Page 25 of Snowed In With the PUCK

I rub a hand over my face. That’s an exaggeration, but I get what she means—Allison is pushy.

“I hear you,” I say finally, my voice low. “But we’re in this together. In for a penny, in for a pound, right? Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out.”

She looks at me then, really looks at me, and for a second, I think she’s going to say something. But instead, she just nods, her expression guarded.

We sit in silence for a while. I can see that’s she’s brooding and I want to make her feel happier, if I can. Eventually, I break the tension, shifting the conversation. “You ever think about what you’d be doing if you weren’t a sports attorney?”

She raises an eyebrow at the change in topic. “Honestly? I don’t know. It’s been my life for so long, I can’t imagine doinganything else. My dad wanted me to be an attorney, so that’s what I did.”

I nod, understanding more than she realizes. “Hockey’s been that for me too—my life. After my parents died, it was all I had. I’ve been on the ice since I was like five years old.” I chuckle at the memories. “I don’t know who I’d be without it.”

Her eyes soften, and for the first time in what feels like hours, the tight energy between us eases. “I didn’t know that,” she says quietly.

I shrug, not wanting to make a big deal out of it. “It’s just… how it is.”

But as the words leave my mouth, I realize how much I’ve been holding back. Hockey isn’t just a career for me. It’s been my lifeline. The thing that kept me going when everything else felt like it was falling apart.

***

The next day in Denver, everything feels like it’s falling back into place. The familiar rhythm of the Avalanche’s schedule, the energy of excitement in the locker room as we gear up for the start of the trio of NHL holiday games—it’s all the kind of normal I’ve been craving.

Jessica and I settle back into our routine at the house, but with the pressure of the holidays and the games coming up, it feelslike everything is on the edge of tipping over. She’s holding something back and pulling away, but I don’t know what or why.

I’m in the kitchen, sliding a homemade pizza into the oven, when the doorbell rings. I wipe my hands on a towel and head to the door, expecting it to be a package delivery or something. But when I open it, I’m greeted by a sight I hadn’t expected.

A man stands on the porch, looking like he’s just come from a high-end ski resort with his deep blue ski jacket and suntan lines around where ski goggles would be. Beside him is a woman who can’t be more than a few years older than Jessica.

Her blonde hair is perfectly styled, and she’s dressed in tight spandex style pants and a designer ski jacket that looks like it’s never actually seen snow. She beams up at the man, seemingly unaware of the tension that follows them into this house.

“Eric, right?” Nigel says, his voice sharp and direct as he extends a hand. There’s no warmth in the gesture, just a formality. “I’m Nigel, Jessica’s father. Heard a lot about you.”

I shake his hand, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Nice to meet you.”

Nigel nods, his eyes scanning me briefly before turning his attention to the woman beside him. “This is Trixie.”

“Hi!” Trixie chimes in, her voice bright and bubbly and about as authentic as aspartame. “I’ve heardsomuch about you!” Her eyes linger on my body for a second too long before shecontinues, “Nigel and I are in town for a ski trip. We thought we’d stop by and say hello.”

I nod, though the whole situation feels a little off. I had no idea Jessica’s father was in Denver, let alone that he’d be dropping by unannounced.

Jessica appears in the hallway, and I can see the surprise on her face when she spots her father. “Dad? What are you doing here?” she asks, her tone a little more strained than usual.

Nigel shrugs as though this is all perfectly normal. “Trixie and I are in town for a few days. Thought we’d stop by and check in. Plus, I heard the news.” He pauses, eyeing Jessica with a slight look of disapproval. “Trixie saw something interesting on TV about you and Eric here.”

Jessica’s eyes widen slightly, and I can see the color drain from her face. “The news?” she echoes, her voice tight. “Oh.”

Trixie jumps in before Nigel can say more, her voice full of enthusiasm. “Oh yeah! It was so cute! You two were in the background of a segment about the team, and they said you were dating.” She giggles, clearly unaware of the tension she’s causing. “I was so excited when Nigel told me we’d stop by and I could meet you!” She’s looking at me, not Jessica when she says this.

Nigel doesn’t seem bothered by this revelation or Trixie’s wandering eye at all, but I can see the discomfort in Jessica’seyes. “Dad,” she starts, clearly trying to figure out how to handle this. “It’s not like that.”

Nigel waves her off, clearly not interested in the details. “I don’t care what it is, Jessica. As long as you’re advancing your career, you can do whatever you want in your personal life, as far as I’m concerned. It’s about time you used your connections to get ahead.”

Jessica flinches at his words, but I’m not surprised. From what little I know of Nigel, he seems like the type to push for status and success above all else. Still, hearing him talk about her like that—like she’s just a pawn in some game—rubs me the wrong way.

“Actually, we were just about to head out,” Jessica says the lie like it’s true, her voice a little too polite, trying to get her father and Trixie out the door before things get more uncomfortable.

Nigel raises an eyebrow but doesn’t protest. “Fine, fine. We won’t stay long. Just wanted to stop by and see how my daughter was doing.”

I can feel the irritation radiating off Jessica, and I step closer, offering her a subtle nod of support. She catches my eye and offers a small, grateful smile. “Thanks for stopping by,” she says, her voice still strained but polite.

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