Page 40 of Breaking the Ice
“Oh, we know Zach,” a man in the front calls out before asking, “What’s going on with you and Yolanda?”
Instead of letting me answer, Troy says, “Zach is going to match all corporate donations of up to two million dollars.”
“Is that because The Tattler accused you of being a tightwad, Zach?” a female reporter wants to know.
I shake my head before offering, “I donate a lot of money to charity, but I don’t make all of those donations public. I’m participating in this event because I have a soft spot for kids in need.”
“So you’re not here to clear up your bad press?” someone else asks.
“I don’t pander to anyone. Not even the press,” I tell them.
“Not even when you’ve dumped one of us so unceremoniously?” Yolanda has entered the discussion.
“Yolanda,” I say. “You and I went on three perfectly nice dates. I have no idea why you decided to announce to the world that we were in an exclusive relationship when we hadn’t so much as held hands. My choosing not to see you after that cannot be called dumping you.”
“Zach …” She bats her eyes several times like she’s trying to hold back tears. “I don’t know why you’re lying about us, but it really hurts.”
“I don’t know why you’re lying,” I tell her. “Not only is it unprofessional, but it makes you look like a fool.” I didn’t mean to add that last bit, but the woman has a way of riling me up.
“Do you always call your girlfriends fools?” This from the reporter who asked the first question.
“I don’t call any of my girlfriends fools.” I tell him. “Which should make it clear that Ms. Simms never held that title.”
Before things can go more off the rails, Troy takes over. “I know a lot of you are hoping to get answers from my brother, but please remember that Zach and I are here to raise money for charity.”
Troy spends the next half-hour introducing the players to the press, starting with local Maple Falls hero Dan Roberts. This has the desired effect of getting everyone back on task. While the team answers questions, I slip out of the room, hoping for a break from the chaos. Even though I shouldn’t be, I’m surprised when Yolanda joins me.
“Are you ready to hear me out?” she asks.
I look at her sleek blonde hair and her overly made-up face and search for a clue as to why she’s targeting me. “I have no desire to talk to you.”
She rolls her eyes. “Zach, I have a proposition for you. If you’ll just listen to me, you’ll understand the genius of it.”
“Does your proposition involve you telling the world that you’re a liar?”
She scoffs loudly. “Of course not.”
“Then I’m not interested.” And even though I feel quite righteous in my indignation, a part of me can’t help but wonder if I’ve just signed my own death warrant.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ellie
I leave for the hospital as soon as the delivery men are done setting up my mom’s bed. Regardless of what she says, I want to be there when she returns to her room.
After parking my car, I stop off in the cafeteria and get my mom a chocolate donut and myself an apple fritter. Then I take the elevator up to the second floor. The receptionist is a girl I went to high school with. “Hey, Jen. I’m here to see my mom.”
She stands up and walks around the desk to give me a hug. “I was going to call you when I saw that Elaine was a patient. How is she doing? How are you doing?”
Ignoring the question about me, I tell her, “Mom had more tests this morning so I’m hoping for an update.”
That’s when a man wearing scrubs turns around and asks, “Are you Elaine’s daughter?” I nod my head. “I’m her nurse, Jake. They just brought her back to her room, if you want to follow me.”
I wave to Jen before hurrying after Jake. “Is she okay?” I ask him. “Is it a brain bleed?”
“I don’t know,” he says. “The doctor is still with her so you can ask him.” He opens the door and leads the way.
My eyes immediately search out my mom. She’s lying on the bed looking so small I almost don’t believe it’s her. “Mom.” I approach her while asking, “How are you doing?”