Daring the Defender (Wittmore U Hockey #3)

Chapter 13

13

S helby

Out of a massive double dose of humiliation and shame, I spend the next few days avoiding everyone from the Manor. I don’t know who I’m hiding from more: my brother who I’m terrified can read exactly what I’ve done on my face? Or Reid, who is the one that did it to me?

It as in giving me an orgasm.

My first orgasm.

That little fact alone is enough to keep me in my makeshift room until the guys leave every morning and sneak back into it before they get home at night. I’m thankful for their long practice schedule at the arena, but after a day or two, I’m bored. Sitting around alone, watching daytime TV, and cleaning up after my brother and his roommates, I had to acknowledge that this isn’t why I left Texas and broke up with David.

After my sixth episode of Judge Hatcher doling out ridiculous consequences to ridiculous people, I catch myself shouting at the TV, “You’re both idiots!” at a broken up couple fighting over damage to a car, and realize I need to get some air. For my sanity.

That, and to escape Reid’s scent that seems to linger in the air.

Since I have no car, I bundle up in layers and start the walk toward the small strip of shops and establishments near campus. There aren’t many people around as I pass Twyler and Nadia’s cute little teal house, but it gets busier with students heading back and forth to class, the closer I get. I blend in, looking the part of a college girl with my new clothes–even if I’m freezing without an appropriate coat.

I stop for a coffee at a different shop on the strip, and continue on my way. There’s a car outside the Badger Den and I see the owner, Mike, struggling with a large box in his hands while trying to open the door.

“Let me get that,” I call out.

Mike looks up and grins in recognition. “Axel’s sister Shelby, right?”

“That’s right,” I open the door wide enough for Mike and his box to get through.

“Thanks,” he says, carrying the package to the bar and setting it on top. Mike is a little older, with more bald spot than hair, but he’s got the same swagger I’ve noticed my brother and his friends carry. It’s a confidence I can’t really comprehend. Mike nods back at the door. “Any chance you can hold that while I get the rest of these things in?”

“Sure.” I set my coffee on the bar. “I’m just happy to warm up for a minute. I’m still not used to this weather.”

With a box of paper napkins in his hands he gives me the once over, “You definitely need a heavier coat.”

“I know. I just haven’t found one I like.”

“That’s the difference in harsher weather. We worry less about want than need.” He grabs the last box and after he carries it in, I let the door swing shut. I follow him back in and pick up my coffee, taking a warm sip.

“Other than the cold, are you enjoying your time with your brother?” he asks, using a blade to cut the tape on the box of napkins.

“It’s different than my life at home.” He raises his eyebrows, waiting for me to continue. “I’m not in college there, and I don’t really have a job other than supporting my father’s ministry.” I watch as Mike grabs a napkin dispenser off the side of the counter and stuffs the paper rectangles inside. I pick up one of the dispensers and a stack of napkins and do the same. “I’m not used to this much freedom.”

“Are you enjoying it?”

“I think it’s more overwhelming than anything else.” And confusing.

“Transitioning to adulthood isn’t easy, but if you’re anything like your brother, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“Where do these go?” I ask, and a moment later I’m placing them on all the table tops across the bar. When I finish up, I head back to the bar. “Anything else you need help with?”

He studies me for a moment. “You looking for a job?”

“Oh, I meant right now.” I laugh. “I doubt I’m qualified.” I look at the lines of liquor bottles behind the bar. “I’ve never even tasted alcohol.”

“No drinking required,” he says with a smile, “but I could use a server.”

“I’m only planning on being here for a few weeks.”

“I had two employees quit recently and haven’t been able to find a good replacement.” He lifts an eyebrow. “And the fact you just helped out with little to no direction shows you have the number one thing I look for in an employee: initiative.”

A strange swell of pride fills my chest. “If you’re okay with this only being temporary, I’m game.”

He grins. “You’re a lifesaver! Thank you.”

“When do I start?”

“How about tonight?” he suggests. “There’s no game, so it should be slow enough to get your bearings.”

That fluttery panic rises in my throat, but I take a deep breath, and swallow it back. “Sure, why not?”

Seriously, I’ve got nothing to lose but hours in front of the TV and obsessing over Reid Wilder.

Mike reaches under the bar and tosses me a T-shirt.

“Welcome to the team.”

I’ve done a lot of uncomfortable things this week, but for some reason this feels big. Raising my hand, I knock on the door. Before I can even regret doing it, the door opens and Nadia peers out of the Teal House.

“Shelby! Hi!”

The first words out of my mouth are a rushed apology. “I’m sorry I showed up without calling, I know you’re probably busy.”

The divot between her eyes appears. “We’re definitely not busy. Twyler’s just watching TV and I was pretending to study for an exam while really shopping online.”

Behind her I hear Twyler yell, “Nad, ask her to come in and close the door! It’s freezing out there!”

She swings the door open and I step inside the tiny house. The off campus neighborhood is called Shotgun and the Teal House is the example why. The houses are from back when the neighborhood was a mill and filled with workers and they lived in these narrow homes where you can see straight through the house from the front door to the back. In the small living room, Twyler sits on a couch, the TV on pause and a bag of chips next to her. “Hey, Shelby.” She does a double take. “Girl, you really need a coat.”

I really do, but that’s not why I’m here. “I think I did something stupid.”

Nadia gestures for me to take the armchair, but I don’t miss the look they give one another.

“How stupid?” Twyler asks, holding out the bag of chips to me.

I shake my head, stomach too anxious to eat. “Earlier today I was walking down on the strip and–”

“Oh my god,” Twyler’s back straightens and her blue eyes widen, “did someone try to get you to join a cult?”

“What? No.” I pause. “What cult?”

“There used to be this cult nearby, Serendee.” Twyler’s entire expression grows animated. “They had a recruitment center just off campus and would specifically target weak-minded students.” Her eyes shift to Nadia.

“One meeting!” Nadia declares, throwing up her hands. “And they offered free food! It’s not like I gave them all my money and started wearing those weird, ugly dresses and agreed to an arranged marriage.”

Twyler rolls her eyes. “Anyway, they’re disbanded now that the leader is in prison for being an awful, abusive person, but there are a few of his people still around and they’re freaking persistent.”

“Okay, well, no,” I say, “I can assure you that I did not get recruited by a cult, but I was offered a job by Mike at the Badger Den.”

“Oh,” Twyler says with relief. “Well, that’s great.”

“I didn’t know you were looking for a job,” Nadia says, grabbing a handful of chips.

“I wasn’t.” I explain what happened that morning and how offering a little help turned into an offer. “I took it, which is idiotic, because I’ve never even had a real job before. He gave me this shirt,” I dig into the bag I brought with me, “and I can’t even figure out what to wear it with. Jeans, a skirt, leggings? This is all falling into ‘normal’ people stuff and I have no idea how to do that.”

“Normal people stuff?” Twyler asks.

“Like things that are different from how I was raised. What was expected of me. My whole life has been centered around my father and his role at Kingdom. We didn’t get after school jobs or wear clothes that it would be okay to get beer splashed on. What if they ask for something and I don’t know what it is? What if someone gets the wrong order and gets angry? What if–”

“Okay,” Twyler huffs out, resting her hand on my arm, “slow down and take a deep breath.” It’s harder than I want it to be, but I manage to suck in and exhale. “That’s good. I understand this is all new to you, but it’s a serving job, not rocket science. At the most, you’ll serve food and drinks, clean up, and make sure rabid hockey fans are happy.”

“Honestly, that doesn’t sound any different than handling the events I help my father with at his church.” Although I don’t get paid, and I guess they’re rabid God fans, not hockey ones. “We have a lot of social events and receptions, and trust me, those church ladies can be demanding. Although, to be fair, no one is drunk,” I laugh, “unless it’s on the holy spirit.”

“See? You’re more prepared than you think you are. It’ll probably be a little chaotic and customers can be asses,” Nadia chimes in, “especially if Wittmore is losing, but Mike and all the other workers are super nice. I think it’s a good idea.”

“You do?”

“Why not? You don’t need to sit around the Manor all day waiting for Axel to come home.” She pops a chip in her mouth. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s happy to have you here, but he’s so busy right now with school and the team. Go out there and live your life.”

“Do you think he’ll freak out when he finds out?”

“Of course.” She grins. “Which is even more reason to do it.”

I do kind of like the idea of that. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

“Excellent. So, now that we’ve settled that,” Nadia grabs the shirt from my hands and holds it up, “we have to get you ready.”

The shirt is black with the Badger Den logo on the chest. “That’s what I really need help with. It doesn’t seem like there’s really any official dress code. I just want to make sure I’m comfortable and fit in.”

“If there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s how to dress for sports fans.”

“Nadia…” Twyler warns.

“Nothing slutty,” she argues, “but you do want to make some solid tips.”

“While not having her brother and your boyfriend lose his mind,” Twyler reminds her.

“That too.” She stands. “Come on, let’s go find a happy medium.”

“Okay,” Nadia says, twisting her finger around a lock of hair, “I think this should do it.”

I’m learning quickly that my brother’s girlfriend loves a makeover and apparently I’m the perfect target. After digging through Twyler’s closet for a pair of black skinny jeans with ripped holes in the thighs and then attacking the hem of the oversized shirt Mike gave me with a pair of scissors, she started on my hair and makeup. She turns me to the mirror and adds, “What do you think?”

The girl reflected back at me looks older and more mature than the one that came out here the week before. Nadia has coated my eyelashes in thick mascara and a wide swath of eyeliner that curves at the edges. My hair is pulled back to stay out of my way while I’m working, but she left enough loose pieces to curl by the sides of my face.

“Are you sure Mike will be okay with you chopping up the shirt he gave me?”

“All the girls at the Den alter their shirts.”

I glance at Twyler who is half paying attention to us and half watching some show about a serial killer. She nods and says, “She’s right.”

I tug at the hem that curls now that it’s been cut, trying to cover my midriff. “Okay but if he’s upset, I’m telling him you did it.”

“Bring it on. I’m not afraid of Mike.”

I take one last look in the mirror and straighten my shoulders, liking what I see. “I guess I should probably head over.”

A loud bang rattles the door and a moment later it opens. Axel’s spiky blonde hair appears in the doorway. “Hey, T.”

“Oh boy,” I mutter, realizing I’m going to be dealing with this sooner than I hoped, but before my brother even lays his eyes on me, I see that he’s not alone. My stomach explodes in a flurry of manic butterflies when I see the copper tousled head of hair following him in. As much as I shouldn’t track Reid like this when my brother is nearby, I can’t help myself.

My brother isn’t paying attention to that anyway.

“Where’s the rest of your shirt?” he asks, striding across the small room, eyes trained on my T-shirt. “Is that from the Badger Den?”

“It is.” I cross my arms over my waist, covering my midriff. “Mike offered me a job.”

“Mike,” he repeats. “Suddenly you’re on a first name basis with a bar owner?”

“He needs help and I need something to do.” I drop my arms, placing a hand on my hip. “I don’t know why it’s any of your business.”

“It’s my business because you’re my responsibility while you’re here and I told Mom I’d keep you safe.” His hand thrusts in his hair. “Working in a bar with a bunch of horny hockey fans doesn’t seem safe, Shel.” He looks to Reid who is sitting on the couch next to Twyler, hand shoved in the potato chip bag. “Back me up, man.”

Reid freezes, hand full of chips halfway to his mouth, eyes shifting between my brother and then me. His gaze is casual enough, but my body temperature increases by five degrees. He shakes his head. “Nope. I’m not involved.”

“Babe,” Nadia says, moving between me and my brother, “isn’t that what you’ve always wanted for Shelby? For her to go live a normal life, doing normal things?”

“I was talking about college classes and going to the movies. Not becoming a Badger Babe.”

“A what?” Twyler asks.

“You know that’s what we call the girls that work at the bar. Badger Babes.” Reid chuckles darkly from the couch. Undeterred, my brother looks down at his girlfriend and grimaces before sighing. “It’s a compliment.”

“Uh, huh.” Nadia rolls her eyes. “If it’s a compliment then there’s no reason Shelby can’t join the ranks, right?”

His mouth forms a line so tight I wait for the lip ring to pop off. “Dammit,” he mutters. “Fine. But keep your boobs in. That’s not how you get tips. It’s how you get perverts following you around.”

“Jesus,” Nadia rolls her eyes and looks at Reid. “You think this is fine, right?”

“I already said, I’m not involved in this.”

“But come on,” Nadia persists, “you’re a guy, how does she look? Slutty or cute?”

“She looks like Ax’s little sister.” His eyes never leave the TV. I know why he says it but, ouch. Not even the smallest urge to take a peek? “I assume Mike knows this, which means he’ll let everyone else at the bar know, too. She’ll be fine.”

Nadia seems satisfied with that. “See?”

“Whatever,” Axel says, “but I’ll be there to–”

“Sorry, Bud,” Nadia says, “but you promised to help me study for this exam.”

Twyler hops up from the couch and hands Reid the remote control. “Come on, Shelby, I’ll walk with you.”

“You sure?” I ask, just happy to be getting out of this room. Between my brother’s judgement and Reid’s nonchalance, I’m ready for an escape.

“Yep,” she stuffs her feet into sneakers. “I have to meet Reese on campus anyway.”

I pass Nadia on the way to the door and say, “Thanks, for helping me get ready.”

“No problem.” She squeezes my arm. “You’re going to do a great job.”

“Shel–” Axel calls as we step onto the cold, dark porch. “You’re going to do great. And if anyone bothers you, knee them in the junk.”

“Thanks, bro.” I wrap my arms around him and give him a hug, because there could be worse things than having an overprotective brother.