful eyes.
“Emma,” Caleb says gently, cupping my face in his hands. His thumb catches the single tear rolling down my cheek. “I would never leave you. Not for my career or anything else in this world.” He leans down so I can feel his breath tingling on my skin. “You belong to me,” he murmurs, “and no one will ever take you away from me.” With that, he lowers his lips to mine and seals his words with a long, intense kiss.