Page 58 of One Pucking Secret
“Do you and Wyatt love each other?” Jasper asks, looking up at me with curious eyes.
“We… care for one another,” I say.
“It’s going to take some time until Mommy and I feel that way,” Wyatt adds. “We have to get to know each other better.”
“Are we going to be a family? Are you and Wyatt getting married?” Jasper’s questions tumble out, a stream over smooth pebbles.
“We’re taking things one day at a time,” I say, offering a smile that holds both promise and patience. “But no matter what happens, Wyatt will always be here for you.”
“Really?” Hope flickers across Jasper’s face like the first star at twilight.
“Really,” Wyatt confirms, reaching out to wrap Jasper in a hug that seems to encompassall the missed years. “I’m not going anywhere. I need to take care of something for a bit, but I promise I’ll come back.”
Jasper squeezes Wyatt tightly, his small body pressed against the solid wall of Wyatt’s chest. “Okay,” he whispers, the sadness in his voice pulling at my heartstrings.
Wyatt releases him gently and stands up, looking between us with a mix of determination and vulnerability. “Chloe, can we talk for a minute?” His voice is low but firm.
I nod, swallowing hard as I move toward the door. I take one last glance at Jasper before stepping outside with Wyatt, shutting the door softly behind us. The air shifts immediately—there’s an intensity that feels electric between us.
Wyatt leans against the wall beside me, his expression serious as he pulls out two passes from his jacket pocket. He holds them out like they’re precious gems. “These are for my game next week,” he says. “I want you and Jasper to come.”
My heart skips a beat at the thought of being in that environment again—the arena filled with noise and chaos—but I force myself to keep it steady. “Wyatt…”
He cuts me off with a wave of his hand. “Listen.” His blue eyes bore into mine with sincerity. “I don’t care what people say about us or about Jasper. I’m not denying you two.” There’s a fierceness in his tone that both unsettles and comforts me.
“I hope you change your mind and bring him to the game.”
The thought dances on the edge of possibility—a family moment wrapped in excitement and cheers—but fear tugs at my insides like an anchor threatening to drag me down.
“You’ll be in a private box,” he adds.
Wyatt straightens up, stepping closer as if to close any remaining distance between us.
With one last lingering look, Wyatt turns and walks away down the hallway. Each step feels heavy against my chest until he rounds the corner and disappears from view.
Chapter 20
Wyatt
My head isn’t inthe game. The ice feels foreign beneath my skates, each push lacking the usual power. Teammates shout at me, voices blending into a frustrating buzz. I can barely focus on the puck. My thoughts drift to Chloe and Jasper, stuck somewhere between anger and hope.
“Wyatt! Get your head in the game!” Coach’s voice cuts through the haze like a slap to the face. I nod, trying to shake off the fog, but my grip on the stick slackens all the same.
The ref calls a time-out, and I skate toward the bench. Zach skates over, concern etched across his face. “You okay, man?”
I let out a deep breath, the weight of it all pressing down. “It’s almost a week now, and Mark and the PR team still haven’t figured out who leaked those photos.”
Zach nods, sympathy written in his expression. “Yeah, I heard. They’ve beenworking nonstop on it. They’ll get to the bottom of it. Just hang in there.” He glances down at the ice for a moment, then looks back up. “I still can’t believe you have a son. I mean, I kind of suspected it that day on the rink.”
“Yeah, I figured with that look you gave me.” I manage a slight smile, though there’s exhaustion behind it. “It was all still new… I hadn’t even had a chance to say anything.”
Zach nods in understanding. “I get it.” He gives me a reassuring nudge. “You’ll get through this. I’m here if you need anything, alright?”
“Thanks,” I say, meaning it.
He’s about to skate away when he pauses, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, hey—look up.”
I glance up instinctively and freeze. There they are—Chloe and Jasper—in the private box, waving enthusiastically. My heart swells as I catch sight of Jasper grinning from ear to ear, wearing a jersey with my number emblazoned proudly across his chest.
