“Yes.” Maddie nods. “Daddy’s scoring tonight.”
Annabelle glances at me.
“Well, lucky socks are involved, so it’s basically guaranteed,” I say, winking at Maddie.
Maddie beams like she’s personally responsible for the outcome.
I pull my phone from my purse and check the screen.
A text lights up almost immediately.
Gabriel:You made it?
I smile.
Natalie:Yep. Maddie says you have to score.
The reply appears a second later.
Gabriel:No pressure.
A few minutes later, I glance down toward the ice where the players are skating through warmups.
Even from here I can spot him instantly.
Fast.
Focused.
The way he moves on the ice looks almost effortless, like speed is something he was born knowing how to control.
Maddie stands on her seat.
“GO DADDY!”
A couple fans nearby laugh.
One man in a jersey turns around.
“Is that really your dad?” he asks.
Maddie nods proudly.
“Yep.”
He gives her a thumbs-up.
“Well tell him good luck for us.”
“I will.”
She turns back to the ice immediately.
The arena lights dim for the player introductions.
The crowd rises to its feet.
Music explodes through the speakers.
