Chapter Five

Itake a deep breath and press my back against my apartment door. Running from Aiden is not my idea of a fun time, but I’m not ready to reveal my identity just yet. It’s a conversation I need to prepare myself for. Even if I were ready, doing so after him following me around would be weird. When I first noticed a car following me, I thought it was a fluke or maybe the driver lived the same way I did, but when I circled back to the arena I knew it wasn’t. And I finally recognized the car.

He kept the Mustang, which only makes my mind wander toward crazy ideas like does he still love me? We made so many memories in that car, and I can’t stop thinking about them. Can we figure out our past and somehow have a future together?

In a misguided effort to clear my foggy mind, I shower and wash the makeup from my face before slipping into my favorite pajamas. Once I’m cozied into my loveseat, I call April.

The phone rings several times before she finally picks up. “Hey, girlie. What’s up? You’re calling late.” I forgot the time difference, but she’s always up for a chat.

“Aiden followed me today. Like, in his car he followed me.”

“How stalkerish of him. Did you talk to him?”

“Ha, no. I drove to the police station to get him to stop following me, then I rushed home. I just got out of the shower.”

She sighs on the other end of the line. I know what she’s thinking, what she’s about to say. We’ve gone down this road several times before, and each time she chinks away at my armor a little more.

“We talked about this, Finch. You gotta let God work this out for you. Tell Aiden the truth, all of it, and trust God.”

“I know. I know. I do trust God. It’s my father that I don’t trust. And Stephen. If they find me, I’ll have to give up this job. I just started and already I love it.” I fidget with the hem of my pajama top and frown. I do love it, more than anything, and it isn’t only because the team owner is a great boss. I love the whole family vibe, I’m just not sure if I’ll fit into it. I’m not sure if Aiden will want me to fit in either.

I brush my dark hair over my shoulder and snuggle into the sofa.

“Listen, I have some vacation time to use up. Want me to come and help you get settled into this?” April will drop everything and be here tomorrow if I give her the go ahead, but something tells me I need to do this on my own. At least, the first part of it. I do miss my best friend, though.

“Not right now. Maybe in a few days? I’d love to see you.”

“All right. Hang tight,” she says. I hear her tapping over the phone, and in a few minutes she says, “I’ll be there as soon as I can. Sound good?”

“Perfect. In the meantime, I’ll tell Mr. Gregory that I’m willing to release my identity to the players and a few key staff. Maybe that will make life a little easier.” I’m not sure why I suddenly decided that was a good idea, but since I’ve let it out, there is no way April will let me take it back.

“Tell Aiden first. Don’t forget that every story has at least three sides,” she says.

“Yes, I know. His, mine, and the truth.”

“Good girlie, now get some rest and let me know how things go tomorrow. I’ll see you in a few days. We’ll go shopping, eat amazing food, maybe drool over some hockey players while we’re at it.”

“April, stop. Even if I tell Aiden the truth, what we had is dead. It can’t be salvaged.” My heart clenches at the very idea I might have to see him almost every day but not be with him.

She doesn’t say anything else about it, but I know what she thinks. If I reveal my identity to Aiden, he’ll tell me his side of things and I’ll realize it wasn’t his fault. April is nothing if not a romantic at heart, but I seriously doubt there’s anything Aiden can say that will make me forget how it felt to stand at the altar alone, without a groom, and my father’s I told you so hanging over me. Talk about having a split mind over something. I can’t decide whether I want to hate him or fall right back in love with him.

“How was the performance? It must have gone well since you didn’t lead with any catastrophes.”

“It was so amazing. Better than I expected, and I even have some ideas for the next one.” I don’t add that seeing Aiden walk through that ring of fire had my heart soaring and my palms sweating. It had nothing to do with the heat from the firework fountains and everything to do with how they lit up his gorgeous face.

“I’m so happy for you. And I’m proud of you. You know I hate all of those death defying tricks you do, but it’s pretty amazing that you stuck to your dreams.”

“Thanks, April.” I check the clock and note that she’s probably up past her bedtime. “I’ll let you get some sleep. Talk soon, okay?”

“All right. Love you, Finch.”

“Love you too. Night, April.”

She hangs up first and I drop my phone onto the sofa with a great sigh. A picture of the two of us lights up on the screen. It’s the only picture I have on this phone, another new number along with a new town.

Morning comes faster than I’d like, but I have a lot of business to attend to. My meeting with Mr. Gregory is first. He wants to go over the fans’ response from my show, decide if anything needs tweaking, and plan out a few other events. I’ll take advantage of the opportunity to tell him that I will be more flexible with my identity then, which should please him.

After that, I need to meet with Freya about the social media page, review the images she shot from the performance, and maybe ask her to ease me into the craziness of meeting everyone. If I dive in head first, I’m bound to clam up and seem like a cold-hearted, standoffish person who is the opposite of who I really am.

I use the side entrance and head down the long hallway that leads to Mr. Gregory’s office. There’s no one else in this area except for Freya, but I can’t say who might show up. I brace myself for anything at this point.

Knocking on the red door, I wait patiently for my boss to open it. His big, warm smile is inviting as always.

“Ms. Bennett, I’m glad to see you. Come in.” He allows me to enter and shuts the door behind us. I sit in the same chair I sat in during my interview and smile. I’m nervous but not in the I want to flee way. It’s more of a I’m going to trust you and a whole lot of strangers to keep my secret kind of way.

He takes his seat. “I can’t begin to tell you how amazing that performance was. It was one thing to see it in video, but it blows you away in person. I have no complaints whatsoever. The fans loved it. I’ve been getting messages from Freya all morning. The social media pages are blowing up with comments about the mysterious fire breathing dragon.”

I take a deep breath. “Thank you. You have no idea how happy it makes me to know I pleased you and the fans. I have some great ideas for the rest of the playoff season, and something big for when we win that cup.”

“When we win? Already a team player. I like it.” He eases back into his plush chair, eliciting the squeaking again. Hopefully it doesn’t toss him onto the floor or out the back window.

“Well, actually, I’d like to talk to you about my anonymity clause.”

He shifts his weight, bracing himself for something and thoroughly angering that chair. My guess is he is concerned something has gone wrong. It usually does, which is why I’ve been fired from my last three acts.

“It isn’t any trouble or anything. It’s just that I think the players are very curious about me. One of them followed me last night, and I had to stop at the police station to get rid of him.”

“I hope it wasn’t Aiden?” he asks with a scowl.

“Actually, yes, but he didn’t mean any harm. I’m sure of that.”

Mr. Gregory groans and sits back. “I’ll have a talk with him. He’s a grown man and ought to know better than to follow a woman, not to mention I specifically gave them instructions not to bother you. I promise you, once I get through disciplining them, they won’t bother you again.”

I raise my hands, panic rising in my chest. “Oh, no. That’s not what I want. I don’t want to be the person who comes in and rocks the boat. You have an amazing family here, and it isn’t fair for me to come in and disturb them this way. You’re too close to winning it all for me to ruin it because your team is distracted. I’ve decided I need to trust God to handle my problems. I’m fine with telling the players the truth of my identity as well as key employees.” I take a deep breath and force it out before adding, “I’ll have to pray that it doesn’t backfire.”

He narrows his eyes and places his hands on his desk. “Ms. Bennett, I don’t want you to do something you aren’t comfortable doing merely to keep peace here. If it is a danger to you to disclose your identity, then I want to ensure that you are safe, and I won’t allow anyone to bully my employee.”

I try to remember that even though he is my boss, he is still the sort of man who cares more about his employees” lives than his bottom line. It’s evident in how he runs the organization, so I brush a hand over my hair and attempt to relax. “I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable, but I do need to tell Aiden the truth. It isn’t fair to keep this from him. It’s a lie, really.”

“You’re sure?”

I nod. “Yes, I’m sure. I thought I could ask Freya to ease me into it and introduce me to the players.”

He grins and nods. “I think if anyone can help ease you into the family here, it’s her. I’ll let Coach Pratt know the details, but that this is to be at your pace. I’ll make him aware that discretion is still necessary.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”

He pauses for a moment and scratches his head. “Listen, one of the reasons I was so willing to work with your stipulations is that I know how hard it is for a woman to deal with certain things. My sister had a stalker when we were young, and it was a lot to manage. The constant fear and looking over her shoulder got to be too much, and she spent some time in a hospital. Take heart, Ms. Bennett, you are a Dragon and a part of our family. If you need anything, you call me. Day or night.”

Something inside me heals. I’m not sure what, but his words are like a soothing balm over my beat up heart. It isn’t as if I’ve had a father to turn to, and I think, maybe, this might be what it’s like to have one. Of course, we only just met but already he’s been more protective of me and kinder to me than any previous boss.

“I appreciate that, truly.” My anxiety eases but it is certain to skyrocket once I meet Freya and make a plan to officially out myself to the team.

“Is there anything else you need for your performances? An assistant to walk you to your car?”

I smile. “You mean a security guard?”

He snickers. “I wasn’t going to put it that way, but I will certainly hire one for you if necessary. I’ve considered it anyway, with some of the ladies working late hours. It isn’t unreasonable to have additional security for women.” He grabs a sticky note pad and a pen. “In fact, I’m going to look into that today.”

“Thank you, Mr. Gregory. I think I have everything I need for now, though. If there’s nothing more, I can see myself to Freya’s office.”

He stands and opens his door, allowing me to exit. “That’s everything on my end. Let me know how things go and if you need anything. You requested another performer for some of the act, and I’m willing to look into that if you’ll get me a list of potential people you’d like to work with. I’ll keep you posted about the security.”

“Perfect. I’ll get to work on that.”

He smiles and nods, then closes the door behind me once I’m in the hallway. I’m on my own again, doing this work thing like an adult who isn’t afraid of her own shadow.

Realizing I might have landed the one job in the world with an understanding and truly caring boss, I head down the hallway, already nervous again before I reach Freya’s door. I tap lightly before entering to find her elbow deep in piles of sticky notes and aesthetic boards. I have no idea what she’s doing, but it’s clearly a plan in the making. She huffs when I enter and stands.

“I’m glad you’re here. It gives me a reason to leave my office for a few minutes. Want to grab lunch?”

I check my watch. “Oh, sure. I guess.” It’s only ten in the morning, but who am I to turn down food?

“Okay, I just want donuts. I can’t keep up with the social pages right now, and I need a sanity break.”

I chuckle and nod towards the door. “That I can do.”

Out in the parking lot, we decide to take my car. The shop isn’t far, and I don’t have to worry about people seeing me at the rink before I’m ready. We order and grab a few seats closer to the rear where it’s quieter.

“So how are things? Are you tired after that performance?” she asks.

I bite into my chocolate scone and sip my coffee as I shake my head. “No, not really. I’m used to it. Sometimes when I add new stunts, I get a little sore but it’s not a big deal.”

“Bridger was so impressed with the fire breathing thing, and he wants to learn. I told him you couldn’t teach him because, you know, your identity thing and all.”

“Actually,” I say, pausing as I try to figure out what to say.

Freya raises an eyebrow. I can’t help but admire her. She’s confident. In control. She knows who she is. I wish I were as comfortable in my skin as this woman is.

“Finchley? Are you okay?”

“Yes, sorry. I told Mr. Gregory that I’m willing to tell the players who I am. I’ll talk to Aiden first so he’s not taken by surprise, then…yeah, we can tell the others.”

She sips her coffee with a sly smile, that perfectly manicured eyebrow still raised. She might be worse than April.

“Stop,” I say. “It isn’t like that. They’re curious enough about me that Aiden literally almost followed me home last night. I had to pull into the police station to get him to leave me alone.”

“He what?” She almost spits her coffee out.

“Yeah. And it’s like I told Mr. Gregory, I don’t want to be the one to rock the boat around here. I’m all right with them knowing. Of course, they’ll have to sign a nondisclosure form like you did, which I guess makes me a troublemaker anyway, but I’m just afraid that I’ll disturb everyone so much that it’ll cause a problem with them trying to win the cup. If I tell the truth then maybe they can focus on—”

“Finchley, take a breath. The guys are going to keep your secret because that’s just the kind of men they are. Still, I have to ask, are you sure?”

I fidget with the label on my coffee cup and sigh. “No, but also yes. My best friend keeps telling me to trust God, and I know she’s right. It’s just harder than it sounds.”

“It usually is, but when we trust Him, things tend to go better than when we plan them ourselves,” Freya says.

I nod, knowing she’s right. “Yeah. I was a fool to think I could keep this from Aiden anyway. It was a really dumb idea to take this job thinking I could remain anonymous.” I don’t mention the part of me that keeps screaming I did this on purpose, that I knew he was here and taking this job would force us to confront what happened.

“Listen, we can still maintain your mystery. I can craft amazing posts from the shots I have. In fact, keeping your face behind that mask creates a ton of buzz. Fans loved the show, and I know they will for a long time. They don’t care who you are. They only care that you’re a Dragon. And since you’re a Dragon, you’re family. We’ve all got your back.”

Yeah. I’m a Dragon. I feel it. I know that I am and worst case scenario, my father or my ex shows up and I have over twenty bodyguards. “All right. Ease me into this. What do Dragons do around here?”

Freya smiles wide and says, “We go to Brokedown Tavern. You’ll love it. Why don’t you come with us tonight? Just the ladies. We’re having a congratulatory night out with Greer. She and Evander got married.”

I would have to be a hermit to not know who Evander and Greer are after their social media debacle. I also happen to know that Evander is Aiden’s roommate. I’m not proud of how I know that—via stalking the Dragons’ social pages—but I couldn’t help myself. I’m nervous about going out into such a public place, but they’re inviting me into their world. The least I can do is meet them halfway. “Are you sure it will be okay?”

“Absolutely. The rest of the ladies will love you just like Chantelle and I do.”

The remainder of our donut break consists of us discussing social media posts, my next performance, and ways to incorporate really cool effects into reels to get the fans worked up. After all, it isn’t every year the Dragons are cup bound. It’s a season to celebrate.

And I’m going to live my life on my terms not my father’s.