Page 4 of Seal the Deal

Meadow blinks at her, half-shy, half-intrigued, slowly recognizing Zoe from all the video calls we’ve shared. “I’m Meadow,” she says, clutching me tighter.

“Well, it’s lovely to meet you in person, Meadow. And you must be Noah!” Zoe holds out her hand for a high-five, which Noah eagerly returns. “You guys ready to see your new home?”

Their excitement gives me the calm I’ve been searching for, the reassurance I need. This is going to work. It has to.

Ever the planner, Zoe has thought of everything. “The car’s just outside, and I stocked your fridge with basics, so you don’t have to worry about anything tonight. Just relax, settle in, and breathe.”

I feel a rush of gratitude. Zoe has been a lifesaver, not just with the move but in the months leading up to it. We’ve known each other for a while through work, but our relationship deepened when she started helping me prepare for this relocation.

I’d confided in her during those late-night business trips, fueled by too much wine and the safety of being far from home. She knows more about my life than most people, and hates Alex with a fiery passion.

“You’re a godsend, Zoe. I don’t know how I would’ve done this without you.” Emotion wells up, and I blink it back.

“Hey, that’s what friends are for.” She gives my arm a gentle squeeze then grabs two of our suitcases. “And don’t worry, Denver’s amazing. We’ll make sure you fall in love with it, babe.”

As we step outside, the crisp air hits us. It’s the start of fall here—a stark contrast to the New Zealand spring we left behind. The mountains rise silently in the distance, their presence as steady as ever.

I take a deep breath, letting the newness of it all sink in, though I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t something hauntingly familiar about it, too. The last time I was in Colorado was a lifetime ago. Late nights under the stars, a boy with hazel eyes, and a summer that still lingers in the corners of my mind. But I shake it off. There’s no time for old memories now, not when we’re here to make new ones.

This is it. Our new beginning.

***

Jake

The sound of skates slicing through ice has always been my favorite kind of music. The cold air, the adrenaline—it’s everything. Out here, it’s just me and the game, like it’s always been.

Coach is running us through some new drills, mixing things up to keep us sharp. We’re a couple of weeks into the pre-season, and the pressure is already mounting.

Even though I’ve been at this for over a decade, every practice counts. Every moment on the ice is a chance to prove I’m still the guy they can count on, even with younger, hungrier rookies vying for the same spotlight. At 31, I’m technically one of the veterans setting the example. Funny how things change.

Back when I was first drafted, it was all about proving myself, showing everyone that I belonged here. Now it’s about keeping up, staying sharp, making sure I’m still the guy they can count on in the clutch moments.

But as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve started thinking more about what comes next. Hockey has been my life for as long as I can remember, but I know it won’t lastforever. I’ve seen guys struggle with the transition, not knowing who they are without the game. And I’ve always told myself that when the time comes, I’ll be ready. That I won’t be one of those guys clinging to the last threads of their career.

But what if I am? What if there’s nothing else I want as much as this?

The thought feels like a bruise that won’t heal, one I keep pressing on, even when I try to ignore it.

That’s not a problem for today, though. Today is about the upcoming home opener, about keeping my focus, and about pushing for a shot at the playoffs.

As practice winds down, I catch sight of Zoe Carlson by the boards with her camera out, capturing footage for the team’s social media. She’s been working with the Colorado Storm for years now, contracted through her marketing agency.

With each season, she’s become a solid friend—the kind who knows when to dish out tough advice or throw in a quick-witted comment to break the tension. She’s sharp, clever, and never lets anyone take themselves too seriously, least of all me.

“Nice hustle today, Brooks,” she calls out.

“Thanks, Carlson,” I say, skating over. “You here for the whole practice?”

“Nah, just the first half. Then I’m off to meet my bestie, she’s just landed here from New Zealand. Pulse poached her for some of their big accounts.”

“New Zealand, huh? Big move.” My words are casual, but hearing that country’s name throws me off guard.

“Right? She’s a rockstar, though she's been through a lot.” She glances at her watch. “Pulse is so lucky to have nabbed her. I’m excited to have her here too, for more selfish reasons obviously.”

I nod, making a small sound of acknowledgment, but my thoughts drift.

New Zealand.

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