Page 15 of Daring the Defender

“You know…” He cocks an eyebrow. “I didn’t hear ‘a good kisser’ on that list.”

I glare at him and shove his shoulder. “Because that’s none of your business.”

“Fair.” He bobs his head good naturedly.

“Speaking of David,” a wave of guilt crashes over me, “I should probably go call him.”

“Go for it.” He points to the sink piled with the dishes from dinner. “I’ll finish this.”

“Thank you.”

Instead of going upstairs, I duck into the little porch and close the door behind me. I pull back the curtain and watch Reid as he washes the dishes. His shoulders are strong and broad, but he looks completely at ease doing the work.

“Okay, Shel,” I mutter to myself, “it’s time to put on your big girl panties and deal with this.”

I sit on the ratty couch, pull out my phone and turn it on for the first time since I left Texas. Dozens of missed texts and phone messages pop up in a flurry. Not ready to deal with it now, I skip the ones from my mom and dad, and open the ones from David.

David: Finished with classes. Can’t meet up tonight. Call you later.

David: Tried calling. Where are you?

David: Did you turn off your location?

David: Is this about the ring? Or the house? Because your dad is just looking out for us.

David: Heard from your mom. She said she can’t find you either.

David: Call me ASAP

David: Shelby, it’s been hours. If this is some kind of game to get my attention, it’s immature and desperate.

David: Your mom said you ran away to Wittmore. To stay with your brother? That sounds like a great decision. I don’t know what this little rebellion is about but this isn’t the way to handle it.

David: It’s obvious you’re ignoring me, but I want to hear your voice. You owe me that. Call me, please.

There are also voice messages, but I can’t bring myself to listen to them.

All the anxiety and nerves come rushing back. It’s no surprise he thinks I’m just being dramatic. I force myself to open a text box and start typing:David, I’m sorry for leaving without telling anyone. I was feeling overwhelmed by all the engagement and wedding plans. I just need a little time to get my head clear. I’ll talk to you soon.

I turn off the phone again and wait until I hear Reid’s footsteps on the stairs and the sound of his bedroom door closing. Only then do I leave the solitude of the little porch and go to bed.

6

Reid

Runninginto an ex right before a big game is not recommended. If I hadn’t forgotten my mouthguard in the locker room, it never would have happened. But I did, and now I’m stuck on the walkway leading to the parking lot where the rest of the team is waiting on the bus, awkwardly looking at the girl that recently dumped me for the first timesinceshe dumped me.

Yeah, Darla dumped me over text.

“Hey,” I say, hooking my headphones over my neck.

“Hi.” Darla doesn’t look awkward. Or tense. She looks like a girl who's moved on with her life. Ouch. “Heading to a game?”

“Yeah. Eastman.” Apparently now I only speak in one word sentences. Jesus. “Everyone is on the bus. I had to go back to get something out of my locker.”

Her lips curve in a knowing smirk, a familiar smirk. Darla has always thought I was a forgetful, hot mess. Which maybe, but who gives a shit?

“I like your shoes,” she says, nodding down at the brown and white wingtips I found at a vintage shop downtown. “Very retro.”

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