Page 99 of The Player's Club

Dawn scrubbed the tables and chairs where students worked on their pottery. She seemed agitated now. “Mac’s parents never let him just be himself,” said Dawn. “His dad, especially. I remember when Mac and I went to prom. Mac wore a red velvet coat—he looked fucking amazing—but his dad threw a shit fit. Said that Mac looked like a—”

She paused, wincing. “Well, you can guess the word. His dad never accepted him, and his mom just stood by silently and did nothing. When they found out Mac was with Caroline, his dad pretty much kicked him out of the house. Mac only survived because he had hockey to fall back on.”

“What’s ironic was Mac’s dad calling Mac the f-word, when I was the gay one,” said Dawn wryly. “He never liked me, though. I had a feeling he knew I was into girls. He’d give me this cold look whenever I came to see Mac.”

I took in all this information, and my heart hurt for young Mac. His parents hadn’t protected him, had they? They’d only judged him and found him wanting. And when he’d been preyed upon by Caroline, they’d blamed him for it.

“I hate that you lied to Mac,” said Dawn, her gaze direct. “But it sounds like you’re trying to make amends, at least. Mac isn’t an aberration, though. His private life shouldn’t be used for gossip fodder.”

“I know that. And I agree.”

Dawn stared me down, and I had to restrain myself from fidgeting. “Does he know there’s nothing wrong with him? That he isn’t some freak of nature?”

“I’m not sure. I think he still judges himself,” I replied quietly.

Dawn shook her head. “I only ever wanted him to be happy. I still do. We lost touch years ago, but I’ve followed his career. I’d always hoped he had let go of all that guilt and shame.”

“I think with Caroline dying, he’s starting to,” I said.

“Good. And good riddance to that hag. She used a kid and never faced any consequences for it. May she rot in hell.”

I blinked, a little taken aback. But I couldn’t disagree with Dawn either. I also hoped that wherever Caroline was, she was finally feeling all the pain she’d inflicted on other people.

When I was about to head out, Dawn gave me a fierce hug. “Take care of him, okay? And tell him I’m thinking about him.”

I nodded, feeling tears prick my eyes. “I’m not sure he’ll talk to me after this interview.”

“He will. He’s in love with you. I saw those pictures of you together, and he’s let you in to his deepest, darkest secrets. No guy does that if he’s not in love. He’ll come around.”

I hugged her back and prayed that Dawn was right.

I didn’t sleep the night before the interview. Couldn’t remember the last time I was this anxious. When I got out of my bed and looked at myself in the mirror, I winced. I looked terrible. I had dark circles under my eyes, and I looked pale. I put on more makeup than usual just to make myself seem like less of a zombie.

I was all nerves when I arrived at the hotel where Mac’s publicist Olivia had scheduled for us to meet. I’d sent over my final draft of questions the night prior, but Olivia replied that Mac didn’t need to see them beforehand.

I was early, so I waited in the lobby for Mac. I got a latte from a nearby café but couldn’t even drink it. My palms were sweaty, and sweat had broken out on my upper lip. I just hoped I wasn’t sweating through my dress. The last thing I wanted was Mac to see me as a complete mess.

When he arrived, I didn’t even need to see him to know he was at the hotel. I heard a commotion near the entrance, and then suddenly, it was over before it’d even begun.

One of the hotel workers came over to where I was sitting. “Come with me,” he said. When I hesitated, he gave me a look over his shoulder that seemed to say, I don’t have all day.

I followed him into the restaurant attached to the hotel. To my surprise, it was completely empty even though it was lunchtime.Then I saw Mac sitting at a table near the back, away from any windows. He wore a button-down shirt and had his hair slicked back. When he saw me, his gaze pierced straight to my soul.

I started shaking. I swallowed and took a deep breath. This isn’t a date. This is work. Act professional.

When I went to Mac’s table, I held out my hand. “Nice to see you,” I said. It was hard not to reach out and hug him. But I had to remind myself yet again of the boundaries he’d set. Mac raised an eyebrow. He stood and finally shook my hand. The feel of his palm against mine was electric.

“Nice to see you,” he drawled.

Although the restaurant was empty, that didn’t mean we weren’t being watched. There was staff all around us.

When we sat down, I said, “Now, let’s get started.”

MAC

The moment Elodie walked into the restaurant, I wanted to fall to my knees and beg her for forgiveness. It didn’t help that she looked absolutely gorgeous. She wore a simple gray dress with her hair up in a bun, but it was the prettiest I’d ever seen her.

Damn, was I deep in it.