Holly materialized beside us, swiping a burger fresh off the grill. "Are we talking about Nathan and Brenna? Because I have aplan."
"Of course you do," I said.
"Someone has to help those idiots. Nathan's been in love with her for at least two years now, and Brenna's been working with the team for three, pining after him probably since that first team meeting where he showed up in that suit." Holly bit into the burger, then spoke around the mouthful. "These are good. Did Sadie teach you to cook?"
"I knew how to grill before Sadie."
"Barely." Holly grinned at me, then her expression shifted, gaze moving past my shoulder. "What's up with Aaron?"
I turned. Aaron Waters stood apart from the families, shoulders hunched in a way I'd never seen on him. His usual swagger was gone, replaced by something hollow as he watched the kids play hockey.
"Don't know," I admitted. "But I'm going to find out."
I left Beck and Holly to manage the grill and made my way over to where Aaron stood, beer dangling from one hand, eyes distant.
"You good, man?" I asked.
He startled slightly, as if he hadn't heard me approach. "Yeah. Fine. Great party."
"Aaron."
He took a long pull from his beer, then finally looked at me. "That therapist you see. Dr. Reyes." He wasn't quite meeting my eyes. "Did it actually help? The anger stuff?"
The question landed heavily between us. I studied him and saw past the bravado for maybe the first time since I'd known him.
"Yeah," I said carefully. "It helped. Still helps."
"How'd you know you needed it? Like what was the…" He trailed off, jaw working.
"I choked out a reporter and injured a horse, ruining its racing career," I said bluntly. "That was a pretty clear sign."
A ghost of his usual smirk appeared. "Right. Forgot about that."
"But honestly? I should have gone years before that. I just didn't want to admit I couldn't handle it on my own." I paused. "Are you thinking about talking to someone?"
"Maybe." He rolled the beer bottle between his palms. "Probably. I don't know."
"For what it's worth, it doesn't make you weak. Took me a long time to figure that out."
Beck called my name from the grill, and Aaron straightened, that familiar mask sliding back into place.
"Yeah, well. Maybe I'll look into it." He clapped my shoulder. "Thanks, Cap."
I watched him walk back toward the group, then returned to help Beck plate up the food.
"Everything okay?" Sadie appeared at my elbow, sliding her arm around my waist.
"Yeah. Just Aaron being Aaron." I kissed the top of her head. "Are you having fun?"
"Mmm. Your team families are lovely. Though I think half the wives have veterinary questions for me." She gestured to her phone. "I have three appointment requests already."
"Hazards of being married to a popular vet."
"Hazards of hosting a party." She squeezed my waist. "But I love it. Seeing everyone together like this. Casey's so happy."
We both turned to look at our daughter, who was now demonstrating stick handling to a group of younger kids, her face flushed with exertion and joy.
"She really is," I said quietly. "We did good, Sadie."
