CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Easton
Iwoke up at five, even though I didn't have to be anywhere until noon. Sleep had been impossible. Every time I closed my eyes, I rehearsed the statement in my head, wondering if I was making the biggest mistake of my life.
By six, I was in the gym, punishing the heavy bag until my knuckles ached. By seven, I was in the shower, trying to wash away the nervous energy. By eight, I was sitting at my kitchen table with a cup of coffee I couldn't drink, staring at the words I'd written last night.
My phone rang. Coach Martin.
"You sure about this?" he asked without preamble.
"No. But I'm doing it, anyway."
There was a long pause. "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice. The hard choice, but the right one."
"Even if it costs me my career?"
"Easton, I've known you since you were drafted. I've watched you grow from a talented kid with a chip on his shoulder into one of the best players in the league. But this? This is the first time I've seen you be brave about something that actually matters."
My throat tightened. "Thanks, Coach."
"Don't thank me yet. Management's going to lose their minds. But… I've got your back. Whatever happens."
After we hung up, I checked the time. Two hours until the press conference.
I picked up my phone and called Palisade.
"Hey," she answered, sounding as exhausted as I felt. "You okay?"
"Not really, but I'm ready to get this done." I paused. "Is Casey there?"
"She's eating breakfast. Why?"
"Can you put me on speaker? I want to talk to her before everything."
A moment later, Casey's voice came through. "Hi, Dad!"
"Hey, kiddo. How are you feeling this morning?"
"Better! Grandpa made pancakes shaped like hockey sticks!"
I smiled despite my nerves. "That sounds awesome. Listen, I wanted to tell you something. Later today, I'm going to talk to some reporters. On TV."
"About the people who scared me at Mom's work?"
"Yeah. About that. And about how much I love you and your mom."
"Are you gonna tell them I'm your daughter?"
"I'm gonna tell everyone, Casey. The whole world's going to know that you're mine, and that I'm proud of you, and that you're the best thing that's ever happened to me."
There was a pause. Then, quietly: "Even though I was a surprise?"
God, that word. "Especially because you were a surprise. The best surprises are the ones you didn't know you needed."
"Okay." She sounded happier. "Can I watch? When you're on TV?"
I glanced at the clock. "It's during your school time."
"But I want to see!"
I heard Palisade's voice in the background, then she came back on the line. "Casey, go finish your pancakes. I need to talk to your dad for a minute."
Some shuffling, then Palisade's voice, clearer now. "Should I let her watch?"
"I don't know. It's going to be… intense. But I want her to see it. I want her to know I said these things publicly."
"Okay. I'll talk to the school, see if I can bring her home for it."
"Thank you."
"I'm proud of you. Whatever happens today, I want you to know that."
"I'll call you after."
"We'll be waiting."
The press conference was held at the Shadow Wolves' practice facility. Management had tried to convince me to hold it at their offices, where they'd have more control, but I'd refused. This was my statement, on my terms.
When I walked into the press room at noon, it was packed. Reporters filled every chair, cameras lined the back wall, and the red "LIVE" lights were already glowing.
Greg Hartley stood off to the side, his expression grim. He'd tried one more time this morning to get me to reconsider, and when I refused, he'd made it clear: this was all on me.
I took my seat at the table, adjusted the microphone, and looked out at the sea of faces. Somewhere out there, Palisade and Casey were watching. That was who I was doing this for.
"Thank you all for coming," I began, my voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through me. "I know there's been a lot of speculation and coverage about my personal life over the past few weeks. I wanted to take this opportunity to address some of that directly, in my own words."
I took a breath, looking down at my prepared statement. Then I set it aside. This needed to come from the heart, not a script.
"Seven years ago, I met a woman named Palisade Honors.
We spent one night together, and it was…
significant. More significant than I realized.
When I left the next morning, I had every intention of calling her, of seeing where things might go.
But when I tried to reach her, her number didn't work. And I couldn't find her."
The room was silent, every reporter hanging on my words.
"What I didn't know was that Palisade was pregnant. What I didn't know was that she'd tried to contact me too, and couldn't get through. What I didn't know was that somewhere out there, I had a daughter."
I paused, letting that sink in.
"Her name is Casey. She's six years old. And she's the best thing that's ever happened to me."
A ripple of murmurs went through the crowd. I pressed on.
"A few weeks ago, I discovered Casey's existence. And my first reaction was anger. Not at Casey, but at the situation. The years I'd lost. That I'd missed her first steps, her first words, her birthdays and bedtimes, and all the moments you can't get back."
My voice was getting rougher, more emotional. I didn't hide it.
"But here's what I've learned in the past few weeks.
Anger and love aren't mutually exclusive.
I can be angry about the time I lost and still be grateful for the time I have.
I can grieve what I missed and still celebrate what I have now.
Casey is a privilege. Not a problem. Not a scandal. A privilege."
More murmurs. Several reporters exchanged glances.
"Which brings me to the other narrative that's been circulating that Palisade Honors is somehow a gold digger. That she's trying to trap me or cash in on my career or use Casey as leverage."
I leaned forward, looking directly into the nearest camera.
"Let me be very clear. That is absolute bullshit."
Greg made a noise off to the side, but I ignored him.
"Palisade has never asked me for money. She's never threatened to go to the press.
She built a successful veterinary practice on her own, raised our daughter on her own, and did it all with no help from me.
Not because she didn't want my help, but because she couldn't find me.
And when I found out about Casey, she didn't keep me away.
She welcomed me into their lives, despite having every reason not to trust me. "
I took a breath, feeling the tension build.
"The reason I'm making this statement is that two days ago, photographers followed my daughter into her mother's workplace.
They terrified a six-year-old child. And when I removed them from the premises, I'm told my actions were inappropriate.
That I should have called security or the police instead of physically intervening. "
I shook my head.
"I won't apologize for protecting my daughter. I won't apologize for defending her mother. And I won't apologize for putting my family first, even when it's inconvenient for my career or my public image."
The room erupted with questions, reporters shouting over each other, but I raised my hand for quiet.
"I'm not done. I know that the Shadow Wolves management wanted me to issue a different statement.
One that was more apologetic, more concerned with optics than truth.
I understand their position. They have a brand to protect, an organization to run.
But I have a daughter to raise. And I won't raise her in an environment where she thinks she's something to be hidden or apologized for. "
I stood up, signaling that I was finished.
"Casey, if you're watching this, you are wanted. You are loved. You are the best surprise I've ever gotten. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life proving to you that you were worth every sacrifice. Thank you."
I walked off the platform as reporters shouted questions, cameras flashing. Greg intercepted me in the hallway.
"Do you have any idea what you just did?"
"Yeah. I told the truth."
"You gave the middle finger to the entire management team! You called our statement bullshit on live television! You…!"
"I did what I needed to do for my family."
"Well, congratulations. That family just cost you your captaincy. Permanently." He was practically vibrating with fury. "And if ownership decides you're more trouble than you're worth, it might cost you your career."
I met his gaze steadily. "Then I guess we'll see what happens next season."
He stormed off, and I pulled out my phone. Texted Palisade: It's done. How did Casey react?
The response came almost immediately: She's crying. Happy crying. She heard you call her a privilege. Can you come over?
I'm on my way.
I was halfway to my truck when Beck caught up with me.
"Hell of a statement, Cap." He grinned, using the title I'd just lost. "Worth it?"
"Ask me in a year."
"Fair enough. For what it's worth? I've got your back. Whatever management decides, the team's behind you."
"Thanks, man."
I drove to Palisade's house in a daze. Part of me couldn't believe what I'd just done. Part of me felt lighter than I had in weeks.
Twenty minutes later, I pulled up at Palisade's house. Before I even got to the door, it flew open, and Casey came running out.
"Dad!" She launched herself at me, and I caught her, lifting her up. "I saw you on TV! You said I'm the best thing!"
"Because you are." I held her tight, feeling her small arms around my neck. "Did you like what I said?"
"I loved it. Everyone's going to know you're my dad now."
"Yeah, they are. Is that okay?"
She pulled back to look at me. "Are you in trouble? For saying those things?"
Smart kid. "A little bit. But it's worth it."
"Why?"
"Because you and your mom are more important than anything else."
She hugged me again, and over her shoulder, I saw Palisade standing in the doorway. Her eyes were red from crying, but she was smiling.
"Come on, kiddo," I said, setting Casey down. "Let's go inside. I have a feeling we have some things to talk about."
As we walked toward the house, Casey's hand in mine, I felt something settle in my chest.
The captaincy was gone. The consequences were just beginning.
But I'd made the right choice.
For the first time in my life, I knew exactly where I belonged.