Hey, need to move next weekend. Things are hectic. I’ll let you know when’s a better time.
No apology. No surprise.
I stare at the screen until it goes dark, jaw tight.
Before I can overthink it, I scroll to Eric’s name and hit call.
He answers on the first ring, chipper like always. “Tell me you’ve come to your senses.”
“About that charity thing,” I say. “If it’s still open, I’ll do it, but only if Sophie can come.”
“No problem,” he says immediately. “It’s family-friendly. The sponsor would be thrilled to have your daughter there. I’ll loop in team PR first thing in the morning so they can get medical clearance. You’d just make an appearance—photos, a quick hello, light PR. In and out within an hour.”
“Make sure it’s safe,” I warn. “Standing only.”
“Got it. I’ll handle the rest.”
When we hang up, I drop the phone on the couch cushion beside me and exhale.
It won’t make up for her mom bailing, but at least this weekend Sophie will have something that doesn’t fall through.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
CHARLOTTE
The facility feels half-awake after travel day. No morning skate today, just recovery sessions and the scoreboard from last night looping on the lounge TV, everyone speculating about who we’ll face in the Conference Final.
Declan’s in the PT room when I walk in, hoodie sleeves shoved up, his knee brace set aside for the session. He looks focused and alert, the kind of calm that comes after a win and just before the next storm.
“Morning,” I say.
His gaze lifts, and for a split second it’s not captain and PT, it’s us.
Memories of the visiting PT room flash through my mind—heat, skin, the sound of his voice when he said my name.
I blink hard and reach for my tablet, pretending I need to check something.
“Hey,” he says, voice steady but lower than usual.
I cross to the table, pretending my hands don’t remember how easily they fit on him.
“How’s the knee?”
He stretches out, movements careful. The stiffness is there but less than last week. “Feels decent.”
He hesitates, then says, “Meant to tell you. I talked to my agent last night. Told him I’d do a charity thing he’s been pushing.”
I glance up, surprised. “Really?”
He shrugs, a faint grin at one corner. “Some sponsor event. Family-friendly, good PR. Sophie’s excited, and that’s what counts.”
Something inside me gives. I look down at my tablet before my face gives me away.
“That was a good call,” I say softly.
He frowns, his eyes lowering. “She was upset when her mom canceled for the weekend, so I figured this might help.”
The knot in my chest loosens a little. “I bet it did.”
