Page 12 of From Maybe to Baby

I look at my watch again. Fifteen minutes and counting.

What's the worst that could happen?

Thank God for sisters.Specifically, thank God for sisters who live five minutes away and work from home. Sarah shows up in record time, already dressed for kid life in old jeans and a T-shirt that's seen better days.

"You owe me so many lattes," she announces, surveying the breakfast aftermath. "And possibly a new car."

"Add it to my tab." I'm halfway out the door, gym bag in one hand, protein shake in the other.

She waves me away, like she has so many times. "Go. I've got this. Try not to hit anyone too hard at practice."

"I’ll try."

"And don’t pass out from exhaustion." She eyes the kitchen disaster zone. "Though it looks like you already got your cardio in."

I make it to the Aftershocks' training facility with two minutes to spare, which has to be some kind of single-dad record. The security guard gives me a knowing look as I sprint past.

"Rough morning, Knight?"

I glance down at my shirt. Yep, that's definitely pancake batter on the sleeve. "How can you tell?"

"Lucky guess. PR team's looking for you. Something about photo ops?"

Because of course they are. I check my texts, something I’d neglected to do in the morning craziness.

Vince Vincent, Aftershocks PR:

Need to discuss media strategy for upcoming season

People Magazine wants to do a feature: "Hockey's Hottest Dad"

Please tell me you're not wearing the jersey with syrup stains to media day

Coach:

Team meeting after conditioning

Bring your A-game, we're discussing season strategy

Try not to look too sleep-deprived

Sarah:

Is it wrong to want to kill my little niece? Because I just caught her about to drop my phone in the toilet

God help me.

I'm halfway through my warm-up stretches when Vince Vincent appears, tablet in hand and determination in his stride. No one on the team likes it when Vince approaches, especially not me. I know he’s going to ask for something, and I’m about fucking tapped out.

"Please tell me you've considered thePeople Magazinefeature," he starts, not bothering with pleasantries. "It's perfect timing with season kickoff, and the 'devoted dad' angle tests incredibly well with female demographics."

"I'm not using my kids for PR."

"Says the man whose daughter wore his jersey to Disney and broke Instagram." He pulls up the stats. "That post got more engagement than our playoff run."

"That was different. It was unintentional." I focus on my stretches, trying to work out the knot that comes from carrying a three-year-old while chasing a four-year-old. "That was just... life."

"Exactly. That's what people want to see. The real moments. The human side of hockey's most eligible single dad."

---