Page 92 of The Hockey Contract

"That my wife prefers meaningful over flashy," I replied, enjoying the way the word 'wife' now felt genuine on my tongue. "That authentic emotion would photograph better than staged grandeur."

Her expression softened. "You really do know me, don't you?"

"I'm learning." I reached for her hand, lacing our fingers together. "I want this renewal to be special for you, Sienna. Not just for publicity."

"It already is special," she said softly. "Because this time, the promises will be real."

Her simple statement encapsulated everything that had shifted between us. I was about to suggest we start making some of those promises immediately when my phone rang, my brother's name flashing on the screen.

"Alex?" I answered, concerned by the late hour of his call. "Everything okay?"

"It's Dad," he said without preamble, his voice tight with worry. "He's in the hospital. Heart attack."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. "How bad?"

"They're saying it's minor, but..." Alex's voice wavered slightly. "He was asking for you, Jax. I think you should come if you can."

"I'll book a flight now," I promised, mind already racing through playoff schedules and travel logistics. "Text me the hospital details."

After hanging up, I turned to find Sienna already moving toward the bedroom, purpose in her stride. "I'll help you pack," she said simply. "You can catch a plane if we hurry."

"Sienna, I—" I gestured vaguely, the conversation we'd been having, the question I'd been about to ask, all suspended by this family emergency.

"Go be with your family," she said gently. "We have time, Jax. For everything that matters."

As I rushed to pack essentials, the question I'd been about to ask Sienna –Will you consider making our marriage real beyond the arrangement?– remained unspoken.

But her parting words as she drove me to the airport, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips before I exited the car, gave me hope: "Come back to me. Your family here is waiting too."

On the overnight flight to Minnesota, watching Seattle's lights recede beneath me, I found myself thinking not just of my father's health, but of the woman I'd left behind – the one who'd gone from contractual partner to the center of my world in the space of a few short months.

I'd return with an answer to my unasked question, one way or another.

Chapter 32: Sienna

The arena vibrated with anxious energy, twenty thousand fans collectively holding their breath as Game 3 of the Finals hung in the balance. Down two games to none in the series, the Kraken needed this win desperately. From my seat in the family section, I clutched the blue and white rally towel so tightly my knuckles whitened, my throat raw from cheering.

This was the first game I'd attended without Jax physically present before the matchup – no pre-game coffee together, no quiet moment of connection before he headed to the arena. He'd flown back just hours before puck drop, coming directly from the hospital in Minnesota where his father was recovering.

"Breathe, honey," a voice said beside me. "You'll pass out if you keep holding your breath on every shot."

I turned to find Willow sliding into the empty seat next to mine, her warm smile immediately easing some of my tension. Behind her came Sarah, Anders' girlfriend, greeting me with genuine warmth.

"We figured you could use some company," Willow explained, linking her arm through mine. "Finals game is nerve-wracking enough without your man being distracted by family medical drama."

The casual inclusion – the assumption that I belonged in their circle, that they should look out for me – caught me off guard. These women had welcomed me completely, incorporating me into their tight-knit hockey family without reservation.

The contrast between their acceptance and my awareness of our arrangement's temporary nature created a sudden, unexpected surge of emotion. To my horror, tears welled in my eyes.

"Oh sweetheart," Willow murmured, immediately wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Is it Jax's dad? Did you get bad news?"

I shook my head, quickly wiping away the moisture before it could fall. "No, he's stable. The doctors are optimistic." I struggled to explain the complex emotions without revealing our secret. "It's just... overwhelming sometimes. All of this."

Willow nodded, understanding in her eyes. "Hockey playoffs are emotional terrorism, especially for newcomers. The first year Finn and I were together, I lost five pounds during Round 1 from stress alone."

"How did you handle it?" I asked, grateful for the distraction as the teams returned to the ice for the second period.

"Poorly," she admitted with a self-deprecating laugh. "I was convinced I didn't belong in this world – that I wasn't cut out to be with someone whose career involved constant public scrutiny, physical danger, and absurd travel schedules."

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