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quickly learned the best thing I could do to help was stay quiet and out of the way.
“Hey, nerd.”
It’s a nickname I earned my freshman year of high school when I took a history textbook to one of Alec’s hockey games. Hearing it now brings an unexpected sense of home to an afternoon that, so far, has pushed me completely out of my comfort zone. I’m a stranger to North Carolina, even to Ruth, as kind as she’s being. But I’m not a stranger to Alec.
I had no idea how much I needed to see a familiar face until he walked in. I’m still so scared. Completely overwhelmed.
Still Megan’s best friend, and still too young for me. But gorgeous.
nudge his knee with mine. “Hey. You know you’re more than a hockey player, right?” He looks up sharply, like my words have surprised him. “You’re a brother, a son, a friend, a human. You’ll still be all those things when you stop playing hockey.”
She nods as the doorbell rings one more time. “Go let them in then. They can have a cinnamon roll.” I grin. “Nope. Those are all for me.”
When I step into the kitchen, Evie looks up, and her mouth falls open. I’ve always appreciated the tradition of game-day suits—I like having a reason to dress up—but Evie’s expression makes it even more worth it.
“Wow,” Evie says.
“Age is just a number,” she says. “If you like her, you like her.”
“Do you see what Alec brought home for you? You get to be an Appie just like him!”
I haven’t felt a stronger sense of victory since we took the Calder Cup last season. Juno is asleep—in my arms. I did this. And it feels amazing.
Juno to sleep any time you need it.” She looks at me over her shoulder and grins. “Already so smitten.” Completely, I think, as I follow her into the living room. And not just with Juno.
She leans into my chest, her arms looping around my waist, and breathes out a sigh as she relaxes against me. “This feels really good. I’ve been…weirdly lonely the last few days.”
Maybe fatherhood is just a matter of paying attention, of noticing what your family needs, then stepping up to take care of that need. It’s being present. Invested. Willing.
“But see, you already figured out what comes next for you. You already have something else to live for.” He shrugs. “Why not just go do that now?” I already have something else to live for.