Page 83 of Daring the Defender

“What about him?”

“Oh, I’d kick his ass,” he assures me, “but not until after the season is over.”

I think for a moment, consider confessing everything, just to blow his mind. But I have no doubt he’s serious about the plane. “You’re ridiculous, you know that?”

He shrugs.

“Can I ask you something else?”

“Sure.”

“How would you feel about me not leaving?”

He leans against the bannister. “You know I like having you around, but Mom isn’t going to back off on this.”

“Since when do you think someone should do what Mom says?”

He grimaces, but his issues have never been with mom. He and Dad are the ones that haven’t ever seen eye to eye. “I think it’s good you’ve broadened your horizons, but if you want this to be a long term thing, then you’re going to have to go back and deal with everything. I didn’t run away. I made a choice, had a plan, worked my way out of Texas. I’m graduating in a few months which means that even if you could stay, it wouldn’t be with me, we’ll all be moving out.”

He’s right, I have no long term plan. No education. No real job experience other than a part time waitress making tips.

“Right, I understand.”

“But I’m not kicking you out either. If you need more time, you can stay with me and the guys. It’s just–”

“Mom.”

He chuckles darkly. “Yep.”

I nod, and head up the stairs, trying to pretend the world isn’t closing in on me.

“I just have one question,” he says, catching up to me. “What were you doing on campus today anyway?”

I sure as heck can’t tell him I was meeting Reid for an in between class hook up.

My new ability to think and lie fast astounds me. “I heard a rumor the taco shack on campus has the best nachos in town.”

His eyebrow arches. “And?”

“Eh.”

“Shitty, right?”

We both laugh, because these people up in the arctic have no clue about real Mexican food. Axel steps ahead of me and opens the door.

The first thing I see is Reid and Jefferson on the couch playing video games. Reid looks up at me, his brown eyes warming. The second? Over on the kitchen table, a giant bouquet of flowers.

“I forgot,” Axel says, pulling his hat off his head, making his hair stick up more than normal. “Those came for you.”

“For me?” I ask, a hollow feeling spreading in my stomach.

“Secret admirer?” Jefferson calls out.

I have a feeling I know who the flowers are from. They’re pink roses, which aren’t my favorite, but like my father said. David isn’t the most creative.

Everyone is watching, so I pick up the little envelope and open it.

Can’t wait to see you this weekend. I know once you’re home we’ll work this out.

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