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“Not all of them, but as many as I can. Recent hip replacement aside, I travel for work a lot, so I’m not always here. And we alternate staying home with Frankie if it’s an evening game, because she can’t stay awake that late.”

“Makes sense—yes!” She lets out a yell as Magnus Forsberg sinks the puck into the net, giving the Vipers a three-goal lead.

“Fuck yeah!” I pump my fist. The guys are out of town tonight, so I wouldn't have been at the game regardless, but I enjoy watching them on TV almost as much as in person.

My phone rings, and I see Briar’s name on the screen.

“My sister,” I tell Willow. “I better grab it or she’ll come looking for me.” I tap at the screen. “Hey, sis.”

“What a game!” she says enthusiastically.

“It is,” I agree.

“I wish you'd come over to watch with us. Frankie will probably fall asleep soon and we could catch up.”

“Catch up on what?” I ask. “I haven’t left the house except to go to PT. There is literally nothing to catch up on.” I glance at Willow, who playfully arches her brows.

“Did it ever occur to you I might have something to tell you?” she asks wryly.

“Do you?”

“No, but you didn't know that.”

I laugh. “Seriously, I’m taking it easy physically, making sure the business is running smoothly while I’m out of commission, and doing my physical therapy. Everything here is cool.”

“Frankie misses you.”

That hits home because I love my niece. I love my sister, too, she’s just a pain in the ass sometimes.

“I’ll see her Sunday,” I say. “I’ll be there for dinner.”

Briar sighs. “Okay. But you’ll call if you need anything, right?”

“I’m fine, Briar. Really. Doc says I can drive in another week.” I gentle my voice. Briar is a mother hen, and while it can be annoying, I know it comes from a place of love. We’re family by blood and by choice.

“Don't rush it, okay? I want you to heal.”

“I’m healing and doing what I’m told. Promise.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.” I disconnect and catch Willow watching me.

“I’ve always wanted a sister,” she murmurs. “But my mother didn’t want more kids.”

“Briar and I have always been close. She was this tiny little red-haired angel when she was born and I loved being a big brother. Almost as much as I love being an uncle now.”

“Being an only child means I’ll never be an aunt,” she says sadly.

“Don't you have girlfriends?” I ask. “Besties whose children would call you Aunt Willow?”

“Not anymore.” She looks away. “Dylan isolated me from my friends. To be fair, I was pretty wild in my teens. That’s kind of how this started. I rebelled against my mom and was partying like crazy. Alcohol, drugs, sex—I was living it up. That's when my mother took control of my money away from me.”

“That’s understandable,” I say. “What I don't understand is why she gave control to Dylan.”

“I think initially she was afraid I would start partying again. I was twenty-one when we met, and he was a calming force in my life. In the beginning, he was good for me. Older, settled, successful… just what I needed. Or at least, that’s what I thought. Mom figured it would be a bridge to keep me grounded while I grew up. Her words, not mine.”

“And your mom doesn’t know he uses that money to control you?”