Page 32 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Celeste

" F uck!" I cry out but smother it with my hand as a sob threatens to escape.

What the hell just happened? How did everything go so terribly wrong so fast?

"Come on, Cel," Gabriella murmurs as she wraps an arm around my shoulders and forces me in the opposite direction Mac just went.

"What the fuck was that, Gab?" I seethe, anger taking over the heartache.

"That was a shitshow of epic proportions."

"You're telling me." I run a frustrated hand through my hair.

I have no idea where Gabriella is taking me, but I'm glad we're moving. I have too many warring emotions flowing through me to stay still right now. If I stop, they'll take over, and having a complete emotional breakdown at the Knights arena is not on my agenda for the day.

"Who was that woman?"

"I have no idea, but you better believe I am taking care of it.

That's why I didn't follow you out of the conference.

Della got you and Mac out of there, and I went straight for the bitch.

She tried leaving the room, but I caught up to her before she left.

She had all the credentials, but they were fakes.

She's currently being held by security while they wait for the police to show. "

"The police? What are they going to do?"

"If nothing else, they can get her for trespassing. But she could also get charged for impersonation since her sole purpose was to defame Mac's character by claiming he has an illegitimate child that he doesn't care for, which is complete bullshit."

I whip my head towards Gabriella at her fierce defense of Mac's character.

"What? Don't look at me like that. Anyone who knows Maclan would know there's absolutely no way he would have even a claim of a child without: one, finding out if there is any truth to that claim, and two, taking care of his kid.

All it takes is one look at him with any one of your kids to see that the man adores children.

There's no way he would abandon his own. "

Nausea floods my body at the memory of the devastation on Mac's face when I asked if there was any truth to the woman's question.

Why I said that to him, I have no idea. In my heart I know Mac would never do that to his kid.

But whether I like to admit it to myself or not, I've been waiting for something like this to happen.

For Mac to show me that he's not the amazing, caring, loving man I know him to be because I don't believe I deserve the love he pours on me.

"What did you do? What happened, Celeste?" Gabriella stops and takes her first hard look at me.

I can't fight the tears that silently slide down my cheeks. "I asked Mac if there was any truth to her question."

"Fucking hell," Gabriella mumbles as she smooths out her shirt. "Babe, how could you ever think that was true?"

"I don't know!" I cry out. "Actually, I knew in my heart it wasn't, but I couldn't stop the words if I tried. Mac is t-too g-good for…" I sob, unable to finish my sentence.

"Shit." Gabriella rushes over and wraps me in a tight hug. "He's not Chad dick , babe. Mac is not going to fuck you over like he did. He's a good man, and you deserve every ounce of love and joy he pours into you."

"What am I going to do, Gab? I crushed him. I saw it on his face and could hear it in his voice."

"You apologize, and you show up for your man. You don't let that bitch show that she rocked you in any way, shape, or form."

"But how?"

"You go to his game today and hold your head high, to start."

"He told me to go home and take the kids so they aren't in the spotlight." I swipe under my eyes as I try to dry my tears.

"Always trying to protect you guys." Gabriella shakes her head as we start walking down the hall again. "Are you okay with the kids getting a little extra spotlight today? You know how much he loves them. I think having them here for him today would go a long way."

"Of course. We will always be here for Mac."

"Good. I'll let Della and Jessa know that you all are going to stay."

"But what do we do about that woman's claims?" I bite my lip nervously.

"We're already working on that. We have made a joint press release stating that these are baseless claims, there is no evidence, and the woman was at the press conference under fake credentials.

The news outlets that were already reporting this are starting to redact their reports or speculations and releasing the information we provide. "

"That's really good."

"It is. No major news or sports outlet wants to be known for spreading misinformation."

"Why would anyone do this? What did she have to gain from smearing his name?" I wonder aloud as I realize we're making our way to the family boxes to watch the games.

"I thought she looked familiar but wanted to be sure. That's also why it took me a little longer to get to you after the press conference."

"Who is she?"

"She was an aspiring model about the same time you were starting to land major brand deals and runway shows.

She had potential but a horrible fucking attitude.

She felt like she was entitled to every major job without working to earn the job.

She had a bit of a grudge towards you. Add in this"—Gabriella holds out her phone, where there's a picture of the woman from the press conference and none other than Chad dick —"and I have a good idea who was behind this. "

I gasp. "That little weasel-dick. Why the fuck can't he just leave me the hell alone?" Anger flows through me like lava as I swipe through picture after disgusting picture of the woman and Chad pawing at each other and making out.

"I don't know, babe. Maybe it's time to go see his dad. He's always been reasonable where you're concerned. He might be able to help you with Chad."

"Maybe, but I hate running to him to clean up his son's messes. He's done that his whole life."

"I get that, but maybe if he would've been firmer with his son in the first place, he wouldn't have to clean up the dumpster fires his son creates."

"I suppose you're right. I'll think about it. Are you still going to stay with us for the game?"

"Absolutely. You think I'm going to miss out on a bunch of sexy hockey butts smashing each other into the boards just because our press conference went off the rails? Hell no. Let's get some drinks and snuggle your babies while we wait for the game to start."

"Sounds good." I let Gabriella loop her arm through mine and guide me to the suite.

Once we are there, I briefly fill Thor in on what happened at the press release, but he told me he was watching and saw it all go down. He's agitated and anxious to get to Mac. I'm so glad Maclan has him in his corner.

"Thor, wait." I catch him in the hallway.

"I fucked up." I shift nervously on my feet as the Viking stares down at me.

"I-I hurt Mac. I didn't mean to, but I did.

I plan on fixing it, but I need him to give me a chance.

I just wanted you to know that he's h-hurting because of m-me.

" I fight the tears back. "But me and the kids aren't going anywhere.

We love and need Mac." I rush out the last few words as Thor silently studies me.

He nods, then surprises the hell out of me when he pulls me into his arms. "People make mistakes. The fact that you're telling me, his best friend, that you hurt him but you're going to fight for him is all I need to know. I'll do what I can to help you make things right."

"Wow." I'm shocked as he releases me. "I-I— That's not why I told you that, but I will take all that help I can get."

"I know you didn't, and that's why I'm willing to help. Anyone who has eyes can see you two belong together."

"Well, I really appreciate it. Good luck tonight, Thor."

"Thanks, Cel."

Back in the suite, I scoop up Calla and try to not worry about Maclan and how the hell I'm going to show him that I know what kind of man he truly is. He deserves better than the way I treat him, and I can't fault him if he wants to walk away from me after today.

I try to put on a happy face, but every family member or friend who walks in asks how I'm holding up after the press release.

They all mean well, but it's grating on what little control I have on my emotions, and I don't know how I'm going to make it through the rest of the game without breaking down.

The extra-long hug from Ezra about does me in, but I manage to push down my tears and let the game absorb me.

"Damn, Mac is on a tear today." Carson is glued to the glass of the box as we watch Mac slam a player from the other team into the boards.

I wince, knowing that I'm part of the reason Mac is playing as aggressively as he is.

I'm sitting in the back corner of the box with Layla and Calla, both very tired and cranky from missing their naps and crashing from too much junk food.

My parents were supposed to come, but my mom got a migraine, so they didn't make it.

Ezra is absorbed in his game, so I'm trying to manage the tired kids all on my own but failing miserably.

"Mind if I take one of them?" Brooks startles me.

"Oh, you don't have to. You can't really see the game from here."

"Eh, I've seen a ton of Mac's games. Besides, I know I don't have to. I asked, remember?" Brooks offers a smile, and it looks so much like Mac's that I have to blink my eyes to fight the tears that are desperate to spill over.

"Right. Umm, Layla will probably be more willing. Calla can be a bear when she's cranky."

"Eh, I'm used to that, thanks to Wren." He smirks, making me laugh for the first time in hours.

Layla goes willingly into Brooks's arms. With her binky in her mouth and her Knights blanket wrapped around her, my baby girl is out in minutes. Calla takes a bit longer, but snuggled against my chest, she falls asleep as Brooks and I enjoy a content silence surrounded by a sea of chaos.

"She looks good on you." I smile at Brooks, who places a sweet kiss on Layla's head—so much like Mac.