Chapter 27
27
R eid
I grew up in a lot of homes. Nine, ultimately, if you consider the time spent with grandmother before she passed away and I entered the system. Due to that, I was intimately familiar with all kinds of inner family dynamics–especially the dysfunctional ones. I knew both Axel and Shelby had issues at home, but the vibe in the Rakestraw house was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Not only that, but holy shit, they’re rich. I knew Axel’s father was the head of a megachurch. I knew it was successful and streamed on TV and had a huge following. I’d been stunned when the Uber pulled up in front of the house. I understood better why Axel called it his father’s little kingdom.
I’m not sure my NHL money could even compete with this. No wonder the security of coming back here had been a draw for Shelby. It would be hard to give up.
I hadn’t thought about what we would do after we got to Shelby. There was just one goal, getting out here and letting her know how much I want her. It was a risk. She could have made up with David. She could have been in the middle of picking out China patterns. She could have been pissed at what I’d said to her before she left. I didn’t have much of a grand gesture planned other than maybe punching David in the face and begging Shelby to be my girl. Turns out, I didn’t need one. GG had handled everything by the time I got here.
Not only that, she told me that she loves me and is coming back to Wittmore.
Thank fuck. I could probably do a long distance relationship, and once I get in the NHL we may have to figure that out, but having her close by, snug in my bed, is a win I’ll take.
“How do you want to handle this?” I ask Shelby. This is her territory and her family. Things are rocky at the moment and I sure as hell don’t want to make things worse.
“I don’t want to hide this relationship any more,” she assures me as we walk down the sweeping staircase. Axel texted that it was time to come out of hiding for dinner. “But I don’t want to put you in the crosshairs. They’re going to be upset. Daddy’s little plan to keep me barefoot and pregnant while David worked with him in his ministry has been fucked up.” I raise an eyebrow and she scowls. “You’re a bad influence.”
“I love it when you speak your mind.”
“Yeah?”
“It’s sexy,” I say, dipping my mouth to her ear, “as fuck, GG.”
She looks up at me and that charged heat between us comes roaring to life. No woman has made me feel the way Shelby does.
“Jesus Christ.”
Axel stares up at us from the landing, disgust written on his face. “Mom and the Rev are in a mood so I’d keep the eye fucking to a minimum.”
“Is that for their benefit or yours?” Shelby asks when we get to the bottom of the stairs.
“It’s for everyone.” He pauses and grabs me by the sleeve. “I told them I brought a buddy of mine with me. They think you were upstairs resting after the flight. They’ll be on good behavior, because that’s what they do, but unless you want shit to hit the fan, keep your goddamn hands to yourself while you’re in this house, hear me?”
“Yeah, I hear you,” I tell him. Shelby smirks at him, but it’s good natured. I think we’re both relieved the secret is out, at least with Axel.
Shelby walks off first, but Axel holds me back. “GG,” he says, tugging on his eyebrow piercing, “that’s the name you had her under on your phone?”
“Yeah.”
“What does it stand for?”
I take a deep breath and look at my friend. “You really want to know?”
“No, but you’re going to tell me anyway.”
“It’s my nickname for her. GG, for Good Girl.”
A darkness flickers through his eyes and I brace myself thinking he may murder me after all. His jaw clenches and he just turns and stalks down the hall, saying, “You know? That’s on me. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“Nope,” I laugh, following him, “you really shouldn’t have.”
Like Axel said, his parents are all smiles and pleasantries when we walk in the kitchen. The vibe is still there. A current of tension mostly between Reverend Rakestraw and his children, but when it comes to me they’re polite and ask me questions about my classes and my family.
“Reid comes from a family with seven kids,” Shelby says, over the juiciest brisket I’ve ever had in my life. Damn, now I know why Shelby is an amazing cook.
“Seven?” The Reverend says. “That’s quite a handful.”
“It is,” I take a sip of my sweet tea, “but they knew what they were getting into. They adopted each of us out of the foster system.”
“Well,” Mrs. Rakestraw says, clearly impressed, “that’s a wonderful example of servitude.”
“I think they just like the chaos.”
For whatever reason, this topic seems to shift the mood. I suspect everyone is looking for something to talk about that isn’t about the feud Axel has with his father or the fact Shelby blew up her engagement, which is why I’ve become the center of attention.
“Reid is also a talented artist,” Shelby continues, reaching for my hand under the table. “The athletic department commissioned him to create the new logo for the hockey team and it’ll be on all of the designs for the playoffs.”
The Reverend takes a slow chew of brisket, followed by a bite of dinner roll, then he asks, “You’re going to the playoffs?”
Axel blinks, realizing his father is speaking to him. “Uh, yeah,” he glances at me, “we’re a lock for the finals and if we win our game this weekend, we’ll advance to the final six in Chicago.”
Reverend Rakestraw doesn’t say much past that and Mrs. Rakestraw takes over. “So you’ll get a degree in graphic design then.” I nod, mouthful of food. “I imagine you’ll be looking for a job after graduation?”
“Actually, I have one. I’ve been drafted by New York. Art was a skill I was able to hone and develop no matter where I lived. And if I’ve learned anything over the last twenty years, it’s that it’s good to have a backup plan.” I squeeze Shelby’s hand under the table. “I grew up with a lot of instability and very little control over where or who I lived with. Security is important to me, although my adoptive family, my father in particular, has taught me to also follow my dreams.”
The questions fall off there, and the tension returns. Mostly because Shelby’s father’s eyes ping between me and his daughter, like he’s reading a map. It’s a relief when dinner is finished. Shelby stands, grabbing plates to take to the kitchen. When she reaches the platter that held the meat, I touch her wrist and say, “I’ve got it.”
“Reid.”
I look over at Shelby’s father. “Yes, sir?”
“I’d like a word in private, please.”
“Sure, let me take this in the kitchen first.”
“I’ll be in the library.”
I carry in the plates, and set them on the counter by the sink. When I turn, Axel and Shelby are both in the kitchen doorway. He rolls his eyes. “I told you to cut out the eye-fucking.”
“We weren’t eye–” she swallows the word. “Shut up.”
“Yeah, you were, and now that I know about it, it’s all I can see.” He looks at me. “The Rev probably just wants to save your soul or something. No matter what, tell him you’re baptized. I don’t want to go out to the creek tonight.”
My eyes widen at that one but Shelby says, “Ignore him. Daddy isn’t going to try to baptize you.” Her nose wrinkles. “At least I don’t think he will.”
By the time I walk down the hallway toward the Reverend's office, I have no idea what to expect. I tap on the open door and when he calls for me to enter, I get a good look. He’s sitting in a leather arm chair by the fireplace.
He points to the one next to him and says, “Take a seat.”
I sit across from him, feeling the weight of his attention. “Thank you for having me for dinner,” I say, ready to get to it–whatever ‘it’ is. “And I appreciate you letting me stay overnight.”
“You seem to be a good friend of Axel’s.”
“He’s one of my best friends,” I tell him. “He’s always got my back, on and off the ice.”
He nods, “And my daughter?”
Ah, so not a baptism. I fight the urge to run my sweaty palms down the front of my jeans. “What about her?”
“Although I believe in miracles and divine intervention, I don’t subscribe to coincidences.” He pins me with a look, his eyes blue like his kids. “You showing up on the day that my daughter breaks off her relationship and announces she’s moving back East seems a little timely.”
“Your daughter has a mind of her own. You should be aware of that.”
“She didn’t used to,” he says firmly. “Not until she ran away.”
“Reverend Rakestraw,” I lean forward, “would you like the truth?”
“Always.”
I decide it’s time to come clean. Well, clean-ish. I haven’t forgotten the warning from Shelby that her father has a gun safe.
“I’d never met your daughter before she showed up in Wittmore, scared and overwhelmed. She was looking for somewhere to get a little solace and to think about her future, which is something that was never afforded for her before. Axel didn’t hesitate for a second and neither did the rest of us that live in the house. He is very protective of her.”
“I’m aware that my daughter feels like decisions were being made without her. She’s correct. Some things are too important to be left up to the decision of the young, but even with her tantrum, I don’t believe for a minute Shelby wouldn’t have returned home and followed through with her plans if something hadn’t changed.”
“She’s the one that changed.”
He shakes his head. “Then why does she look at you like you hung the moon?”
I guess we really do suck at that eye-fucking thing. I could answer this and tell him that I gave Shelby the opportunity to explore life, that I supported her desire for experience and adventure. But those things are between me and her, not for someone else to exploit. I look Reverend Rakestraw in the eye and say, “Your daughter deserves a man that will fight for her. That’ll help her realize her dreams. That’ll give her a say in her life and future. She’s more than a bargaining chip for your legacy. She, and anyone else that meets her, knows that.”
“And what? A man with a troubled past and an unpredictable future playing sports is going to be able to support her and give her what she needs?”
“Shelby will give herself what she needs because she is a strong, capable, independent woman.” I stand, signalling that I’m done with this discussion. “If I’m lucky, I’ll get to spend my life with her, but that will be her choice. Not mine or anyone else's.”
I exit the room, both nervous and feeling like I’d done the right thing. Also thinking I should probably go pack my bags because there’s no way I’m welcome in this house for much longer. I start for the direction I think the stairs are in when I run smack into Shelby.
“Sorry.” I steady her by grabbing her upper arms.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Yeah.” I glance over my shoulder. “I’m okay.”
“I heard what you said.”
“You did?”
“Yeah, I’m a master of eavesdropping on my father in that room.” Her arms wind around my waist. “Thank you for saying all of that. It’s the first time anyone, other than Axel, has defended me when it comes to making decisions about my life and future.”
“I hope I didn’t overstep.” This all feels new to me. I know we said we loved each other but we’ve never even been on a date. I don’t want to screw this up. “I meant it, what you decide to do with your life is your choice.”
“Good.” She slides her hand up around my neck and tugs my face toward hers, saying, “Because I choose you, Reid Wilder,” before brushing her lips over mine.
Every touch from her, every kiss, feels like I’m stepping into something new. I thought I was the one teaching Shelby how to experience a bigger life, while she taught me that sometimes the best things in life just show up at your door.
You just have to let them inside.