He hated seeing her hurting. “I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
“I am.” Her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. “I need to do this for me. The same thing keeps happening. I’m always the last to find out things, even when I’m the most affected by what’s happening. It happened with Drew multiple times. My friend Kristen. Even my parents. It’s a pattern I must break. I thought you were different.”
“I am.” The words shot out. “I made a mistake. I was only trying to do what was best for the ice show to raise money. That shouldn’t ruin things between us.”
“Maybe not for you, but for me, it ruins everything.” Tasha rubbed her eyes. “I still need your help at the performance tomorrow night.”
“Of course. I’ll be there. I’m not giving up on you and me.”
“I’m leaving soon.” Tasha wouldn’t meet his eyes. “You’ll get over it.”
No, he wouldn’t. But she wasn’t in a place to hear that.
He stood. “I’ll be there tomorrow night, but I hope you decide you want to fight for us too. Because I can’t do it on my own.Good night, Tasha.”
* * *
If Tasha was lucky, she might have slept three hours last night. But Elias had been on her mind, whether her eyes were open or closed. He’d looked so sad, so resigned when he’d left the cottage. But no matter how tired or upset she was, she wouldn’t let the kids down, which was why she’d bought an oversized cup of coffee from Brew and Steep and brought it with her to the performance.
Now at the rink, the energy was higher than last night. Bleachers had arrived and additional lighting too. Charlene and Juliet had used their event-planning skills to decorate the park even more. Shops and restaurants had set up booths using pop-up tents. They sold everything from coffee to cupcakes.
It was, in a word, spectacular.
But a weight bore down on Tasha.
Later, she imagined Mom saying.The performance comes first.
Tasha agreed. She would gladly exchange her mittens for boxing gloves. Drew Maddox had stolen too much from her. She would put up a fight if he tried to take this show too.
As the kids arrived, the bleachers filled with parents and others.
Phoebe McAllister hugged Tasha from behind and whispered in her ear. “You look exhausted.”
“I am. And a little heartbroken.”
“The hunky lawyer?”
Tasha nodded. “He knew Drew and Savannah were coming.”
Phoebe cringed. “Ouch. I’m sorry, but remember, everyone makes mistakes. Many are unintentional, even if they hurt.”
“Elias didn’t know about my past with Drew. But I’m tired of hurting. Of always being the last one to know. Of paying the price for only wanting to help.”
Phoebe touched Tasha’s shoulder. “I don’t blame you, but don’t lump everyone into the same bowl.”
“Elias agreed about us needing a headline act. He didn’t believe in me.”
“Where did he get the idea of inviting other skaters?”
“Me.” As realization hit, she stared at the floor. “Which means I’m the one to blame for all this, but I took it out on him last night.”
“Look at me.”
Tasha did.
Phoebe’s gaze met hers. “Why’d you do that?”
All the voices from her past swirled in Tasha’s head. Images and words. Hurt and betrayal. “No one’s believed in me. How do I believe in myself? I thought Elias was different. I wanted him to be different. Finding out he kept Drew coming from me…”
