Derek Matthews stood in the doorway.
Mac recognized him instantly, same guy who'd blown into Evergreen Cove months ago claiming he was here to "check on" Cole. Hadn't done much actual checking, just a lot of smooth talking and even smoother exits.
Matthews was tall, built, dark hair perfectly styled. The charcoal suit was tailored and expensive, the kind Mac couldn't afford even if he wanted to.
Polished shoes. Expensive watch. Everything about him screamed money and carefully curated image. And that smile, warm, charismatic, the kind that probably charmed hospital donors and NHL executives without effort.
Mac didn't trust it for a second. This was the man who'd assaulted Rachel. Who'd destroyed her life as revenge. Who was now standing in Cole and Ellie's reception with that same friendly smile, like he belonged here.
Mac's hands curled into fists.
The room had gone quiet, everyone sensing something was wrong. Derek's eyes scanned the reception with surgical precision,the decorations, the guests, the wedding party. Mac watched him assess, calculate, plan. Then Derek's gaze landed on exactly who he was looking for.
Rachel. Then Ellie.
His smile widened.
"Rachel," Derek said, his voice carrying across the suddenly quiet room. His tone was warm, friendly, like they were old friends reuniting. "What a pleasant surprise."
He walked forward. Every eye in the room followed him. His cologne reached Mac before he did, expensive, overwhelming. The kind of scent that announcedI cost more than your car.
"And Noelle Winters. Or is it Hansen now?" He extended his hand toward Ellie, who was standing frozen near Cole. "Congratulations on the wedding. And on Cole's continued recovery, of course. When I assessed your treatment plan last year, I'll admit I had my doubts about your... unconventional approach."
Ellie didn’t take his hand.
His smile widened, as he lowered his hand, showing perfect teeth. "But clearly, you've managed just fine without more advanced oversight. Though if you ever need a second opinion from someone with actual credentials—" He let the sentence hang, the implication crystal clear: her PT license versus his PT PhD.
The subtext was a knife between the ribs. Mac moved immediately, positioning himself between Derek and Rachel and Ellie.
Cole did the same, his face red. The entire Eagles team seemed to shift without discussion. Jamie appeared on Mac's left, his usual playfulness gone, replaced by something cold and protective. Luke on Mac's right, no longer bouncing with energy but solid and immovable.
Tyler moved to stand behind Cole, arms crossed. Coach Davies stepped forward from where he'd been dancing with his wife. The message was clear:You're not welcome here.
Derek's smile never faltered. In fact, it widened.
"My, oh my, what a protective group." His eyes locked onRachel again, and her hand gripped his arm, her nails digging into his jacket. "Rachel, it's been what; half a year since you fled to this charming little town? You look wonderful. Evergreen Cove clearly agrees with you."
Rachel trembled against him. Her face had gone pale, all the earlier joy evaporated.
"Derek." She said it calmly enough, but Mac caught the way she swallowed first. "You weren't invited."
"Wasn't I?" Derek asked, eyebrows raised, hands open. Like he had no idea what she was talking about. "I was under the impression this was a celebration of small-market hockey success. Cole Hansen's miraculous recovery. The dedicated PT who achieved the impossible." His smile turned sharp, his eyes moving to Ellie. "The team that defied the odds. And here I am, the leading expert on sports physical therapy, ready to offer my professional congratulations and perhaps some guidance on protocols."
"This is a private wedding," Cole said, his voice dangerously quiet. Every word carefully controlled. "You need to leave. Now."
"Oh, but I just arrived." Derek gestured to the reception like he was admiring the decorations. "And everything is so lovely. Sophie's Café catered, I see, excellent choice. The Riverside Inn's gardens are spectacular this time of year." His attention swung back to Cole and Ellie. "I have so many questions for you."
His gaze flicked between Cole and Ellie.
Rachel's grip on his arm tightened further. He covered her hand with his, squeezing gently.
I've got you. We've got you.
"You need to leave," Mac said, the rage was building in his chest like a physical thing. "Now."
Derek's attention shifted to Mac fully for the first time, assessing him with cold calculation. Taking in his tux, his protective stance, the way Rachel was pressed against his side.
"And you are?"
