Page 24 of The Sin Bin

"Of course," Lauren said. "I'm happy to help."

Jax hesitated, then added, "There's something else you should know. Oliver has medication for his anxiety, but he sometimes struggles with the side effects. He's been trying to manage without it recently. That's partly why tonight happened."

Lauren processed this information, understanding the delicacy of the situation. "I won't pry," she assured him. "And this stays between us."

Gratitude flickered across Jax's face. "I knew I could trust you with this," he said quietly.

Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Oliver emerged accompanied by an older man in a suit who must be the team doctor. The young hockey player looked exhausted, his usual vibrant energy depleted, but the panicked edge she'd observed earlier had subsided.

"Oliver, this is Dr. Lauren Mackenzie," Jax introduced her. "She's going to give you a ride home."

Oliver looked between them with confusion. "You don't have to do that. I can get an Uber."

"It's no trouble," Lauren assured him. "I'm heading in that direction anyway." A white lie, but a kind one.

Oliver seemed too drained to argue. "Okay. Thanks." He turned to Jax, genuine remorse in his expression. "I'm sorry about tonight. I thought I had it under control."

"Nothing to be sorry for," Jax said firmly, placing a gentle hand on Oliver's shoulder. "We're a team. We have each other's backs, on and off the ice."

The simple statement carried weight, and Lauren found herself moved by the evidence of the bond between teammates. This was a side of sports she'd never considered—the vulnerability, the trust, the genuine care.

"I should get to the meeting," Jax said reluctantly. "Text me when you get him home?"

Lauren nodded, understanding that his concern went beyond mere courtesy. "I will."

As they prepared to go their separate ways, Jax caught her eye one more time. "About tonight," he said softly. "I know it wasn't the outcome any of us wanted."

Lauren knew he wasn't just talking about the score. "You played well," she said, meaning it. "Sometimes that's not enough to win, but it still matters."

Something in her words seemed to reach him, a shadow lifting from his expression. "Yeah," he agreed. "It still matters."

As he turned to leave, Lauren felt an inexplicable urge to reach out, to touch his arm, to establish some physical connection before he walked away. She resisted, but the wanting lingered, a new and unsettling awareness of how much she'd come to value his presence.

The drive to Oliver's apartment was initially quiet, the young player staring out the window with the thousand-yard stare of someone emotionally drained. Lauren didn't push conversation, recognizing the need for decompression.

"So, you and Jax," Oliver finally said, breaking the silence. "How long has that been a thing?"

Lauren nearly missed a turn, caught off guard by the direct question. "We're not—it's not a thing," she stammered. "We're colleagues. Sort of. I'm his kitten's vet."

Oliver raised an eyebrow, the gesture making him look more like his usual self. "Uh-huh. And you're driving me home at midnight because of veterinary ethics?"

"I'm driving you home because Jax asked for my help," Lauren corrected, keeping her eyes on the road. "And because it seemed like you could use a friendly face."

Oliver was quiet for a moment. "He's a good guy, you know," he said finally. "The best, actually. Everyone sees the enforcer, but inside the locker room, he's the one who notices when something's off. The one who checks in privately instead of calling you out."

Lauren thought of the gentle way Jax handled Penalty, the patience he showed Taffy's rehabilitation exercises, the text messages he shared about Penalty's progress that had gradually evolved into daily conversations.

"I'm starting to see that," she admitted.

"He's been different lately," Oliver continued. "More focused, less... I don't know, resigned? Like he's finding a new way to play." A thoughtful pause. "Started around the time you showed up at games."

"I doubt there's any connection," Lauren said, though warmth bloomed in her chest at the thought.

Oliver shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But today, when Wilson was gunning for me and Ethan, the old Jax would have dropped the gloves without thinking. Instead, he played it smart. Protected us without crossing the line." He glanced at her with unexpected perception. "That matters to you, doesn't it? The control."

Lauren's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "It's a quality I value in anyone," she said carefully.

Oliver nodded, accepting her non-answer. "Well, whatever's happening between you two, it's good for him. And that makes it good for the team."

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