Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Viktor
Dinner is long and boring.
Not because I only understand about three-quarters of what Holly’s parents are saying. Not because I have to spend a great deal of time translating for my parents. Certainly not because the food isn’t good.
Mostly, it’s because Nathan is still here and something is bothering Holly.
I can’t tell what it is, and she demurred when I tried to ask her, but I can see the tension in her shoulders.
The tightness in her expression. Even the way her hand feels limp in mine.
Like holding my hand requires more energy than she has left.
Her father is a pompous ass who loves to hear himself talk, so I can understand why she doesn’t enjoy coming over. Nathan is even more of an ass, telling jokes no one gets and laughing a little too loud at Mr. Grant’s stories.
My father isn’t impressed at all. I can tell by the sour expression on his face.
Aunt Irina is probably thanking her lucky stars that her English is limited to “thank you,” “please,” “no English.” My mother seems to be getting along with Mrs. Grant but they don’t have an opportunity to get a word in edgewise, and Holly hasn’t said a word since we sat down to eat.
Once it’s over, she quickly gets up to help her mother clear the table and Mr. Grant and Nathan excuse themselves for a moment.
My mother looks at me and speaks in Russian. “Is it my fault?”
“Is what your fault?” I ask in confusion.
“Holly is upset. Is it because I spoke of an Orthodox wedding?”
I didn’t consider that. Is that why she’s upset?
I don’t think so. We’ve honestly never specifically discussed religion, but I know she’s not religious.
Neither am I. Anything we do at the church is for the benefit of my parents.
But maybe Holly doesn’t understand that.
Maybe she thinks I’m going to push my religion on her—even though I don’t practice—without even asking what her beliefs are.
Dammit.
There just aren’t enough hours in the day right now.
Tomorrow morning at eight o’clock we have the closing on the house and then I have to go to a morning skate and prepare for game one of the championship. I won’t have time to properly flesh this out.
“I don’t think it’s to do with you,” I tell my mother.
“I think it’s more the fact that her father invited her ex-fiancé to dinner with some sort of plan to expose us for not being legally married or whatever other scheme he might have in mind.
I’m not sure exactly, but I anticipated that, which is why I brought the marriage certificate. ”
My mother looks toward the kitchen. “I have not seen her so quiet since we met. I’m worried.”
That catches me off-guard.
I didn’t think my mother even liked her much less cared enough to worry about her.
“You don’t even like her,” I point out, opting to see what she’ll say.
“I never said I didn’t like her. In fact, she’s lovely. I simply don’t like her for you. That’s not the same thing. And I would never go out of my way to hurt her feelings, especially not here in her parents’ home, where they were kind enough to host us for the evening.”
“Well, whether you like her or not, I like her,” I say quietly.
“Very much. So, please stop talking about weddings in Russia and those sorts of things until the series is over and she and I have a chance to sit down and talk about what’s next.
These are going to be the most important games of my career.
Frankly, I don’t need the extra pressure. ”
“I’m sorry.” My mother actually looks contrite, which is so unlike her I’m not sure what to do with it.
And she called Holly lovely.
I truly didn’t expect that.
But how could she not like Holly? She is lovely. Both inside and out.
My father told me privately that he adores her, which is great.
Aunt Irina likes her too.
The only one left is my mother and it looks like she’s coming around.
Now all I have to do is convince my wife that I’m sincere, that our marriage doesn’t have to be fake. That maybe we can be exactly what we’ve pretended to be. I’m not perfect but I’m doing my best.
“So, Viktor.” Nathan slips into the chair Holly vacated. “What would it take to get some tickets to the game tomorrow night?”
There are several sarcastic responses on the tip of my tongue, but I manage to bite them back because Mr. Grant is standing behind him.
“Unfortunately, I only have one remaining ticket,” I lie. “And I was going to offer it to Mr. Grant.”
Mr. Grant smiles. “That’s kind of you, son, but go ahead and give it to Nathan. I’ll be in the owner’s box.” He winks. “There are a few perks to being in politics.”
Great.
Well, too late to take it back now, but at least I have options.
Like making sure he has the worst possible seat I can get.
“Your name will be waiting at Will Call,” I say graciously.
“Hey, thanks a lot.” He moves to shake my hand, but I’m already up and going in search of my wife.
I don’t want to shake his hand or give him tickets or anything else. I’ll play nice while I’m in their home but I don’t have to like it.
“Hey.” I find Holly in the kitchen, talking with a woman I haven’t seen before.
“Hi.” She smiles but it’s the polite, impersonal kind of smile you give to a stranger. Not the man who had his tongue buried in your pussy a few hours ago. “This is Delphine, my parents’ housekeeper.”
“Hello.” Delphina is middle-aged with dark hair and a warm smile. “Do you need anything, Mr. Maslak?”
“No. Thank you. And please—I am Viktor. My father is Mr. Maslak.”
She grins. “Good luck tomorrow! I’m a big fan of the team.”
“Thank you. Would you like to attend?” I know this makes me an asshole, but I don’t even care if Nathan hears me.
Her eyes widen, and she clasps her hands to her chest. “Oh goodness, I couldn’t ask that of you!”
“You did not ask—I offer. Not the same.”
“I would love to go,” she whispers, her eyes filling with tears.
“Shh.” I put a finger to my lips. “Our little secret, yes?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Her eyes shine with delight and gratitude, which makes me feel good.
I look to Holly. “You will get me her full name so I can leave it at Will Call?”
“Of course. Come on, let’s go outside for a few.”
She leads me around a corner and opens a door.
“That was very kind,” Holly says as we walk out onto the deck.
It overlooks a pool and what appears to be a guest house.
“Delphine has been with us since I was a baby. She was my nanny and after I became a teenager and didn’t need anyone, they hired her to run the house.
My mother would be lost without her, so thank you for being so generous with her. ”
“I try to be nice when I’m able.”
She nods but doesn’t say anything else.
“Are you mad at me?”
“No.” She says the word but doesn’t look at me.
“Holly.” I gently turn her so we’re facing each other. “What’s wrong? It is because of having religious wedding in Russia? I am not religious—this is only for my parents.”
She blinks. “What? No. I don’t care about that.”
“Then what?”
“You never asked me, you just said we’d talk about it after the season is over, like it’s a foregone conclusion.”
“I didn’t want to get into big discussion now. When season is over, I will talk with you about if this is possible.” I’m confused and a little frustrated. “Was I supposed to ask right now? Before one of the biggest games of my life?”
She stares at me for beat and then looks away again. “I guess not. I’m sorry.” Her apology lacks conviction but that’s not what I’m after.
“This is really why you are so quiet? Because I did not ask you immediately about religious wedding?”
“Look, you’re not the only one with a lot going on, okay?
I haven’t brought up anything because you are in the middle of the most important series of your life.
But just because I don’t play hockey doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to worry about!
” With that, she turns and stalks back into the house.
I stare after her for a few seconds, completely shocked because…she’s never raised her voice before. Not to me or anyone else in my presence.
Our first fight.
And I don’t know what we’re fighting about.
I thought everything was fine.
If you take the interpersonal part of our relationship out of the equation, things are going exactly as planned.
Her job is to make everyone believe we are in love and happily married, which she’s done brilliantly.
My job is to protect her from the craziness of our families and make sure she has everything she needs, financial or otherwise.
I thought that’s what I’ve been doing.
Apparently, I was wrong.