23. Nora #2
Chase gets the puck and starts to move it up ice; Tyler's on him immediately. Defensive pressure, stick checking, forcing Chase wide. Chase tries to cut back toward the middle, but Tyler reads it, stays with him, and Chase has to dump it into the corner.
"Nice coverage," Emma says, impressed. "Tyler's really good."
"He is."
Midway through the first, Tyler's line is out against Jackson's. Jackson is everywhere on the ice—calling plays, directing traffic, playing both ends.
Tyler receives a pass at the blue line, and immediately Jackson's on him. They battle along the boards, physical and intense, and Jackson wins it, stripping the puck and sending it back the other way.
"Damn," Emma mutters. "My brother’s on it tonight."
The Wolves score first, and their crowd erupts. But the Falcons answer back three minutes later on a goal from Danny, and suddenly it's a game.
During the second period, Tyler gets his moment.
He's in the defensive zone when he picks off a pass and flies up the ice, ice spraying behind his blades.
Jackson's skating back hard, trying to catch him, but Tyler's got a step.
He crosses the blue line with Jackson right on him, fakes a shot that gets Jackson to commit, then cuts hard to the backhand.
The goalie's out of position.
Tyler buries it.
The Falcons' bench erupts, and I'm on my feet screaming before I can stop myself. Harper startles in my arms, and Emma's laughing at my reaction.
Tyler's celebrating with his teammates, and when he skates past our section, he points directly at us. Not subtle at all, and definitely noticed by everyone around us.
"Yeah," Emma says dryly. "Totally just professional."
The game continues, both teams trading chances. Chase gets an assist on the Wolves' second goal. Jackson sets up their third with a perfect breakout pass. Tyler gets another assist in the third period, finding Danny in the slot for a one-timer.
It's good hockey. Fast, skilled, competitive, but respectful. These guys know each other, have played either together or against each other for years, and it shows in the way they battle.
The Wolves win four to three, and even though the Falcons lost, Tyler played incredibly well. When the final buzzer sounds, I can see him and Jackson talking on the ice, Jackson saying something that makes Tyler laugh.
Post-game, we wait in the family area. Chase appears first, freshly showered, and immediately scoops up Ethan, who's been asking for him.
"Good game, Daddy!"
"Thanks, buddy." Chase kisses Emma quickly. "Hey, Nora. Glad you made it. Tyler about lost his mind when he saw you during warm-ups."
"I saw."
Out of the corner of my eye, Emma is grinning.
Jackson arrives next with Maya, both of them making a beeline for Harper.
“There she is,” Jackson says, taking her from me. “Hi there. Did you see me play? I was amazing.”
"You scored one goal," Maya says, rolling her eyes. "Don't get cocky."
"One beautiful goal. Right, Harper?"
Tyler's the last one out, and the second he sees us, his entire face lights up. He doesn't even acknowledge Jackson or Chase, just walks straight to me.
"You came."
"Emma invited us. Said it would be a good surprise."
"Best surprise ever." He takes Harper from Jackson, pressing kisses all over her face. "Did you see Daddy play, baby girl? Did you see me score against Uncle Jackson?"
"I saw," I say quietly, and his eyes meet mine over Harper's head.
The look he gives me makes my knees weak.
"Alright, everyone, to our place," Emma announces. "Dinner's ready. We're celebrating even though you guys lost."
"Thanks, Em," Tyler says dryly, but he's still smiling.
At Emma's house, it feels exactly like a triple date, even though Tyler and I aren't together. The kids are playing in the living room—Ethan’s building blocks, Sofia’s trying to steal them, and Harper’s on a blanket watching everything with wide eyes.
The adults are in the kitchen and dining room, and it's so easy, so natural, that I keep forgetting this isn't my life.
Chase and Tyler are arguing good-naturedly about a play in the second period. Emma and Maya are tag-teaming to get dinner on the table. Jackson's playing referee with the kids.
And I'm part of it. Part of this family gathering, as if I belong here.
Tyler keeps finding reasons to be near me. Handing me things, asking questions about Harper, his hand on my back when he reaches past me for plates, just small touches that probably look casual to everyone else, but feel significant to me.
After dinner, Chase and Emma take their kids upstairs for bedtime, and Jackson and Maya head out to their own house across town, which leaves Tyler and me in Emma's living room with Harper.
"I need to head back to the hotel," Tyler says reluctantly, checking his phone. "Team curfew."
"Right. Of course."
We're staying here at Emma's for the weekend—she already set up the pack-and-play in the guest room. Tyler's at the team hotel tonight, then they travel back to Ridgeport tomorrow while Harper and I take the train back Sunday.
"I should get Harper to bed," I say. "She's exhausted."
"Yeah." Tyler's holding her, reluctant to let go. "She did so well today, she wasn't even fussy during the game."
"She loves watching you play."
"I can't believe you came," he says quietly, looking down at Harper. "When I saw you in the stands during warm-ups, I thought I was hallucinating."
"Emma said you'd want us here."
"I always want you here." He looks up at me, and the yearning in his blue eyes is unmistakable. "Both of you. Everywhere."
My heart is in my throat. "Ty—"
"I know. I know we can't—" He stops himself, looking down at Harper, who's falling asleep against his chest. "Seeing you there today made everything better. The game, being in Hartford, all of it."
I can't breathe. "Tyler."
"But we're being smart about this, right?" He stands up carefully, Harper asleep now. "Being responsible. Maintaining boundaries."
"Right."
"Even though it's killing me."
"Me too," I whisper.
He transfers Harper to me gently, and for a second, we're both holding her, our hands touching, faces inches apart.
"Goodnight, Red. Thank you for surprising me. Best thing that's happened in weeks."
"Goodnight, Ty."
He leaves, and I'm left standing in Emma's living room with a sleeping baby and a heart that's beating way too fast.
Later, after I've put Harper down and I'm lying in the guest bed staring at the ceiling, my phone buzzes.
Tyler: Can’t sleep. Keep thinking about you.
Me: You should sleep. Big travel day tomorrow.
Tyler: Should. Won't. The whole game felt different knowing you were watching.
Me: I’m always watching you.
Tyler: I played better because of it. I always do.
I stare at that message for a long time, my thumb hovering over the keyboard, trying to figure out what to say that won't make this harder than it already is.
Me: Goodnight, Tyler. Sweet dreams.
Tyler: Only if you're in them.
I set my phone down and press my hands over my face, trying to calm my racing heart.
These feelings, this pull, this absolute certainty that I'm in way too deep with no idea how to get out, is getting out of control.
And the worst part?
I don't want to get out.
I want to be in Tyler's hotel room right now, falling asleep next to him, and wake up tomorrow and have this be real, instead of whatever complicated thing we're dancing around.
But wanting something doesn't make it safe. It doesn't mean I won't lose it—lose him.
So I close my eyes and try to sleep, ignoring the phone that buzzes one more time with a message I don't let myself read until morning.
Tyler: I'm falling for you, Red. Just thought you should know.