36. Sean

36

Sean

"You ready, champ?" I ask, keeping one hand firmly on his back.

"Yeah, Daddy! Go fast!" Luke's enthusiasm is contagious, and I can't help but laugh, even with the weight of yesterday’s tensions still pressing on me.

I swing Luke up onto Molly, our gentlest mare, and his giggle is like music to my ears. He's holding onto the saddle horn, eyes wide with excitement.

"Alright, but we're not entering any races, okay?" I keep the pace leisurely, walking alongside Molly as we make our way around the paddock. Luke is all smiles, taking in every moment.

"Look, Uncle Sean! Bird!" He points at a sparrow fluttering from fence to fence, and I nod enthusiastically.

"That's right, buddy! Maybe he’s racing us, huh?" I tease, and Luke giggles, nodding vigorously.

As we circle back, I think about Aubrey and our fight. Maybe I should have told her about Yasmine’s antics, cleared the air before things got messy. It’s a gnawing thought, but right now, I need to focus on making this a perfect day for Luke.

"Hey, kid," I start, my tone a bit more serious, "you know how much Uncle Sean loves spending time with you, right?"

"Yeah!" He’s still watching the bird, but his response is immediate and sure.

"Well, I love it even more than ice cream," I confess, watching his reaction.

"More than ice cream?" He turns to me, skeptical yet amused. "That's a lot!"

"It sure is, pal. It sure is," I affirm, ruffling his hair gently. As we round the paddock once more, I make a mental note to sort things out with Aubrey. Whatever it takes to keep my family together, I’m game. But first, more horse rides and maybe chasing a few sparrows with my best little buddy.

I glance at my watch and realize it's almost time to hit the road for practice. Swiping my phone open, I shoot off a quick text to Emma.

"Hey, heading to practice. Luke wants to come watch. You in for a road trip to Milwaukee? Maybe grab some burgers after?"

Her reply pings back almost instantly, a string of excited emojis followed by, "Absolutely! See you in five."

With a plan in place, I scoop up Luke, his little legs kicking with excitement. "Hey buddy, you wanna come watch me practice today?”

His response is an enthusiastic nod, his small face lit up with joy. "Yes! Uncle Sean, are you gonna win?"

"Absolutely, champ," I chuckle. "I win just by having you there."

We step outside, the crisp air hinting at the day's potential. Emma's already by the car, my gear neatly packed in the trunk. "You're a lifesaver," I tell her as I secure Luke in his car seat.

She laughs, tossing Luke a playful wink. "Just part of the job. Ready for a fun day out?"

Luke’s nod is vigorous. "We go fast?"

"The fastest," Emma confirms, and I can't help but grin at their interaction.

We pile into the car, the morning energy palpable. As I start the engine, Emma turns to Luke. "You're going to see Uncle Sean do some amazing skating today. Think you can cheer really loud for him?"

Luke's ready for the challenge, his little chest puffing out. "I be loudest!"

We're on the road to Milwaukee, Luke bouncing in his seat with excitement, his small hands pressed against the window as the scenery whizzes by. "Uncle Sean, are we gonna see you skate super fast?" he chirps, his eyes wide with the sort of innocent eagerness that only a toddler can muster.

"Super fast, bud," I reply with a grin, catching his reflection in the rearview mirror. "Maybe I'll even score a goal just for you."

Emma laughs from the passenger seat, handing back a juice box to Luke. "You hear that, Luke? You're Uncle Sean's lucky charm today."

Luke nods vigorously, sipping his juice like it's the fuel for his enthusiasm. "I'm super lucky!" he declares, and I can't help but laugh at his seriousness.

As we pull into the city, the familiar skyline in the distance, Emma turns to me with a smirk. "So, big shot, you planning on showing off for us today?"

"Always," I shoot back, winking at her. "Gotta impress my favorite fans."

The drive is smooth, and before we know it, we're pulling into the parking lot of the rink. Luke's practically vibrating with excitement as I unload my gear. Emma helps him out of the car, his small hand in hers, and I sling my bag over my shoulder.

"Ready to see some real hockey, Luke?" I ask as we head towards the entrance.

He nods, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste. "Yes!”

"Of course, you can," I say, ruffling his hair. "You'll be a great player. Maybe even better than me."

Emma rolls her eyes playfully. "Let's not set the bar too high," she teases, and I chuckle.

As we enter the rink, the cold air hits us, and Luke's awe at the expanse of the ice is a reminder of the simple joys. Emma and I set him up on the bench, a prime spot to watch the practice.

"Don't forget that burger you promised," Emma reminds me as I lace up my skates.

"Don't worry," I reply, pulling my jersey over my head. "A burger with all the trimmings. It's a day of treats for my top supporters."

Luke claps, his earlier awe turning into pumped excitement. "Go, Uncle Sean, go!"

With a final wave to them, I hit the ice, the sound of my skates slicing through the surface echoing around the rink.

Out on the ice, I'm really pushing myself today, and shockingly, my shoulder's keeping quiet—no complaints, no pain. It’s like it knows I’ve got important things on my mind and can’t be bothered with any distractions. And speaking of distractions, Aubrey’s pretty much all I can think about between plays. That, and the nonsense Yasmine’s been spewing.

Glancing over to the stands, I catch sight of Emma and Luke, the two of them cheering me on. It gives me a kick, knowing they’re watching, but it also sharpens that nagging doubt Yasmine planted in my head.

During a break, Luke’s off doing his thing, winning hearts with his toddler charm as he high-fives my teammates. I skate over to the bench where Emma’s got her eyes glued to the antics. “Hey, can I run something by you?” I ask, dropping my voice a notch.

Emma tilts her head, concern knitting her brows. “What’s up?”

“It’s about Yasmine. She’s been saying things... about Aubrey. Got me all twisted up inside.” Just saying it out loud makes me feel foolish.

Emma’s quick to scoff, shaking her head with a dismissive snort. “Sean, you’re being ridiculous. Aubrey’s one of the good ones. She’s been nothing but loyal and amazing. Why would you even listen to Yasmine?”

I rub the back of my neck, the cool air doing nothing to soothe the heat of embarrassment. “I know, I know. It’s just—”

“Just nothing,” Emma cuts in, her tone firm but caring. “Aubrey loves you and Luke like crazy. Anyone with eyes can see that. Don’t let some has-been high school flame mess with your head.”

Her words are like a slap of cold water, waking me up. “You’re right,” I admit, feeling a mix of relief and stupidity. “I guess I just got scared.”

Emma reaches out, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze. “Just talk to Aubrey, Sean. Clear the air. She deserves that much.”

“Yeah, I will,” I promise, watching Luke now attempting to mimic my skating stance, falling on his butt and laughing. The sight pulls a laugh out of me too, reminding me of what’s important. “Part of me worries that the old habits will creep back in. The moment I feel pain, it’s like a switch flips, and I’m back to that guy who was so desperate to escape reality. But thanks, Em.”

As I lace up my skates to get back on the ice, I’m resolved to fix things with Aubrey. No more doubts, no more letting the past mess with my present. It’s time to keep my eyes on the prize—and that’s my family.

As Emma scoots off to gather up Luke, peppering the team with cheerful hellos, I find myself watching them—a little slice of normal. My phone buzzes again, pulling me back to the less pleasant aspects of life. Another message from Yasmine. This time, the pictures she sent are beyond inappropriate, and then, just to top it all off, a video pops in that leaves little to the imagination.

Enough is enough. I've let this go on too long, letting her believe she has some sort of claim or sway over my life. Standing there, ice underfoot and a chill biting at my face, I make a decision. I delete every photo, every message, the video without even watching it. Then, with a couple of taps, I block her number. Done. She's out of my life for good.

I shove my phone back into my jacket, a finality settling in my chest. It feels like closing a dark chapter and stepping back into the light. Emma's laughter, mingled with Luke's high-pitched giggles as he tries to wrangle his miniature hockey stick, grounds me.

"That’s the last I’ll let her mess with my head," I mutter to myself, a promise to keep my focus where it belongs—on the family who's here, cheering me on, not the ghosts of girlfriends past trying to haunt my present.