“Maybe he’s murdered them all and stuffed their bodies in a dumpster,” I said.

Jock rolled his eyes and heaved a long-suffering brotherly sigh. “Seriously. You don’t have a clue what’s up? They looked like shit and played even worse in practice.”

“I know, I saw them. Not a clue what’s going on. You’re awfully nosy. You usually don’t concern yourself with others’ problems.”

“I do when I’m starting goalie and those problems affect the entire team.” I should’ve known. His concern wasn’t for Axel or his buddies but for the team. That was how my brother rolled. Team first, nothing else mattered. Except his family, of course.

“I have to get back to work. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.” As much as I’d prefer speculating with him, I did have a lot to do and a game coming up in several hours, which doubled my workload.

He nodded and put his hand on the doorknob, hesitated, and turned back to me. “Do you like doing this?”

I contemplated his question for a moment. Not too long because I knew my answer. “Actually, I love this job. Sure, the endless laundry is boring, but I love being part of this team and doing my share to build a winning franchise. I’ve never been part of a team before, and it’s different. You’re working for something bigger than you, something bigger than all the people are separately. It’s what we become when we work together.”

Jock studied me thoughtfully, then almost smiled. “I’m glad. I like having you around.” Before I had a chance to reply, he left me to my mountain of laundry. Jock rarely expressed his innermost feelings, and for him to say what he had was amazing and heartwarming, especially for a girl who’d never been part of a functional family before. I was touched, and Jock’s words left me with a cozy sense of place.

This was the right place for me. I had a family, and I had more than I’d ever had before.

I might even have Axel if I wanted him. I hadn’t talked to him at all today, nor had he made his daily date request. Judging by how he looked this morning, I doubted he would. He must’ve drunk to the point where he’d destroyed every last brain cell last night.

About twenty minutes later, the door opened again. This time it was Axel.

“Hangover?” I accused, unable to keep the annoyance of my voice.

“No,” he shot back, equally annoyed. “I was up all night with Kaden and Steele. Just talking. Kaden was in a spot where we were really worried about him.”

I hadn’t expected this. “Is that why the three of you look like shit?”

He narrowed his gaze and studied me for several uncomfortable moments. “Yeah. What did you think? That I was out partying?”

I ducked my head and didn’t respond, ashamed of my lack of faith in him.

“You did.” His tone was laced with disappointment and sadness, like he’d lost his best friend.