"You'll be amazing. Those kids will be lucky to have you."
"You're biased."
"Doesn't make it less true."
She's quiet for a moment. I can hear movement in the background, probably Max demanding attention, or maybe she's curled up on the couch in the spot she always takes.
"I miss you," she says softly. "The house feels wrong without you here."
The admission makes something twist in my chest. "I'll be back in two days."
"I know. But two days feels like forever."
"Tell me about it." I lean back in the chair and close my eyes. "What did you do today?"
"Helped Emma with more baby prep. She's been nesting hard, and she’s only twenty-six weeks. She even made me organize the nursery twice because the color coordination was off."
"Sounds like Emma."
"Chase is a saint for dealing with her." She pauses. "How's he been? On the trip?"
"Good. Supportive. Hasn't said anything to anyone."
"That's good."
More silence, comfortable but loaded with everything we're not saying, all the words building up between us like pressure waiting to be released.
"Jackson?"
"Yeah?"
"When you get back—" She stops. "We need to talk. About telling Emma. I think Chase is right, we're running out of time."
"I know. I've been thinking about it too."
"Honestly… I want to do it before the playoffs start," she admits. "Since you and Chase left for your games, I've had time to think. I don't want to wait any longer."
I pause, considering, then nod. "Okay. We can do that. Before the playoffs."
"Thank you"
We sit in silence over the phone for a moment. I can hear her breathing, steady but hesitant, and it makes my chest tighten.
"I—" I start, the words sticking in my throat.I love you.No, not like this. I shift and clear my throat. "Yeah… I—uh… I should go."
"Okay," she says softly.
"I'm… I'm glad I called."
"Me too. Now get some sleep. You have a game tomorrow, and Coach will kill you if you're not sharp."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Goodnight, Ice Capades."
"Goodnight, Stardust."
I sit here in the empty business center for another ten minutes after she hangs up, staring at my phone, thinking about everything I didn't say, everything I should have said, everything I will say when I get home.
