Page 132 of Pucking Daddy

“They’re pushing hard on the timeline of your relationship,” she says. “The judge has ordered home evaluations for both parties over the next few days.”

I frown slightly. “Both parties?”

Rebecca nods. “Yes. Yours and Rachel’s.”

Jaxon’s jaw tightens beside me. “So they’re digging deeper.”

“They are,” she confirms. “But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing.”

I glance at her. “How is that not a bad thing?”

Rebecca leans forward slightly, her tone calm but deliberate. “Because an evaluation doesn’t just look at your household—it looks at hers, too. Her routines. Her priorities. How present she actually is in Lily’s life.”

Something shifts in my chest.

Jaxon’s expression sharpens. “You think that could work in our favor.”

“I do,” Rebecca says. “From what we’ve already documented, your home shows structure, consistency, and emotional stability. Lily is clearly attached to both of you.” Her gaze flicks to me briefly before returning to Jaxon. “That matters.”

“And Rachel?” I ask quietly.

Rebecca’s expression tightens just slightly. “If she’s not prioritizing Lily the way she claims, an evaluator will see that. They’re trained to look beyond what’s said in court.”

Jaxon exhales slowly, processing.

“So we let them look,” he says.

“Yes,” Rebecca replies. “You don’t perform. You don’t overcorrect. You just live your life the way you have been.” A small pause. “Because from what I’ve seen, that’s your strongest argument.”

“But it’s all happening so fast.” I run a hand through my hair. “The playoffs start in ten days.”

“I know. The evaluator’s schedule may conflict with your games. We’ll need to work around it. But the sooner it happens, the sooner you’ll have a final ruling. Maybe even within a week.”

I feel the walls closing in. Every direction I turn, something else demands my attention, my daughter, my team, my marriage. The pressure builds behind my eyes like a coming storm.

Zara touches my arm. “We’ll figure it out.”

“The judge did note the genuine nature of your testimony,” Rebecca continues. “Both of you. She acknowledged the commitment you’ve demonstrated to Lily’s wellbeing. That’s a good sign.”

A good sign. Not a victory. Just another step in a war that feels endless.

We leave the courthouse under gray skies, the threat of rain hanging heavy in the air.

My phone accumulated fourteen messages during the hearing—three from Nate about practice changes, two from Simone about press inquiries, and the rest from various team personnel who need decisions I can't focus on making.

My phone buzzes with a new message. I expect another message from the team.

Instead, I find a notification that makes my blood run cold.

Evaluator appointment scheduled: Wednesday, 9:00 AM.

Wednesday. The same day as our critical road game against Chicago. The game that can determine our playoff position.

I show the screen to Zara. Her face goes pale.

"That's—"

"The Chicago game. I know."