Page 21 of Ice Cold Rival

Mom’s eyes finally landed on me with her brows drawn together. “Of course he is. You’re driving to the hotel together, and we booked you two a room.”

My pulse raced as I struggled to stay calm. “I’m not driving with him, and I’m certainly not sharing a room with him. We broke up, remember?”

“Don’t be silly. I’m sure your little spat will be long forgotten by then.”

“It’s not a spat, and I have a date. One who isn’t Toby.”

I finally had her full attention.

“Mackenzie Booth. You will not speak to me in that tone.”

My façade cracked, and the frustration poured out in my voice. “There was no tone. I’m sorry you don’t like the truth, but ignoring it won’t change anything. I’m bringing a date to Brighton’s wedding, and Toby is free to do the same.”

“You will not be bringing some stranger to your sister’s wedding.” Her gaze moved past my shoulder, and the tension suddenly drained out of her. “Toby, honey, come have a seat.”

I whipped around and sure enough, Toby strolled toward us with a shit-eating grin on his face. The server reappeared as if she’d been waiting and deposited another place setting to my left. She didn’t meet my eyes, and all the weirdness suddenly made sense. I’d been set up.

“Mom, what did you do?” I hissed at her.

She patted my hand. “I’m helping, sweetheart.”

Toby sat down then kissed Mom on the cheek. When he leaned toward me, I shifted away. Last night, he’d had his hands all over the redhead at our party, so today, I didn’t want to be anywhere near his lips. Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to be anywhere near his lips in a while, unlike a certain other hockey player who’d spent the night in my bed. What an awkward time to face my own stupidity.

He played off the snub by bringing up my mom’s favorite subject. “I talked to Brighton a couple of days ago, and I have to say, this wedding is going to be fabulous.”

Suspicion hit me hard because he’d never voluntarily spoken to Brighton in all the years we’d dated. “Why were you talking to my sister?”

He shifted to meet my eyes. “I wanted advice on how to get you to speak to me again.”

“And you settled on false pretenses?”

“Mackenzie,” Mom scolded under her breath. “Stop being so dramatic.”

For once, I held Toby’s gaze, daring him to admit the truth about his presence at lunch.

He chose gaslighting instead. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Brighton was worried you’d cause a scene.”

Oh fuck him. Fuck all of them. I desperately wanted to shout it to the rooftops, but I couldn’t get past the lifetime of programming to behave properly while in public. I couldn’t even say the words out loud to my manipulative mother and my cheating ex-boyfriend. Something else I needed to add to my list.

Speaking of my list, it was past time to call in reinforcements. Reece had said he’d be there if I needed him. I hadn’t expected to need him quite so quickly, but here I was surrounded with no easy way home.

They wanted to mess around with surprises? I could play that game too.

While Toby and my mom chatted, I surreptitiously pulled my phone from my bag and found Reece’s contact. If Toby was here, conditioning must be over. Maybe if I flaunted my new relationship in front of them, they’d leave me alone.

Me: Help! Ambush at lunch. Toby’s here.

Reece: Where?

Me: Tennis club.

Reece: Just finishing up. Be there in 5.

I frowned at my lap for a second before remembering my lunch companions could see my face. If Reece was just finishing up, how had Toby gotten clean and dressed in time to ambush me?

With a sense of righteous indignation—maybe larger than was necessary—I smiled pleasantly at my ex-boyfriend. “How’s hockey going?”

My innocent question stopped their conversation about his family’s weekend plans. Toby shrugged one shoulder. “The season hasn’t really started yet, but I think I have a shot at captain.”

---