"I should get back," she finally says.
"Okay."
She walks away, and I watch her go before heading back to the table. Ember gives me a sad smile as I hand her a beer. I'm never bringing her to another team event again.
Hours later, the drinks are flowing, and the noise level has tripled. Pierre and Issy left twenty minutes ago. Felix and Harper disappeared not long after. Fish is arguing with Bouch about some game from five years ago that nobody else cares about. Sully's got his arm around Cassidy's shoulders, telling some story that has her laughing so hard she's crying. Ember’s on her third glass of wine, her cheeks flushed. And Joelle.
Joelle is on her third vodka soda, sitting across from me, finally starting to relax.
"I'm getting another round," Collette announces, sliding out of the booth. "Anyone want anything?"
"I'm good," Joelle says.
"Another beer," I say.
Collette heads to the bar. Sully follows, claiming he needs to help carry drinks. Which leaves me, Joelle, Ember, and Cassidy at the table.
"I need to pee," Cassidy says, standing. "Em, come with?"
Ember gives me a look, then nods. "Sure."
And just like that, it's just me and Joelle, alone in a crowded bar.
"They are not subtle," Joelle says.
"Never have been."
The music shifts. Something slower. The lights dim slightly as the late-night crowd filters in. She looks at me then, really looks at me, and I see it, that same want I feel reflected in her eyes.
"This is impossible," she whispers.
"I know."
"My brothers ..." Her voice is low.
"I know."
"Your teammates." She looks around the bar. The boys got pulled into a conversation with some puck bunnies.
"I know." I lean forward slightly. "But for the record, I'm not going anywhere. When you're ready, I'll be here."
Her breath catches. "Emmett ..."
"I'm just saying. I'll wait."
"You shouldn't have to wait. What if I'll never be ready?" she whispers.
"We'll work it out."
Collette and Sully return with drinks, shattering the moment. Joelle sits back quickly, putting distance between us. But when I glance at her a few minutes later, she's staring at her drink with the smallest smile on her face.
By midnight, Murphy's is starting to clear out. Bouch and Fish left. Most of the team is gone.
"I need to get home," Cassidy says, yawning. "Early flight tomorrow."
"We should all head out," Ember agrees.
We settle the tab before heading outside. It's cold. The city is quieter now. The Saturday night energy is fading. The walk back to the building is short, just a few blocks. Cassidy walks with Ember, the two of them talking about something. Collette and Sully are arguing about some movie. Which leaves me walking next to Joelle, just the two of us, a few feet behind everyone else.
