Chapter 42
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
JACKO
Iwake to the soft light filtering through the curtains.
The city is just waking up outside our hotel window, but inside, the quiet buzz of game day is already alive.
I hear Maya moving around the suite and the faint clink of mugs.
I can hear Lila’s snoring steady and soft from the second bedroom, still wrapped in sleep, but I know she’s buzzing with excitement under the surface.
We’ve got a long day ahead and then game night.
The usual rollercoaster of nerves and adrenaline, of grinding muscles and tight plays.
But it feels different. Somehow warmer. Softer.
Because Maya and Lila are here with me. Part of this world that’s been mine for years but never felt quite like home.
Maya brings in two cups and hands one to me before she climbs back under the covers next to me.
“She’s still out for the count,” she says, nodding in the direction of Lila’s room. “I think dinner with the guys wore her out last night.” There’s a soft gleam in Maya’s eyes.
“Well, they guys love her just as much as I do, I think.” I lift my arm and Maya snuggles in to my chest, cradling her cup. We sit for a few minutes just enjoying the peace before we have to start the day fully.
Downstairs, the hotel dining room hums with morning energy.
The Raptors are all gathered around a long table, the smell of coffee and eggs filling the air.
I spot Dylan, Murphy, Mia and Ollie. They’re digging in, jokes and ribbing flying fast. I catch Maya’s eye and she gives me a small, tight smile that says she’s doing her best to make sure her and Lila are not in the way, but I know she’s watching everything like a hawk.
Lila climbs onto the seat beside Maya, her legs swinging happily in her chair.
Her unicorn swimsuit peeks out from beneath her hoodie as she stretches for a bread roll, glittering like a secret promise.
I can tell she’s itching to get to the pool later.
She’s clutching a small tiara in one hand, and occasionally poking at the pastel-coloured pancakes on her plate.
Coach claps his hands together, standing at the end of the table. “Alright, lads, time to loosen up. We’ve got a light session planned before tonight’s game. Nothing too crazy, just enough to get the muscles moving and the heads in the right place.”
We head down to the temporary rink set up for the team’s training session. It’s not the full arena, but the ice is smooth and cold, perfect for loosening muscles without risking injury before the game tonight.
Maya stands near the glass wall, cradling Lila in her arms so she can see the action. Lila’s little fingers tap on the cold surface, her eyes wide as the guys start their warm-ups.
The guys skate out, breaking into tight drills with quick stops, tight turns, puck passing, slap shots.
We move like a well-oiled machine, but there’s a playful edge to it.
Dylan zips by Murphy, who grins and gives chase, his stick flicking a puck right at Ollie’s knee.
Ollie winces and pulls up, hobbling a bit.
Lila giggles, watching it all like a tiny commentator. She pulls Maya’s sleeve and tugs her close.
“Bear is fast! But Ollie hurt his knee. Uh-oh!” she says, her words tumbling over each other like excited bubbles.
Maya smiles, ruffling Lila’s hair. “That’s right. They’re working hard, but Ollie’s got a little pain.”
Lila frowns in concentration. “Will Mia fix it?”
Maya nods. “Yeah, Mia’s the team’s physio. She helps them stay strong.”
Just then, Mia strides over, her expression all business like with sharp eyes, arms crossed. She doesn’t do baby talk or sugarcoat.
“Alright, Ollie, let’s see what you’re hiding,” Mia says, crouching beside him with an authoritative vibe that makes Ollie straighten up just a little.
Lila watches with rapt attention, clutching Maya’s finger.
Mia pulls out her kit, straps and tape all laid out neatly. She barks out instructions to Ollie as she works, not fussing over him but clearly knowing exactly how to keep him in the game.
“You want to be playing tonight, don’t you? This knee’s got to behave. No drama.” Her voice is tough but there’s a kindness in her eyes.
Lila, trying to sound official, mimics Mia. “No drama. Be good, knee!”
Mia laughs, softness breaking through her usual no-nonsense mask. “That’s the spirit, Lila.”
She hands Lila a strap and says, “Here, you’re my assistant physio. Strap it tight, like this.”
Lila frowns, concentrating hard as she does her best to follow the instructions. Ollie flexes his leg, testing the support.
“Good work, physio!” Mia says approvingly, giving Lila a wink.
Lila beams. “I fixed his knee!”
Maya leans down, whispering, “You’re amazing, Lila.”
Lila grins and then climbs onto Maya’s hip, eyes sparkling with pride.
After the physio check, the guys get back on the ice for some light drills. Coach is running the session, his voice carrying clearly.
“Remember, keep it smooth. This isn’t about speed or power, it’s about loosening up, feeling the puck, staying sharp for the game later.”
Dylan grins and weaves through cones like a pro, Ollie following gingerly but steady.
Lila points at each move, narrating in her own way. “Ooh they skate fast! Bear makes the puck go zoom!” Then she bursts into giggles as she points out onto the ice. “Look Mummy, Dylan’s doing a funny skate dance!”
Maya chuckles softly, catching my eye.
Watching Lila’s commentary, I realise this is more than just a warm-up. It’s a moment where my worlds collide. My life on the ice, and this little girl and woman who’ve become my everything.
Watching them, I feel my chest tighten a bit. This is what I wanted for Maya and Lila, a place where they belong, surrounded by people who care. Maya’s smile is soft but full of something I can’t quite name. Maybe hope.
We finish the session with some light skating drills, crossovers, quick stops, puck handling, but it’s more about shaking off the stiffness than pushing limits. I glance over at Maya and Lila, who watch the guys like they’re seeing magic happen. And maybe we are.
After practice, the team gets a break before game time. Maya, Lila, and I head to the hotel pool. Lila’s practically bouncing as she steps onto the deck, the unicorn swimsuit shimmering under the soft pool lights.
“Ready for your swimming lesson, Jellybean?” I ask, trying to sound like a pro coach.
She nods, a mix of nerves and excitement. “I want to be a good swimmer, like Bear.”
I grin. “Well, first things first, kick your legs like this.”
I demonstrate, keeping my voice calm and steady. Lila tries to copy but immediately splashes water everywhere.
Before I can tell her to try again, Murphy wades in, grinning like a kid. “Let me show you how it’s done.” Then, without warning, he tries a fancy dive and belly-flops with a splash that sends water everywhere.
Lila bursts out laughing, clutching her tummy.
Dylan and Ollie jump in next, turning the lesson into a mini pool party. Ollie, in particular, is in full shark mode, sneaking up behind Lila and pretending to bite her legs. She squeals and kicks water back at him, her laughter ringing through the pool area.
Mia stays at the poolside, smiling but occasionally joining in with a well-timed splash or cheer.
I try to keep my coach face on, but honestly, I’m just as soaked and laughing as everyone else.
Slowly but surely, Lila’s confidence grows. She kicks harder, floats a little longer. I praise every effort.
“You’re already a champion, you know,” I tell her softly as she paddles toward me.
Her eyes widen. “Really?”
“Really,” I say, cupping her wet face in my hands. “In my eyes, you are.”
Maya watches from the edge, leaning against the wall with a smile I’ve never seen on her before. Pride, relief, maybe even love.
Eventually, the pool party winds down. We head back to the hotel to start gearing up for the game.
The atmosphere shifts from playful to focused.
In the team meeting room, the lights are dim, and the low buzz of chatter floats above the sound of sneakers squeaking on the carpet.
The projector hums to life, casting clips of the opposing team onto the wall as Coach starts his breakdown.
A few of the guys are already stretching on the mats, others nursing protein shakes or half-heartedly rolling out their quads with foam rollers.
I settle into one of the chairs near the back, tablet in hand, flicking through power play formations. I try to focus, try to absorb the angles and passing patterns, but my mind keeps drifting.
To this morning. To Lila’s proud little face when she strapped Ollie’s knee like a pro. To Maya, sitting in the bleachers, clapping like she belonged here.
Because she does. They both do.
“Oi, Jacko,” Dylan calls from across the room, a wicked grin on his face. “You offering swim lessons at the hotel again tomorrow, or was today a one-time miracle?”
“Miracle’s right,” Murphy mutters, massaging his calf with a wince. “My hamstring still hasn’t forgiven me for whatever that dolphin move was.”
“You belly-flopped into the shallow end,” Ollie points out, limping past me toward the mat. “That wasn’t a dolphin. That was a man giving up on life midair.”
Laughter ripples through the room.
I just shake my head, grinning. “You were all useless. Lila was the only one actually listening.”
“She was also the only one under four feet tall in floaties,” Dylan says, flopping onto his back and doing lazy bicycle kicks. “What’s your excuse, Jacko? Hiding your talents this whole time?”
I smirk. “Just a humble man trying to teach a kid how not to drown.”
“Yeah, well, pretty sure you drowned in feelings instead,” Murphy calls from the floor, hand to his heart. “All that dad energy radiating off you like steam.”
“Leave the man alone,” Ollie cuts in, dropping onto the mat beside me with a wince. He grabs a band and starts pulling gentle tension on his knee. “You lot don’t get it. That’s not just ‘dad energy’, that’s a man who’s found his person.”
The guys go quiet for a beat. Not awkward, just surprised. Ollie doesn’t usually get sentimental.
I glance at him. “You alright, mate?”
He shrugs, but his tone is sincere when he says, “I mean it. Maya and Lila, they’re good for you. You’re different now. Calmer. Lighter. You’re still a brick shithouse, obviously, but…” He pauses, smirking. “She’s softened your edges.”
“I didn’t have edges,” I mutter.
“Mate,” he deadpans. “You were all edges. Like an angry fridge.”
I snort. “Thanks.”
“No, seriously.” He stretches his leg again and winces, then adds quieter, “We all noticed. You’ve always been loyal. Solid. But you’ve been carrying something heavy for a long time. And now… I dunno. It’s like Maya came in and just started unpacking it all without asking.”
I nod, not trusting myself to say much. He’s not wrong.
Ollie looks over at me, voice dropping so it doesn’t carry. “Don’t let her go, yeah?”
“I won’t.”
A quiet promise. One I’ve already made to myself a hundred times.
Ollie claps a hand on my shoulder. “Good. ’Cause Lila already thinks you hung the moon, and frankly, so do most of us after watching you try to wrangle eight grown men in a hotel pool.”
Coach clears his throat and brings us back to the screen. “Focus up. Game’s in two hours. I want sharp heads and quicker feet. Jackson, Murphy — you’re starting second line tonight. Don’t make me regret it.”
“Yes, Coach,” we mutter in unison, like schoolboys caught passing notes.
I check the time and make a mental note; taxi for Maya and Lila is booked for an hour before puck drop. She didn’t want a fuss or an escort. Just a ride to the arena and a seat in the stands. She’s always like that, quiet strength, fierce independence.
Still, I’ll be checking my phone like a maniac until I know they’re there.
As Coach moves on to the next clip, I glance around the room, surrounded by my brothers, feeling more grounded than I have in years.
Game night is coming, but right now, in this circle of chirps and chaos, I know who I’m fighting for.
And it feels like home.