"I told him he was too much. That I couldn't handle how intense he was." Rachel couldn't take her eyes off Mac as he moved across the ice. "But watching him now; that intensity, that passion, that all-in energy, that's not a flaw. That's who he is. That's what makes him... him."
Sophie reached over and squeezed her hand. "So what are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. He probably hates me."
"He doesn't hate you," Sophie said firmly. "That boy is not capable of hating you. Hurt, maybe. Confused, definitely. But not hate."
The game ended with the Eagles winning 5-2. Mac had scored two goals and assisted on another. The crowd was ecstatic, filing out of the arena with the satisfied energy of people who'd witnessed something special.
Rachel sat frozen in her seat, watching the team celebrate on the ice, watching Mac accept congratulations from his teammates with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Come on," Sophie said gently, standing and pulling Rachel up with her. "Let's go."
"Where?"
"Players exit through the back. Ellie's meeting us there after she finishes up with the team. We can wait for them." Sophie tugged her toward the aisle. "You don't have to talk to him. But you should at least see him. See if what you're feeling right now is real or game-day adrenaline."
Rachel let herself be pulled through the dispersing crowd. This was stupid. She should go home. She'd asked for space, she couldn't just show up after a game and expect—
They rounded the corner to the player exit, and there was Cole, freshly showered and grinning. Ellie emerged from the team area at the same moment, immediately moving to Cole's side. He pulled her into a kiss that made Rachel look away with a small smile.
"Great game," Ellie said when they broke apart, then turnedto Rachel with a warm smile. "I'm so glad you came. Did you enjoy it?"
"It was... intense," Rachel managed.
"Mac was on fire tonight," Cole said, his eyes finding Rachel, expression turning careful. "Best I've seen him play in months." He paused meaningfully. "Hey, Rachel. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Sophie invited me."
"Ah." Cole seemed to understand immediately. "Mac's still inside. Taking his time getting ready. He's been doing that all week, last one out."
Because he didn't want to face people asking about Rachel. Because he was avoiding the questions and the pity and the "what happened with the librarian" conversations.
God, what had she done?
Other players started filing out. Luke appeared with Emma, his wife, who had two small kids attached to her legs with velcro. Jamie came next, and when he spotted Sophie, his expression went carefully neutral, but not before Rachel caught the brief flicker of something warmer.
"Sophie," he said with his usual grin. "Nice to see you."
"Jamie."
"Good game, huh?" He stayed focused on Sophie a beat longer than necessary.
"Very good."
He nodded, then his gaze shifted to Rachel, cooler now. "Librarian. Hello there."
The temperature drop was subtle but unmistakable.
"Hi," Rachel managed. "Mac was... he was really good today, wasn't he?"
"Yeah. He was." Jamie's jaw tightened slightly. "Played like he had something to prove. Or something to forget." He said it lightly, but Rachel heard the protective edge underneath.
These were Mac's people. His family. And she'd hurt him, which meant she'd hurt them too.
"I should go," Rachel said abruptly. "This was a mistake. I shouldn't have—"
The door opened again.
