Page 19

Chapter nineteen

Beck

I’ve faced some of the toughest defenses in the league .I’ve stood in front of roaring crowds with seconds on the clock, knowing the outcome of the game was riding on my stick. But none of that compares to the weight pressing down on me now.

This decision isn’t about a championship or a contract. It’s about them .

Abby. Jake.

My family.

It’s the day after our cookout. I run a hand through my hair as I sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the glowing screen of my phone. My agent’s number is at the top of my call list.

All it will take is one call. One conversation.

“Beck Hayes signs with Boston in a blockbuster deal.”

I can already see the headlines. Hear the buzz. Feel the adrenaline rush that comes with knowing I’d be competing for the Stanley Cup again.

But when I close my eyes…

I don’t see the ice.

I see Jake’s grin when he scores a goal in the driveway. I see Abby’s eyes when she looks at me like I’m her safe place. I see Spotty sleeping at my feet while Biscuit, Mitts, and Hat Trick keep a watchful eye.

I see home .

And darn it… I’m terrified I’m about to lose it all.

“Beck, look!”

Jake’s excited voice pulls me out of my thoughts as I step into the backyard. He’s practicing his slapshots again, with Spotty acting as his unofficial goalie. The Dalmatian isn’t exactly NHL material, but he’s enthusiastic enough to keep Jake on his toes.

“Nice shot, buddy!” I call out, trying to shake off the weight sitting on my chest.

Jake beams at me, his face flushed with excitement. “I’ve been practicing my follow-through like you showed me!”

“You’re a natural.” I squeeze his shoulder as I crouch beside him. “Keep that up, and you’ll be leading the Ice Hawks in no time.”

Jake’s smile falters for just a second, and his eyes drop to the ice-blue puck he’s been using—the one I gave him after my last game.

“Beck?” His voice is quieter now, almost hesitant, as he walks over to the porch.

“Yeah, bud?”

He bites his lip, his eyes wide with something that makes my heart clench. “Are you… are you gonna leave us?”

The question hits me harder than any check I’ve ever taken.

I freeze, my throat tightening as I stare at him.

“Leave?” My voice cracks, and I force myself to stay calm. “What do you mean, buddy?”

Jake’s gaze stays glued to the puck, his little fingers tracing the edges. “If you go to Boston … will you still be here?”

Oh, Jake.

My heart shatters into a million pieces.

I swallow hard, but the lump in my throat refuses to budge. “Jake…” I gently lift his chin so he’s looking at me. His eyes are full of uncertainty—of fear.

“I don’t want you to go.” His voice is barely above a whisper now, and it’s all I can do to hold it together.

“Buddy…” My voice cracks as I pull him into my arms, holding him close as his little body trembles against mine. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”

But even as the words leave my mouth, I know they’re not completely true.

Not yet.

But it’s enough to help Jake for the moment, and he runs back to Spotty challenging him to stop his puck one more time. Watching from afar I can see my life caring for him, watching over him, loving him. Swiping my eyes I turn away only to bump directly into Griff.

“Man, you look like heck.”

I glance up to see Griffin walking toward me, his usual smirk replaced with something that looks a lot like… concern?

“Thanks,” I mutter, dragging a hand through my hair. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear.”

Griffin steps closer, eyeing the pile of Jake’s hockey gear I’ve been mindlessly rearranging for the past hour. “Wanna talk about it, or should I start making jokes about you losing your touch?”

I try to smirk, but it falls flat.

Griff sighs and grabs a hockey stick from the rack, twirling it in his hands like it’s second nature.

“So… Boston, huh?”

I nod, my jaw clenched. “Three years. Big money. Big market. Chance at the Cup.”

“And the Ice Hawks?”

“One-year extension.” I pause, my throat tightening. “Then coaching or management.”

Griffin whistles low, his eyes narrowing as he studies me. “Sounds like a no-brainer.”

“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’s the 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 something better .”

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 love them more.

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—”

“I’m not taking it.”

Silence.

“Wait, what?” His tone shifts, caught between confusion and disbelief. “Beck, this is—”

“I’m staying in Irondale.” The words come out stronger this time, and I feel the weight fairly lifting from my chest as I say them.

Another beat of silence. “You sure about this?”

“Yeah.” I glance toward the kitchen, where Abby is laughing softly as Jake tells her some ridiculous story.

“More than sure.”

Turning down Boston was the easy part. Now… I need to show Abby that I’m all in .

Words aren’t enough. She needs to see it. Feel it.

And I know exactly how to make that happen.

***

I spend the next few days making calls, meeting with people, and keeping everything under wraps. It’s not easy, but I want this to be perfect.

Because Abby deserves perfect .

She and Jake were absolutely thrilled when I sat them down to tell them we would all be staying in Elmwood while I continued to work for the Ice Hawks. It was a trio of amazing hugs and kisses and I’m pretty sure a really sloppy dog kiss came into the fray at some point. I did my best to let them know how happy I am to have chosen them over everything.

But I want to go even further. And that is what I’ve been working on the past few days. When I see the look on her face… and the joy on Jake’s ...

I’ll know I made the right choice.