He's in the defensive zone when he picks off a pass and flies up the ice, ice spraying behind his blades. Jackson's skating back hard, trying to catch him, but Tyler's got a step. He crosses the blue line with Jackson right on him, fakes a shot that gets Jackson to commit, then cuts hard to the backhand.
The goalie's out of position.
Tyler buries it.
The Falcons' bench erupts, and I'm on my feet screaming before I can stop myself. Harper startles in my arms, and Emma's laughing at my reaction.
Tyler's celebrating with his teammates, and when he skates past our section, he points directly at us. Not subtle at all, and definitely noticed by everyone around us.
"Yeah," Emma says dryly. "Totally just professional."
The game continues, both teams trading chances. Chase gets an assist on the Wolves' second goal. Jackson sets up their third with a perfect breakout pass. Tyler gets another assist in the third period, finding Danny in the slot for a one-timer.
It's good hockey. Fast, skilled, competitive, but respectful.These guys know each other, have played either together or against each other for years, and it shows in the way they battle.
The Wolves win four to three, and even though the Falcons lost, Tyler played incredibly well. When the final buzzer sounds, I can see him and Jackson talking on the ice, Jackson saying something that makes Tyler laugh.
Post-game, we wait in the family area. Chase appears first, freshly showered, and immediately scoops up Ethan, who's been asking for him.
"Good game, Daddy!"
"Thanks, buddy." Chase kisses Emma quickly. "Hey, Nora. Glad you made it. Tyler about lost his mind when he saw you during warm-ups."
"I saw."
Out of the corner of my eye, Emma is grinning.
Jackson arrives next with Maya, both of them making a beeline for Harper.
“There she is,” Jackson says, taking her from me. “Hi there. Did you see me play? I was amazing.”
"You scored one goal," Maya says, rolling her eyes. "Don't get cocky."
"One beautiful goal. Right, Harper?"
Tyler's the last one out, and the second he sees us, his entire face lights up. He doesn't even acknowledge Jackson or Chase, just walks straight to me.
"You came."
"Emma invited us. Said it would be a good surprise."
"Best surprise ever." He takes Harper from Jackson, pressing kisses all over her face. "Did you see Daddy play, baby girl? Did you see me score against Uncle Jackson?"
"I saw," I say quietly, and his eyes meet mine over Harper's head.
The look he gives me makes my knees weak.
"Alright, everyone, to our place," Emma announces. "Dinner's ready. We're celebrating even though you guys lost."
"Thanks, Em," Tyler says dryly, but he's still smiling.
At Emma's house, it feels exactly like a triple date, even though Tyler and I aren't together. The kids are playing in the living room—Ethan’s building blocks, Sofia’s trying to steal them, and Harper’s on a blanket watching everything with wide eyes. The adults are in the kitchen and dining room, and it's so easy, so natural, that I keep forgetting this isn't my life.
Chase and Tyler are arguing good-naturedly about a play in the second period. Emma and Maya are tag-teaming to get dinner on the table. Jackson's playing referee with the kids.
And I'm part of it. Part of this family gathering, as if I belong here.
Tyler keeps finding reasons to be near me. Handing me things, asking questions about Harper, his hand on my back when he reaches past me for plates, just small touches that probably look casual to everyone else, but feel significant to me.