Page 101 of Daring the Defender

Finally Axel looks at his girlfriend and says. “Fine. Get your stuff.”

Nadia rests her hands on her hips. “Where are we going?”

“To the Teal House where I can pretend none of this is happening.”

“Whatever.” Walking past me for her bag and coat, Nadia rolls her eyes at me, and pushes Axel out of the house.

“Thank god,” Reid says, pulling me against his body. “I thought he’d never leave.”

“I feel bad.”

“Don’t.” He takes my chin in his fingers and lifts my face to his. “I have no interest in being quiet.”

Reese clears his throat and I realize he and Twyler are still here. Jefferson, too.

“Yeah,” Twyler says, grabbing Reese’s hand, “we may head down to the other house too.”

“Have fun!” Reid calls, watching them scurry out of the house. He then sets his eyes on Jefferson, who is sprawled on the couch, staring at his phone. “What about you?”

“Oh, I don’t give a shit about your sex sounds.” Jefferson grins, the dimple appearing in his cheek. That little divot giveshim a touch of innocence that is false advertising. “I’m here for it.”

“Why aren’t you at some sorority house or shacked up with a puck bunny?” I ask. After a big win like tonight, I’d think Jefferson would be ready to party.

“Didn’t you hear?” he looks up from his phone. “Ingrid Flockton tickets go on sale tonight. She added a surprise show here in two weeks. Right before we head to Chicago for the playoffs.”

“Ooooh!” I perk up. “Get me one too!”

“What’s your deal with this girl?” Reid asks. “You can’t tell me you’re really into her music.”

“Dude,” he says, tone a little hurt, “you know she’s my number one.”

“Number one?” I ask, looking between them.

“Jefferson has a list of people he wants to hook up with.” He cuts his friend an look. “An actual, physical list. Ingrid Flockton is number one.”

“She’s held that spot since I was thirteen,” he says proudly. “I didn’t lose my virginity to her, but I did lose it to one of her songs. This may be my chance.”

The look Reid gives him is nothing less than incredulous. “You think you’ll go to her concert and somehow end up hooking up with her?”

Jefferson’s shoulders rise, meeting the blond fringe on the back of his neck. “You gotta shoot your shot, bro, you know that.”

“Alright, we’re done,” Reid says, lifting me in his arms. “Have fun with all that.”

“No, you guys have fun.” He grins and then goes back to his phone. “And be as loud as you want. No judgment.”

Even more than holding hands and kissing in public, it’s strange going into Reid’s room knowing it’s no longer a secret.But it’s also nice not to sneak around. He must feel the same because the minute the door is closed he has me pressed against the back of it, hands pushing up my shirt.

“You’ve been driving me crazy wearing my shirt all night.”

“I liked wearing it at the game. People noticed.”

His lips are back on my neck. “Yeah?”

“Peoplelike your family.”

“Ah.” He straightens up, but doesn’t move away, keeping our bodies close. “They told me after the game. Ronnie loves your hair and told my other siblings every detail she knew about you. My mom remembers you as Axel’s sister and the nice girl she talked to at family day, and was a little pissed I didn’t introduce you that day.”

“You in trouble?”

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