Because as I started to unravel inside, I caught a glimpse of something at Travis’s side, peeking at me with wide, innocent eyes as she hid behind her dad’s leg. His little girl. Emmie Blake-Hayes.
Watching.
Waiting.
Silent as my nightmare unfolded in front of her.
I would not form her opinion of men or women with my reaction, even as deserved as it was.
Tanner didn’t catch on as quickly as I did, and he exploded at my side. A slew of words better saved for the jailhouse floor escaped his lips as he took a menacing step forward. Lucas and I both grabbed him, pulling him back out of the center of the group, and I stood in front of him.
Not because I agreed with what Tolbert was doing, but because I was better than that. And I refused to fall to my knees and beg someone to see my worth.
Never again.
I should have known better, though, because as I was calming Tanner down, Goldie let loose. Damn, did she let loose. That feral trash panda mentality she had described after my arrest shone through, bright and clear as day, as she threw her finger toward the chief, ripping into him.
“Just last week, you used her name and status in this town to sell tickets to this damn event!” She roared, “And now you want to cast her aside? Why? Explain to everyone what changed?”
“The public deserves to know that its money is being spent in honorable?—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, or I’ll curse every moment of your existence from here on out!” She cried. “There is no single person in this town more honorable than Rhea! In the face of all this, she has remained composed and graceful, even though she deserved to rage and tear down everyone in her wake!”
“Like you’re doing?” The chief asked pointedly, and red tinged my vision.
“Enough!” I cut through the crowd as everyone started talking at once, the sound of disbelief and barely contained anger pulsating through the air. There were enough bystanders lingering still that I refused to give into the bait he was throwingout for me. Because even with as much rage and anger burning through my body, I saw him for what he was.
Toxic.
“It’s fine.” I said firmly, holding my head up high as I turned back around to face him. “You don’t want me to play, I won’t. You don’t want me to serve in the department, I won’t. You win. I concede.”
“Bullshit,” Travis said with finality in his voice. Elliot’s husband was just like Tanner and Lucas, a man who didn’t bother himself with many words, but when he spoke, damn, he was worth listening to. “Charity isn’t about optics or illusions. It’s about the community. And Rhea, Goldie and Tanner couldn’t get more centered in this town if they tried.” He looked the chief up and down, “And you hate that for some reason.”
“Oh God, yes,” Jasper whispered, arms still firmly wrapped around Goldie like he was afraid she’d launch herself at the man who led three of us into danger every single day. “A rebellion. This town has been too boring lately; it’s time for a good revolution againstthe man.”
“If Rhea isn’t allowed to play,” Tanner stared down at me. “Then I’m not taking part either.”
“Me neither.” Goldie shook Jasper off, coming back to my side. “Honey & Hearth will no longer be sponsoring or catering the event.”
“I’m out.” Thomas said, always the reserved one, but I felt the level of commitment in my bones from those two words alone.
“Same.” Elliot said, crossing his arms as his son Toby looked up at him and then mirrored his stance, deep scowl and all. “That leaves the fire department three players short of a full team.”
“Guess that means the game is off.” Travis added.
Chief Tolbert clenched his teeth as he looked around our group. “It’s for a children’s charity, for crying out loud! You’renot hurting anyone but the children of this town that you say you’re so hell-bent on protecting.”
“Ooh,” Jasper winced, “He’s got you all there.” With a huff, he added, “I’d offer to play in one of your spots, but I always preferred to watch the boys in the aquarium over being in the aquarium. I’d make a terrible Shamu.”
“You can’t pull out of the tournament.” I said with a sigh, looking up at Tanner. “Tolbert’s right, that just hurts our people. Not him. Or the stupid system set to make my life hard.” I took a deep breath, why was being the bigger person so freaking hard? “You still have to play, even without me. I’ll help Goldie with the catering. It will be fine.”
“We will play,” Thomas said, taking his eyes off Jasper, who turned in his direction abruptly. “But we will form our own team. Cuffs and hoses can join into a full-size team, and we’ll go against them. Underdogs versus the man or whatever.” He grinned a little at the end, and I swear Jasper had hearts beating in his eyeballs as he looked up at the guy I had worked with every day for years now.
Damn. I really was wrong all along.
“You don’t have enough players,” Tolbert said, dismissing the idea completely. “Five players isn’t enough to man the ice. And you’re one goalie short of a chance.”
“No, they’re not.” A tiny voice piped up, and we all looked down at Emmie. The little ten-year-old who had more balls than any man in the group. “I’m the best goalie that ice rink has ever seen.” She chanced a glance at her dad, Travis, with a hopeful little grin on her face. “My dad said so.”