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We file in. Nina waits at the front of the room with her calm smile and intimidating posture. I grab a chair in the back, arms stretching out.

"Today," she begins, "we’re talking about commitment."

A few groans. One dramatic gasp from James, who clutches his chest and shouts, "Did someone say commitment? I thought this was hockey, not a lifetime supply of couple’s counseling!"

Ethan snorts. "Relax, James. No one's asking you to give up your dating app rotation."

Mikey adds, "Yet."

Laughter ripples through the room, and even Nina cracks a smile.

"Not that kind of commitment," she says dryly, flipping her marker open. "I mean showing up. On the ice. For your team. For the game plan. For the moments that matter. Even when it's hard. Especially then."

I shift in my seat, her words needling a little too close to home.

"Commitment means trust," she continues. "It means consistency. It means deciding that your job isn’t just about you. It’s about the guy next to you."

Connor raises a hand. "Even when the guy next to you smells like a foot?"

Laughter. Nina smiles. "Especially then."

She keeps going, but I zone out. Not because I don’t care. Because suddenly I do.

The thing is, I get what she’s saying. About trust. About consistency. About being someone others can count on.

Hell, I live it on the ice.

But off the ice?

When was the last time I really showed up for something or someone?

Mandy shows up for herself every damn day. Studying for the bar. Working long hours. Carrying the pressure like it owes her rent.

And I offered her my spare room to study. Told myself it was the nice thing to do. But if I'm being honest, it was selfish. I want her. I want under that perfect control of hers. And yeah, I want into her pants. Coward.

"Questions?" Nina asks, looking around.

No one speaks. Most of the guys shift uncomfortably.

James raises a hand. "Yeah, I’ve got one. Are we allowed to commit to post-practice wings? Because I’m really good at that."

More laughter. Nina nods like she’s amused, but she doesn’t let the moment escape.

"Commitment shows up in the little things like blocking a shot, finishing your shift, or taking a hit to make a play. It starts there. So, what moments on the ice have you held back? When did you hesitate to trust the guy next to you, or yourself? And why?"

There’s a beat of silence before Mikey speaks up. “I pulled up early last week on a backcheck. I thought Ethan was going to cover, but I should’ve finished it.”

Ethan lifts a brow. “I would’ve had it.”

“Would you?” Mikey shoots back, grinning.

“Point is,” Nina says, holding up her hand, “Mikey noticed. That’s awareness. What else?”

Connor leans forward. “I’ve been overcommitting on my first shift and losing gas by the third. Trying to prove I’m still in first-line shape.”

James chimes in, unusually sincere. “I’ve hesitated to drop the puck in tight. I’m thinking too much instead of trusting the system.”

She nods. “That’s real. Anyone else?”