Page 28 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Celeste

M ac has been gone for the past week for his stretch of away games, but even without him here, I haven't felt alone.

The dinner the night he left was better than I could have imagined, and the kids were extremely excited when we told them we were dating.

Talon was really the only one who understood what it meant, but the younger two fed off his excitement.

While away, Maclan has been in constant contact, whether it be via texts or video chats with the kids. He's made sure we know he's thinking of us and wishes he could be here with us. Not only has he been in touch, but he's also found little ways to spoil and take care of me and the kids.

Talon is still going to practice, even though he can't play, and to soften the blow, Mac sent swag and set up an ice cream party for his entire team. Another night, he had dinner delivered when he knew I’d had a rather busy day working on negotiating a few modeling gigs for Talia.

I've never had this much thoughtful attention showered on me by a man I've been involved with.

It's almost overwhelming, but I try to accept it without waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Mac will be home tonight, and I can't wait to see him. But first, I have a meeting with Gabriella to discuss the final plan for our press release and touch base on my fledgling business.

I drove into the city to grab a late lunch with her so that I can still make it home in time to have dinner with the kids.

"Earth to Cel? You okay over there?" Gabriella waves a hand in my face.

"Yeah, sorry. Just got lost in my head for a minute." I shake my head as if that will clear the thoughts of Mac and all the warring emotions that come along with him.

"I know this press conference is a lot, but I think it will do wonders in getting the attention off your back.

Jessa and Della are rockstars and have been great to work with.

We're all on the same page and know the goal is to keep the kids out of the social media circus.

We'll do everything we can to make that happen.

" Gabriella reaches across the table and squeezes my hand.

"Yeah, no. I know it's the right move and have complete faith in you ladies," I mumble.

"Then what's got you making that face?" She gestures towards me, which makes my frown deepen.

"To be honest, I'm not thrilled that we need to do the press release, but I've been in the public eye long enough to know it's best to get ahead of the story and control the narrative. I know we need to do this, especially to keep the kids safe. It's just…"

"You're not used to having someone by your side to face this kind of attention?" She raises a brow and crosses her arms knowingly.

"Exactly." I huff as I flop back in my chair.

"Okay, so what's got you all twisted up where Mac is concerned?"

"I don't know. I think it's that he's just too good to be true.

He's been gone all week for away games, but he hasn't missed a beat.

He's still taking care of me and the kids, has kept in constant communication, and is all around more supportive and present—even though he's gone—than any man I've ever been with. "

"I'm not seeing the issue, babe." Gabriella smirks at me.

"Ugh, there isn't one, and that's the issue. It's too good to be true. He's too good to be true, and I'm just stuck here, getting used to being cared for while waiting for the other shoe to drop, which it will because it always does." I toss my napkin on the table in frustration.

"Or, hear me out…" Gabriella raises her hand to stop me when I go to protest. "He truly cares about you and the kids, is a genuinely good guy who wants the best for you, and enjoys being with you all and taking care of you."

"But why? He's young, handsome as hell, and a professional hockey player, for fuck's sake. He could have any woman he wanted. Why the hell would he waste his time on a washed-up, hot-mess model single mom of three kids under the age of six?"

"You can fuck off right now talking about my friend like that, for starters.

" Fire flashes in Gabriella's eyes, making my spine straighten and my pity party halt in its tracks.

"You know I do not tolerate anyone talking bad about the people I love, including you putting yourself down.

Where is all of this negativity coming from? "

"I don't kn—" I stop mid-sentence when a thought smacks me in the face.

Of course I have thought Mac was too good to be true, but the words that just came out of my mouth sounded a hell of a lot like words that the old Celeste would have said when she was with the dick.

"Fuck, I think Chad dick might have gotten to me subconsciously," I deflate as the realization slams into me full force.

"Explain." Gabriella's eyes narrow at the mention of my ex, whom she was never a fan of.

"Chad called after seeing Mac and me kiss at his game. He was spewing his normal bullshit, which I quickly shut down and told him to fuck off, but apparently, I'm not as immune to him as I'd like to believe."

"That's completely understandable, babe.

You took his abuse for years in an attempt to create the perfect family for your kids.

Unfortunately, that was never a possibility with the dick as their dad.

But you recognized that and rectified the situation.

That said, I'm not surprised that speaking to him brought up some of those old insecurities with everything he put you through.

" She reaches across the table and pats my hand.

"You need to give yourself some grace and have a little faith in you and Mac. "

"I know you're right, and I'm trying. I swear I am. I'm just not used to someone taking care of me or the kids, of someone making us their priority since we've never come first before, ya know?"

I shrug as I anxiously brush my hair off my face.

"I know, sweets. Is there anything else weighing on your mind as far as Mac's concerned?"

"No, I don't think so. I don't doubt that he wants me and the kids, not for a second. It's just the why that I struggle with, but I'm working on it."

"Good. Now that the personal life stuff is out of the way, how are things going with Talia?"

"It's great! She's so freaking sweet. I'm so glad you sent her my way. Talia is exactly the type of client I want to represent."

"Good. I thought you two would be a good fit." Gabriella smirks as she takes a sip of her wine.

"I'd like to think we are. Talia is a hard worker, but she hasn't seen the darkest sides this industry has to offer. It hasn't broken her, like it has so many other great models. I'm relieved she found you when she did so that we could make sure this business doesn't break her and make her bitter."

"From your lips to God's ears." She raises her cup in the air. "We don't need to lose another good one to the evils of this business."

"Agreed. And as far as the business side of things goes, I just negotiated her a few different gigs.

Nothing too big, but definitely in the right direction to get her name in the right circles.

One editorial spread and two smaller runway shows.

" I smile, unable to fight the pride that's swelling inside of me.

"Hell yeah. That's wonderful, Celeste." Gabriella beams at me. "So, are you ready for more clients?"

"Umm, that would be a no." An exacerbated chuckle escapes me. "Let me feel like I have my feet under me with this one before you go adding more to my plate."

"Whatever you need, I'm here to support you."

"Thanks, Gab. I really appreciate you."

"And I you." She raises her glass of wine towards me, so I meet her halfway and clink our glasses together. "Now, the next order of business I have for you… I need you to keep an open mind."

"Okay." I take a sip of my wine as I eye her warily.

"Now that you've rejoined the modeling world, and your name has started to resurface, I've had several people reach out to me, wondering if you'd be interested in booking gigs with them."

The sip of wine I just took goes down wrong as I choke and sputter. "S-seriously?"

"Yes, seriously. Why is that so shocking to you? You were a highly sought after model, an expert at runway, and a face that could handle a pound of makeup or be flawless when it was stripped bare. Of course people are clamoring to snatch you up now that you’re back in the industry.

" She rolls her eyes at me as if I'm being obtuse on purpose.

"B-but I'm old and I've had babies," I sputter.

I try to wrap my brain around how anyone would want me to model for them after being out of the industry for a few years and having several pregnancies.

"Oh, fuck off. You are not old, and your body bounced back as if you were never pregnant.

" I gape at her like a fish, but snap my lips closed when she raises a finger.

"And don't even try to object because I've seen you in a bikini since you've had Layla.

You might not be stick thin, but you've gained some curves in all the right places. Your body is beautiful, Celeste."

"Hell…" I take another drink as I try to gather my thoughts. "I haven't given modeling a second thought, to tell you the truth. With all of the young, new talent, I didn't think there was even a point in entertaining that idea."

"Well, good for you that I'm here to tell you there are several people dying to have that gorgeous specimen sitting across from me represent their brands if you so choose."

"Can I think about it?" I blink warily at her.

"Of course. I've let them all know that, while you have returned to the industry, you weren't looking to model again and that I'd probably have to warm you up to the idea of diving back in. They were all understanding and said you were worth the wait."

"Wow."

"Wow, indeed. You're a hot commodity, babe. It's time you start to realize it." Gabriella winks at me.

I stare back at her, startled.