Page 26 of Pucking My Off-Limits Billionaire Boss
"You know, I scored my first goal right over there," I say, pointing to one end of the rink. "I was about your age."
"Really?" Carter's eyes are wide with awe. "Were you really good?"
I laugh, ruffling his hair. "I had my moments. But it's not just about being good at it, it's about having fun."
We continue to skate, with me holding Carter up every time he starts to slip. My parents are doing slow laps, waving and smiling every time they pass us.
"Whoa there, champ!" I exclaim as Carter nearly takes a tumble, but I catch him just in time. "Nice save, huh?"
Carter giggles, clinging to me a little. "You're the best, Daddy."
Moments like these, with Carter's laughter ringing in my ears and the cold air nipping at my face, are the times I cherish the most. They're a reminder of what's truly important in life.
"Okay, let's try a little faster," I suggest, feeling Carter's grip tighten on my hands.
"Are you sure?" he asks, a mix of excitement and nervousness in his voice.
"Absolutely! I'm right here with you. Ready?"
He nods, and we pick up the pace a bit, the wind catching our faces as we glide across the ice. Carter's laughter is infectious, and I can't help but join in, feeling a rush of pure, unadulterated joy.
As we make our way around the rink, I can't help but think about how far I've come—from a young hockey player with big dreams to a father, teaching his son to skate. It's moments like these that make all the challenges worth it.
After a while, skating with Carter, I signal my parents to take over. Carter, a little bundle of energy and nerves, glances back at me with a mixture of reluctance and excitement.
"Grandpa, Grandma, your turn!" I call out, skating over with Carter in tow.
My dad, still agile despite his years, scoops up Carter effortlessly. "Ready for some high-speed action, champ?" he asks with a twinkle in his eye.
Carter, his confidence boosted, nods eagerly. "Yeah! But don't go too fast!"
My mom laughs, her eyes crinkling with warmth. "Don't you worry, sweetheart. We've got you."
I hand Carter off to them, ruffling his hair one last time. "You're doing great, buddy. Listen to grandpa and grandma, okay?"
"I will, Daddy!" Carter assures me, his small hands gripping my dad's coat.
As they skate away, I watch them for a moment, a sense of pride swelling in my chest. Carter's laughter echoes across the rink, mingling with my parents' encouraging words.
Finding a bench, I take a seat, letting out a contented sigh. The cold of the bench seeps through my jeans, but I hardly notice, lost in the scene before me.
"Jake, he's getting the hang of it, isn't he?" My mom calls out as they circle back near where I'm seated.
I nod, grinning. "He sure is. Thanks for helping out, you two."
"It's our pleasure, son," my dad replies, a broad smile on his face as he steadies Carter. "He's a natural. Just like you were."
My mom adds, "He's got your spirit, Jake. Fearless and determined."
I chuckle, watching Carter's face light up with joy and a hint of daring. "Yeah, he's definitely got the Rogers' spirit."
As they continue to skate, I lean back on the bench, my thoughts drifting. Carter's laughter serves as a soothing backdrop as I ponder over the recent turns my life has taken—the redevelopment project, the partnership with Lucy, and the complex weave of personal and professional challenges it entails.
But as I watch my son, learning and laughing, those concerns seem to fade into the background, if only for a moment. Right now, it's about this—family, joy, and the simple pleasures of life.
Seated on the bench, a cup of hot cocoa warming my hands, I watch as Carter skates with my parents, their laughter a soothing balm. The steam from the cocoa swirls before me and my thoughts drift inward, to places and memories I often keep shielded.
Alyssa’s face comes to mind unbidden, her smile both a comfort and a pang in my heart. It’s been a journey since her passing. We were never a fairytale love story; our relationship was more pragmatic, rooted in shared goals and responsibilities, especially when Carter came into our lives. We had vowed to make it work, for his sake. Her loss wasn’t just mine; it was Carter’s too. He lost a mother, and I lost a partner in parenting, leaving gaps that were hard to fill.
