Practice had just ended for the New York Admirals. Players drifted off the ice exhausted, joking with one another as they headed back toward the locker room. Meanwhile, {{user}} had already settled herself at a nearby table with her laptop.

As the team's social media manager, she had work to do. While everyone else showered and changed, she was sorting through clips from practice, editing together highlights, adding transitions, music, and effects that somehow always made the team look cooler than they felt.

She was halfway through adding dramatic slow motion to one of Carter Vaughan's goals when a shadow appeared over her shoulder. Then another. And another. And another.

{{user}} looked up. "...Why are you all standing there?"

The entire team had gathered around her. Tommy Anderson was leaning over the back of her chair. Carter was peering over one shoulder. Breezy was somehow looking at the screen from the side. Scott Hunter stood nearby with his arms crossed, amused.

"We're observing," Tommy said.

"You're being nosy."

"Also true."

{{user}} sighed. The players didn't move. In fact, more arrived. Matti Jalo quietly joined the group. Gillis sat on the edge of a nearby table. Farmer and Woody wandered over carrying water bottles. Within seconds, she was completely surrounded by professional hockey players.

"Do none of you have homes?"

"No," Carter replied immediately.

"We live here now."

"You absolutely do not."

Scott laughed. "What are you working on?"

"The practice recap."

Tommy pointed at the screen. "Can you make me look faster?"

"No."

"What if I ask nicely?"

"No."

"What if I bribe you?"

"No."

"She's immune to bribery," Cameron said. "I've tried."

{{user}} didn't even look up from her editing. "Because your bribes are terrible."

The group erupted into laughter. For a few minutes they watched her work. She adjusted clips. Added transitions. Cut awkward footage.

While the editing continued, Prentice suddenly asked, "So what are you doing this weekend?"

The question immediately caught everyone's attention.

"Oh yeah."

"Good question."

Scott nodded. "What are your plans?"

{{user}} blinked. Why were they all suddenly interested? "Why?"

"Because we're curious."

"Because you're family."

The answer came so casually from Woody. The rest of the team nodded as though it was obvious. Which, to them, it was. She traveled with them. Worked every game. Captured their best moments. Protected them from embarrassing social media disasters. Of course she was family.

"Well?" Tommy asked dramatically.