Sawyer:
Happy birthday to the birthday boy! See you tonight.
I smile before I can stop myself.
“What?” Theo calls from the bed.
I take my phone over to show him Sawyer’s message. After he joyfully screams, I take a pic of him shoving a forkful of pancakes in his mouth to send to Sawyer “for luck,” because of course.
He then hops off the bed, bouncing back toward his room to get dressed, already narrating his plan to wear his Dominion hoodie “for maximum luck.”
As he disappears down the hall, he calls over his shoulder, “I can’t wait to see Sawyer!”
It’s not loaded. It’s not a comparison. It’s just part of the day, filed right alongside cake, hockey, and people he likes.
“I’m going to grab a quick shower,” I say, reaching for my mug. “Then we’ll get you dressed like the very important ten-year-old you are.”
“Okay!” Theo says, already halfway to his room.
I take two steps down the hall before I hear the thud of his feet behind me.
“Wait—Mom.”
He wraps his arms around my waist, squeezing hard. Really hard. I look down, startled all over again by how tall he’s getting as I rest my chin on the top of his head. When did that happen?
I hug him back, just as tight.
“Thanks for everything, Mom,” he says into my shirt. “This is already the best birthday.”
My throat closes.
He hasn’t even gotten to the game yet. Or the arena. There’s still lights, noise, and all of the magic he’s been counting down to for weeks. My son is already grateful. It’s adorable.
“Hey,” I say, kissing the top of his head. “You deserve a good day, buddy.”
He grins up at me, filled with confidence and ten-year-old certainty. “I know.”
He darts off again, leaving me standing there with my heart cracked open in the best and worst way.
I turn toward the bathroom, resolve settling in alongside the nerves.
No matter what happens today—with David, with the game, with any expectations that don’t pan out—I will make sure Theo has the birthday he deserves.
One perfect day. That’s all I’m asking for.
And if David doesn’t show…well, I’ve already proven I’m pretty good at plan B’s.
Whatever today brings—the game, the crowd, Sawyer, the jumbotron, all of it—I’m ready.
I have to be.
CHAPTER 25
JULIETTE
The box is louder than I expected.
Not chaotic—just buzzing. Like anticipation has a sound that’s humming through the glass, the steel, and navy-and-gold everything. Theo grips the railing, bouncing on the balls of his feet like he might launch himself into the ice. He’s already in the Dominion jersey Sawyer left in the suite for him to find—it’s brand new with Theo’s favorite number, thirteen, plushisname on the back. No wonder Theo keeps tugging at the hem like he’s making sure it’s real.
