With the help of Shep’s construction company, my sister was renovating her family home that had nearly been destroyed by a fire years ago.
“You bet. I know Anson would love your help.”
That had me choking on a laugh. Because I couldn’t picture the cantankerous ex-profiler-turned-contractor taking on a tiny assistant. Even if hewasgone for my sister.
Rhodes sent me a glare and mouthedrudeas Luca headed for the rink’s exit. I moved closer to the boards and my sister. She hadn’t come to live with us until she was thirteen, when her parents and sister were killed in a house fire. But her close friendship with Fallon from years before meant I’d always thought of her as a little sister.
“This coaching gig looks good on you,” Rhodes said, leaning against the boards.
“Careful, the power of this whistle has already gone to my head.”
She laughed. “I’m not shocked.”
“So,” I began, “who asked you to come check up on me?” All these sibling visits had a war of emotions playing out inside me. Gratitude that they gave a damn, mixed with annoyance at their lack of confidence in me holding it together.
Rhodes just rolled her eyes. “No one, Copeland.”
“Shit. She’s formal-naming me. I’m in trouble.”
“Damn straight. But don’t act like I’m here to put you in cuffs and drag you away for questioning.”
“You’d never,” I shot back. “You’re not Trace.”
Rhodes pinned me with a stare that had me snapping my mouth closed. “Don’t be a dick. Trace loves your cranky ass just as much as I do.”
A fresh wave of guilt washed over me at the memory of blowing him and Shep off yesterday. As oppressive as their check-ins could feel, I knew the reason behind them was love. “Sorry,” I muttered. “You’re right.”
“Hold on a sec.” Rho pulled out her phone. “I just want to get this on video for the sibling group chat. Say that one more time.”
“Oh, piss off,” I groused.
She laughed and shoved her phone back into her pocket. “So, how’s it feel to be coaching instead of playing?”
“You know, I like it more than I thought. Reminds me of when Dad used to coach my eight-and-under team.”
Rhodes stilled, and I instantly knew I’d made a misstep. I never brought up Dad or Jacob. Not because I didn’t think about them every fucking day, but because it was too hard to talk about them. But being back in Sparrow Falls for longer than I had been in years, and working with hockey kids like this, had the memories slamming back with full force.
And I didn’t have access to my typical tools to keep them at bay. No games, no training, no practices. I’d spent four hours working out last night, never more glad that I’d installed an over-the-top gym at my place here, even if it only got used a few weeks out of the year.
“Sometimes, remembering them feels more painful,” Rhodes whispered. “But I promise it’s good.”
Fuck.Rhodes knew this sort of pain better than anyone. But she didn’t know what it felt like to know that at the heart of it, their deaths were your fault.
A burning agony lit in my gut. Like a brushfire sweeping through muscle and sinew, burning everything in its sights. “Yeah,” I choked out. “Listen, I gotta go.” I waved to the young skate counter clerk. “Told someone I’d help them with a wrist shot.”
It wasn’t a total lie, just a stretch of the truth. Which was better than me biting her head off like I’d done to Trace and Shep the other day.
Rhodes studied me for a long moment before nodding. “Don’t forget, family dinner Saturday night.”
I groaned. That was the last thing I wanted to do. But maybe if I showed my face, played the easygoing shit-stirrer, these family visits to the rink would cease.
Rhodes reached out and flicked my ear. “What torture, getting fed amazing food and being forced to spend a couple of hours with your family.”
“Did you just flick me?”
She arched a brow. “What’re you gonna do about it, ice boy?”
I shot forward, grabbing her in a headlock over the boards and giving her a noogie.
