"Ryan MacKenzie. Best man. Rachel's boyfriend." Mac stood taller, vaguely aware he sounded like he was listing his credentials for a job interview. World's worst job interview. "And I'm telling you to leave. This is a private event. You're not welcome here."
Something flickered across Derek's face, surprise, maybe. Or interest. His gaze moved between Mac and Rachel slowly, deliberately. And Mac saw the exact moment Derek understood the situation. The exact moment he realized Rachel had found someone new.
And Derek's smile became absolutely poisonous.
"How lovely," Derek said. "Rachel, you've moved on. I'm so happy for you. Truly."
He took a step closer, and Mac felt every muscle in his body tense.
"And you've found yourself a hockey player," Derek continued, his eyes locked on Mac now. "How... familiar. How very predictable." He tilted his head, that smile never wavering. "Tell me, Mac; has Rachel told you about her history with hockey players? About her tendency to... hold them back?"
The implication hung in the air like poison gas.
Rachel made a small sound, hurt and anger and fear all mixed together. Her hand was trembling against Mac's arm now, her nails digging in so hard Mac could feel it through his jacket.
“You shouldleave, right now,” Mac said through clenched teeth. “Before you’ll regret it.”
Rage surge through him, white-hot and overwhelming. Every instinct screamed to punch that smug face, which would be satisfying for approximately three seconds before he got arrested at his best friend's wedding. Ellie would kill him. Actually, Cole would kill him first, then Ellie would resurrect him and kill him again. So Mac didn't punch anyone.
But he really, really wanted to.
Ellie stepped forward.
She was still in her wedding dress, her hair still perfect, but her expression was pure ice.
"Mr. Matthews," she said. "This is my wedding reception. A private event celebrating my marriage to the man I love. And you are trespassing."
Derek opened his mouth, but Ellie kept going.
"I'm going to ask you one time, once, to leave voluntarily. If you refuse, we'll have security escort you out."
"Security?" Derek looked around the room with exaggerated amusement. "At a small-town wedding? How quaint. How very... provincial."
"Coach Davies," Ellie called, not taking her eyes off Derek. "Could you please call the police? We have an uninvited guest who's refusing to leave a private event. Trespassing. Harassment. I believe those are both criminal offenses in Vermont."
Coach Davies, who'd been standing near the door, immediately pulled out his phone. "Already dialing."
Derek's smile stayed in place, but his eyes changed. The warmth disappeared, replaced by something flat and cold. Mac had seen that look before, on guys right before they threw a dirty hit.
"That won't be necessary." He straightened his jacket, smoothing down the expensive fabric. "I've seen what I came to see."
His gaze swept over the room one more time, lingering on Cole and Ellie, then on Mac and Rachel.
"Congratulations to the happy couples," Derek said. "I hope your marriage is everything you deserve." The words sounded like a threat. "And Rachel."
He turned that poisonous smile on her one last time.
"It's wonderful to see you've landed on your feet. Though I have to say—" He paused, letting the moment stretch. "I'm surprised you'd risk it. Given your history."
Mac lunged forward, but suddenly Cole and Jamie were there, grabbing his arms, holding him back.
"Don't," Cole said urgently in his ear. "That's exactly what he wants. Don't give it to him."
Derek was already walking toward the door, his mission accomplished. Chaos created. Wounds reopened. Poison delivered.
At the doorway, he turned back one last time.
"Oh, and Ellie?" He leaned back, hands in his pockets, relaxed as anything. "I'll be in town for a few more days. Consulting with some regional teams about proper oversight. I'm sure we'll cross paths again." His smile widened. "I'm very much looking forward to ourprofessionaldiscussions."
