“You said you were leaving today, right?” she calls from the kitchen.

“Yeah, but I was gonna do it after dinner.”

“I had time,” she says, waving me off, but I know she didn’t. She did it because she is always moving. She’s never just chill; she won’t allow it. She works a full-time job as a teacher, she runs this household, and she worries constantly about all of us. Ever since the divorce, she has changed. She used to be this thick, fluffy, happy woman, but now she has lost all the fluff and thickness—and even the smile. She isn’t the woman I remember, and I wish I could bring my mom back. I just wish she’d take it easy. Find something other than her kids to make her happy.

“Well, thanks,” I call out as my niece jumps on me, and I catch her easily. Looking every bit like her momma and nothing like that douche, Angie grins at me as she hugs me tightly.

“I don’t want you to leave.”

I nod. “I know, but now we won’t be fighting over the TV.”

Her eyes light up as she hugs me tightly. “Oh yeah, but I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too.” I kiss her cheek before putting her back down and taking her hand. “You like school?”

“Yeah, my teacher is nice and things are cool, but I want to play hockey, Jace. Like you guys. Talk to my mom; Jayden is already trying to convince her.”

“I got you,” I say with a wink and a little guilt weighs on my chest. This summer was the last summer I had at home with Angie. I’ll be leaving soon, just like everyone else. While it’s everything I want, it’s kind of a scary thought.

“Awesome! I’m gonna play like you, and I’m gonna be the best.”

“Angie! You know I’m the best,” Jude hollers and she grins sheepishly as Jayden snorts.

“Please, I’m the best.”

But then Baylor holds up her hand. “If you want to base your play on anyone, it should be your awesome aunt who is the first girl in the NHL.”

Angie’s grin falters a bit before she glances up at me and I nod. “It’s okay. We all know I am the best. They are all haters.”

“Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate,” she sings and I nod.

“Exactly.”

“I don’t hate. I know I’m better than you,” Jayden says. “Remember who’s in the NHL and who isn’t.”

I give him a deadpan look, pointing at Baylor. “Only because I was protecting your girl when you couldn’t, and I got hurt.”

“Whoa, don’t bring me into this.” Baylor’s hands go up. “But, thanks.”

“Anytime,” I add with a grin. “You watch. I’ll be there soon, kicking all y’all’s asses.”

“Bring it, bro.” Jude laughs as he sets down a plate of steaks.

“Yeah, I’m ready to put you in your place.” Jayden’s eyes are challenging as he sits down beside Baylor.

“Laugh it up, but I’m telling you, I’m gonna do some real damage.”

They both scoff as Lucy sits down beside me and cocks her head to me. “I got my money on the baby.”

“Traitor.”

“Suck-up, you’re just saying that ’cause you still need a babysitter.”

She laughs at Jayden’s accusation, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. I haven’t seen my sister really laugh or even smile in years unless it has something to do with Angie. She is my sister’s light. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know what my sister would do.

It’s kind of scary to think about.

Wrapping my arm around her small frame, I hug her tightly before kissing her cheek. “You will always be my favorite sister.”

She leans her head to mine and nods. “’Cause I’m your only.”

“Small details,” I tease and she smirks as she leans back, taking a steak and cutting it up for Angie.

When Mom comes into the dining room, she lays down three more platters before sitting at the head of the table. When the chair at the other end is pulled out, I glance over to see my coach and my brow rises. It shouldn’t surprise me that Baylor’s dad would come to dinner, but then again, it kind of does.

“Coach Moore?”

He raises his chin to me as he lowers himself into the chair. “Jace, I see you’re late all the time.”

That has Markus snickering as I glare. “It was Markus.”

“It’s fine. Shh,” Mom says before she reaches out and takes my hand. I reach for Lucy’s after she lays down the knife and fork she was using to cut up Angie’s food, and she squeezes my hand lovingly. After we bow our heads, my mom says grace and I can’t help but feel good. Sneaking a peek at my family, Markus, and Coach, who are all thanking the good Lord above for the blessings we have, I wish that this could happen every day.

Do I miss my dad? Sure, but this feels right, and I think it has a lot to do with the new additions: Claire, Baylor, and now Markus. Mom seems happy as she prays, her eyes squeezed tight as she holds Jude’s and my hands tightly. When Jude looks up, a grin pulling at his lips, I smile back. Guilt washes over me as Jude closes his eyes before bowing his head once more. Instead of wishing for things to be what they were, I should be thankful for what I have. A growing family and a support system that is there for me. That loves me.

We may be a broken family with issues, but at least we always have each other.

“Amen,” my mom says, but she doesn’t let go of my hand or even Jude’s. Instead, she looks up, tears in her eyes and a grin on her lips. “I’m so glad everyone is here.”

She is gazing across the table at Coach, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who catches the way she is looking at him. Glancing from my brothers to my sister, I notice they are looking at her funny too, while a grin pulls at Coach’s lips.

What the hell?

When Jude glances over at me, I shrug before looking over at Jayden, who appears as confused as we do.

“What the hell is he doing here?” I mouth and he shrugs. I then bump Lucy with my toe and she shrugs too. I nod my chin to Baylor, but Jayden shakes his head.

“Later,” he mouths but I want to know now.

So does Lucy, apparently. “So nice to have you over for dinner, Coach Moore.”

“Good to be here,” he says simply, but Lucy isn’t done.