Chapter 73: Chapter 73
There is music playing in the lounge-Celine Dion’s "My Heart Will Go On," which Scott knows I love. We skated to it for pleasure, it was such a romantic song for us. I reminisce while the athletes are giving each other hugs and talking excitedly amongst themselves in intimate groups. The coaches are in their own group getting to know one another. I take a drink from the wine table and when I turn around I notice Scott is no longer in my sight, so I joined their group.
“No, you can’t be serious!” Nelly questions Miles. There is a fraction of a second where I sense everyone get quiet on account that I joined them. Nelly is the first to notice Scott reenter the room, “If you’ll excuse me.” She picks her glass up and starts heading in his direction. She combs her fingers through her already perfect hair. She is a natural blond beauty with a high forehead and 5’9 in height.
When she stands with him, they looked like a wedding cake couple. I feel my stomach turn. Green with envy, I wish I hadn’t chopped off my hair, not that it will ever look as good as Mrs. Regina! Damn it, I should have lost her invite in the mail! Nelly embraces him warmly. He hugs her back and lifts her in the air at the same time. He smiles at her and the two sit down on a couch by themselves like they’ve known each other for years. They are close, and if I was seeing correctly, I think I spied her hand on his leg. I’ not sure though, because I can’t get a good look at them without being too obvious in front of the other coaches.
I try to focus on the coaches' conversation. Coach Tammy greets me, “How are you, Isabella? It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Is it true, you’re engaged to Mr. Anderson?”
“Yes,” I grin! “How are you doing?” “Great!”
Miles tried catching me up to speed, “We were just talking about what a privilege it is to be invited to this camp.”
“I agree,” said Tammy.
Tammy asks, “I thought Michael would be here on the opening day, no?” “No, he couldn’t make it. He’s going to visit us periodically when his schedule allows.”
“I heard the bad news; I’m sorry about you and Scott,” Miles said with sincerity. “It must be hard to work so closely with Scott when you aren’t together anymore,” he adds.
“You don’t know the half of it, crazy hard,” I assure him.
Tammy turns to Miles and says, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to steal this lovely woman for a few minutes...” He takes me by the hand and leads me to a vacant couch. "I’ll get you another glass of wine. You wait for me here.” I do as he asks and take the last sip of my merlot. I place it on the table and look again at Scott. He is still sitting with her, and I can see that they are definitely holding hands. My face feels warm. I want to go over to them, stop what is happening in its tracks. He is vulnerable right now, and she is taking advantage of it. Tammy gets back just in time. I can talk to Coach Tammy about anything. He is like a surrogate father to me.
Anything I say to him I knew he will keep private. Discretion is something I can easily give him credit for, along with busting my ass on the ice every day for as long as I could remember. The only opinions he gives are honest ones and most importantly I trust him.
“What really happened with you and Scott?” Tammy asks out of curiosity. “He shut me out, and then when he realized he made a mistake, I already moved on. I couldn’t wait forever.” He moves closer and puts his arm around me. I put my head on his shoulder. He is the closest thing I have to a father since dad died, “Things have ways of working ourselves out,” he reassures. He looks at my ring, “So are you announcing your engagement?”
“At a press conference right before we are televised.”
“That will get people to tune in. The guy running the show, you, Scott, you’re sure to get viewers.”
“All this didn’t happen for that reason.”
“I know,” replied Tammy, “are you still in love with Scott?” “You tell me.”
“You wouldn’t be eaten all up inside if Brandon was talking to me, affirmative.”
“I love Michael,” I insist. “I wouldn’t have accepted his proposal if I didn’t.”
“Are you sure you weren’t just taken by him, the glamour, the power. Sure as shit I’d bend over for that hottie!” Coach Tammy jokes.
“Keep your dick in your pants!” I tease, “He’s mine!”
Tammy looks at Scott and Mrs. Regina, “You need to tell him before you lose him for good.”
“Look at Scott, he’s getting pretty damn cozy with that, that woman. She’s taking advantage of him!”
“How so?”
“He’s vulnerable. His mother is practically on her death bed.”
“Oh!” says Tammy seriously, “I had no idea.”
Tammy advised, “Ignore them. Focus on what you’re here for, the skaters. Don’t let him know it bothers you seeing him with her. That will push them together, and you don’t want that.” Tammy takes a drink of his Chianti and changes the topic. He plays with the tips of my hair and says, “I love the new hairdo. Despite everything, you look fantastic.”
“I don’t feel it. This is supposed to be a high point in my life and disappointingly, I’m feeling pretty damn low.” I give him a kiss on the cheek and turned in to hug him. “Thanks for listening," I say. “It feels good to talk to someone openly.”
“You’re welcome.” He takes his arm away from my shoulders and grabs my hand to guide me from the couch. “Let’s go mingle with the skaters.”
Mustering up as much dignity as possible we walk past Scott and Nelly before approaching a group of female skaters. Sheena, Paris, and Cindy are standing by the table of cheeses. They welcome us into their group and fire off a barrage of questions about camp.
“What are we going to be doing for the next two weeks before training starts?” Sheena asks.
“Do we get to shop and do whatever we want?” Cindy pipes in. “Are we all getting makeovers?" Paris inquires.
Tammy chuckles saying, “One at a time...”
I put on as good a smile as I can, “We prefer that you don't make any changes to your appearance; the makeovers will be done in about a month. For the next two weeks, if we aren’t taping you for commercials you are allowed to shop until you drop. You will be doing commercials, commercials, and more commercials. When you aren’t doing promos, you will be doing more commercials! I’m just kidding, you are free to rest and do whatever you want as long as it doesn’t break any rules.”
Paris runs her fingers through her hair and comments, “I can’t wait for the makeovers!”
“Me, too!” Cindy chimes in, “You guys can do whatever you want to me.
I’m sure it’s going to look great! I adore your new cut!”
“Thanks.” I smile self-consciously. “We have plans for all of you!” I say creating intrigue.
Tammy takes my hand, and then looks at the girls, “We will leave you to enjoy yourselves.” He leads me over to another group of skaters. Rick, Brett, and Scott are standing together. I look over at each of the three men and my admiration for their talents comes bubbling out of me. “You guys were fantastic this year! I’m so glad all of you agreed to come to the camp!”
All the men smiled at me and Brett responds on behalf of the trio, “Thanks.”
The competitors we approached asked similar questions and I try to answer as many as I can. I noticed Scott is circulating, too. He always seems to be on the opposite side of the room as me. Tammy, being the supportive friend he is, never leaves my side. The party is nearing the end when my worst fear comes to fruition. Tammy leaves me for not even a minute to go to the bathroom when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn to see who it is, and to my horror, it is Nelly. I smile in her direction, putting on a confident appearance. There is nothing in her smile that is sincere.
“I was just speaking to Scott. He told me everything that happened.” She glows. I can’t let Nelly get to me. She needs to know this conversation isn’t bothering me, even if it was.
“Two sides to every story,” I shoot back.
“I’m only interested in his,” Nelly dismisses me. “So, I assume the two of you are finished then?”
“Our relationship is really none of your business!”
“It became my business when Scott told me everything you did, and I mean everything. Let me assure you that if he needs my comfort or support, my door will be wide open. He will get the respect he deserves from me.”
Tammy couldn’t have returned at a more opportune time. He put his arm around me and said, “Ladies.” I have never been so happy to see anyone more. Scott comes over to us and takes Nelly’s hand while looking into my eyes. It left a paradoxical message. Tammy, who was quickly becoming my knight in shining armor, looks at Scott and says, “I’m going to take Isabella back to her room, she’s not feeling well. Wrap this party up for her,” he orders. Once a coach, always a coach, I guess. “I look forward to catching up with you later, Scott.” Tammy takes my hand and leads me away.
Tammy escorts me to my room, he hugs me and leaves. I put some music on, turning off the lights, and collapse into bed. I feel this new urgency to protect Scott.