"Ryder Lockwood." The scout in the middle—Stevens, I think—opens a folder. "That was an impressive performance tonight."
"Thank you, sir."
"We've been watching you all season. The maturity you've shown, the leadership, the way you've handled pressure." He exchanges glances with the other scouts. "We're prepared to make you an offer."
My heart stops. Actually stops.
"Multiple teams are interested," Stevens continues. "We'd like to fly you out for meetings this week. Get you in front of management, start contract discussions."
This is it. The thing I've been working toward since I was four years old and Dad first put skates on my feet. The NHL. The dream.
It's real.
"That's—" My voice cracks. "That's incredible. Thank you."
"You've earned it." Stevens stands, extends his hand. "Your agent has the details. We'll be in touch."
They leave. Just like that. Thirty seconds to change my entire life.
Preston's waiting outside the conference room, practically vibrating. "I told you! I told you the girlfriend angle would work! The maturity narrative, the stability—they ate it up!"
The girlfriend angle.
Piper. Not Piper the person, Piper the strategy. Piper the compelling narrative that helped sell scouts on my maturity.
My stomach turns.
"I need to go," I tell Preston.
"Where? We need to discuss logistics, figure out the meeting schedule?—"
"Later." I'm already walking away, back toward the locker room, looking for her.
But the arena's emptying. Piper's not in the stands anymore. Sage is talking to Tessa and Patrice. Gage has Grayson. Everyone's celebrating, and I'm standing in the middle of it feeling like I'm drowning.
I should be happy. This is everything I wanted.
So why does it feel like I'm losing something more important?
The locker room eventually clears out. The team heads to Moosehead Lodge for the championship celebration. I promise I'll meet them there later, and Jax gives me a look that says he knows exactly why I'm stalling, but he doesn't push.
When everyone's finally gone, I sit in my stall and pull out my phone.
Two notifications waiting.
First: Chief Walsh.
Chief Walsh: Lieutenant promotion answer due Friday. Need to know if you're in or out.
Second: Preston.
Preston: NHL meetings scheduled Thursday 9am and Friday 2pm. I'll send flight details. This is huge, Ryder.
Two futures. Both waiting. Both perfect in completely different ways.
I could go to the NHL. Play professional hockey. Make millions. Live the dream that's been in my head since Dad first took me to a game when I was six.
Or I could stay. Take the promotion. Be Lieutenant Lockwood like Dad was before me. Fight fires. Coach youth hockey. Build a life in Ashwood Falls with people who matter.
