“Hey,” I said. “How was your first game as captain?”

The minute Luke got in trouble for the video debacle, he implicated Paul. It wasn’t clear whether Paul had been involved or whether Luke was shirking responsibility. Derek had been asked to step in and assume Luke’s previous role.

“Good.” Derek shrugged. “Team is still adjusting, but we’re pulling through. The energy is a lot less toxic, uh, now that he’s gone.”

I didn’t doubt that.

“You guys played well, considering all the upheaval.”

“Yeah, not bad.” Derek gave me a half-hearted smile. His warm brown eyes scanned my face, and his mouth twisted into a frown that was eerily reminiscent of our father. “I wanted to apologize again, though.” He rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat. “I was wrong.”

Hold up. I blinked, doing a double- and triple-take. Derek admitting to being wrong? And apologizing? Hell had officially frozen over.

“About what?”

Of course I already knew, but I’d make him say it anyway.

“Carter,” he said. “You were right; he’s good to you. You seem happy.”

Happy was an understatement.

“Crazy happy.” A goofy grin broke out across my face. I couldn’t even attempt to hide it. “He’s my person.”

“That’s great, B.”

I nudged him with my foot. “You’ll find your person someday.”

Someone bumped into me from behind, jostling me slightly. Derek grabbed my elbow and steadied me, giving me an uncharacteristically bashful smile.

“Actually, it is getting kind of serious with this girl Kim I’ve been seeing.”

My mouth dropped open. “Shut up. And you’ve been hiding this? When do I get to meet her?”

“Whenever you want.” He shrugged. He was making an effort to seem casual, but it was obvious that he was nervous.

“Tomorrow? Name a place and time.” I laced my fingers together, stretching out my hands and rolling my shoulders. “I’ll bring a list of questions. I have to play the role of protective little sister.”

Derek laughed. “Think you’ve got that backward.”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “After Jill, I want to be sure this one is legit. Or she’ll have to answer to me.”

I was still grinning at my brother when Chase strolled up from the other direction and threw an arm around my shoulders. He was running hot like a furnace on full blast, like he always did after games, and the comforting warmth of his body radiated through his dress shirt.

“It’s true,” Chase said. “James is pretty terrifying.”

Derek pursed his lips and looked off into the distance, pretending to give it some thought. “Well, she did have a biting phase in preschool.”

Oh my god. It was one time. Jenny Martin started it when she stole my Barbie and shoved me to the ground. I was merely defending myself.