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She chuckles. “At one of our previous friends-and-family events, her arch nemesis from school turned up. She broke his nose.”

My chin drops.

“What? That little angel in skates broke some kid’s nose?”

“Yep. She’s damn proud of it, too. Don’t think the poor kid will ever forget it. It’s going to haunt him for the rest of his life.”

“Damn. I hope he deserved it.”

“From what I’ve heard, he totally did. But don’t tell anyone I told you that. I don’t condone fighting; it gives me too much work to do.”

We stand there a little longer, watching as Nash and Sutton shake hands. I’m not sure if they’ve called a truce, or if Sutton has determined if she can trust him or not, but it’s one of the most wholesome things I’ve ever seen.

Eventually, everyone gets back to what they were doing, and Sutton makes a beeline for the three dogs who are chasing each other around on center ice.

It’s the most bizarre but incredible sight. The whole event just goes to prove what I already knew: the LA Vipers are the best team in the whole league. Not just because of how they play and the points they score, but because of this, because of the sense of family that has been created. It doesn’t matter that I’m just Sienna’s brother. When I’m here, I feel like I belong, and while my life is upside down, it’s a feeling I savor more than ever.

Monroe comes back for Hailee, and I watch as he helps to steer her off. You can see she’s trying, but skating doesn’t seem to be one of her natural talents. Something tells me that Monroe is enjoying all the hands-on teaching, though.

It makes me consider if I should have pretended that I can’t skate so I could ask Nash for private lessons.

Oh yeah, that would be fun…

Spotting Sienna and Calvin at the buffet, I head for the door and go and join them.

I can only imagine how hard it must be for Calvin to watch all his closest friends out on that ice and not be able to join them.

It won’t be long now. He’ll be testing that knee out back on the ice very soon, and I, for one, can’t wait to see him back out there.

“Hey, how’s it going?” I ask.

“Sienna is refusing to skate because I can’t,” Calvin tells me.

“It’s hardly fair. And I don’t really care. It’s, like, exercise, and we all know how I feel about that.”

“Technically, so is walking, but you do that every day.”

“Ugh, you two are insufferable. Are you sure you don’t want to go back to New York?” she teases as I snatch a sausage roll from her plate.

“Nope,” I mumble around my mouthful. “I can’t believe they bring dogs,” I add once I’ve swallowed.

“Don’t,” Calvin laughs. “Handsy and Rovvy legit think those four-legged furballs are their kids.”

“Well, I think it’s cute. And they’re gonna sleep well tonight with them chasing after all those pucks Sutton is shooting for them to get,” Sienna says.

“She’s a beast out there. Have you seen her play?” I ask.

“Yeah,” he says proudly. “And yes, she’s as good as you’re thinking.”

“We need to find out when she plays next. I want to go.”

“I’ll speak to Kodie, get her game dates. She’s going all the way though, man. One day, everyone in this country is going to know Sutton Rivers’ name. You mark my words.”

“There have been more women dipping their toes into the NHL in recent years. You think she will as well?”

“Yes,” he states with zero hesitation. “I’ve never met a young player like her. She’s something else.”

“So, has she given her approval on Nash after that little race earlier?” I ask, hoping like hell it’s discreet.