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He chuckled at the word, and that brought a slight smile to my lips. It was the funniest thing I’d heard all day, and I imagined this was a long-running term between brothers.

I looked into my coffee and took a sip as I considered.

Maybe this could be saved.

I ran my hand through my hair. Stress, anger, and sadness combined in the center of my chest. I thought I might simply fly apart.

“I think we could really make something amazing between us. The love and calm I get from him is incredible. I think I give some of that back to him. I need to figure out my next move with him and, well, everything.”

“Should I ask? You said it’d been a day.”

“I’m not sure you should be burdened…” I paused a minute and then blurted everything out. “I lost my company today. Some things happened. Now that I don’t have a job, I can re-evaluate a lot of stuff.”

Bobby nodded and groaned. “Oh man, I’m sorry. Is there anything—”

“No. Actually I’m strangely pretty good.” I didn’t look forward to telling my parents what I’d allowed to happen, but otherwise I truly did feel okay about how things had played out. I wanted to chart a different course.

“Fair enough. If you change your mind, don’t hesitate to ask.” His laser focus on me said that he meant it too. “I’ll shift back to what we started with. Kyle would probably check me into the nearest wall if he knew I was giving advice on him, but I don’t want him wondering later what if. Since I’m not sure he’ll get off his ass and make the first move, maybe you will.”

“How long’s he in town for?”

“He’s wants to rejoin the team when they’re here next Friday. He’s off tonight anyway, so he’ll talk to the team tomorrow after we get an update. Mom’s already told him that he should go back. I’m able to stay for several weeks. It’s not ideal, but I can work with most of my clients over videoconference for a short time. And Seb’s on board.”

“I suppose the worst that can happen is our next talk becomes an official end.” I took a long drink of the coffee, draining it.

Bobby offered a shrug. “I suppose so.” He downed his coffee. “Let’s head back up. I know Mom would love to see you. She likes you, a lot. I’ve heard about the nice guy who did the dishes. Way to make me and Seb look bad.” He raised his eyebrows at me as he smirked.

I couldn’t resist a chuckle. “Sorry. I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m there.” We stood and went toward the elevators. “Thank you, for the talk and the coffee.”

Bobby had gone above and beyond. It was good to talk about Kyle with someone who knew him. With the turmoil at AMDD, Tamara and I had been preoccupied, and we hadn’t talked much about personal stuff recently.

Bobby gave me some food for thought, even though I didn’t quite know how to execute on it.

THIRTY-THREE

KYLE

“YOU READY TO GO OUT AS the enemy?” Owen, Phoenix’s captain, stepped up next to me as we waited to go out. It was the first time I’d be going out on this ice as the opponent.

“It’s weird.”

I didn’t want to go into how much I truly hated it.

On the other hand, it had worked out perfectly that team management had let me come back while we were here. I got the time at home I desperately wanted to make sure Mom got back home okay. I got to go to one last checkup and heard firsthand how well she was healing. She still had bruises, some that rivaled the ugliness of pucks slamming into me in an unpadded area.

I’d said my goodbyes before coming to the rink since we were flying after tonight’s game to be in New York for tomorrow.

The intro played and the fans roared. I knew the reel well—I’d been in it until recently.

“Is your mom here to see you go over to the dark side?”

“No. My brother and I convinced her home was the place to watch. It wasn’t easy, but she relented.”

“Maybe she’ll come down to catch a game before the end of the season. I’d love to meet her.” Owen did a great job as captain. He’d made me and the other guys feel welcome. He’d checked in daily while I was home with Mom too.

Kennedy had been a great captain. Owen was different, but I already liked his way with the team. His enthusiasm for the game matched mine, and that really helped me focus as I made the move. He kept me out of my head.

We charged out of the tunnel as we got our signal to go, the intro still finishing out and all the lights flashing through the crowd. I saw my teammates—former teammates—on the other side of the ice. I’d hung out with them a little bit earlier. We had practice before they did, and I’d hung back to talk for a few minutes. Several of them I’d seen over the past week as they’d checked on Mom.