Page 133 of Pucking Daddy

The implications crash over me like a wave. Miss the evaluation, risk the custody case. Miss the game, risk my team's season. Risk my job.

Zara's hand finds mine, squeezing tight. "We'll figure it out," she says again.

But this time, even she doesn't sound sure.

I look back at the courthouse, its marble columns stretching toward a darkening sky.

Somewhere inside those walls, a judge holds my daughter's future in her hands.

And somewhere across the city, my team waits for a coach who can't seem to keep his life from falling apart.

One thing at a time, Zara says.

But when everything demands attention at once, which thing comes first?

25

ZARA

Evaluation Day

“There’s only one thing I can do,” Jaxon says out of the blue that evening, when we’re on the couch after Lily is fast asleep.

He drags a hand through his hair, exhaling hard, like even breathing takes effort right now. Then he turns to me.

There’s something different in his eyes. Not doubt, but clarity.

“I’m not going,” he says.

The words land between us, quiet but absolute.

For a second, I don’t respond. Because I know exactly what he means. And I know exactly what it costs.

“The game,” I say anyway, just to make sure we’re talking about the same impossible thing.

He nods once. “Chicago.”

My stomach drops.

“That’s…” I swallow. “Jax, that’s not just any game.”

“I know.”

“They need you.”

His jaw tightens, but his gaze doesn’t waver. “Lily needs me more.”

“Jax, what does this mean for your career? What will management say?”

His expression softens, just a fraction. “They won’t be happy, that’s for sure.”

A beat passes. Heavy, loaded. Everything sits between us.

Then he lifts his phone.

“Let’s find out,” he says quietly.

He taps the screen, pulls up a contact, and hits call.