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16

Reid

“She’s cute.”

“Who’s cute?” I grab a bottle of water out of the cooler near the back door. Pete’s staring across the room, eyes trained on something–or rathersomeone.

“Axel’s sister. Shelly?”

“Shelby,” I correct. My good girl.

“Right. Well, it’s no wonder he gave the big speech in the locker room.”

“I don’t think I’d test him on it.” I take a swallow of my drink in an attempt to do something with my hands other than throttle my teammate. He’s only just gotten out of the cast from snapping his ankle back in the fall. The last thing he needs is another career halting injury.

“I don’t want Rakestraw ruining my life–or my pretty face,” he grins, “but, someone is going to make a move on her. She’s got that innocent vibe a lot of guys are drawn to.”

He’s not wrong about that. Every single, and a few non-single, guy in the room has checked Shelby out and it’s not hardto tell that she’s sweet and most likely naive. There’s nothing I can do about it, but remind myself and anyone else that brings her up that she’s off-limits, and as foolish as it is, I feel a smug sense of satisfaction knowing I’m the one that’s felt her lips on mine.

I watch her like a hawk as the party winds down, noticing when she vanishes in the laundry room with Nadia and Twyler, and then later as everyone heads out and we start to clean up.

“Put those down.” Axel looks at his sister, who has a collection of empties in her hands. Handing Nadia her coat, he adds, “We’ll get it tomorrow.”

“Ax, it’s gross to leave all of this out overnight.” Her nose wrinkles. “It smells and everything is sticky.”

The party faded out twenty minutes ago, the last stragglers heading home, including Emerson who offered to walk Nikki back to her dorm. I didn’t notice when Reese and Twyler took off, or if Jefferson left with someone or if he’s upstairs. Ever since that hot little makeout session on the porch, my focus had been completely consumed by Shelby.

“I’ll take them,” I say, hoping my face doesn’t reflect my thoughts. Thank god for the box of recycling in my hands, it’s the only thing covering the half-chub in my pants.

“Thank you.” She drops them inside, grabbing two more and tossing them in.

“That’s enough,” Axel tells her. “Our party, our mess.”

“If you say so.” She turns in the direction of the porch. “Night, everyone.”

“Night, Shel,” Nadia says, zipping up her coat.

I follow the two of them out the door, carrying the recycling out to the bin. Axel throws his arm around Nadia’s shoulders and he calls out, “Leave the porch light on. I’ll be back in a few.”

“Got it.”

I head back inside and the house is quiet.

I flip off all the lights other than the one by the front door and another by the stairwell, and head upstairs. It was a long day, with a grueling game, a party, and the hasty makeout session with Shelby as the cherry on top. That’s the part I can’t stop thinking about. My brainormy body. I felt like a deviant, drilling into her while she sat on my lap, her hot little mouth on mine. The question about if my erection ‘hurt’ is a sure signal she’s not ready for anything beyond kissing and some light fooling around. Someone just needs to tell that to the monster in my pants, because he can’t get with the program.

Although I volunteered to help her explore life a little, I know that doesn’t include me taking this to the point of no return. She just wants to learn a few things before she goes back to Texas and the predictable future she has with David the Dud.

Yeah, I doubt that relationship is truly over.

Ignoring the thump of Reese’s headboard against the wall, I enter the bathroom, where I’m accosted by the scent of Shelby’s shampoo. There’s no escaping her.

I start my nightly routine. It’s not just washing my face and brushing my teeth and the guys have no fucking clue that I do it, but I’ve always got a daily mantra. My adoptive mother taught me to do it when I was struggling with some of the transitions in my life. Sometimes it’s about hockey. Other times about my goals. But lately it’s even more specific. Shoving my toothbrush in my mouth, the words start:

Shelby Rakestraw is your best friend’s little sister.

Shelby Rakestraw is off limits.

Shelby Rakestraw is not the girl for you.