Page 103 of Icy Pucking Play

"Right." Julia checks her list. "Then the highlight reel of Evan's best saves…"

"Color-coded according to Sophie's system," Cynthia interjects with a smirk.

"I was being thorough!"

"You were being adorably obsessed."

Before I can defend my note-taking system, headlights sweep across the window.

"They're here!" Julia hisses. "Places, everyone!"

"We're not putting on a play," I point out.

"Shh. This is better than a play. This is romance."

"Oh God."

"Too late to back out now." Ryland dims the lights. "Ready?"

No. Definitely not.

But then I hear Natalia's voice in the driveway. "But Dad, I worked really hard on this presentation!"

"At Julia's house? At night?"

"It's... a special presentation…"

I have to give the kid credit—she sells it well.

The front door opens, and suddenly this is very, very real. "Jules?" Evan's voice carries from the entryway. "Why are all the lights…"

He stops in the doorway, taking in the scene: the projector, the screen, his family trying (and failing) to look casual.

Me.

"What is this?"

"This," Julia says before I can lose my nerve, "is an intervention."

"A what?"

"She means a presentation," I step forward. "About...about something incredibly important."

His expression goes carefully neutral. "Sophie…"

"Please." I gesture to the couch. "Just...watch? Then you can leave if you want. But watch first."

He looks at Natalia, who deploys her best puppy eyes. "Please, Daddy? I helped make it!"

For a moment, I think he might refuse. Might walk out. Might... but then he sits, pulling Natalia into his lap. "Fine." His voice is gruff. "Show me."

Ryland hits play before anyone can change their minds.

The screen flickers to life, showing Natalia in her hockey gear.

"Hi, Daddy! This isn't really a school presentation. It's something better. It's about family. And love. And how sometimes the best things are worth taking a risk on..."

The video continues—messages from teammates about his leadership, from rookies about his mentoring, and from his parents about his strength.

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