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“Yeah,” I mutter, but we both know it’s not.

Griffin is quiet for a moment, which is weird. Then he looks up, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it.

“Look, man,” he says quietly. “I’ve known you a long time. And I’ve seen you fight like hell for that Cup.”

I nod, my throat tight.

“But…” Griffin’s voice drops, and for once, there’s no trace of sarcasm in his tone. “I’ve never seen you fight for something like you fight for them.”

My chest clenches.

“Beck,” Griffin murmurs, his gaze steady. “Sometimes… the biggest wins don’t happen on the ice.That’sthe no-brainer I’m talking about.”

There’s another slapshot to the heart. I blink, my vision blurring for a moment. “Griff…”

“I’m serious.” Griffin’s expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen it. “You’re not that guy anymore. The one who lives and breathes hockey like it’s the only thing that matters.”

I swallow hard, my mind flashing back to Jake’s question. To Abby’s eyes when she asked what I wanted.

“I don’t know if I can walk away,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Then don’t.” Griffin shrugs. “But make damn sure you’re not walking away from somethingbetter.”

His words stay with me long after he’s gone. I sit on the back deck, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

Jake’s inside now, upstairs with Abby working on some school project. Spotty is sprawled out beside me, snoring softly.

And all I can think about is what Griff said.

The biggest wins don’t happen on the ice.

He’s right. Because as much as I love this game…

I lovethemmore.

Jake. Abby.

They’re my everything.

And suddenly…

The choice isn’t so hard after all.

***

I’m up early the next morning, pacing the living room as I stare at my phone like it’s a ticking time bomb.

One call.

That’s all it’s going to take to change everything.

I inhale deeply, my heart pounding as I finally hit the button.

“Beck.” My agent’s voice is chipper, like he already knows I’m about to sign the deal of the century, and he’ll have a piece of it.

“Hey.” My voice is steady, but my heart feels like it’s about to explode.

“Ready to lock this in? Boston’s eager to—”