“Storm’s been spiraling, kid. He needs a fresh start, a place he can move on from Joey and grow into his potential. I was hoping that was going to be here, that we’d keep building out our core of guys around him, that he’d be the center of the next stage after Lake and Riggs and Knox and Colt retire.”
Because he’s younger than the veterans.
Because he’s going to be in the league for years yet.
“But if he continues as he’s going, he won’t have potential to grow into. He’s going to flame out and—” My brother pushes to his feet, shoves his hand through his hair, and sighs heavily. “I can’t help him here.”
“I know.”
I was right.
I haven’t seen Storm since that night at the hospital—or not at any of the Game Nights or dinners or even at Riggs and Ella’s baby shower. He’s skipped out on team events, on charity functions. Hell, I’ve barely even seen him at the arena.
He plays and he practices and he works out. That’s it.
And now he’s leaving the team for good.
“The Harrisburg Hawks were the best choice,” Damon says. “They want to build the roster around him, and in a few seasons they’re going to give us a run for our money.”
Moving closer, I nudge at his arm until he lifts it and wraps it around me. “I know you care about him, that you and Joey both do. So I know you’ve done what you think is best.”
He sighs, kisses the top of my head. “Glad to have your approval, kid.”
Light words, but I don’t miss the relief in his voice.
Relief I’ve given him.
Yeah, I’m pretty damned cool…and pretty damned sure I’m not broken.
That I wasn’t ever broken. Not really.
And the man standing across the kitchen, where he and Blake are whipping up some delicious confection for dessert, helped showed me that.
Same as I showed him right back.
“Damn right you are,” I tell Damon. “Otherwise I’d make you come back and help with the class party next week.”
“Party?” he mutters. “They’re in seventh grade. Aren’t they a little old for that?”
“Too old for a donut party for acing their tests? Never.”
His lips twitch. “Donuts don’t sound too bad.”
“We’re also doing Minute to Win It games. They say you’re going down.”
“I won’t be going down,” he mutters. “Because I won’t be going in.”
“You forget that I know your schedule.”
“You forget that I’m your big brother and can still give you wedgies.”
“Joey!” I call from where she’s holding Lake and Nova’s adorable little girl, bouncing her lightly on one knee.
“Yeah?” she calls back.
“Your husband is being mean to me!”
She grins. “Tell your brother that since he knocked me up, he’d better behave himself.”
