days and I’m quietly confident. Oh, and Selena’s here tonight so if you run into her, talk about what an amazing coach and skating consultant I am.”
Selena was here? Oh, hell. Mia would need eyes in the back of her head to avoid her.
Isobel was still talking. “It’s weird because even though I co-own the Rebels, it’s always been more Harper’s baby. This one will be all mine. Harper’s name’s on it, sure, but with Vadim investing and me running the show, it’s going to feel more like ours, a Chase-Petrov enterprise. All of us.” Her eyes seemed to plead with her, and Mia considered what Cal had said. How she should be honest with them.
“I do want to be in the pros. You know that. I just want to get there on my own terms.”
Her sister-in-law studied her. “Like I said, you’ll have to try out like anyone else, and we only want the best. Vadim and I won’t risk our reputations, bringing on substandard skaters. We need to be sure you want it.”
“I do,” she whispered. “I know it looks like I didn’t for a while but I had my reasons. One day, we’ll sit down and I’ll tell you all about it. Just know that this is where I’m meant to be.”
She was getting what she wanted, yet it all felt out of joint. Why did she feel so confused?
“Ladies.”
Well, well, well. Reason 1657 for her current bewilderment had appeared and had the nerve to look ten times better than every guy here. She’d seen Cal in his game day suits before, but damn, how did he manage to fill this one so well? It was just boring black fabric. It shouldn’t have shaped his bull-like shoulders or highlighted the width of his chest so perfectly. Where was Dante looking like David Gandy when she needed him?
Recalling her annoyance, she uttered her flattest greeting. “Foreman.”
“Mia. Isobel.” He kept his eyes on Mia. “Why you all dressed up?”
“Shut it.” She could feel her cheeks flushing. “Aren’t you going to tell Isobel she looks nice as well?”
His smile was wry. “Sure. Isobel, you look great.”
Her sister-in-law chuckled. “What woman doesn’t love a compliment delivered with such generosity? Foreman, will we see you on the auction block?”
“Is that your way of saying I’m already on there?”
She patted his arm. “Yes, it is. It’s for charity. My charity, so don’t screw it up. Enjoy the rest of your evening, kiddos.” She shot a meaningful glance at Mia and went on her merry way.
“I feel like a piece of meat,” Cal grumbled.
“It’s for the children, Foreman.”
“Right. So …” He leaned in. “Are we still friends?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered, feeling a catch in her throat. “Are we?”
“Mia.”
She nodded, unable to speak. Thankfully he picked up the conversation slack.
“I don’t want anyone to take advantage of you. I want to protect you. But, you’re right, this is your battle.”
“I am? It is?” She suspected her mouth was gaping. “You’re not going to tell me to burn it all down and make them pay?”
“Nope.”
“But, why?”
He chuckled and the vibration set off a corresponding thrill in her body. “Because you are a grown-ass woman who can make her own calls. You’ve had time to adjust. I’d just heard and Christ, it makes me so fucking angry to think of you going through that alone, Mia. No one should have to suffer what you did. I want to hit something and if that Fabien kid ever makes it to NHL, his career will be very short.”
He couldn’t have said anything sexier. She needed him to be on her side for this, even if she had screwed up. Pressing a hand to his chest, she absorbed the thump of his heart. Cal Foreman, her hero.
“Thank you. But we both know he won’t make it to the majors.”
He placed a hand over hers, trapping it against his chest. A light squeeze told her he got that she was trying to minimize again, and that she needn’t do that around him. With Cal, she could be honest.
“If, hypothetically, I was to ask for your opinion and you wanted to give it, what would you say?”
“Hypothetically?” He held her gaze, unflinching, and spoke without hesitation. “You need to tell your family what happened, Mia. You need to tell them what’s in your heart.”
Perhaps he was right, but she couldn’t risk the fallout.
“Thanks for your honesty. I’ll file it away.”
“Speaking of honesty … it’s the hardest thing to tap into, especially