Page 32 of One Pucking Life

“Don’t worry. The recipe could feed your entire team. There are plenty of leftovers in the fridge for your enjoyment.”

“Oh, can’t wait,” he deadpans, eyes wide with fake enthusiasm.

I narrow my gaze. “Hey. It wasgood.”

“I’m sure it was,” he replies, then lifts a hand, palm out. “But hear me out… what if we move on from chickpeas? Like maybe try… chicken. Or another main ingredient?”

“They’re healthy,” I say, half defensive, half laughing. “And they have tons of protein.”

“So does chicken,” he says, flashing that grin again.

I shrug. “That’s fair.”

He draws a card. “So at the very least, you guys must’ve run errands. A trip to the grocery store to re-stock your chickpeas?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Grocery delivery. It’s been too cold to take Caroline out. And with it being germ season, she’s better off at home.”

Max nods in understanding. “Doesn’t your mom live nearby?”

“Yeah, but she’s on a cruise with her single lady friends.”

“Nice,” he says with a laugh. “What about your dad?”

I shift in my seat, watching him over the top of my cards. “Honestly, I don’t know where he is. We don’t really stay in touch.”

His brow furrows. “That’s too bad.”

I shake my head. “Not really. He wasn’t the best dad… or husband.”

“I’m sorry,” he says gently, his voice sincere.

I nod, then glance up. “What about your family? You haven’t mentioned them much. Does Caroline have grandparents?”

“She does,” he says. “And an aunt. But she hasn’t met any of them yet.”

I pause, surprised. “Really?”

He sighs. “My parents live in Florida. They own a couple of companies and are always traveling for work. My sister’s a hotshot defense attorney in New York. All three of them are still in shock that I’m a dad. They’re excited and supportive… just busy. They keep saying they’ll visit when they get a break.”

“And when will that be?”

Max shrugs. “No idea.”

He draws a card, fingers lingering on it before setting it down. “You know, growing up, I really admired my family for their drive. That constant hustle. Once I knew I wanted to play pro hockey, I went all in—worked my ass off, just like they did.” He lays his card down, his voice quieter now. “I still love them. Still respect them. But since Caroline came along... I’ve realized there’s more to life than work. It sucks knowing she might neverbe close to them. You can’t build real family over the phone.” He looks up, a soft smile tugging at the edge of his lips. “So yeah… Caroline’s family will be the team. My chosen family. The people I bring into her life who actually show up. They may not be blood, but they’ll be the best kind of family.”

I draw a card, my heart twisting a little as I study his face.

He really is a good man.

Max lays down his final set of cards and raises his brows. “That’s game.”

I groan, glancing at the cards still in my hand. “Dammit.”

“Told you,” he says, tapping his lip with a finger. “Didn’t I say I could catch up in one round? Maybe we should call it a night. Let the new score settle in.”

“Absolutely not.” I grab the sticky note and scribble in the new totals. “We’re playing another round.”

He grins. “With how competitive you are, I’m surprised you’re an only child.”

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