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TWENTY-NINE

Tate

“Are you staying for the family volleyball match?” Lauren asks as I towel off after the canoe races. She’s holding Annie’s leash as the rest of the family drifts toward the sand court.

I run a hand through my wet hair, trying not to notice the way her eyes track my movement. “I’ve got a few things I need to take care of. Would you be okay if I didn’t stick around?”

Her smile falters for a second before she shakes her head. “Sure, go enjoy some quiet time.” She glances at her phone, then back at me with a slight head tilt. “Though I was hoping to show you something interesting.”

“What’s that?” I ask, taking Annie’s leash from her.

She holds up her screen, radiating excitement. “I was checking my social media after the race. Your Instagram post has officially gone viral. The beach photo with Annie has more shares than any other post.”

I groan lightly. “That’s great—for Annie. Personally, I’d prefer to be an anonymous guy with a private account and a picture of a dog for his profile.”

“Well, at least there’s a silver lining,” she says. “The shelter is getting more attention. ”

“That would be the only redeeming thing about that picture,” I say.

She looks from the picture, then to me, like she’s thinking. “Tate, you know this is bigger than the shelter now. Already the PR inquiries are blowing up my DMs—podcasts, magazines, even a YouTube interview request with the headline: Hockey Grump Turned Viral Hunk. ”

I stare at her blankly. “You’re joking.”

She shakes her head. “Tate, I never joke about trending topics.”

“Guess it’s time I relocated to that cabin in the woods permanently.”

“This is an opportunity,” she says with a gleam in her eye, the same one I see when she talks about PR. “People want to know who you are. And you haven’t even told people about this…” She touches Hope’s bracelet lightly.

I pull my arm back slightly. “I don’t talk about Hope to the press, Lauren.”

“They just want to hear your story, and I can help you tell it right.”

I take a deep breath. “That’s just it, Lauren.

Hope’s story isn’t a story—it’s my life.

My family’s life.” I need her to understand this part of me.

“I don’t want to be someone who turns personal tragedy into content for attention.

And I don’t want to measure my worth in likes or comments.

” I turn the bracelet on my wrist, my fingers absently spinning the beads.

“I only agreed to your PR plan to fix that mistake with the commissioner’s wife.

But Hope is different. Some things should stay private, even in a world where everyone shares everything. ”

She studies my face for a second. “I get it,” she says quietly, glancing at her phone, then back at me. “I just see all these opportunities, and my first instinct is always to grab them. That’s who I am.”

“And there’s nothing wrong with that,” I tell her. “It’s what makes you good at what you do. But it’s not who I am. ”

She nods once, tucking her phone away. “Maybe that’s what makes you different from the others.”

“Maybe,” I say with a shrug.

“You’re really going to ignore all this publicity?”

“Yeah,” I say flatly. “I am.”

She watches me for a moment, then just nods. “Okay. I will too.”

“Really?” I ask. “Now I’m the one who’s impressed.”

“Why?” she laughs.

“Because I know it’s harder for you to ignore an opportunity than it is for me to take one.”

“I might agree with that,” she says, her smile widening.

After a moment, she glances back toward the volleyball court.

“So, speaking of opportunities you might want to avoid…” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.

“There’s this thing tonight. We call it the Williamson prom.

There will be ugly prom dresses. And bad dancing. You’ll hate every minute of it.”

I stare at her. “Is that an actual reunion event?”

“Oh, it’s real.”

“You’re probably right. I would totally hate that,” I admit. “But that’s not the right question. The question is…do you want me there?”

She pauses. “It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

I glance over her shoulder and see Bart watching us again.

I take her hand. “Then it looks like I have no choice, Sunny. You want bad dancing? I’ll give you bad dancing. Though fair warning—this might end up being your best prom ever.”

I’m settled on the sofa bed with Annie curled up next to me, deep into edits on my book, when the Crushers text thread lights up my phone. I haven’t seen the guys for almost a week, an eternity after spending nearly every waking hour together during the season.

Brax

Jaz saw the shirtless beach pic, Tate. She almost went into labor.

Leo

Same. Victoria nearly spit out her drink. When she asked if it was really you, I told her there’s no way Sheriff would pose like this without citing at least three team policies against it.

Rourke

You guys, who gave Sheriff permission to pose shirtless with a puppy? I thought that was my job.

Me

I don’t want your peanut gallery comments about my beach pics.

Leo

Too late. You’re an internet boyfriend now. I heard the shelter named a puppy after you.

Rourke

“Adopt Sheriff the guard dog. He’s loyal, protective, and hates attention.”

Me

I’m muting this chat. ASAP.

Rourke

Can’t mute us now. This thread is how we survive without seeing your cheerful face every day.

Brax

Who wants a baby update?

Leo

No one.

Brax

I’m ignoring that. Jaz says the baby’s kicking like crazy, and we’re officially on a no travel lockdown. I have installed every baby monitor known to man.

Lucian

Do you know the gender?

Brax

We do. But we’re not telling anybody. And we’re naming him/her after Leo.

Leo

I respectfully decline.

Miles

Wait, you can just name babies after teammates? Is that like a hockey thing? Should I be worried?

Me

Can we get back to how Leo’s the worst wingman?

Leo

Don’t turn this on me. Victoria and I are visiting my adoptive parents this weekend. I told her we’re not giving my parents a private showing of our figure skating moves. She was very disappointed.

Rourke

Speaking of women, anyone heard from Janie? The kindergarten teacher I met at Boots and Buckles?

Lucian

Did you scare her away already? That’s a new record.

Rourke

She ghosted me after I helped her make balloon animals for a kids’ event. I thought the balloon sword was charming. She thought I needed adult supervision.

Me

Or maybe you should’ve led with your hockey stats and not your balloon skills.

Rourke

Hey, kids love me! She had twenty-two witnesses to my charm. Okay, so maybe it’s because they wanted my balloon sword.

Lucian

I’ve got big news. I’m officially moving to Maple Falls later this year.

Brax

For good?

Lucian

For one season. They’re starting a new NHL team, and I got an offer last night.

Leo

Maple Falls better be ready. You’re bringing all 6’4” of hockey captain energy to Washington. Just promise us one thing.

Lucian

Yeah?

Leo

Never take a shirtless beach photo holding a dog or it will become the contact pic in this chat.

Me

I hate you all.