Chapter 22
OH SHIT
BJ
The pounding of a fist has me shooting up in bed. My door opens so fast the knob hits the wall and dents the drywall.
“Winter isn’t in her room, but her bike is still here, and her phone is on the nightstand. Her bed isn’t made, and that’s not really like her. Do you know if something—” My mom stops short when she realizes I’m not alone. “Oh.”
I’m shirtless. I’m everything-less. And so is Winter.
Thankfully she’s lying on her stomach, so only her bare shoulders and back are visible.
Her long, dark braid contrasts with my light gray sheets.
If my mom wasn’t standing in my doorway wearing a shocked expression, I would appreciate the view a whole lot more.
Winter blinks groggily and mutters, “I’ll make my bed.” Then her eyes pop open and widen with horror as she processes her location.
After round two, I went down and got us water and a snack. I must have forgotten to lock my door.
My mom’s mouth opens and closes a couple of times as her gaze shifts to the wall. “I’d like you two to be dressed and in the kitchen in fifteen minutes. We need to have a family meeting.” She pulls the door closed with a quiet click.
Winter mouths, “Oh my fucking God.” Followed by a panicked whisper. “They’re going to kick me out. I’ll be cut from the team. What happened to your alarm?”
“Hey, hey.” I reach out, but she rolls off the bed, away from me. She’s naked and gorgeous and totally freaking out. “Take a breath, Winter. They probably just want to talk about safe sex. It’ll be embarrassing, but fine.”
“I thought you hated the word fine.” She nabs her discarded shirt from the floor and yanks it over her head.
I pull a fresh pair of boxers from my dresser and step into them, then grab a shirt from my closet and pull it over my head. My morning wood is a serious inconvenience, but apparently my dick is an insensitive ass and unconcerned with Winter’s worries.
She’s already got her shorts on. “I need a bra so my nipples aren’t saluting everyone.”
I grab her hand before she can open the door. “It’s gonna be okay.”
“Really? Because your mom just caught us naked in bed together, and I’m pretty sure that’s the opposite of okay.”
“They won’t be mad at us.” I don’t understand her panic. But then my parents have always been pretty sex positive, and most of our conversations revolve around consent and using protection.
She swallows compulsively, eyes on the floor. “They gave me a place to stay so I didn’t have to deal with my dad or stay alone in the cabin, and I go and disrespect them by having sex with you in their house.”
“I’m twenty-one, and you’re almost twenty. It’s not really a secret that we’re digging on each other. Sex is a normal part of life, and we’re hormonal athletes. I’m pretty sure they expected this to happen eventually.” She’s still staring at the floor. “Can you look at me, please?”
She does, and her eyes glisten with tears.
“I don’t know what kind of conversations you had in your house about sex, but here, it’s about making sure we’re safe and everything is consensual on both sides. Sex with someone you care about makes you human, and normal.”
She blows out a breath. “I need to put a bra on.”
“I know you’re used to having the rug pulled out from under you, Winter. But try not to let your head go to the worst-case scenario, okay?”
She purses her lips but nods, then rushes to her room and closes the door.
I’m not worried about my parents at all.
They’ll ask uncomfortable, but not unexpected questions.
I’m worried about how Winter so easily assumes the worst will happen, or that my parents will somehow think less of her because we slept together.
But who knows what kinds of crap her dad has said.
He seems like a misogynistic douchebag. Undoing all that emotional damage will take time.
I grab a hair tie on my way to the kitchen. My parents are standing behind the island, holding coffee mugs.
“Are you being safe?” is the first question out of my mom’s mouth.
“Absolutely. Yes.” I shove my hand in my pocket. Yeah, better to get this part out of the way.
“Is Winter on birth control?” Mom sips her coffee.
So far my dad has said nothing.
“Yes. And we used condoms.” I always use condoms, mostly because until now, sex has been about feeling good. I’ve only been with one other person where actual feelings were involved, and that went so sideways it turned upside down. “I care about her,” I blurt. “A lot.”
My parents exchange a look. Mom smiles. “We can see that.”
Footfalls on the second floor have us all looking toward the stairs.
Winter appears at the landing. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she’s dressed in her work uniform. But the thing that makes my stomach twist is the backpack and duffle she has with her. Clearly I was right about her preparing for the cliff dive.
When she reaches the bottom step, she adjusts her hold on her duffle. “I’m really sorry.” Her eyes flick to my parents and back to the floor. “I shouldn’t have… We shouldn’t have. I took advantage of your kindness. I can move back to the cabin now.”
Mom motions to the chair across from her. “Why don’t you put your bags down and have a seat, honey.” If there’s one thing my parents don’t allow, it’s running away from tough conversations.
Winter sets the duffle and backpack by the stairs.
Her swallow is audible as she pads across the room.
Her eyes meet mine briefly as she pulls out the chair opposite my mom and sits.
I take the one beside her and skim the back of her hand, but she snatches it away and shoves it between her legs.
Yeah. She’s taken a right turn into Up-Shit-Creek-Ville.
“It’s gonna be okay,” I whisper.
She glances at me out of the corner of her eye. She’s gone as white as a sheet, and her upper lip is sweating.
“Would either of you like some coffee?” Mom asks.
Winter looks confused by the offer.
“That’d be good, thanks,” I reply. I turn to Winter. “How about you?”
“Um, okay. Yes, please?” Her knees bounce, so she covers them with her hands.
While my mom pours two coffees, my dad brings over the cream and sugar. “You have a chance to share the news about the scouts with BJ?” Dad says.
“Uh, yeah. I told him.” Her voice is pitchy.
“Good. We can make that call whenever you’re ready.” He nods a few times, then looks to Mom, like he’s waiting for direction.
“Okay.” Winter seems extra confused by my dad’s easygoing demeanor.
That makes sense. There probably weren’t many discussions in her house. Just her dad losing his shit whenever he didn’t like what was happening.
Mom sets the coffees in front of us. Winter’s hands shake as she pours cream into hers and two heaping teaspoons of sugar. I take mine black.
“So, we have a few things we’d like to discuss, but in light of recent developments, we might need to adjust some of those plans,” Mom says.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, worried for the first time that there will be backlash for this. “We didn’t do anything wrong. I mean… We were safe.”
Mom raises her hand. “I’m not talking about what I walked in on this morning. But while we’re on that topic, I understand that you’re both adults, capable of making adult decisions, so I hope those decisions will include continuing to be safe.”
“I have no intention of ending up like my mom,” Winter blurts, taking a huge gulp of her coffee.
Mom gives Winter a soft smile. “I was the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and my mom raised me on her own, with no support from my biological father. So I understand and appreciate not wanting to repeat history, Winter. However, mistakes happen, so I don’t want either of you to think we won’t be here to help and support.
But doing your part and staying safe, especially with you both still in university, is important.
Which brings us to the next piece.” Mom looks to Dad.
Winter looks flabbergasted. She raises her hand. “I have a question.”
“Okay.” Mom smiles and waits.
“You’re not upset with us?”
Mom tips her head, her expression softening. “Of course not. You two share a very real and obvious connection. You’re being safe. That’s what’s important. Is that why you brought your bags down? You thought we were going to be so upset that we’d ask you to leave?”
Winter bites her lips together and nods.
Mom reaches across the island and gives her hand a squeeze. “In this house, we talk things through. You’re not being irresponsible, or putting yourself at risk, and even if you were, it would be a discussion with a plan. Not us kicking you out, okay?”
“Okay. Thank you for being so understanding.”
“Of course, honey. Do you feel a little better?”
Winter nods.
“Great. Well, now that that’s handled.” Dad claps his hands. “Lily and I were talking about the housing situation come fall. We know there are options for both dorms and off-campus housing and apartments, and that the revised offer from the university comes with a housing stipend—”
“Kody’s room is still empty at our place,” I jump in.
“Quinn hasn’t found anyone to take it yet.
Winter can stay there. Then accommodations are covered, and Winter can use the housing stipend for something else.
” It’s fucking genius, really. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it until now.
Well, last night I was a little busy giving and getting orgasms, but now that my brain is mostly clear, I’m coming up with bomb-ass ideas.
Winter gives me a disbelieving look.
Mom arches a brow and fights a smile. “Originally that was our thought too. But considering recent developments, it would probably be best to make some adjustments.”
“Why? This is perfect. And it makes the most financial sense. Why should Winter waste money on rent when we have an open room?” I argue.
“We don’t—” Dad starts, but the front door opens, the alarm beeping once. A code is punched in, which tells me exactly who it is.
“Hello, second family! Rose and I are here to pick up our favorite hockey player!” Lovey calls.