When the final buzzer sounds the arena erupts again.
Maddie grabs my hand immediately.
“Can we go see Daddy?”
“Yes.”
We head toward the players’ exit with the rest of the families.
Fans still buzzing about the game.
And apparently about the broadcast moment.
My phone keeps vibrating in my hand.
I don’t even bother looking anymore.
Outside the locker room hallway Maddie bounces impatiently.
“I’m going to tell him the lucky socks worked.”
“I’m sure he’ll want to hear that.”
She nods seriously.
Standing there in the arena hallway, surrounded by cheering fans and flashing phones and the energy of a game night…
I realize something.
Our life just changed.
Not just because the arena heard it.
Not just because the internet definitely heard it.
Because for the first time since all of this started, I’m actually excited to walk out there and greet my husband.
With Maddie bouncing beside me.
And Mason probably pretending he isn’t invested in the whole thing.
The locker room door swings open.
Players start filing out in waves, sweaty, loud, and still buzzing from the win.
Maddie grabs my hand tighter.
“Daddy!”
She launches forward the second the doors open.
Mason steps out first, still in partial gear, scanning the hallway. When he sees us, his mouth twitches.
“Kid,” he says, crouching slightly as Maddie barrels into him first instead of Gabriel.
“Uncle Mason!”
He lifts her easily. “You see that goal?”
