Chapter 11 Joelle
JOELLE
Seven hours later, I land at JFK. New York. My new home. I grab my bags and walk through customs. No problems there after answering a couple of questions, and thank goodness I got a Mavericks fan. When I step out onto the other side, I see my family.
They're all there. Collette. Pierre. Felix. With some new additions. Harper and Issy.
They’re holding a sign that says WELCOME HOME JO.
I drop my bags and run toward them.
Collette catches me first. "You're here," she says.
"I'm here." I cry.
Pierre hugs me next.
Then Felix. "Welcome to New York, sis."
"Glad to be here," I tell him.
Then I see Harper and Issy, the newest members of our family, and give them both cuddles. I couldn't be happier for my brothers for finding love.
We grab my bags and head to the party bus they have arranged for me. When I step in, there are LED colored lights, a stripper pole, and black leather seats. I burst out laughing because this is insane.
"It was the only thing that fit us all," Collette tells me as she walks onto the bus with me.
"Who's ready to party?" Harper smirks. She grabs a bottle of champagne out of the fridge and pops it like a professional, then pours us all a glass.
Pierre stands, holding his glass high. "Welcome to New York, sis. We are so happy to finally have you home."
Everyone cheers as we leave the airport and drive into the city.
Traffic is worse than in London. It takes us a while to get there, but by the time we're pulling up to this skyscraper of a building, we're all tipsy.
Thankfully, the doorman is there to help us with the luggage as we pile out.
The boys introduce me to him and let him know I'm moving in, then we head up. The elevator ride feels like forever, and we’re all squished in, giggling, still tipsy from the champagne.
"What floor?" I ask.
"Fiftieth," Collette says.
The elevator dings and we pile out into a hallway. It’s modern, clean, expensive-looking, completely different from my old London Victorian apartment.
Collette leads us down to the end of the hall. "This is it," she says, stopping at a corner unit, she unlocks the door.
And oh my god. The apartment is massive. I could fit ten of my London apartments in this one, I think. Floor-to-ceiling windows with city views, open concept living room and kitchen, everything sleek and modern. It's gorgeous.
"This is incredible," I breathe.
"Lucky we know the landlord and get cheap rent." Collette smirks. Nudging me with her elbow.
Pierre bought this for them all to live in, but when he got back together with Issy and Felix and Harper decided to live together, they both moved out, leaving Collette here by herself.
"Wait till you see your room," Collette says. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me down a hallway and opens the last door. "Ta-da!" She smiles, holding the door wide for me.
I step in and die. I've gone to interior design heaven. The room is huge, with a king-sized bed, a walk-in closet, a desk, a mounted TV, a lounge, an ensuite, and windows overlooking the city.
"This is mine?"
"All yours. I'm across the other side of the apartment. I moved into Pierre's old master suite, and you have Felix's master suite."
"Collette, this is ... I don't know what to say."
"Say you love it because I decorated it for you. Got rid of Felix's dark furniture and added lighter, nicer furniture for you. I went for a London cottage theme so you would feel like you were still in London. It's like what you had there," she explains.
And she's not wrong, it really is my style.
"She studied any photos you had of your London flat to make sure it was similar," Pierre adds.
"You did?" I get teary-eyed that my sister would do something so beautiful for me. Collette shrugs like it's no big deal. "I love it."
She hugs me. "I'm so glad you're here. It's been so lonely without you."
"You had the boys."
"Yeah, but they're always with their girlfriends now." She looks over at Pierre, who rolls his eyes at her. Obviously, this is something she's mentioned before. "I needed my sister, too."
I squeeze her tighter, she's not wrong. I didn't know how much I needed her until now.
"Come on. Let's go celebrate properly," Pierre says before walking away.
Back in the living room, Harper has opened another bottle of champagne. This is not going to help my jet lag, but I roll with it.
"To Joelle!" Harper announces.
"To Joelle!" everyone echoes.
We drink, laugh, and catch up.
"We are going to have so much fun together," Collette whisper-yells at me. "The building is insane. All the things it has. For an introvert like you, it's going to be heaven. You never have to leave the building."
"Hey, I'm not that bad," I tell her, offended.
"You're a homebody. I get it." She smirks. Unlike her who is a social butterfly. "There's a twenty-four-hour doorman and security, which you met. It’s very important as there are hockey players who live in this building too."
"They do?"
"Yeah, Cap, he actually lives on this level. But he keeps to himself. So, you probably won't run into him," Pierre explains.
"It's true. You never see him. He's also super nice and cute." Collette winks.
"Excuse me?" Pierre says, hearing the cute part.
Collette rolls her eyes. "He is. But I'm not interested in him."
"You shouldn't be. Hockey players are nothing but bad news," Pierre says, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Anyway, level two has an in-house café, restaurant, and bar," she says, ignoring our brother's warning.
"You can order to the apartment, and they deliver.
" That sounds awesome. "There's also a self-service mini mart.
You tap your card to walk in. Grab what you need.
And it registers automatically. Perfect for when you can't be bothered going outside. "
This will be great in winter when it's freezing outside.
"Level three is the wellness center," Collette continues. "Pool, spa, saunas, gym, cold plunges. Everything you need."
That sounds like heaven. I think my jetlagged muscles could use a dip.
"There are loads of cute guys at the gym too."
"Lettie," Pierre groans.
"Not hockey players," she bites back. "Level four is entertainment. Movie theatre, golf simulator ..."
"Hockey simulator," Pierre corrects. "Cap requested it specifically for summer training."
"So, steer clear of that if you don't want to run into anyone from work there," Collette advises.
"We still come over and use it with the boys. It's great," Felix adds.
Right, stay away from the hockey simulator.
"There's also a games room," Collette adds. "Billiards. Basketball court. Level five is co-working spaces. Meeting rooms. Lots of remote workers in the building use it, that are cute," she whispers at me.
"Why do you keep telling me about the cute guys?" I ask her.
"I'm being helpful." She smirks. "There's also the rooftop. It has lounges with grills, an outdoor pool, and fire pits. The views for New Year's fireworks will be incredible from there. Basically, you never have to leave the building." Collette laughs.
I look around at all of them. "This is insane. I went from a tiny London flat to ... this."
"Welcome to the hockey life, sis." Pierre grins.
I'm almost asleep on the couch, the champagne and jet lag a bad mix.
"All right," Felix says, standing. "We should head out. Let these two get settled. Jo looks like she's ready to pass out."
"Sorry, guys," I grumble.
"No apologies. You just flew halfway across the world today." Felix grins as he comes over and gives me a hug.
"Get some sleep tonight because I've organized a welcome party for you, here, tomorrow, with the boys," Pierre says.
Dropping that bombshell. I blink. "What?"
"It will be low-key," he reassures me.
"Pierre ..." I moan.
"It's already planned," he says quickly.
"I want you to meet everyone before you start work Monday.
Make it less awkward." I know my brother's heart is in the right place, but I was kind of hoping to spend the weekend in bed.
"Trust me, it's going to be fun. We won't be partying too hard as we have a home game Monday. "
Collette appears beside me. "I tried to talk him out of it."
"No, you didn't," Pierre says.
"Like you would have listened." She raises a brow at our stubborn brother.
"True. Look, it's only us and the boys. Promise, it will be low-key," my brother reassures me.
"Guess that's that then," I say.
"Thanks, sis." He leans over and kisses my cheek. "I knew you would understand."
I didn’t have a choice, but he does seem excited about it.
With all the crap he's been through, plus he's paying who knows how much for this apartment, not to mention the first-class ticket here and the job.
The least I can do is suck it up and say hi to his friends, who I'll be working closely with.
"Welcome home, sis."
And with that, they're gone. It's just me and Collette and the apartment suddenly feels quiet.
"He's excited," Collette states.
"I see that."
"And the guys really are good guys. They've taken Pierre and Felix in, especially with all the past drama. They were there for them both."
"I was kind of hoping to not do anything this weekend while I got settled in."
"You can do nothing all day tomorrow and all day Sunday. I promise I won't bug you to do anything this weekend. But next weekend I'm taking you shopping."
"Fine," I grumble, which makes her smile.
"Come on," Collette says. "Let's get you unpacked."
We head to my room, my suitcases are still by the door. Collette jumps on my bed as I start unpacking, hanging clothes in the closet, not that I have that much, and putting toiletries in the bathroom. It feels surreal.
"I can't believe I live here now," I say, walking back out of the bathroom, taking a seat beside her on the bed.
"I know. It's weird, right? Good weird though."
"It is." I let out a heavy sigh.
We sit on the bed and look out at the city lights.
"How are you really feeling?" Collette asks.
"Scared. Excited. Overwhelmed."
"That seems normal."
"I know. It all happened so quickly."
"You miss your girls?" she asks.
"I do."
"Well, you've got me. Plus, Harper and her friends who are wild. Wait till you meet them. Then there's Issy. Plus, Issy's sisters, Evelina and Violetta. I've been hanging out with them heaps. You're not alone, Jo. We're all here."
I lean my head on her shoulder. "Thanks."
"That's what sisters are for."
We sit in comfortable silence, taking in the moment.
Then Collette says, "So ... Pierre's party tomorrow."
"Ugh. Don't remind me."
"It won't be that bad. The team is cool ... and hot." She gives me a nudge.
"Lettie."
"What? I'm just saying. There are some cute guys on the team."
"You know you can't date anyone on the team."
Collette is quiet for a moment. "True." She chuckles.
"I'm not interested in dating. I've just moved halfway across the world to start a new job. Men are the furthest thing from my mind."
"Please tell me you've been laid since mystery man."
I don't answer.
"Jo," she gasps.
“I know.” A yawn catches me off-guard.
"I'll let you go. I'm so glad you're home," she says.
"Me too."
"I'll see you in the morning. I'll order us breakfast from the café downstairs."
"Sounds awesome," I tell her as she walks out of my room, closing the door behind her.
I stare out at the new surroundings and giggle to myself. I can't believe I'm here.
Picking up my phone, I send a quick text to the girls' chat.
Joelle: Made it. I'm exhausted. About to go to bed. Miss you all. Talk soon.
Polly: Yay you made it. We miss you.
Hazel: Get some rest.
Tate: Hope the weather is nicer than here.
Joelle: *Screenshots view*
Tate: No way that's your view.
Hazel: You're so high.
Polly: So many lights.
Joelle: I'll give you a full tour in the morning. I can barely hold my lids open.
Polly: Night.
Tate: Sleep tight.
Hazel: Talk in the morning.
I miss my girls. But I'm home.