The crowd is cheering so loud that I know she wouldn’t hear me talking to her, instead I rip off my glove to knock on the Plexiglass in greeting. It only crosses my mind for a second that this will probably bring attention to her and our relationship; but I’m too happy to think about the consequences. For all everyone else knows, Ellis and Jack could be anyone to me. But if she’s here, it must mean she’s ready for Cassie to release a statement about my impending fatherhood. I can’t imagine what brought about her sudden change of mind. Regardless, her presence is all the support I could need right now.

However, Jack is in my bad books. He’s wearing a Felix jersey instead of one bearing what I want to be his future surname.

I will take the time to lecture him on the importance of repping the right man on the ice later though, right now I hold up my hand for him against the glass.

“You’re here,” I speak loudly, hoping Ellis will hear. I can’t be sure she knows exactly what I said, but she nods rapidly in response, her wide smile beaming in excitement.

Jack is either hopped up on sugar or adrenalin because his eyes are wild. Still, he is looking at me with pride that nearly stops my heart. I didn’t think approval from a five-year-old would mean so much to me just a few months ago.

Ice flies up next to me as Anders slides to a stop. “Surprise!” he says to me pointing at Ellis.

“You knew about this?” By the smug grin on his face, I already know the answer, but I’m still waiting for them to disappear and it all to have been some kind of hallucination caused by the amount of Axe spray Rook wears.

“I helped plan this, shit, you are a hard man to keep a secret from. You looked like a kicked pup all day.” He slaps my shoulder, smiling at my still-shocked face. He skates away again, throwing a wink.

I follow behind him with a new sense of eagerness.

I know I’m going to win this game. I have some people to impress.

A shutout. 5-0. The best we have played all damn season. Shit, if we had been playing like that we might have been in with a shot of the Stanley Cup, but I’m happy with the alternative. Instead, I get a few extra weeks of break to be Liam the dad, not just Ruin the hockey player.