Page 51 of My Brother's Enemy
“Oh.” It was clear that wasn’t what he thought I’d say.
I grimaced. “But you’re right. Coming back to hockey has brought up old stuff, and after seeing my brother just now, I’m sure I’ll be shaken for the rest of the day.”
His eyes clouded over again.
He deserved some of the truth. “There was neglect.” I looked away because this made me feel exposed. “There was extreme neglect in some aspects. Some verbal abuse. And some emotional abuse. It’s not the type of abuse that gets talked about, but there are wounds. Dane…” Shit, even saying his name out loud was difficult. My hand began shaking, so I tucked it under my leg. “He wasn’t as bad as Daniel, but there was no kindness either.”
Mal snorted before he flashed me a rueful grin. “That was unprofessional of me. I apologize, but I just thought that was appropriate, considering how he plays hockey. He’s not as much of a bully as your oldest brother, but he’s still a mean son of a bitch on the ice.”
I laughed, which felt good. “I’m not so fond of him, so no offense taken.”
He chuckled with me before he grew serious. “I’m sorry about this stuff, that it’s opening old wounds.” He hesitated. “If you ever wanted to talk to someone, I could be there for you. Lend a listening ear over a glass of wine, that sort of thing.” He held my gaze. “A friend if you’d like.”
I drew in some air, silently, but he saw my reaction.
His face became a mask of professional warmth. “Or not. That’s entirely up to you. I just wanted you to know thatsomeone could care, does care.” He coughed. “I do care. And yes, if anything, as friends.Friends.” He said it again, more firmly. “Is there anything you need right now? I can send someone to bring you water? Your things? Mouthwash?”
I barked out a laugh. “No. I’m good. I promise.”
“Okay, but Rain, just in case you need to hear it, you’re wanted here. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. People care about you. If there’s anything you need, let me know. We’re all one big family. This is hockey, remember?”
Yes, it was. I thanked him, and after he left, I remained in the bathroom.
A hockey family.
I’d never understood what that word meant growing up. It was tossed around a lot, but it meant something different to me than it did the rest of the world. I’d needed to watch others in school, in college. I’d needed to see how their families treated them to realize that other families weren’t like mine. Other parents weren’t like my father. Other siblings didn’t loathe each other. They didn’t ignore each other, treat each other with disdain. Some siblings even loved each other. That was a novel concept to me, but by the time I began to piece together what was missing in my life, too much time had passed. I was too broken already.
Still, Mal’s words stirred a sliver of hope inside me.
Was it possible?
34
TYLER
Rain wasn’t at the game. Why the fuck wasn’t she at the game?
Benny rushed past me through the locker room, and I grabbed his sleeve. “Benny.”
“Yo!” He had a pair of gloves in his hands, but he swung around to come to a stop in front of me. He was always rushing and always out of breath but always smiling. “Griff! What’s up? What can I do for you?”
“The team shrink.”
He had to think for a moment before his face brightened again. “Miss Rain. Yes. Do you need her?” His eyebrows scrunched together. “I think there was an email stating that she would not be present or available during games against Montreal and Boston. We’re playing Boston tonight, so I don’t think she’s here. I could call her. Do you want me to do that?”
It’d been a while since Rain told me about her connection to Dane and Daniel Connors, and we hadn’t spoken since. Well, I hadn’t spoken to her. I couldn’t handle hearing who she was, so I’d shut it all off. Now there was a white-hot hatred for her brewing underneath everything. Pure hatred. Except hearingshe wasn’t here because we were about to go against one of her brothers, that tugged at me.
Why?
It didn’t make sense.
“Griff?”
Benny was still waiting for my response, and he wasn’t the only one. Sunny and Ray had both stilled, looking over at me. Confused. I shook my head, forcing a nonchalant expression. “Nah. That’s fine. I was just wondering.”
I sat back and finished dressing, but Benny lingered. “Uh, okay. Are you sure?”
I nodded, fiddling with my arm pad. “I’m good. You’re busy enough as it is. Thanks, Benny.”
