Slap Shot

by Rhonda Laurel

  The house was full of cousins when Charisma got home from work. Beverly was picking up her daughter, but the rest of them had no legitimate reason to be there except to get the scoop on what had happened earlier with Derek and Phoebe. Although they’d all agreed to give her another chance, cautious eyes watched her all the time. There were days when she felt having a close-knit family was a curse. They pushed and prodded and said exactly what was on their minds.

  She eased into the house, hoping no one had heard the news yet, but she knew she was kidding herself. Most of them religiously watched a local gossip show that aired in the afternoon. They pounced on her as soon as her briefcase hit the floor. The saving grace was that her mother hadn’t joined the party.

  “You’re dating Derek Popovich?”

  “I thought you were done with athletes?”

  “What happened today?”

  “I can’t believe you got yourself into another mess! Not to mention that terrible picture.”

  She moved closer to the living room table to see her Cousin Trina’s laptop screen. She was on a Web site that had a pic of Derek separating her and Phoebe. How on earth did someone get that photo? There were no paparazzi inside the bar. Before she could answer, her grandmother stepped in to do crowd-control.

  “Can you at least let her get her foot in the door?” her grandmother said. “And while we’re all asking so many questions, I want to know why my grandchildren are doing and saying indecent things on social media. Because I don’t think dignified ladies should posts videos of themselves twerking, if that’s what passes for dancing these days.”

  “Grandma, what do you know about social media?” Trina stammered.

  “Enough to know my job isn’t done with any of you. We’re going to have a long discussion on Saturday. I expect everyone to be here. And don’t try to pretend you have something else to do. If I were baking cakes and pies, everyone would be beating down the door. Now, out.”

  They filed out of the house with their heads down, but Trina and Beverly managed to shoot Charisma a dirty look. She was sure she’d be blamed for Grandma’s knowledge of their antics in the digital world. She closed the door behind them and turned to her grandmother.

  “Thanks for sticking up for me.”

  “That picture looks damning, but I know you weren’t involved in some torrid love triangle.”

  “You do?”

  “When you’re up to no good, it’s written all over your face. I always could tell, even when you were little. I haven’t seen that mischievous look since you moved in here.” Grandma patted her cheek.

  “You could always tell?”

  “Nothing gets by me. Let’s have a cup of tea while we get dinner started. I defrosted a rack of lamb and we can roast some vegetables to go with it.” Her grandmother walked toward the kitchen.

  Charisma followed. “Well, I’m glad you believe me. I walked in on the breakup from heck and that photo is the end result. But I’ve done so many crazy things in the past, it’s no wonder everyone would assume the worst.”

  “I know the nasty things you did to Morgan, and I didn’t like it one bit. I love all of my children the same, but it hurts me when I see you hurting each other. You were my worry child. You used to carry on something awful, terrorizing your cousin.” Grandma Reed retrieved the cups and tea bags from the cupboard.

  Charisma bit her lip and tears filled her eyes as she turned on the fire under the teakettle. The past was never far behind. It killed her that her grandmother knew about the things she’d done.

  “Grandma, I did a lot of things I’m not proud of. I even tried to be in a reality show about football players’ girlfriends. But they were more interested in seeing me and Morgan go at it. I can’t help but think there’s always been a good versus evil angle between us. Perfect wife of Seth Blake pitted against her grimy, underhanded cousin trying to be an athlete’s wife.”

  “And whose fault was that? You started talking out of the house in front of cameras about your dislike for Morgan. You set yourself up to be the villain in the story.”

  “I know. But once again I was reminded, on a larger scale, how perfect Morgan is and what a charmed life she’s had.” Charisma walked over the fridge to get the vegetables out of the crisper. She couldn’t meet her grandma’s stare any longer.

  “Charmed life? You call losing your mother at a very young age, right when a girl needs her mama the most, a charmed life?”

  “I miss Aunt Elizabeth too,” Charisma whispered. “You’re right. I never really saw it that way.”

  “Baby.” Her grandmother came over and hugged her. “The world was a less loving place after Elizabeth passed away. This family has seen so much sorrow. I lost two sons and a daughter-in-law. No parent should survive their children. I know Elizabeth’s absence left you wide open to your mother’s ambitions for you. I’m just sorry I couldn’t put a stop to it.”

  Charisma blinked to keep from crying. “It wasn’t so bad. Thanks to her sending me to that modeling school, I have perfect posture. Not to mention all the money she spent on the orthodontics.”

  “You are so much more than looks. I’ve told you that a thousand times before. There are so many things I’m sorry for in my life. I’d interfered so much with your mother and father’s relationship before they were married. I had to take a step back before I lost Marcus for good.”

  Her nosey antennae perked up. “Oh really? What happened?”

  “That’s grown folks’ business and long time ago. They’re just scattered memories. Let’s get back to you.”

  “I was selfish and mean and jealous for reasons that had nothing to do with the people I hurt. I know that now.” She couldn’t keep the tears back this time.

  “Thank goodness you’re not that person anymore.” Grandma Reed wiped the tears streaming down her face. “But if you don’t reconcile with the person you used to be, you’ll fall victim to people trying to shame you for your past actions for the rest of your life. I raised everyone in this family to show forgiveness and kindness. Morgan has shown the capacity to forgive and let you into her life again. Now you need to forgive yourself and get on with your life.”

  “I’m trying. Some days are harder than most. Being a good person is harder than people think. But I try every day.”

  “I say face it with your head held high. You know the truth, that’s what’s important. Besides, if I were dating that gorgeous hockey player, I’d tell everyone I know.”

  Charisma laughed. “He is handsome, isn’t he?”

  “For the life of me, I don’t know why he’d have a job that would hide that face behind a mask. So, what did happen? If Alice from the senior center calls, trying to throw it in my face, I want to shut her up with the truth.”

  “I’ll tell you all about it over dinner. But I warn you I may burst into tears again over my purse. That was one of the last remnants of that other life I swore I wanted.” She cut off the whistling teakettle and poured the hot water into the cups.

  “You could try to get it cleaned.”

  “I suppose.” She sighed. “How was your day? Did you like Jared’s new girlfriend?”

  “Autumn is lovely. She’s pretty and smart. She told me all about the company she runs with her twin sister Summer. Then she showed me a picture of their dog Bingo. It sounds like she’s ambitious, but Jared is just as important to her. She and Sydney get along great. She’s perfect for my Jelly Bean. And much nicer than that uppity Taylor.”

  “I think she’s great too.” Grandma was right on all accounts, but especially about Derek. Who wouldn’t advertise they were dating the man?

  * * *

  Derek lay in bed the next morning recapping the events of the previous day in his mind. Nothing had gone like he’d expected, but it had yielded some interesting results. He’d tried to listen attentively as Charisma laid out her vision for his bar, but he was distracted by her wonderful smile and by the blue dress that accentuated the curves of her petite frame. Sure, h
e’d seen her from across the room the few times she’d come into the bar, but he’d never been close and he made a point of avoiding reading the scandal sheets and their unflattering photos. And this close to her, he liked what he saw. He wondered how on earth someone like that jackass Brayer could land her. She did remind him of Morgan. The pretty almond-shaped eyes and full, half-pouty lips were definitely a family trait.

  Charisma hadn’t held back her opinion either as she nibbled on the salad he’d prepared for her. She’d explained that with a few bold color choices he could transform the place. Even though he’d apologized profusely for Phoebe’s poor behavior and offered again to replace the handbag, he could see the disappointment in Charisma’s pretty eyes when she stood firm on not accepting a new one. He wondered why it meant so much to her to deprive herself of something she wanted. He’d been enjoying her company so much he’d stalled a few times when she tried to leave, but finally she’d insisted she had to get back to the office. She said just because she was Jared’s cousin it didn’t mean she got to do as she pleased.

  The sound of Seth’s NFL theme song blaring on his cell phone jolted him out of his hazy daydream about the beautiful interior designer. He glanced at the clock on the nightstand. It was ten in the morning. Who on earth was up this early? A married man with four kids, that’s who. He was sure Seth had gotten all of the kids dressed, jogged ten miles around the ranch, ridden a horse, and milked a cow by now.

  Derek fumbled for the phone and hit the answer button. “Blake, why are you calling at such an unholy hour?”

  Seth laughed. “Most respectable citizens are up and on with their day by now.”

  “There you have it. I haven’t been respectable for years,” he huffed. “How’s my Mackenzie and the boys?”

  “They’re fine. Just listen.”

  “Happy birthday, Uncle Derek!” the kids screamed into the phone.

  “Thank you.” Derek couldn’t help but laugh.

  “When are you coming to Texas so we can practice again?” Connor asked.

  “We have a hockey rink,” Jake said.

  “Are you going to get a birthday cake?” Colby chipped in.

  “Very soon. The hockey season is over so I’ll be paying you boys a visit. And I plan to get a huge birthday cake to celebrate.”

  The boys all cheered about that. Derek could hear the soft, bubbly noises of Mackenzie in the background.

  “Blake, is Mackenzie talking?”

  “She’s doing her best,” Seth said. “Sweet pea, say hi to Uncle Derek.”

  “Unc Der!” Mackenzie said enthusiastically into the phone.

  “Hey, Mackenzie! How’s my little heartbreaker doing?”

  “She’s just fine. Growing like a weed and trying to keep up with her brothers.” Seth laughed.

  He got up, stretched, and ran a hand over his rumbling stomach. It was time to go in search of food. “Mark my words. Connor has the soul of a hockey player.”

  “Well, he certainly has the roughhousing part right. No thanks to Uncle Derek. I think he believes being in the penalty box is a reward.”

  “Nah, he takes after his old man.” He opened the fridge and found some Chinese food boxes. He opened one and took a whiff. The leftover beef lo mein didn’t smell like it would kill him. He popped it into the microwave and hit the two-minute express button.

  “What are your post season plans?”

  “I’m going to do some traveling. I’m going to visit Texas of course, and I’m also going to Portland to check on Alex.”

  “How’s he doing?”

  “As expected. I told my mother I’d go check in on him and the kids. It looks like he’s shutting himself off from the rest of the world since Rachel’s funeral. I thought he’d bring the kids to the playoffs, but he backed out last minute.” Derek sighed.

  “It’s good you’re going to visit him,” Seth said.

  “And then there’s the bar makeover. It’s going great. Jared’s design team is awesome. Especially Charisma.” An image of her in that blue dress flashed in his head. Derek groaned to himself.

  “So how’s the love life?”

  “Up in flames. And not the good kind. I’ll be eating that birthday cake alone.” Derek snorted. “Phoebe made the biggest scene in my bar yesterday.”

  “Any new developments? Complications?”

  The microwave dinged. He retrieved the food, pulled a fork out of the drawer and dove in. “I have a feeling you know something I don’t.”

  “I forgot you like to tune out the world when you go home.”

  “That’s why I sleep so well. What’s up? Did Phoebe go on a social media tirade?”

  “No, but there’s a picture circulating of you breaking up a fight between Phoebe and Charisma.”

  Derek spit out the glob of lo mein he’d just put into his mouth and dropped the box on the floor. He turned on his laptop on the island counter and searched his name. The picture came up immediately on some gossip site. There it was clear as day, a picture of him separating the ladies. The caption underneath was some crude remark about a catfight. The angle was pretty good and the picture was clear. Someone on the construction crew must have taken it. Damn it.

  “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Oh really now. So Phoebe and Charisma didn’t battle it out in your bar yesterday?”

  “Well, yeah they did. Phoebe was in the middle of a tantrum when Charisma dropped by to discuss the renovations. But Charisma’s totally innocent. We never really met until yesterday. Besides, Phoebe attacked her.”

  Seth laughed. “I do not miss the days when my love life was scrutinized every second. Family life saved me from all that.”

  “Really? You’re going to give me the settling-down speech while I’m amid my latest scandal?”

  “There’s never a good time for tough love.”

  “I can’t believe this.” Derek ran his hand over his face.

  “At least Morgan will be relieved that her cousin Charisma isn’t up to her old tricks. Sounds like this time she was just caught in the crossfire.”

  Derek smiled. Since he had his friend on the phone, why not get some background information on her? “So what’s the deal with Charisma?”

  “She’s Morgan and Jared’s cousin.”

  “I know that, Mr. Linebacker-Bait. I was hoping for something more detailed.”

  “Once upon a time she was calculating and ambitious but realized that wasn’t working for her. She says she’s trying to change. Morgan believes her.”

  “And we fast forward to my bar being repaired.”

  “The offer to pay for the repairs is still on the table,” Seth said.

  “And I told you, your money’s no good here. But that does make us even for that sports car of yours I crashed.”

  “I’d forgotten about that.” Seth laughed.

  “I hated Brayer’s guts anyway.”

  “That’s the other thing. Some genius decided to get a sound bite of Lamont’s opinion about you and Charisma being the hot new item.”

  “What did he say?” Derek nearly snarled.

  “You’re not going to like it.”

  Derek searched Lamont’s name. The article popped up immediately. It was a video file, so he pressed the giant arrow for play. He gripped his phone as he watched Lamont telling the cameras: “That’s one headache I got rid of a while ago. Popovich is an idiot for getting involved with that crazy, money-grubbing bitch.”

  He was going to kill the bastard. “He has no right to talk about her like that.”

  “I agree. I’d like another crack at him too. He’s either trying to bait you or get back at her for dumping him. I’d get ready for the storm. I give it by mid-morning before one of Morgan’s cousins goes after him on social media. The Reeds don’t mind a good fight, and they hate his guts.”

  “She doesn’t deserve this and especially not from that asshole. He’s dead meat,” Derek barked.

  “Sounds like you care about her.”
/>
  “What? No. It’s nothing like that. After Phoebe’s meltdown, we had lunch. She’s…” Derek cleared his throat. “I haven’t had that much fun with a woman in a long time.”

  Seth hesitated for a long moment. When he spoke again, his words had the sound of a man being careful with what he said. “The Reed women are enchanting. Word of advice. If you’re thinking about getting involved with her, tread lightly. Despite her previous antics, she’s more fragile than she looks.” He hesitated again. “In fact, I know you too well. Maybe it’s not a good idea.”

  “Don’t worry, Blake. I need a break from women after this Phoebe fiasco.”

  “If you say so. I have to go. I’m taking the kids over to J.J.’s house for a swim. Mackenzie, say bye-bye to Uncle Derek,” Seth said.

  “Unc Der!”

  “Bye-bye, Kenzie.” Derek laughed. “Hey, Seth, give Morgan my love. And I’ll see you in a couple months.”

  “We look forward to having you.”

  Derek hung up the phone and read the entire article from start to finish. It was a scathing indictment of Charisma’s past. She had quite the reputation for dating athletes and had even been courted for a reality show. This person he was reading about clearly craved attention and fame. But the woman he’d met yesterday was none of those things. As a matter of fact, she was adamant about not getting that expensive purse replaced. Seth said she was turning over a new leaf. He wondered if it were true.

  * * *

  Charisma went to work the next day with her head held high, thanks to her chat with Grandma Reed. It meant the world to her that her grandmother believed in her. She’d read the gossip article after dinner. Not only had the picture made them look like two feral animals fighting over a piece of meat, her past was rehashed for all the world to see.