Chapter 14 #3
His face is still inscrutable. “I recognized you the second I saw you. What brings you here? On the opposite side of the country? Are you from California?”
“No. I came for the auditions.” It’s not a complete lie. The audition is the main reason we stayed, aside from running out of money.
Nash doesn’t question it. After all, the contestants came from all over the country. We even have a couple of Canadian girls in our midst.
“What about you? Is your injury better? I’m surprised to see you here. You were Hemlock Beach’s biggest star.”
Something passes in the green depths of Nash’s eyes. “Yeah, well, things change. I didn’t feel valued by my old coach. I needed a new challenge, and Coach Harrison offered me a spot here in Star Cove.”
Right. Nash is a senior. I remember how huge a deal it was when he got recruited into Hemlock Beach’s hockey program.
“I hope you like it better here in Star Cove.”
The tension in his jaw seems to ease at my words. That sexy, almost smile reappears on his lips. “I already like it much better here. Especially now that you might be cheering for me all season.”
Heat rises to my face, and I know I must be blushing. “If I get selected.” I swear I’m not flirting.
“You will.” Nash sounds as if he didn’t have one doubt in the world that I’ll make the cheerleading team. “I think Star Cove is going to be fun. Besides, the vibe on our old campus isn’t the best right now. There was a murder. Something right out of a horror movie, didn’t you hear?”
He’s looking at me like he’s expecting me to know something about it.
My knee jerk reaction is to say I have no idea what he’s talking about. I open my mouth to speak, but the changing room door opens.
“Here you two are.” Macklin looks at me and Nash, a serious expression on his face. “Carole and Lexi are looking for you, Taryn. And we need to go back to the meeting room where we started this morning to begin discussing today’s performances.”
Nash nods to his teammate. “I’ll be right out. Taryn, do you have anything to wear? So I can get my blazer back?”
“Oh, shit. Yeah, of course. I can change back into my street clothes. Don’t turn around.”
I walk to my duffel bag behind them and make quick work of taking off Talia’s top and removing Nash’s blazer.
I grab my old hoodie and put it on, pulling the zipper all the way up to my neck.
“Here you go, Nash. Thanks for coming to the rescue. At least I didn’t ruin your blazer. I feel bad about damaging the top Talia let me borrow for today’s performance. I’ll see if I can find my sewing kit and repair it before giving it back to her. Gen was right to be careful with this button.”
Nash’s green eyes are intense when he looks at me. The smile of a few moments ago is a distant memory. “Any time, Taryn. I hope to see you around.”
His fingers brush against mine when he takes his blazer from my hands, and a zing of crazy tingles spreads all over my arm.
“Mack, let’s go,” Nash says, carrying the blazer over his muscular forearm rather than putting it on.
“I’ll be right behind you.” Macklin says. “There’s something I want to ask Taryn about her performance.”
Nash seems curious, hesitant to leave the room. “Fine. Don’t be too long or we’ll be here all night.” He says after a few seconds, shaking his head and closing the door behind him.
Macklin looks at me for a long moment as if he were trying to choose his next words.
The Cove Knights’ right winger is a handsome guy. Over six feet tall, light brown hair that turns strawberry blond when the light hits it a certain way, and mesmerizing dark blue eyes.
“I don’t know how to say this,” Macklin begins. “We don’t even know each other, and you’re going to think I’m fucking crazy.”
Worry twists my insides. “Is this about my wardrobe accident? Did Carole say I’m out?”
He shakes his head. “No, no. Nothing like that. Your solo was one of the best today, if you ask me.”
I feel a little reassured. “Thanks, Macklin.”
“My friends call me Mack.” He smiles, offering me his hand to shake.
I can’t help but return his smile. “And I’m Taryn. My closest friends call me Tar-Tar.”
His eyes light up and crease at the corners when his smile widens. Mack is a stunning man, but with my hand in his much larger one, I don’t feel any of the charged tingles I felt a second ago when Nash brushed his fingers against mine.
“So now that we got the introductions taken care of, what did you want to ask me?”
Mack lets go of my hand, running his through his hair. “You’re gonna think I’m paranoid, but I’m gonna come out and just ask. Did you say that Gen told you to be careful with that button?”
“She did.” I nod. “She was here after her solo, and she was trying to clear the air and apologize for not being very welcoming when we signed up for the initial tryouts. She was super nice and even helped me fasten that stupid button and gave me a safety pin to make sure the top fit me better.”
His eyes narrow at my words. “Did Gen touch your top?”
“She fastened it for me. She did the button and then put the safety pin in like I told you. Why?”
A muscle ticks in Mack’s jaw. “I can’t be one hundred percent sure, but I think my ex-girlfriend might have had something to do with what happened to you on the dance floor.”
“What?” I can’t believe his words. “But she was being so helpful.”
“Yeah?” Mack’s tone is laced with barely repressed anger. “If that were the case, she wouldn’t have left the auditorium to run to Carole. She was talking her ear off about the incident, making you unsuitable for the team. She said you did it on purpose to get noticed by the viewers.”
I feel like a complete idiot. “How could I be so stupid? She came in saying that I didn’t stand a chance because I’m too short and Carole wants taller dancers like her and my bestie Jodie. Then she apologized and offered me her help, and I fell for it like an idiot.”
Mack sighs. “Don’t beat yourself up, Taryn.
You had no way of knowing that you were dealing with the most psychotic bitch in town.
And believe me, usually I would never use that kind of language about a woman.
Especially one I’ve dated for almost five years and have known my whole life.
But lately she’s changed. That’s why I ended things with her. ”
I don’t know what to say. “She was so sweet. I can’t believe she would try to sabotage me.”
“I can,” Mack bites out. “She’s hellbent on making this team. If she sabotaged you, it’s because she feels threatened by you.”
“Why would she feel threatened by me? There are thirty-two spots on the team, not just one.”
Mack’s gaze darkens. “She wants to be the best, and she wants to be famous. She’s hellbent on being team captain. And she’s going to use every means at her disposal to get what she wants.”
Worry twists my insides. “She’s been telling everyone that Carole and her mom are best friends. Do you think Carole will listen to her if she’s saying I’m not cheer team material?”
Mack squeezes my shoulder. “I’ve got you, Taryn. My mom went to school with Carole and Sylvie. I grew up going to her kids’ birthday parties and they would visit my grandparents’ house in Cape Cod. Carole knows Gen almost as well as I do. But I’ll speak to her just in case. I’m on your side.”
I don’t think about what I’m about to do and throw myself into Mack’s arms. “Thank you so much. I owe you, Mack.”
He smiles again. “You don’t owe me anything. I just hate injustice, and devious people like my ex piss me off. Besides, you’re a much better dancer than Gen. But maybe there is something you can do to thank me for my intervention.”
“What is it?” I ask.
The answer causes my smile to widen. “You can be my friend and run interference any time you see Gen trying to corner me.”
What’s the worst that can happen? Gen already hates me, obviously. “You got it.”
“There’s one more thing.” Mack’s smile is a little cheeky. “I want to be allowed to call you Tar-Tar.”
We leave the changing room and as I go in his opposite direction to enter the auditorium, I have a feeling I just made a new friend.