"Why do you keep telling me about the cute guys?" I ask her.
"I'm being helpful." She smirks. "There's also the rooftop. It has lounges with grills, an outdoor pool, and fire pits. The views for New Year's fireworks will be incredible from there. Basically, you never have to leave the building." Collette laughs.
I look around at all of them. "This is insane. I went from a tiny London flat to ... this."
"Welcome to the hockey life, sis." Pierre grins.
I'm almost asleep on the couch, the champagne and jet lag a bad mix.
"All right," Felix says, standing. "We should head out. Let these two get settled. Jo looks like she's ready to pass out."
"Sorry, guys," I grumble.
"No apologies. You just flew halfway across the world today." Felix grins as he comes over and gives me a hug.
"Get some sleep tonight because I've organized a welcome party for you, here, tomorrow, with the boys," Pierre says.
Dropping that bombshell. I blink. "What?"
"It will be low-key," he reassures me.
"Pierre ..." I moan.
"It's already planned," he says quickly. "I want you to meet everyone before you start work Monday. Make it less awkward." I know my brother's heart is in the right place, but I was kind of hoping to spend the weekend in bed. "Trust me, it's going to be fun. We won't be partying too hard as we have a home game Monday."
Collette appears beside me. "I tried to talk him out of it."
"No, you didn't," Pierre says.
"Like you would have listened." She raises a brow at our stubborn brother.
"True. Look, it's only us and the boys. Promise, it will be low-key," my brother reassures me.
"Guess that's that then," I say.
"Thanks, sis." He leans over and kisses my cheek. "I knew you would understand."
I didn’t have a choice, but he does seem excited about it. With all the crap he's been through, plus he's paying who knows how much for this apartment, not to mention the first-class ticket here and the job. The least I can do is suck it up and say hi to his friends, who I'll be working closely with.
"Welcome home, sis."
And with that, they're gone. It's just me and Collette and the apartment suddenly feels quiet.
"He's excited," Collette states.
"I see that."
"And the guys really are good guys. They've taken Pierre and Felix in, especially with all the past drama. They were there for them both."
"I was kind of hoping to not do anything this weekend while I got settled in."
"You can do nothing all day tomorrow and all day Sunday. I promise I won't bug you to do anything this weekend. But next weekend I'm taking you shopping."
"Fine," I grumble, which makes her smile.
"Come on," Collette says. "Let's get you unpacked."
We head to my room, my suitcases are still by the door. Collette jumps on my bed as I start unpacking, hanging clothes in the closet, not that I have that much, and putting toiletries in the bathroom. It feels surreal.
