Page 18 of Silver Fox Puck

And yet…

The earrings sit in my palm, cool against my skin. A mistake I shouldn’t still be thinking about. I should toss them onto the dresser, leave them here like she did.

But instead, my fingers fold around them.

And without thinking—without even understanding why—I slip them into my pants pocket.

My jaw tightens. I grab a clean shirt and dress quickly, forcing myself to focus on each movement—a distraction.

Almost nine. I have a meeting in an hour—a second sit-down with the Denver NHL team’s coaching staff. That’s why I’m here.

Not for her. Not for some one-night stand that should already be out of my head.

Focus.

I rub a hand over my jaw, rolling my shoulders as I mentally shift gears.

Denver.

A new city. More money. An NHL team that wants me as head coach.

They’re offering me something big—a chance to join the franchise hands-on, build something from the ground up.

And I need it.

Because I haven’t been behind the players’ bench by the ice in over a year.

Not since I lost my last coaching job in Chicago. Not since my marriage imploded, and I spent more time in courtrooms than locker rooms, trying to keep my portion of the custody of Olivia. Then there was the hockey player who got in my face after I benched him mid-game after a dirty check to another player.

I shake my head. I paid dearly for defending myself in the locker room. A year suspension from the league. It’s a wonder teams want to interview me at all.

But they do. And here I am. Denver is a chance to get back int the game. To rebuild my career. To prove—to myself, to the league—that I still belong behind the bench.

But then there’s Nashville. The Nashville Eagles came in with an offer last minute. Their assistant coach left, and they need someone fast. It’s not a head coaching job, but it’s solid.

More importantly?

It would keep me in Olivia’s life.

She’s six. She’s building friendships, routines, a life I barely get to be part of because I don’t live in the same city.

That was never the plan.

When Lauren and I split a year or so ago, she packed up and moved to Nashville, taking Olivia with her. I could’ve fought it, but I knew how that would go—knew how Lauren plays the game. Knew that losing more time with my daughter wasn’t a risk I could take.

So I adjusted. Became the long-distance dad. The one who flies in for long weekends and special occasions, the one who makes every second count because there aren’t enough of them.

And I tell myself it’s enough. But it’s not.

And Lauren knows it. She knows I want to be there. Knows she holds all the power in whether I get to be more than a part-time presence in Olivia’s life.

Denver is a fresh start. Nashville is a fight I might not win.

I exhale sharply, running a hand down my face. I don’t have an answer to either path forward yet.

Right now, I’m here, and I need to focus.

I grab my phone, wallet, and room key, heading for the door. A chance to start over. That’s what this is.

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