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“I don’t think I am. Mrs. Stoll, care to share what really happened that day?”
We’ve brought about a small audience, and I know Mackenzie is embarrassed. This is dirty family laundry that we should not be airing for everyone.
“Can we please get some privacy here?” The Dean claps his hands and ushers everyone back inside to the dance. We move to the side of the rotunda we’re standing in and I pull Mackenzie closer to my side.
Mrs. Stoll stands beside the Dean, placing her hands on his face so he’ll look at her. “Harrison, Mark was nothing but a gentleman. You caught the tail end of a conversation that was meant to bring an end to a situation, not start a new one. I never brought it back up to you because you were so irate. And since you’ve been holding onto this anger towards Mark for so long, I knew knowing the truth would make it even worse.”
“What truth? Charlotte, what are you talking about? Did you know about this?” He motions between Mackenzie and I.
“I had no idea Mackenzie and Mark were together. But I’m happy about it. If Mark saw and knew enough to protectmein that moment, I know he’ll do the same for our daughter.”
“Protect you? Can you all quit talking in riddles and tell me what the hell is going on?”
“If you heard what that donor was saying to your wife, and saw the way he cornered her, placing his hands on her, you would have punched him and lost funding for the University. You would have given this school a bad reputation and most likely lost your own job. So, I saved your ass, Stoll.”
“Charlotte! Why did you not tell me this? Who was it? I’ll cut him off immediately!” Dean Stoll’s face is turning bright red, he’s seething, but his wife is his calming force.
“Harrison, please. Calm down, you can’t afford to have high blood pressure. The donor hasn’t said another word to me since that night. You can thank Mark for that.”
His eyes narrow as he assesses me, trying to read between the lines. I won’t out anyone or embarrass anyone like he did. Instead, I stare back with a smug grin and wrap my arm around his daughter.
“We’ll be having a conversation about your knowledge on the situation. Be in my office Monday morning, McCall.”
I nod to him. He switches his stare to Mackenzie and beckons her forward, but his body language softens when she wraps her arms around him. “I’m sorry I made you feel you had to hide your relationship”, he spits the word and looks at me over her head, “from me and your mother.”
“Dad, I felt like I had to hide everything. I understood using moms maiden name to get a job here. We wouldn’t want anyone claiming nepotism. But once they all saw I was good enough and qualified for the job, I would have liked it if you claimed me. I only want you to be proud of me. I know a cheer coach is not what you envisioned as high standards for your girl but-“
He puts his hands on her shoulders and looks at her. “No, Mackenzie that isn’t it. I know you’re outstanding and I’m so proud of all you’ve accomplished. I am honey, so much. Truth is, I wanted you here at the University, so you’d stay close to us. I didn’t want my little girl running off to a big city, hours away and I wouldn’t get to watch what she does best. I wouldn’t get to see your face light up at watching the team do everything you’ve taught them. I was being selfish. And I apologize.”
She steps back into his arms, and they hug. Her mother gives me a quick smile and a small ‘thank you’. I nod back and accept Mackenzie back to my side as she lets go of her father.
“I’ll talk to Summer, and we’ll put out an article about the cheer team and their new head coach on Monday. It’s time that the University gets to meet Mackenzie Stoll.”
“That sounds like a great idea.” I say and squeeze Mackenzie closer.
“Don’t push it, McCall.”
I chuckle at his nonthreat. “Come on, let’s go home.”
EPILOGUE
SIX MONTHS LATER…
“That’s everything.”Jameson slams the tailgate of his pickup truck. I pull Mackenzie tighter to my side and watch as Dash steps forward and pulls his son in for a bear hug. Summer stands silently to the side, tears in her eyes. Francesca Gage comes up beside her and wraps her arms around Summer, leaning her head on her shoulder.
“Dash, man, he’s only going to be a two-hour plane ride away. Stop being a baby and get a grip already.”
My lips turn in and I try not to snicker at the only other man, besides me, that can give Dashiell Winters shit and still live to talk about it. Jackson Gage knows how to push buttons, but he does it with love.
“Fuck you, Gage. This is all your fault.”
“Damn straight it is! Our boy is going pro!” He snatches Jameson from Dash’s arms and roughs him up a little.
“MY boy is going pro. Don’t get it twisted.”
Shaking his head, “So needy.”
Dash turns Jameson back around to him, places his hands on his shoulders, and stares him right in the eyes. “You ready?”
