Page 80 of Second-Rate Superstar

A video montage came on next, starting with Jaxon’s league debut, showcasing some of his incredible goals and celebrations as the game count rose—100th, 200th, 300th, and so on, as it crept toward today being his 1000th.

Watching these highlights, I understood Natalie’s remark in her kitchen about being unbiased about her husband’s unique talent. The compiled display of his skill was breathtaking. Jaxon was doing what he loved and was naturally gifted while having no idea that his brother was drowning under the weight of his success.

Halfway through the count, video-recorded clips of players identified as being on other teams spoke about Jaxon’s tenacity, his sportsmanship, and his competitive drive.

Then came more highlights through the rest of the thousand games, culminating in a clip of Jaxon accepting the playoffs’ MVP award when winning the championship. Everyone cheered at the reminder that one of the league’s best players was on their team and that he’d led them to thegreatest accomplishment in team sports—I’d looked it up; there wasn’t a championship harder to win than hockey’s.

The following clips featured Jaxon’s Comets teammates—ones I recognized.

First came big, blond Cal. “Jaxon, you’re the best teammate and captain I could have ever asked for. You came into the league young, with an incredible level of natural talent, but you remained grounded, never letting your success go to your head. And your love for the game has never dulled. Every game is like the first one; your excitement and passion have always been infectious. Even though we no longer share the ice, it’s been my ultimate pleasure to call myself your friend and to be able to continue to follow your career from the booth. Congrats on one thousand games, and cheers to many more.”

Next, Benji’s boyish grin filled the screen. “Hey, Jaxon. There aren’t many who would take on a moody, cocky player who was riding high on his big break under their wing, but you never thought twice about it. Not only were you an incredible role model on the ice but you became one of my closest friends. Knowing I can count on you anytime, day or night, speaks volumes to the kind of leader you are. Your teammates are your family. I can’t wait to win another championship by your side as we watch our boys carve up the ice, following in our footsteps. Congrats, man. You set the bar we all strive to reach someday.”

The screen transitioned to a shot of Jaxon and Natalie’s oldest two children. Amelia and Jameson sat side by side, and you could tell their dynamic had been finely honed over the years as the younger brother looked to his older sister to go first.

Amelia smiled. “Dad, we are so proud of you for reaching this incredible milestone in your career. It’s hard to believe that you’ve played one thousand games, and I’ve been alive for all of them. The fans who come towitness you play in person or watch the action on screen only get a small taste of what an incredible person you are. They melt over you handing your stick to an excited child in the stands or speaking with a teenage player who has suffered a career-ending injury. But that’s only scratching the surface. Only those closest to you know that hockey is your job. And while you accept the accolades with humility and grace, your crowning achievement is your family. You always tell us thatweare your legacy, but you’re pretty good at the hockey thing, too.” She threw in a wink, and the crowd laughed.

Taking a peek at the family on the ice, I saw Jaxon pull his teenage daughter into his side, kissing the top of her head.

Jameson cleared his throat, fidgeting in his seat. Clearly, he wasn’t as comfortable in front of the camera as his sister. His voice wavered as he began to speak, but he pushed through. “Congrats, Dad. I think the biggest thing I admire about you is your work ethic. You never give less than one hundred and ten percent, whether it be in hockey or in life. When you set a goal, you reach it, no matter what. So, if you set a goal for two thousand games, I know we’ll be right back here in another fourteen years, helping you celebrate.”

The younger pair of Slate children, Beau and Charlie, were next up.

Beau smirked. “It’s so cool you get to play hockey every day, Dad. I can’t wait to grow up and be just like you.”

Talk about tugging on your heartstrings. Beau idolized his father—or stepfather, in this case, but you couldn’t tell the difference. Jaxon’s love for his family was visibly reciprocated. They fit together beautifully like they were always meant to be.

Beau nudged his little sister, but Charlie took offense, shoving him back, a scowl on her tiny face. She was feisty, that one, but she’d quickly become my favorite. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

From off-screen, you could hear Natalie whispering, prompting, “Say congrats to Daddy, Charlie.”

Eyes lighting up at the mention of her father, Charlie screamed, “Go Daddy!”

There was a chorus of “Aws” from the fans gathered in the stands.

The video cut out, the lights came on, and the public addresser spoke over the loudspeaker again. “Please join the entire professional hockey league and the Comets organization in congratulating number twenty-three, Jaxon Slate!”

The players for both teams tapped their sticks on the ice, and there was another raucous cheer throughout the arena.

“At this time, Jaxon is joined by teammates Benji Mills and Braxton Slate as the team celebrates this incredible milestone with their captain.” Grabbing items from the bench, Jaxon’s best friend and his brother skated toward the family gathered on the red carpet. “Benji is presenting Jaxon with a commemorative framed mosaic compiled of pictures from each of his one thousand games.”

Jaxon set Charlie down, and Amelia stepped forward to grab her hand when she tried to step onto the ice in street shoes to follow her dad when he skated to accept his gift.

Benji pulled him into a hug, and when he released him, Jaxon skated to Braxton, embracing him as well. Standing side by side, they faced the camera smiling, and to anyone else, it appeared to be a heartwarming moment. But only I could see how Braxton’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, knowing his pain, that he was suffering in silence so that his brother could stand in the spotlight.

“Braxton is presenting Jaxon with a solid silver stick to mark this incredible career achievement.”

The three men posed for more pictures, holding up the gifts presented to their captain on his special night.

“It is our great honor to offer congratulations on one thousand professional games played to our captain, Jaxon Slate!”

Benji and Braxton handed their items to people marked as Comets personnel as Jaxon posed for pictures with his family before waving to the roaring crowd and rejoining his teammates for the start of the game. The smile on his face was genuine—humble, with an excitement shining through. Hockey gave him immeasurable joy.

If only that joy didn’t equal his brother’s misery.

Hannah burst through the door to the suite halfway through the first period after performing the national anthem, followed closely by Natalie and Liv with their kids in tow.

Her voice drew attention as she yelled, “I called it! I knew Amelia would be the one to make Jaxon cry.”

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