Chapter 32
Mac
They walked back into the reception hand in hand, and it was immediately obvious that Jamie had made good on his threat to tell everyone.
Luke spotted them first and let out a whoop that probably violated noise ordinances. "FINALLY! I've been watching you two dance around this for WEEKS!"
He barreled over and hugged them both so hard Mac heard his ribs creak.
"Luke," Mac gasped. "Can't breathe."
"Sorry! I'm just so happy for you!" Luke released them, grinning. "This is the best wedding ever. Cole and Ellie get married, you two finally admit you're in love, it's like a romantic comedy."
Tyler appeared, deadpan as always. "Congratulations. Try not to be too disgusting about it."
"Thanks, Tyler. That was heartfelt."
"I don't do heartfelt. You know that."
But Tyler was smiling, barely, but it was there.
Cole pulled Mac into a hug next, slapping his back. "Told you she loved you back.”
Sophie grabbed Rachel in a fierce hug. "I'm so proud of you!"
Sophie pulled back, wiping her eyes.
Ellie, still in her wedding dress, practically tackled them both. "This is the best wedding present ever! Love is everywhere today!"
"Ellie, this is your wedding day," Rachel protested. "We didn't mean to steal your spotlight."
"Are you kidding? This makes it even more perfect!" Ellie beamed at them, her face glowing.
The DJ invited everyone to come to the floor for a slow dance, and the dance floor filled.
Mac pulled Rachel close as the song started.
"I can't believe today happened," Rachel murmured against his chest.
"Which part? The beautiful wedding? The speeches? Us?"
"All of it." She pulled back slightly to look at him.
"I love you," Mac said, because he could now. Because she loved him back.
Rachel's lips curved into a smile. "You know, for a guy who rambles, you're getting awfully comfortable with those three words."
"Should I stop?"
"Don't you dare." She rested her head against his chest. "But if you say it twenty more times tonight, I'm going to start keeping a catalog."
"Challenge accepted."
Around them, the reception continued. Luke was attempting to teach Ellie's aunt how to do some complicated dance move.
Jamie was talking to Sophie near the bar, or more accurately, watching her work while pretending to talk to other people.
Coach Davies was dancing with his wife, both of them laughing at something.
The reception was winding down. It was almost 11 PM, the cake had been cut (chocolate raspberry, delicious), the bouquet had been tossed (caught by one of Ellie's cousins), the garter had been thrown (caught by Sanchez from the Eagles team, who immediately started planning his own wedding despite not having a girlfriend).
Mac was at the bar getting drinks when Jamie appeared beside him.
"Best wedding ever," Jamie said, his eyes drifting to where Sophie was managing the catering staff.
Before Mac could respond, the energy in the room shifted.
Subtle at first, conversations faltering. People turning toward the entrance.
Mac's stomach dropped before he even turned around.
Because he knew.
Derek Matthews stood in the doorway.
Mac recognized him instantly, same guy who'd blown into Evergreen Cove months ago claiming he was here to "check on" Cole. Hadn't done much actual checking, just a lot of smooth talking and even smoother exits.
Matthews was tall, built, dark hair perfectly styled. The charcoal suit was tailored and expensive, the kind Mac couldn't afford even if he wanted to.
Polished shoes. Expensive watch. Everything about him screamed money and carefully curated image. And that smile, warm, charismatic, the kind that probably charmed hospital donors and NHL executives without effort.
Mac didn't trust it for a second. This was the man who'd assaulted Rachel. Who'd destroyed her life as revenge. Who was now standing in Cole and Ellie's reception with that same friendly smile, like he belonged here.
Mac's hands curled into fists.
The room had gone quiet, everyone sensing something was wrong. Derek's eyes scanned the reception with surgical precision, the decorations, the guests, the wedding party. Mac watched him assess, calculate, plan. Then Derek's gaze landed on exactly who he was looking for.
Rachel. Then Ellie.
His smile widened.
"Rachel," Derek said, his voice carrying across the suddenly quiet room. His tone was warm, friendly, like they were old friends reuniting. "What a pleasant surprise."
He walked forward. Every eye in the room followed him. His cologne reached Mac before he did, expensive, overwhelming. The kind of scent that announced I cost more than your car.
"And Noelle Winters. Or is it Hansen now?
" He extended his hand toward Ellie, who was standing frozen near Cole.
"Congratulations on the wedding. And on Cole's continued recovery, of course.
When I assessed your treatment plan last year, I'll admit I had my doubts about your. .. unconventional approach."
Ellie didn’t take his hand.
His smile widened, as he lowered his hand, showing perfect teeth.
"But clearly, you've managed just fine without more advanced oversight.
Though if you ever need a second opinion from someone with actual credentials—" He let the sentence hang, the implication crystal clear: her PT license versus his PT PhD.
The subtext was a knife between the ribs. Mac moved immediately, positioning himself between Derek and Rachel and Ellie.
Cole did the same, his face red. The entire Eagles team seemed to shift without discussion. Jamie appeared on Mac's left, his usual playfulness gone, replaced by something cold and protective. Luke on Mac's right, no longer bouncing with energy but solid and immovable.
Tyler moved to stand behind Cole, arms crossed. Coach Davies stepped forward from where he'd been dancing with his wife. The message was clear: You're not welcome here.
Derek's smile never faltered. In fact, it widened.
"My, oh my, what a protective group." His eyes locked on Rachel again, and her hand gripped his arm, her nails digging into his jacket. "Rachel, it's been what; half a year since you fled to this charming little town? You look wonderful. Evergreen Cove clearly agrees with you."
Rachel trembled against him. Her face had gone pale, all the earlier joy evaporated.
"Derek." She said it calmly enough, but Mac caught the way she swallowed first. "You weren't invited."
"Wasn't I?" Derek asked, eyebrows raised, hands open.
Like he had no idea what she was talking about.
"I was under the impression this was a celebration of small-market hockey success.
Cole Hansen's miraculous recovery. The dedicated PT who achieved the impossible.
" His smile turned sharp, his eyes moving to Ellie.
"The team that defied the odds. And here I am, the leading expert on sports physical therapy, ready to offer my professional congratulations and perhaps some guidance on protocols. "
"This is a private wedding," Cole said, his voice dangerously quiet. Every word carefully controlled. "You need to leave. Now."
"Oh, but I just arrived." Derek gestured to the reception like he was admiring the decorations.
"And everything is so lovely. Sophie's Café catered, I see, excellent choice.
The Riverside Inn's gardens are spectacular this time of year.
" His attention swung back to Cole and Ellie. "I have so many questions for you."
His gaze flicked between Cole and Ellie.
Rachel's grip on his arm tightened further. He covered her hand with his, squeezing gently.
I've got you. We've got you.
"You need to leave," Mac said, the rage was building in his chest like a physical thing. "Now."
Derek's attention shifted to Mac fully for the first time, assessing him with cold calculation. Taking in his tux, his protective stance, the way Rachel was pressed against his side.
"And you are?"
"Ryan MacKenzie. Best man. Rachel's boyfriend." Mac stood taller, vaguely aware he sounded like he was listing his credentials for a job interview. World's worst job interview. "And I'm telling you to leave. This is a private event. You're not welcome here."
Something flickered across Derek's face, surprise, maybe. Or interest. His gaze moved between Mac and Rachel slowly, deliberately. And Mac saw the exact moment Derek understood the situation. The exact moment he realized Rachel had found someone new.
And Derek's smile became absolutely poisonous.
"How lovely," Derek said. "Rachel, you've moved on. I'm so happy for you. Truly."
He took a step closer, and Mac felt every muscle in his body tense.
"And you've found yourself a hockey player," Derek continued, his eyes locked on Mac now. "How... familiar. How very predictable." He tilted his head, that smile never wavering. "Tell me, Mac; has Rachel told you about her history with hockey players? About her tendency to... hold them back?"
The implication hung in the air like poison gas.
Rachel made a small sound, hurt and anger and fear all mixed together. Her hand was trembling against Mac's arm now, her nails digging in so hard Mac could feel it through his jacket.
“You should leave, right now,” Mac said through clenched teeth. “Before you’ll regret it.”
Rage surge through him, white-hot and overwhelming.
Every instinct screamed to punch that smug face, which would be satisfying for approximately three seconds before he got arrested at his best friend's wedding.
Ellie would kill him. Actually, Cole would kill him first, then Ellie would resurrect him and kill him again. So Mac didn't punch anyone.
But he really, really wanted to.
Ellie stepped forward.
She was still in her wedding dress, her hair still perfect, but her expression was pure ice.
"Mr. Matthews," she said. "This is my wedding reception. A private event celebrating my marriage to the man I love. And you are trespassing."
Derek opened his mouth, but Ellie kept going.
"I'm going to ask you one time, once, to leave voluntarily. If you refuse, we'll have security escort you out."
"Security?" Derek looked around the room with exaggerated amusement. "At a small-town wedding? How quaint. How very... provincial."
"Coach Davies," Ellie called, not taking her eyes off Derek. "Could you please call the police? We have an uninvited guest who's refusing to leave a private event. Trespassing. Harassment. I believe those are both criminal offenses in Vermont."
Coach Davies, who'd been standing near the door, immediately pulled out his phone. "Already dialing."
Derek's smile stayed in place, but his eyes changed. The warmth disappeared, replaced by something flat and cold. Mac had seen that look before, on guys right before they threw a dirty hit.
"That won't be necessary." He straightened his jacket, smoothing down the expensive fabric. "I've seen what I came to see."
His gaze swept over the room one more time, lingering on Cole and Ellie, then on Mac and Rachel.
"Congratulations to the happy couples," Derek said. "I hope your marriage is everything you deserve." The words sounded like a threat. "And Rachel."
He turned that poisonous smile on her one last time.
"It's wonderful to see you've landed on your feet. Though I have to say—" He paused, letting the moment stretch. "I'm surprised you'd risk it. Given your history."
Mac lunged forward, but suddenly Cole and Jamie were there, grabbing his arms, holding him back.
"Don't," Cole said urgently in his ear. "That's exactly what he wants. Don't give it to him."
Derek was already walking toward the door, his mission accomplished. Chaos created. Wounds reopened. Poison delivered.
At the doorway, he turned back one last time.
"Oh, and Ellie?" He leaned back, hands in his pockets, relaxed as anything. "I'll be in town for a few more days. Consulting with some regional teams about proper oversight. I'm sure we'll cross paths again." His smile widened. "I'm very much looking forward to our professional discussions."
And then he was gone. The room stayed frozen.
Then it erupted.
People talking over each other, demanding to know what just happened. Who was that man? Why did he say those things? Is everything okay?
But Mac only saw Rachel. The rest of the room could have been on fire, actually, given Derek's exit, maybe it was, and Mac wouldn't have noticed. She was shaking violently, tears streaming down her face, her hand pressed to her mouth.
"Rachel," Mac said, pulling her into his arms. "Rachel, look at me."
She looked up, her eyes devastated, terrified.
Cole and Ellie appeared beside them, both furious.
"He's going to come after us," Ellie said quietly, tension on her face. "This was just the opening move."
"Let him try," Cole said, his arm around his wife protectively. "We've got nothing to hide. Your treatment was legitimate, documented, and reviewed by independent physicians. He's got nothing."
"He doesn't need facts," Rachel said, her voice small. "He only needs doubt. That's how he works. He plants doubt and lets it grow like poison."
"Emergency team meeting," Cole said, his captain voice fully engaged. "Tomorrow morning. 11 AM. Everyone. We need a strategy."
"Agreed," Mac said.
Coach Davies appeared, his weathered face grim. "I got it on video. The whole thing. Him showing up uninvited, refusing to leave, making accusations. That's evidence if we need it."
"Good," Cole said. "We might."
The reception was effectively over. Guests were leaving now, offering hugs and concerned looks. Mrs. Henderson stopped by their table, patting Rachel's hand.
"That man is a bully," she said firmly. "And bullies only win if you let them. You hold your head high, dear."
Rachel nodded, tears still streaming.
Sophie appeared with Rachel’s coat. "Come on, I’ll take you home."
But Mac shook his head. "I'm taking her to her place. She shouldn't be alone tonight."
"Good," Sophie said. "That's good." She hugged Rachel tightly. "We're going to fight this. All of us. That bastard picked the wrong town to mess with."