Chapter 31 #2
“Sadly, yes. It has come to my attention that there was a party last night at a popular club downtown, Star Cove. One photo from the club’s account has been brought to my attention.
I’m sorry,” she says to the filming crew.
“I need you to stop filming right now. This is something that needs to remain confidential.”
The cameramen don’t look happy, but they do as Carole asks.
“Lexi, can you show that photo on the big screen behind me, please?”
The chief choreographer nods from the first row, and one second later, the photo of me and Tucker that Gen showed us earlier appears in high definition despite being blown up on the movie theater style screen.
It’s complete chaos. People are laughing, gasping, catcalling, and someone is even hollering.
Coach Harrison blows on his whistle. “This is not a cattle market. You will all conduct yourselves like the civilized adults you’re supposed to be, or else!”
Silence descends again in the auditorium. You could hear the proverbial pin drop.
Colsen looks at me. His pinky finger brushes against mine on the edge of my seat.
Nash turns his scowl toward me for one second before turning back, shaking his head.
Tucker raises his hand from his spot in the middle of the auditorium. “Coach, ma’am. If I may.”
Coach Harrison turns to look at his star goalie. I can see his jaw ticking from all the way up here. “I urge you to choose your next words very carefully, Prescott.”
Tucker stands up. “That photo is my fault. Last night was my birthday, and I got carried away. Please don’t punish Taryn because of my lapse in judgment. In our defense, we didn’t know we weren’t allowed to… fraternize.”
Madison snorts from her spot next to Genevieve. “Fraternize? That’s more like mating in the middle of the dance floor.”
“Madison!” Carole scolds her. “This isn’t the kind of behavior I expect from my cheerleaders. You’re dismissed. Pack your things and leave camp immediately.”
“But I—” Madison’s stunned voice breaks.
“Leave. Now.” Carole insists. “And Tucker, thank you for your heartfelt words. It speaks volumes about your ethics that you would take responsibility for Taryn’s actions. But it takes two to tango.”
Tucker doesn’t relent. “But if Taryn gets kicked out, I deserve to be kicked out too. It would be only fair.”
What is Tucker doing? I appreciate his sense of justice, but I would never forgive myself if he got kicked out of the team because of me.
“Let me and Coach Harrison worry about what’s fair.
” Carole bites out. “I understand that the rules seem harsher for the cheerleaders than they are for the players. But the hockey team is an asset to the college and the whole division. We’re forming this professional team with the intention of supporting the future NHL team that will come to Star Cove.
But we don’t have to have a cheer team. This is why the rules are more lenient for you guys.
You bring glory and money to the town. It’s harsh, but it’s the truth.
And, like I mentioned before, this is your one get out of jail card.
So this time, Taryn is going to get a warning.
And before anyone else decides to complain, the reason is that there was a clerical error and the non fraternization rule wasn’t mentioned anywhere in any of the material you’ve received during the selection process and when you moved into your accommodation here at camp.
But the mistake is being corrected as we speak.
So you’ll all receive an email highlighting what we just discussed.
Now, if there aren’t any other questions… ”
Gen raises her hand.
I brace myself for the worst, and I meet Jodie’s gaze from Mack’s other side.
She leans over to whisper. “Let her ask that you’re kicked out. Maybe she’ll be dismissed like Madison.”
For some reason, I doubt it. Gen’s parents are heavily involved in the funding and running of the Shooting Stars. I think it would take a hell of a lot more for Gen to be asked to leave.
“Go ahead, Genevieve.” Carole’s tone is much kinder than it was even when she addressed Tucker.
“I understand the rules.” Gen stands up. “And I agree with them. But I think there should be an exception for couples who were together before camp started.”
Carole blinks a couple of times, clearly confused. “Oh. Is there such a situation?”
“Oh, Carole, you’re funny. You know Mack and I have been dating for years.”
“Right,” Carole sounds unsure. “I was under the impression that you two were no longer an item.”
Before Gen can say anything else, Mack stands up.
“That’s because we’re not. I’ve been telling you this for months, Gen.
I hate to do this, but maybe it’s good that Carole and your mom are here too.
You and I are done.” He addresses Carole.
“If you ever see me and Gen in a compromising position, please apply the non fraternization clause.”
Several people laugh at Mack’s plea, thinking he’s joking.
But I know Mack well enough to know that he isn’t. He’s been desperately trying to get Gen to back off, but his ex doesn’t seem to want to get the message no matter how harshly it’s delivered.
“Very well.” Carole says. “If there aren’t any other questions, thanks to everyone for your cooperation. And I’ll see the cheerleader candidates in one hour in the big studio.”
People begin to leave, but I stay rooted to my spot.
“Tar-Tar, are you ok?” Mack asks.
I shake my head. Colsen takes my hand in his, taking advantage of the fact that the auditorium is emptying rapidly. “We’ll figure this out, pretty girl. Let me talk to Tuck, and we’ll text you with a plan to discuss the situation.”
I’m almost scared to ask the question on the tip of my tongue. “Yeah? You aren’t breaking up with me?”
“What? No. Not unless it’s what you want. And even then, I would hope you’d at least want to discuss this first.”
“Ok.” I say softly. “I don’t know. I hope there’s a way to make this work. But for now, please go. The last thing we need is to be seen whispering to each other.”
I watch Colsen and Mack leave. Nash leaves his own seat after they walk past him.
His green eyes stop on mine for a long moment. He looks furious.
“Babes, are you ok?” Jodie asks. “Why did Colsen want to speak to you? I thought you chose Tucker?”
“Huh?” I blink, confused. “No. Why did you think that?”
She points to the big screen that, thank God, is now blank. “You were joined at the hip all night last night. So I thought …”
“It’s complicated. We were still trying to figure this out.
I’m attracted to both him and Colsen.” There would also be Nash, but I don’t even want to go there right now.
From the way he’s been looking at me, I doubt he’ll ever want to speak to me again.
And that was before being with me put him at risk of potentially being benched.
That’s exactly the kind of situation he left behind in Hemlock Beach.
“Ok. Let’s go get something to eat. I can help you make a plan.”
Jodie tries to take my hand, but I shrug her off.
“I’m sorry, Jo-Jo. I’m not hungry. I love you and you’re the best for always being my ride or die. But can we talk later? I need a second to myself.”
“Are you sure?” Worry is etched all over her pretty face.
I nod. “Positive. I’ll go for a walk to clear my head and I’ll see you for rehearsal, ok?”
“I’ll get you a protein bar from the dining hall, in case you get hungry later. Ok?”
I hug my best friend and then leave the auditorium from the opposite exit.
I walk around the campgrounds without a precise destination in mind. My mind is caught up in a spiral of negative thoughts.
How is it possible that I always end up making a mess of my life? After what happened in Hemlock Beach, Star Cove was supposed to be my fresh start.
Instead, I managed to fall for three hockey players. And if I follow my heart, I might not only lose my spot on the team, but I could end up hurting their careers too, if they get benched.
Tucker has an NHL contract, but he could get dropped if he got caught up in a scandal. I don’t know what Colsen’s situation is, but I doubt it’s much different.
Then there’s Nash. He was unsure about wanting to date me with Tucker and Colsen in the picture. I think about what he said to me when we had dinner together in the Japanese garden.
“Hockey is still my priority this year. And the second I think this thing is gonna go south and cause problems with the team…”
And, “The thing is, Trouble, that I’m not very good at sharing. When I want something, or someone, I want everything.”
This is why he can’t even look at me since he saw me coming out of that room with Tucker and Colsen last night.
I stop in the middle of a path. My elbows hit my knees as I hunch down to catch my breath.
My phone vibrates in the pocket on the side of my shorts.
Without even thinking, I take it out to check who’s texting me.
Unknown: Roses are red, violets are blue, someone’s a slut and I bet it is you.
Another text comes right after.
Unknown: I know what you did this summer. End it with them, or everyone else in town will find out who you really are. XOXO.
I hope you enjoyed Taryn’s story so far.