"Terrified. Nauseous. Convinced I'm going to throw up on stage." Rachel looked up at him with wide, scared eyes. "Mac, what if I freeze? What if I can't do this?"
"Then I'll be right there. I'll take over. You won't be alone up there."
"You can't do my speech for me—"
"I can if you need me to." Mac took her hand carefully, waiting to see if she'd pull away. She didn't. "Rachel, you're about to stand in front of the entire town and tell your truth. That takes more courage than anything I've ever done on the ice."
"Hockey players get hit with sticks and pucks. That's pretty brave."
"Hockey players wear padding. You're going up there with nothing but your truth and your voice." Mac squeezed her hand.
Rachel squeezed back, then pulled away gently. Still not fully forgiven, but connected.
Mrs. Henderson appeared beside them, wearing her mostformal cardigan and carrying what looked like an entire briefcase of notes.
"Rachel, dear, I've prepared a statement of support for Ellie. Three pages, single-spaced, footnoted." Mrs. Henderson's expression was fierce. "If that man thinks he can come into my town and destroy good people, he's severely underestimated the power of an old woman with research skills."
Despite her terror, Rachel smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Henderson."
"Don't thank me yet. Wait until we eviscerate him publicly." Mrs. Henderson patted Rachel's shoulder. "You're going to do wonderfully tonight, dear. And afterward, I expect you and Mac to work out your issues like adults instead of moping around the library looking tragic."
She walked away before either of them could respond.
"She's terrifying," Mac said.
"She's the best," Rachel agreed.
Rachel
The community center was packed. Every seat filled, people standing along the walls, more filtering in through the doors.
Rachel sat in the third row between Mac and Sophie, her heart pounding so hard she could barely hear the mayor calling the meeting to order.
And there he was. Front row.
In a room full of flannel, Carhartt jackets, and worn Eagles jerseys, Derek Matthews looked like a shark in a goldfish pond. His suit didn’t have a wrinkle. His hair was gelled into submission. He wasn't sweating like the rest of them. He sat with one ankle crossed over his knee, scrolling on his phone, looking bored. Like this wasn't a town fighting for its soul, but a minor inconvenience in his schedule.
When he turned and caught Rachel’s eye, he didn't scowl. Hedidn't look angry. He smiled. It was a small, pitying thing, the kind of smile you give a child who has dropped their ice cream.
I’ve already won, that smile said. And you look ridiculous trying to stop me.
Her stomach churn.
Derek turned, caught her eye, and smiled.
I'm going to ruin you again,that smile said.
Mac's hand found Rachel's under the armrest. Grounding her.
The mayor, Bill Henderson, Mrs. Henderson's husband and a man in his sixties with a no-nonsense expression, stood at the podium.
"Good evening, everyone. Thank you for attending tonight's town meeting. Our primary agenda is the proposed recreation center expansion—"
"Mayor Henderson," Derek stood smoothly, his voice professionally pleasant. "I apologize for interrupting. But given the crowd size tonight, I believe many people are here to discuss the recent controversy regarding Mrs. Hansen's physical therapy practice. Perhaps we should address that first?"
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
Mayor Henderson frowned. "Dr. Matthews, the agenda—"
