Page 39 of Hutch (Minnesota Raptors #2)

“Well, if you call birthday rights.” Whatever the fuck that is. “I was in tenth grade and a senior asked me out. I forgot I had asked Allison Grant out for the same Saturday as well. The girls knew each other and found out I had a date with them both on the same day.”

“Did they beat your ass?”

“No, but they said my charming smile wasn’t all that and dumped me on the spot.”

“Actions do have consequences.”

“Melissa Scott saw what happened and took me to McDonalds and then a movie. Her treat.”

“So…no consequences then?”

“Nope. I got a free meal and a movie out of it.”

“That’s terrible.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Do you know how hurt they must have been?”

“They both had dates a few hours later, so I doubt they were that hurt.”

“Well.” She seems at a loss for words.

“I got you something for your birthday.” I gently pick her up and scoot her off my lap so I can get up and grab the gift I left lying on the small table by the door. I hope she’s not too mad.

“What is it?” she asks and takes it as I sit back down.

“It’s a surprise, so open it already.’

She takes it and unlike every girl I know, she rips open the paper the same way myself or Collin would…just shreds it as she pulls it off. Her face goes from that blank expression to one of shock and then mutinous determination.

“Nope. You are not gifting me the latest iPhone. Absolutely not. My phone works perfectly fine.”

“Your phone doesn’t have Facetime and we can’t video chat.”

“Sure we can. There are tons of other programs.” She shoves the phone box into my hands and I shove it right back into hers.

“How old is your phone?”

“Why?”

“Just answer the question, Red.”

“It’s not that old.”

“How old is not that old?”

“Five years old.”

“Is it even still getting regular updates?”

She stays silent which means it’s probably not.

“You need a reliable phone, Daisy, especially now that asswipe is around. This will make me feel better when I’m not here knowing you can call me at the drop of a hat on a program that isn’t going to give us fits trying to make it work on different operating systems. Please, sweetheart, take the phone. ”

“It’s too expensive.”

“No, it’s not. Even if I hadn’t just signed a five million dollar contract, it still wouldn’t be too much because I’m damned careful with my money and I have a lot in savings from money I got from grants and scholarships. It isn’t too much.”

She frowns.

“And it’s your same number. I remember what you said about making sure your mom at least had a voicemail box to talk to.”

“You remembered that?”

“I remember everything you’ve ever told me.”

“It’s so expensive.”

“This is something you need. It’s not like I went out and bought you a ten thousand dollar necklace or something. This is a necessity and since it’s part of my family plan, it was cheaper than if I bought it outright.”

“You are not paying my monthly phone bill!”

“I get four phones on the family plan. I pay for Mom’s phone, so why shouldn’t I pay for yours? It’s not costing me any extra since I already basically pay for four.” Well, it did cost a little more, but she doesn’t need to know that. She’ll throw the phone in my face and tell me to get lost.

“Because I’m not related to you? I understand your mom, but not me.”

I sigh. “Daisy, a phone plan is expensive, especially if it’s not a prepaid one and the phones on those are not nearly as good as this one. Please, let me do this one thing for you. It’s not costing me anything extra outside what I paid for the phone. Please.”

“I’ll think about it.”

That’s probably as good as I’ll get tonight.

“So, now that that’s settled, what do you want to do? I really don’t want to go back downstairs into that mess.”

I feel the shudder go through her. “Me either.”

“Never been a fan of parties?”

It’s her turn to sigh. “I used to go to every party thrown. Girlfriend of the quarterback and all that. I enjoyed them too. The loud music, the laughter, the dancing…it was my scene.”

“But not anymore?”

“No, not since Joe. When I found out he was cheating on me with people I knew, people I partied with, they sort of lost their appeal. These were my friends and he was making out with them at the parties while I was hanging with Lucy. The noise helped to hide all that because it was distracting. And I didn’t realize how much the quiet soothes me. ”

And the quiet is easier to hear someone sneaking up on her. She doesn’t even hint at that, but I think it’s a big factor in why she keeps the noise around her to a minimum. It’s a feeling I have and one day I’ll ask her about it, but not until I think she’s ready.

“Were you a big drinker at these parties?”

“I sure was. I was in high school and getting smashed was a part of the high school experience. It made it easier for Joe to cheat as well.”

“And you don’t drink now because?”

“Because it’s just not something that I enjoy anymore.”

“I drink occasionally, but usually not during the season.”

“Not even after a big win?”

“Some of the guys do, but they’re not serious about a professional career. Those of us who are, we don’t.”

“I’m glad you don’t drink a lot.”

“Did asswipe drink a lot?”

She shakes her head. “He said the same thing about sports. During the summer, he’d drink here and there, but never more than a single beer.”

“Then can I ask why you like that I don’t drink a lot?”

“My mom’s boyfriends would get drunk all the time. Robbie and I were their punching bag when they’d get drunk. Mom was usually too high to care. I remember when she dropped us off at Nana’s that last time we were both covered in bruises and Robbie had a broken arm. Nana filed for custody and won.”

Shit. My girl had a rough time of it.

“The real reason I don’t drink anymore is because I’m aware of how much I liked the feeling of being drunk. My mom’s an addict and I’m afraid alcohol could cause me to be an addict as well. It’s better to cut that off now before it becomes a problem.”

“You’re more aware than most.”

“I lived it. Most haven’t.”

My poor scrappy girl. No wonder she’s so cold to so many people. She’s just protecting herself.

“Good thing I don’t plan on drinking much if at all.”

“I would never stop you from doing that.”

“I know.” I pick up the remote and go to turn on the TV, but she stops me.

“I don’t want to watch TV.”

“Then what do you want to do?”

“I want you to kiss me.”

“How about you kiss me instead?”

Her brow arches.

“It’s your birthday, sweetheart. You get to do whatever you want.”

Here’s the thing. I don’t want to scare her and if I let her control the situation, it will ensure that doesn’t happen. If I start this, it might go farther than she’s comfortable with, but if she starts it and is in charge, then I know she’ll only be doing exactly what she’s comfortable with.

She nibbles on her lip and I can see the expression in her eyes shift as she comes to whatever conclusion she has rolling around in that beautiful head of hers. Sitting up, she straddles my lap and I lean back against the headboard, curious as to what she’ll do.

“You’re not going to be mad if I call it quits halfway through this?”

“Nope. Like I said, it’s your birthday and I am here to please.”

She smiles slightly. “I’m just nervous. I’ve only ever really kissed one guy before. Outside of Jimmy Benson when I was twelve and we played Spin the Bottle.”

“People still play that?”

“Twelve-year-olds do.”

“I never did.”

“You missed out on sloppy, wet kisses in the dark.”

“Hmm…I’ll take your sloppy wet kisses in the dark all day, every day.”

She smiles slightly at my cheesiness, before her expression turns serious. “I’m scared.”

I take both her hands in mine and twine our fingers together. “I know, baby, that’s why I’m sitting here taking my ques from you. I want you to know you never have to fear me. Not physically and not emotionally. I’m just a big old teddy bear.”

The war to believe me is there in her uncertain gaze for anyone to read and it breaks my heart.

My beautiful, scrappy girl should never look at anyone and wonder if they’re going to end up hurting her.

I want to take that hesitation, that fear away.

I know that I can, it’ll just take time and patience.

I have to show her every day why she can trust me and maybe through that, she’ll learn to let others in again.

“So, Red, now that you have me, what do you want to do with me? It’s your birthday and I’m yours to do with however you wish.”

“Have you ever seen that old movie, The Princess Bride ?”

“No, can’t say that I have.”

“Whenever the princess would ask something of Wesley, he’d always reply, as you wish.”

“Not a bad thing to say to his lady.”

“She wasn’t his. She was promised to another.”

“Did he smash heads and steal his princess back?”

She nods.

“Sounds like a smart man.”

“I feel like you’re trying to smash through every protective wall I have,” she whispers. “I’m afraid I can’t keep myself safe if I let you in.”

And her entire world for over a year has been about protecting herself.

I let her hands go and take her face into both of mine, my thumbs stroking her cheeks. Her green eyes are huge as she stares back at me, the vulnerability in them rare.

“Daisy, I’m not going to promise you there won’t be times we fight, that there won’t be times we could potentially say something to hurt one another.

What I will say is I’ll do my best to never say or do something to intentionally hurt you.

I’d rather cut off my right arm and give up my hockey career than to see you hurt.

I’m not sure I have it in me to ever willingly cause you harm.

I know words don’t mean much, so I’m going to spend the rest of our lives showing you I mean what I say. Understand?”

She nods as best she can since I have her face in my hands.

“The words, Daisy. I want the words.”

“I understand,” she whispers. “I promise to try not to hurt you too.”

I smile slightly. “Good girl.” Leaning forward, I kiss her, keeping it light. Tonight is about her and I want her to decide what we do and don’t do.

She lets out a shuddering breath when I pull away. “Why do you have to kiss so well?”

I laugh. “That’s a bad thing?”

She nods. “Yes. You make me forget everything.”

“How about for tonight, you do forget everything outside of this room?”

“I can do that.”

“So, what do you want to do, Daisy Mae?”

“I want you to love me,” she says simply.

I already do, baby. I already do. I don’t say the words out loud, but they’re true nonetheless.

“You sure?”

She nods, her green eyes glittering with fear and need.

“I can do that.”

She takes a deep breath and when she looks at me again, there’s resolve in her gaze. “Then love me, Hutch. Make me forget everything outside of this room, even if it’s just for tonight.”

Smiling, I say, “As you wish.”