Santa's Secret

by Heidi McLaughlin

  “Can you send these to me?” I ask Mindy.

  “Of course, what else would I do with them?”

  I shake my head and smile softly at her. “Nothing. I know you’d never do anything to betray my trust.”

  Mindy pulls me into a hug. I squeeze her tightly. It’s my way of showing her how much I appreciate her, even when I haven’t been the best of friends. Hollywood changes people. The constant rush of life is exhausting. When I arrived in Los Angeles, I submerged myself in work, reading scripts, going to auditions and social engagements, and forgetting about everyone back home. If it weren’t for my parents calling and texting constantly, I likely would’ve lost them due to my inability to see past the haze I buried myself in.

  “Thank you for coming out tonight. I know it was short notice.”

  “Like I would miss this.” Mindy spreads an arm out over the crowd. There’s a line of men sitting on stools with their backs facing the bar. Each one is watching my little group and trying to flirt with us. Their smoldering, borderline constipation, eye squint is on point.

  “This is nothing. You should come out to LA sometime. My treat, of course. I’ll show you around. Introduce you to a few of the players. We can go to Malibu and sit on the beach. We’ll hit up a fancy nightclub and dance all night.”

  “Sound amazing, but—”

  “I know, the kids make it hard. We can make it a family vacation and do Disneyland or something.”

  “What’s gotten into you?” she asks. “Since when are kids your thing?”

  Her question gives me pause. Throughout my career, I’ve been adamant about children not being a part of life. I don’t want to be an absent mother or have my child raised by nannies. My colleagues are like that, and it’s bothered me ever since I took my first starring role.

  “I don’t know,” I tell Mindy. “Maybe it’s being home and working with the students on the play?” I don’t know why I’m questioning myself. It’s not like I have the answer.

  “Maybe it’s from spending some quality time with a certain single dad?” Eileen chimes in. Instantly I feel flushed and find myself bowing my head to hide.

  “Aiden?” my mom asks. “You’ve been spending time with Aiden?”

  “No,” I say in defense. Not that spending time with Aiden is a bad thing. “I was at the diner this morning, and he was there. I invited him to sit with me. It’s not like we’re secretly meeting up at night.”

  “Why not?” Mindy asks. When I look at her, she shrugs and picks up her drink.

  “Oh come on,” I say, pushing softly against her shoulder. “The last thing I need is another romance. Nope, Delaney Du Luca is single, and she’s going to stay that way for a long time.”

  My mom scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Aiden would make a fine boyfriend.”

  “Yeah maybe, if I didn’t live thousands of miles away and work eighteen hour days.”

  “So you admit you like him?” Eileen asks, waggling her eyebrows before she starts laughing.

  I throw my napkin at her. “You’re not listening to me. I don’t have time for a boyfriend.” I purposely avoid her question. I do like Aiden; I wouldn’t want to ruin his life by being mixed up in mine. It wouldn’t be fair to him or Holly.

  “Oh, I think we hear you loud and clear,” Mindy says.

  Shaking my head. “You ladies are incorrigible and exactly why rumors start. It was breakfast, nothing more.”

  “And hockey tickets,” Eileen adds.

  “Because Calvin will be bored here. I wanted him to bond with the guys.”

  “Sure ya did, honey.” My mom pats me on the back of my leg as I pass by her.

  “Mindy’s right. Aiden needs a woman like you,” Eileen adds.

  “Mom, a little help here?” I beg.

  “Sorry, Delaney, I have nothing. I agree with the girls.”

  I throw my hands up in the air and fall back against the sofa. “You all are just... well I don’t know what you are, but come on. The last thing Aiden wants or needs in his life is me.”

  “Why would you say something like that? Has Aiden told you what he needs?” my mom deadpans.

  “Look, we had breakfast, nothing more. I called him over to my table because he was by himself and I was alone. I don’t understand why everyone looks for a hidden meaning when there isn’t one. A long time ago, in a land far far away, Aiden and I were a couple… but that was back in high school. I left. He got married and had a daughter. It’s not like either of us has spent years pining away for each other.” I look at my mom, future sister-in-law and my best friend. Each of them has a smirk on their faces, which boggles my mind. I’m either incredibly dense, or they’re up to something. Shaking my head, I get up and head toward the bar, taking the first stool available. I sigh heavily and raise my finger to get the attention of the bartender.

  “Sounds like a heated conversation,” the man next to me says. I close my eyes and nod.

  “You have no idea. Why do people meddle or make a big deal about nothing?”

  He finishes his drink and sets his tumbler down. Strangely, he never turns to look at me, and for some reason, I find this mildly refreshing. This man wants to have a conversation and not try to pick me up or flirt. “For some, it’s what they do; it’s how they survive. For others, it’s their way of caring.”

  “Well, the caring is a bit overboard in my opinion.”

  “What can I get you?” the bartender asks.

  “Baileys please and whatever the gentleman is having.” I motion toward the man who seems to speak with reason.

  “Thank you,” he says. “It’s been years since a woman has bought me a drink. Usually, it’s the man who offers.”

  “I didn’t exactly offer. I suppose I should’ve asked if you wanted another.”

  This time he does turn, and when we make eye contact, he smiles. Except, there’s something about him I find familiar, and it’s not an oh-I’m-so-happy-to-see-you feeling. It’s the stranger-danger-move-with-caution sense, which instantly makes me regret buying this man a drink. I take another look, wondering where it is I know him from. Certainly, not from around here and if he were friends of my parents, surely he’d go over and say something to my mother. I shake my head, trying to clear the cobwebs, to no avail. Still, something about him and the way he’s speaking has the hairs on my neck standing at attention. Oddly enough, I haven’t felt this way since I had a stalker, who is safely under observation elsewhere. The only thing I can deduce is that this man is paparazzi, making me thankful Calvin is with me… I try to smile, but it’s forced, and I feel like he can sense this. Even as I turn away, I can feel his gaze still focused on me. I was stupid to suggest Calvin go with the guys tonight, but I wanted him to have fun and not resent me for ruining his vacation.

  The bartender returns with my drink, and I pull it close to me, guarding it against errant hands that may come toward me. “Can you put this on my tab?” Surprisingly, my voice remains calm, even though the fight or flight senses are starting to kick in.

  “You got it,” he says.

  “Well, enjoy your drink,” I say to the man next to me, still being polite despite my need to run back to the safety of my group. He holds his glass up in salute as I slide off the stool. As quickly as I can, I rush back to the sofas we’ve been using for the evening.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” my mom says as I sit down with her and Eileen.

  Shaking my head, I make an ill-fated attempt at grinning. “I don’t know. There’s something about that man at the bar. I get the impression I know him or at least have seen him, and our meeting wasn’t favorable.”

  “Paparazzi?” Mindy asks.

  “No, I don’t think so. I mean, why would they come to Ramona Falls?”

  Eileen pulls her phone out and aims in his direction. “What are you doing?” I pull her hand down before he can turn around.

  “What?” She shrugs. “I can run him through facial recognition on the web and see if he comes up.” />
  My mom gasps. Mindy claps. I roll my eyes. “You can’t do that… or can you?” Now my interests are piqued.

  Eileen grins like a cheshire cat. “Definitely. When my sister brought her boyfriend home, I snapped a picture of him and loaded it to see if he showed up in places he shouldn’t.”

  “That’s rather sneaky,” Mom says. “But I like it.”

  “How do I not know this? You could totally revolutionize the dating game.”

  Mindy laughs so loud; others turn to see what’s going on in our section. “ I can see it now, ‘Hollywood Starlet makes any potential suitor vying for her attention post personal photos before agreeing to a date.’”

  I toss the throw pillow in her direction but completely miss her. “Laugh now, but think of the heartache it would save.”

  “You’re, right D. You would’ve known Trey was an epic douche,” Mindy says.

  The cheerfulness I had been feeling quickly subsides until I play back the week prior. Mindy’s right. If I had known, I would’ve never dated him. I suppose we all learn from our mistakes at some point in our lives. “Well, Trey is happily doing whatever…” I trail off, knowing our break-up was for the best.

  Sixteen

  Aiden

  “Delaney said we could use the suite she reserved or sit down along the ice,” Dominic tells us as he walks ahead of us to enter the TD Garden.

  “The suite could be fun,” Gio says. “Watching the game from above is always an experience.”

  “But the ice is where all the action is. Especially if there’s a brawl,” I point out.

  “What’s going on here?” Calvin asks. He seems to tense up at the vast mass of people lingering around.

  “This is North Station,” I tell him.

  “I thought we were going to hockey?”

  “We are.” I point to retractable glass walls where many Bruins and Canadiens fans are vying to head up the escalators once the walls push back. “The arena is upstairs.”

  “Say again?” Calvin looks at the three of us, clearly shocked by what I said.

  “It’s upstairs,” Gio adds. “The Celtics and Bruins play above the station. The view is amazing.”

  Gio’s right, if you’re there to look at the view. Most of the time, it goes unnoticed though because people who come to the games are used to it. I like to take a look every now and again, be thankful I’m able to go to a game.

  “People in New England are odd.”

  Gio, Dominic and I all laugh. Calvin isn’t thinking anything we don’t already about the folks on the “left” coast. We often have a tourist roll through town, wholly awed by our small town living. To us, it’s all we know. To the visitors, we’re living some idyllic dream, as if we’ve been plucked out of a magazine and set there for all the world to see.

  The doors open and the mad rush to get upstairs starts. Gio holds us back for a few minutes to let the diehards go first. I’ve never understood why people hurry to get to their seats an hour early. I know for most it’s to watch warm-ups, but the seats aren’t the most comfortable, and personally, I’d rather wait.

  “What’s the plan?” Dom asks. “Seats or suite?”

  “The seats are along the ice, right?” Gio asks and we all nod. Delaney spared no expense when she hooked us up with tickets. I had no idea about the suite until we were half way here. If I weren’t feeling bad about seats to begin with, the suite definitely pushed me over the edge. I’m not trying to look a gift horse in the mouth, but I’m having a hard time accepting I can’t return the favor to Delaney.

  “Why not do both?” Calvin suggests. The four of us sort of look at each other like one of us has to make a decision. It’s not going to be me, but I’ll definitely go along with whatever is decided. I’ve never known what a luxury box has to offer, but I’ve heard stories.

  “Can we?” Gio asks as we stand on the escalator. When we get to the top, he has all four tickets scanned. The lady smiles and directs us to the elevator we need to access the suite.

  “Yeah, I’ve done it before. It’s nice because we can eat in the suite when the Bruins are attacking the other end of the ice,” Dominic says as he motions us to follow him.

  The suite’s fully stocked by the time we get there. Delaney has clearly gone overboard and arranged for a vast selection of food to be ready and waiting for us to devour. There’s everything from wings, to nachos, to pasta, not to mention a fully stocked soda bar, which has me laughing.

  “What’s so funny, Fisher?”

  “Your sister made sure none of us are drinking on her tab.” The look on Dom’s face is priceless, and the snicker from Calvin causes me to laugh even harder. “Seriously, I could kiss her for this,” I say, only to realize my choice of words. My mouth shuts quickly as my gaze falls to Gio. He’s smiling, almost as if he didn’t hear those words slip out. I immediately head over to the table of food and start making a plate. In the background, I can hear Dominic on the phone with Delaney, hopefully thanking her for everything and not whining because his favorite beverage isn’t here.

  “He takes advantage of his sister.” Calvin picks up a plate and starts loading an assortment of food onto it. “I hear her on the phone with him a lot.”

  “Really? Like how?” I ask, only to shake my head. “You know what, it’s none of my business.”

  “It’s not mine either, but I have an opinion about siblings who aren’t famous. They whine and ask for a lot without coming out and saying it.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  Calvin motions toward the other end of the room, away from where Dominic is. I glance around for Gio and find he’s not here.

  “He went to the restroom,” Calvin says, knowing I was looking for Gio. “From my experience, siblings tend to go on and on about the same things until the famous one gives in. The repetitiveness wears them down, and they finally act so the other will stop talking.”

  “You’re very observant.”

  “It’s my job and something I pride myself on. Being a police officer isn’t any different, right? Our jobs aren’t that different. I just spend more time with my employer.”

  “No, I suppose it’s not, but sometimes I feel unfocused.”

  “Like when Delaney’s name’s brought up?”

  My hand freezes on it’s way to my mouth, which of course stays open until my brain decides to start functioning again and I close it. As casually as I can, I set my nacho filled chip down onto my plate and clear my throat. “Um… we used to be friends.”

  “And you’re not now?”

  I shrug. “I think as people grow up, the definition of friendship changes. I’m sure everyone wants to be her friend.”

  “They do, but her circle is very limited. You’d be surprised by her life.”

  “Oh, I’ve seen her in the papers,” I tell him, thankful I’ve dodged his earlier statement.

  Calvin adjusts his large frame in the leather chair. “The real Delaney is nothing like you see in the media. She prefers to stay home and watch movies, over going to a party or a club. When you see her, it’s out of obligation. Either a director wants her someplace, or a company wants her dressed in their clothing, so they pay her to be in the right spot for a photo.”

  “Really?”

  He nods and starts in on his plate of food, leaving me to my thoughts. For years, seeing Delaney in the news, I thought she enjoyed having her picture taken, the glitz and glam that comes with being a Hollywood star, and the all-night parties Heather often read about. She used to tell me the things she read about Delaney, the things she was doing and what was going on in her love life. I never knew it was all a ruse.

  “My wife used to keep me updated on Delaney, and we’d go see her movies when they would come out.”

  “Used to?”

  I nod and look at the ice where the teams are warming up. The arena is starting to fill up with people, and the noise level is getting louder. “She died almost two years ago, but up until she became sick, she was one
of those people who bought every magazine and read it cover to cover. Of course, with Delaney being our local hero, everyone kept tabs on her.”

  “I think coming home was the right thing for her,” he adds. I agree, mostly because I know her family is happy to have her home for the holidays. “You avoided my statement though.”

  “About what?” I ask, pretending I don’t have a clue as to what he’s talking about. Honestly, I feel like I’m in some warped version of reality television where the guys sit around and talk about their feelings, not the women. I think Calvin and I need to open a bottle of wine and light a few candles.

  Calvin laughs. “It’s okay. I get it. She’s easy to crush on.”

  “I don’t have a crush.”

  He nods. “If you say so.”

  I do say so. I don’t have time for childhood crushes or any other flirtation game, especially when it comes to Delaney. It’d be pointless considering how different our lives are. I’m here, a full-time single dad raising an impressionable young daughter, and Delaney’s everywhere, she doesn’t need my baggage to slow her down. Not that I’ve considered being with her or even stand a chance at being someone in her life. I’m no different than everyone else in town. We’re all star struck where she’s concerned.

  “So anyway, how long have you worked for Delaney?” I ask, steering the conversation in a different direction.

  “A few years now. I came on after Delaney had a run in with a stalker.”

  “And your family is okay with you being here?”

  “I’m not married. I’m also one of eight kids so if I’m not home for the holidays, my mother doesn’t necessarily miss me. She has a dozen plus grandkids running around, taking up her attention.”

  “One of eight, huh? I thought I had a problem with my sister growing up, always in my stuff, bugging me every five seconds about whether one of my friends liked her. I can’t imagine having seven of them.”