Page 4 of What About Us

“Of course. How long will you be home this time?”

“Until I can play again. Probably toward the end of next season.”

He’s quiet for a second, but he knows as well as I do that I need this. I haven’t kept the loneliness I’ve been feeling a secret from my brother.

“Good,” he says. “I’ll make sure your house is ready for you.”

“You don’t have to⁠—”

“It’ll be ready,” he says again, and I smile for the first time in what feels like months. “Text me the flight details when you have them.”

“I’ll see you tonight.”

I feel lighter already as I start the SUV that I keep here in Denver and head back to the penthouse. I have to call the service I use that keeps an eye on my place when I’m out of town for extended times and book my flight. I don’t have to pack a suitcase because I keep my Montana house fully stocked with a wardrobe and essentials, so all I have to do is pack a backpack with my electronics and get on the plane.

It’s fucking convenient.

Three hours later, I’m in Cooper’s car, headed for the airport.

“So, you don’t know when you’ll be back.”

“When I can take the ice with the team, I’ll be back,” I reply and hold in a wince when my knee aches from moving it too fast. “I can’t be holed up here anymore.”

“You usually go home for the summer anyway,” Cooper replies. “Makes sense. I assume you’ll have a medical team there?”

“You and I both know that the team will be micromanaging the shit out of my recovery,” I say. “They’ll have a doctor and therapist booked for me before I even touch down tonight.”

“You’re probably right. And that’s good. Will you come back for the fundraiser?”

“Of course. I’ve never missed one.”

He nods and follows the exit for the airport. “Maybe I’ll come see you up there.”

“Anytime. You know that.”

He drops me off at the door and offers me a fist bump as I maneuver my way out of his car and then make my way to security.

I can’t walk quite as fast as I’m used to, but I eventually get to the gate, just as they’re boarding first class.

“Hey, aren’t you Xander Hendrix?”

I turn at the young voice and grin at the boy standing in line, who happens to be wearing my jersey.

“I am.”

“Cool! My dad and I watch every game. You’re my favorite player. Can we take a picture?”

Not wanting to hold up the line, I step aside and take a photo with the boy and his dad, someone produces a Sharpie so I can sign his jersey, and then I’m on my way down the ramp to the plane.

I’m ready to go home.

“Congratulations!”

Darby grins at all of us, looking shy with that new diamond sparkling on her finger. Tucker proposed to her out at the firepit, which he insisted was as romantic as it gets for them, and then brought her inside so we could all celebrate with the newly engaged couple.

There’s a shit ton of people packed into my childhood home, where Tuck and Darby now live.

In addition to our family, Darby’s entire family is here too. Tucker’s best friend, Zack, is home from LA to help celebrate as well.