Page 42 of Check the Halls
“Get someone else to go,” Derek had told me when I’d tried to talk to him about it this morning. “Or just call in sick. You don’t have to babysit the jocks.”
He couldn’t understand, if he had tried at all. The annual ambassador hospital visit is one of the most important events for the Festive Fellowship. Several of our most prominent donors are hospital board members. And most importantly, the kids look forward to it every year.
“I can do this,” I say again. It sounds less sure every time I say it.
“You can do what?”
Startled, I turn towards the speaker. My stomach drops when I see Alyssa and Annika are standing not six feet away regarding me like I’ve lost my mind. I must look like I’m talking to the no parking sign next to me.
No, Madelyn, you’re talking to yourself. That’s much better.
“Good morning.” My tone is bright, my smile isn’t. “How was your commute? Was traffic okay?”
“Were you just talking to yourself?” Alyssa looks delighted at the possibility that I may be unravelling before her very eyes.
"I talk to myself all the time."
Ben’s deep baritone rumbles from behind me, steady and sure. The tension gripping my chest loosens. His presence feels like armour, shielding me from the daggers of Alyssa’s gaze.
Alyssa forces out a laugh, high and artificial like the sound of shattering glass. "You're so funny, Ben," she coos, flipping her hair in a way that feels practiced. "Are we ready to get started? The photographers are already inside."
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. My throat tightens. I try again, willing myself to speak, to saysomething—but the words won’t come.
Ben steps in smoothly, placing himself directly in front of me, his broad frame cutting off Alyssa’s judgmental stare. "Actually," he says, voice effortlessly casual, "can I get your opinion on something really quickly?"
I nod stiffly, my pulse hammering in my ears. Out of the corner of my eye, Alyssa remains rooted in place, watching. Waiting.
Ben doesn’t give her the chance to argue. He turns back to her with that easy, million-dollar smile. "We’ll be right behind you," he assures her smoothly. "Just need to pick the Director’s brain about something."
Alyssa’s eyes narrow, suspicion flashing across her face, but she relents. With a tight smile, she spins on her heel and stalks inside, dragging Annika along with her. As they head for the doors, I hear her muttering something about atight schedule.
I watch Ben as he watches them go. He looks so handsome in his dark jeans and black Ottawa Otters warm-up jacket, soaking up the morning sun. So effortlessly put together, as I stand here falling apart.
“What do you need?” I ask, secretly hoping it's something that will take me far, far, away from here.
Ben looks me over with concern. “What doyouneed?”
I blink up at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
“Madness, I could hear your mind racing from across the parking lot. I know you hate hospitals. I also know that you have a very good reason to. So tell me what I can do to help you get through this.Please.”
I could deny it, but what good would that do? He’s clearly not buying my “everything is fine” ruse.
“I don’t think I can do this.” I’m having trouble breathing, despite being outside in the clean autumn air.
"You can do this. I understand if you don’t want to, but Iknowyou can do this."
His voice is steady, unwavering. His hands squeeze mine, warm and solid, and I wonder how long he's been holding them. It doesn’t matter. I grip them tighter.
"How do you know?" My voice is barely above a whisper.
A sad smile tugs at his lips. "Because I know you."
He does. After all these years, after everything, he stillknowsme. How is that possible?
"Okay," he says, glancing around before continuing, his tone shifting into something lighter, almost conspiratorial. "We’ve got two options. If you need an escape route, I’ll be your getaway driver. We’ll say I pulled you away for some crisis that needed your immediate attention."
"What kind of crisis?"
