Page 41 of Hometown Heart

The team piled into center ice, celebrating as a tangle of small bodies wearing oversized equipment. Rory stood by the boards, wearing a triumphant smile.

Silas clapped me on the shoulder. "Your boy's got a flair for the dramatic. Saved that move for the perfect moment."

A wave of parental pride washed over me, followed closely by happiness at the fact that Silas was there to witness Cody's goal.He'd seen it himself and wouldn't have to depend on my ability to describe it.

Parents around us began to gather their things while a buzz of excited chatter filled the stands. Some nodded toward me, sharing the joy of a hometown victory. At that moment, I was truly a part of Whistleport.

A few minutes later, the crowd thinned out, and Cody headed to the locker room. Silas walked to the parking lot at my side.

"You okay?" he asked quietly.

I hesitated, then sighed. "People talk."

"Let them.

I glanced at him. "Are you always this good at not giving a damn?"

"Only about the things that don't matter." He grinned at me.

The parking lot turned into an improvised social gathering. Parents stood and lingered beside their idling cars with travel mugs in hand, reliving some of the highlights of the game. A hint of spring was in the air near the end of February while stubborn patches of snow still clung to the edges of the lot.

Silas and I paused near my SUV, standing just far enough apart for plausible deniability. It was close enough for me to feel our connection.

Dottie waved at us from across the parking lot. "You've lived with this your whole life, being under the Whistleport microscope."

"I'm not so sure about that." Silas shoved his hands deep in his pockets. "I perfected the art of being visible without being seen. I'm the reliable coffee guy, keeper of everyone's morning routines, and I'm a notebook of orders, not personal lives." He paused. "That's different."

"Different, how?"

"Being seen with you means being seen. Really seen." His voice dropped lower. "This is new territory for me, too."

I absorbed that, understanding that for all his easy confidence, Silas was navigating unfamiliar waters along with me.

"Dad! Dad!" Cody's voice carried across the parking lot. He emerged from the arena doors at full sprint, hockey bag bouncing awkwardly against his legs, still wearing his post-game flush of excitement.

"Did you see that?!" Cody exclaimed as he drew closer.

"Made it look easy," I laughed, ruffling his hair.

"Did you see?" Cody beamed at Silas.

"Indeed I did."

Cody gasped dramatically. "It was flawless!"

I stood there, watching Cody glow in the light of his victory.

"Coach Rory said it was just like that move Ziggy Knickerbocker used in the playoffs last year! Well, almost like it. Mine was better because the goalie wasn't expecting it and—" Cody paused to breathe. "Silas, are you coming over? Dad made chili last night and there's tons left."

The invitation hung in the air between us. Silas looked at me, a question in his eyes.

"Should be enough for three," I confirmed, sounding casual while my pulse picked up speed.

Shannon walked past with Tyler, offering congratulations on Cody's goal. Her gaze flickered between Silas and me, a quick assessment that ended with a warm smile.

"Great game," she said, directing it to all of us collectively. "We'll see you boys at practice Tuesday?"

The inclusion—so natural, so matter-of-fact—lingered after she'd gone.

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