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“So…” Wes leans in, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. “What’s the deal with Abby?”

I tense, my fingers tightening around my glass. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, Beck.” Griffin raises an eyebrow. “You’ve been quieter than usual all night. That’s not like you.”

Wes nods, his expression softer but just as probing. “We saw how you looked at her today.”

I sigh and lean back against the booth, rubbing the back of my neck. “It’s… complicated.”

“Complicated how?” Griffin asks, his curiosity piqued. “She’s gorgeous. Smart. And she’s raising a kid who clearly adores you.”

“Exactly,” I mutter, my throat tightening.

Wes’s brow furrows. “Is that what’s holding you back?”

“No.” I shake my head, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “It’s… more than that.”

I hesitate, but these two know me better than most. If anyone can help me make sense of this mess, it’s them.

“Jake’s a great kid,” I say quietly. “And Abby…” My voice trails off, but her image is already crystal clear in my mind—her guarded smile, the way her eyes soften when she looks at Jake, the strength she tries so hard to hide.

“She’s different,” I admit softly.

“Different how?” Wes asks, his tone careful.

“She’s not like anyone I’ve ever met.” I exhale slowly, running a hand down my face. “She’s doing everything for Jake. Every decision, every sacrifice—she’s all in for him.”

“Sounds like someone else we know.” Wes’s voice is gentle, and I glance up to see his knowing smile.

I swallow hard, memories of my mom flashing through my mind. “Yeah,” I murmur. “She reminds me of Mom.”

The silence that follows is heavy, filled with unspoken understanding. Wes and Griffin know what both my mom and dad went through to keep me in skates. The endless hours at two jobs for her and the night shift for my dad. They sacrificed so I could chase my dream.

“Abby’s had it rough,” I add, my voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know the full story yet, but I can see it in her eyes. She’s been hurt. And she’s not going to let anyone get close enough to hurt her again.”

Griffin’s smirk fades, replaced by rare seriousness. “And you’re afraid if you get too close, you’ll be the one to hurt her?”

I nod, my jaw tight. “Or worse… I’m afraid if she finds out who I really am, she’ll walk away.”

Wes frowns. “What do you mean? She knows you’re Beck Hayes, hockey superstar.”

“Yeah,” I say, but my voice feels hollow. “But she doesn’t know about… everything else.”

Griffin’s eyes narrow. “You mean the billions?”

I wince. “Don’t say it like that.”

“It’s the truth, man.” Griffin shrugs, but his expression is serious. “You’re not just a hockey player, Jake. You’re a walking Fortune 500.”

“Yeah,” I mutter. “And that’s what scares me.”

I lean forward, elbows on the table, and stare down at my hands. “I’ve seen what happens when people find out. They change. They want things. They expect things. And I can’t…” I trail off, my throat tight.

“You think Abby’s like that?” Wes asks softly.

“No,” I say immediately, shaking my head. “She’s not. But that doesn’t mean it won’t change things. I don’t want her to see me differently.”

And that’s the problem.