For once, the chaos doesn’t weigh on me. Everything feels lighter.
I drop my gear bag in my stall, and it doesn’t take long for the chirping to start.
Tyler grins. “Morning, Cap. You look… ridiculously happy.”
Dalton snorts. “What’d I miss?”
I grin, tugging on my jersey. “Figured it’s time I tell you all. Charlotte and I are together.”
For half a second, the room goes silent. Then Dalton’s eyes widen. “Wait—ourCharlotte? As in our PT Charlotte?”
Torres whistles low. “Well, damn. That explains a lot.”
Tyler laughs. “No wonder you’ve been grinning like an idiot lately.”
Dalton shakes his head, half-impressed. “Man, you kept that locked down. I thought you were just sleeping better.”
“Guess you could say that,” I say, smirking.
McCarthy walks in just as the laughter kicks up. “What’s the noise?”
Dalton smirks. “Tremayne’s in love, Coach.”
Tyler grins. “Cap just dropped a bomb. He’s dating Charlotte.”
The coach pauses mid-stride, eyebrows lifting. “Blake?”
“Yep.”
A beat, then he just nods once. “Keep it professional at the rink and win the damn Cup.”
The room breaks into cheers and stick taps again, and I can’t help laughing.
It’s chaos, but the good kind: relief, surprise, support all rolled together.
Ten weeks ago, I couldn’t even stand on my own leg. Now I’ve got everything I didn’t even know I was still hoping for: my team, my daughter, the woman I love, and a future I’m not afraid to want.
The Final is up next.
This time, I’m not just chasing the Cup.
I’m chasing everything that matters.
Chapter Forty-One
CHARLOTTE
By the time I pull into the staff lot, the sun’s just spilling over the mountains, and the air still smells faintly like rain. I’m queasy again, but it’s easier to breathe today.
Yesterday feels like a dream. The way Declan smiled when I told him, the way he saidwe’re okaylike it was the simplest truth in the world. I’ve replayed it at least a hundred times. Every time I do, the fear softens a little.
It’s a quieter rink day before the Final. I should be wiped out, but there’s this low hum of energy in me that won’t quit.
Declan texted before sunrise.
Morning, Sunshine. Try to eat something before work. I’ll come to your appointment today if I can.
The message makes me smile before I can stop it. He’s busier than ever, but he’s still trying. He’s steady. And it makes me feel like I can be too.
