Shelby
The second nightat work goes better than the first.
By the time I clock out and start the walk back to the Manor, I’m still a little sticky from spilled beer, but I did manage to stay on my feet all night. The place was packed with the fans that didn’t go to the arena to watch the game taking up every available seat and a good portion of the standing room.
I also quickly learn that there’s something surreal about serving drinks and food to hungry patrons while the guy who kissed me senseless is zipping across the ice on the big screen hanging over the bar. I hear his name on the mouths of the fans–both happy and frustrated–and my hackles raise.
Back off–he’s mine.
Of course he’s not. Not really. But tell that to my lips, and the other parts of my body that he set on fire, because they’ve never been claimed by anyone like that before. I didn’t even know it was possible.
Even with that distraction, I think I did a good job–at least that’s what the tips in my pocket feel like. I have a job. I earned my own money. I’ve been kissed.
I didn’t even consider these things when I got on that plane from Texas.
Halfway up the main hill in Shotgun, I hear the sound of music and people. The closer I get to the Manor, I start to see people.Lotsof people. All mingling around the front yard of my brother’s house and up on the porch.
It comes back to me that Reid mentioned a party to the girl at the boutique earlier in the week. I search for a familiar face–my brother or any of his roommates. Jefferson is over by the fireplace, beer in hand, talking to two girls. His hand runs gently through his hair, touseling the feathered locks. Damn. No wonder he’s got girls lined up. I spot Axel’s blond hair, Nadia’s arms wrapped around his waist. Reese is sitting at the kitchen table, where they’re playing some kind of game. Twyler is on his lap, a wicked grin on her face.
My eyes dart past each face, but I can’t pretend I’m not looking for someone specific. My heart skitters when I spot him standing near the staircase, facing away from me. As I work my way toward my bedroom porch, I can’t help but admire the way his patterned button down fits perfectly across his shoulders, or the way his pants cling to his backside. There’s a swell of pride in my chest knowing what that body feels like up close; muscular, strong in a way I wasn’t aware a man’s body could be.
“Hey everybody!” Jefferson shouts across the room, “Axel’s little sister is here!”
The whole room shifts to look at me, but there’s only one person I’m keeping track of. Reid turns, his eyes meeting mine, but that’s not what I notice. It’s the fact he’s talking to a girl–the girl from the boutique. The one Reid invited.
“Shel.” Axel disentangles from Nadia and thankfully draws away my attention. He crosses the room and pulls me into a big hug. “How was work?”
“It was good. I made a little cash off all the people super excited you guys won your game.” I smile at him. “Congratulations, by the way.”
“Thank you and that’s awesome about the job.” He seems over the fact I’ve taken the job. Either that, or he’s drunk. “Go change and join us if you want.”
Definitely buzzed.
“Thanks. I’m a little tired, but I’ll see.” But I already know I’m not up to seeing Reid flirt with another girl. I know I have no claim to him. All he’s doing is showing me how to live a new and different life. Part of that has to be learning how to kiss a guy and not get attached.
“Cool.” He steps back and looks me up and down. I brace myself for some kind of overprotective bro moment but he just says, “You know, it’s been fun having you around.”
I smile. “It’s been fun being around.”
I don’t hesitate, and slip into my room, locking the door behind me, hoping to put some distance between me, Reid and the girl he’s here with. As usual, the little porch is a refuge–the sounds of the party muted. The first thing I do is turn on the little heater to take the chill out of the room and pull out the cash I made at work. I really feel proud of myself. It wouldn’t buy much in the real world, if I had to think about paying rent or bills, but it still feels good to know I can do it on my own.
I pull off the Badger Den T-shirt and hang it on the doorknob. I work again tomorrow night and I’ll need to wash it in the morning. Goosebumps rise on my arms from the cold room, and I rummage through my suitcase for a clean shirt, when I hear a knock on the door.Notthe door that leads to the living room, but the one that leads out to the porch.
The sound startles me, but I ignore it, assuming it’s one of the party-goers looking for a shortcut into the house. There’s a second knock, this time followed by, “It’s me, GG.”
I grab the first shirt I can find and pull it over my head and go to the door. “Reid?”
“Yeah.” His voice is quiet, even for being on the other side of the door. “Can I come in?”
Unlocking the door, I slowly open it, seeing his chest first and then look up at his face. There’s a small grin toying with his lips. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
His eyebrow raises and I realize he wants me to let him in. I step back and he enters in a gust of that spicy scent that follows him everywhere. Shutting the door, I secure it and turn to face him.
“I saw you come in,” he says. “How was work?”
“Much better than last night.” I wrap my arms around my body and look up at him. “I saw some of your game. The fans in the bar thought you did a great job.”