Page 91 of Triplet Babies for Pucking Christmas

“The judge requires a DNA test to confirm paternity before we proceed further. You’ll need to arrange it as soon as possible.”

A headache blooms right between my eyes. Of course. Just pile more shit on top. “Fine. I’ll get it done.”

“Thank you, sir. Please ensure it’s expedited. The case depends on it.”

“Yeah, I got it,” I say, hanging up before they can say anything else.

The headache’s drilling now, relentless. I rub my temple, feeling the throbbing build. My life is spinning out of control,and now this? A DNA test. I need to talk to Troy and Jamie. I need to figure this out, but my brain feels like it’s on a fucking loop of chaos.

I’m halfway down the hall, heading for the parking lot, when I run into Declan. Literally.

“Whoa, sorry, man,” he says, catching himself.

“It’s fine,” I mutter, sidestepping him.

“Hold up,” Declan says, grabbing my arm. “You okay? You look like you’re ready to put your head through a wall.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Not far off.”

He doesn’t let go. His face is serious, the usual cocky grin gone. “I’ve been thinking about all this...the merger, the team, everything.” He pauses, like he’s trying to find the right words. “I might step out. Retire, you know?”

I stop dead. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’m serious,” he says quietly. “This isn’t what I signed up for. If they’re gonna tear this team apart, what’s the point? Maybe it’s time I call it.”

“Declan, don’t,” I snap. “Don’t even say that. You’re one of the best players we’ve got. We need you.”

“Do you? Because it doesn’t feel like it anymore,” he shoots back, his voice sharp. “It feels like we’re just pawns in some big corporate game. And I’m fucking tired of it.”

I grab his shoulder, forcing him to look at me. “Listen to me. I’ll fix this, okay? I don’t know how yet, but I will. You’ve gotta trust me.”

He stares at me for a long moment, then nods. “All right. But you better be sure, Maddox. ‘Cause I’m this close to walking.” He holds up his fingers and they’re barely an inch apart.

“I’ll fix it,” I repeat, more to myself than him.

He steps away, heading toward the locker room. I stand there for a second, trying to breathe, trying to think.

Then I make it to my car, slam the door shut, and lose it.

“Fuck!” I yell, slamming my fists into the steering wheel. Once, twice, three times. The horn blares, but I don’t care. Everything’s going to shit. The merger, the team, Noah, my fucking ulcers—I can’t keep up with it all.

I sit back, my chest heaving, the wheel indenting into my hands. My phone buzzes again, but I don’t even look at it. I just sit there, staring at nothing, trying to figure out how the hell I’m supposed to hold this all together.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Jamie

I’m pacing the living room, back and forth like a goddamn caged tiger. “This merger shit’s bad. Real bad,” I mutter.

Savannah’s sitting on the couch, looking between me and Troy like we’ve lost it. “How bad is bad?” she asks, her voice soft.

Troy leans forward, elbows on his knees. “If it happens, they’ll gut the team. Trade guys left and right. It’s not just bad—it’s a disaster.”

I stop pacing long enough to throw my hands up. “And you wanna know what makes it worse? Jared fucking Maddox knew.”

Savannah’s eyes widen. “You’re sure?”

Troy nods slowly, his jaw tight. “Yeah. He knew. And he didn’t tell us.”

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