Page 44 of Hutch (Minnesota Raptors #2)

Hutch

She seems much calmer this morning. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.

I’m half afraid when we go out of town on a two week stretch of games, she’s going to bolt and run away.

Her instinct is to run and hide from asswipe, not that I blame her for that reaction, but I want her to trust me to keep her safe.

But how can I guarantee that when I won’t be here? I can do everything legally I can and then have my bros on the hockey team here on campus keep an eye on her. I got her a good phone. There’s not a lot more I can do and it’s frustrating as hell.

“Check your email,” Conner grunts from the backseat. “And turn the damn heat on. I’m freezing back here.”

We’re just out driving. I left the city and we’re in the countryside filled with small ponds.

I learned to skate on a pond with my Uncle Dallas.

My Dad may have introduced me to hockey, but it was my uncle who taught me to love the sport.

He died a few years ago in a car accident.

I hate that he can’t be here to see me sign my first contract for the NHL. He’d be so proud.

I drive a few more minutes until I find the pond Uncle Dallas took me to when I was little. It hasn’t frozen over yet, so there’s no one here. The gazebo is empty and that’s where I lead us.

“This is pretty.” Daisy looks around and makes a beeline for the pond where several ducks, brave enough to brave the cold water, are lazily swimming. It’s my mom’s favorite spot too.

“This is where I learned to skate,” I tell her when I make my way over to her. “Thought it would be a nice place to talk away from everyone.” I glance over at C, who is staring at his phone. “C’s kinda a package deal.”

“I figured that out the first day I met the two of you together,” she says wryly. “He’s a good friend to you.”

“And to you.”

“And to me,” she agrees.

“We have to talk about asswipe.”

She sighs heavily. “I know, but I really don’t want to. I just want to enjoy today and think about him and what I might have to do later.”

“You’re not leaving.”

Another long sigh. “It would be safer for everyone, including me, if I did.”

“I disagree. You’re safer surrounded by friends, by people who care about you.”

She doesn’t say a word.

“Dude, check your email!” Collin yells from the gazebo.

That’s the second time he’s said that. Why do I need to check my email? Pulling my phone out, I open up the app to find tons of emails from the Raptors, from HR to marketing. There’s so many, it’s overwhelming.

“Fuck me,” I mutter.

“Something wrong?”

I show her the screen and scroll through the never ending list of emails.

“That’s a lot.”

“They want responses today!” Collin yells. “You and Red get your asses up here so we can talk and then deal with all this shit.”

She laughs at his harried voice. “Collin is such an easy going, do it in his own time kind of guy, this has to be stressing him out.”

“Him? What about me? I don’t know if I can get through them all in one day, especially if any of them requires a lot of information.”

“I’ve never known you not to get something done. I remember you complaining about your English lit class because you were on a long stretch of away games and you had a paper due. You got it done.”

“Yeah, but I got a B on that paper.”

“You think a B is bad?”

“Well, no, but I usually get all A’s. I’ve made the Dean’s list every semester of my college career. Mom’s always proud of me for it.”

“She’ll be proud of you for a B too.”

“I know. Now, let’s go sit down and discuss this asswipe situation.”

She lets me take her hand and lead her up to where Collin is already sitting in the gazebo. She sits down across from him and I take a seat beside of her.

“Uh, C, you need to put your phone down so we can talk.”

“Sorry,” he says and turns it off. “There’s so much they’re asking for. I was trying to get through a few that just required short answers.”

Fuck my life. Today is going to be brutal as far as paperwork.

“So what do you two want to discuss that it required coming all the way out here?”

Collin arches a brow. “Really, Red?”

She shrugs and looks away.

“We want to talk about last night.” I take her hand and squeeze it. “Those flowers obviously upset you. We’re in town for the next week, but then we’re gone for two weeks. I need to know you’re going to be safe and not try to run.”

“Run?” Collin glances at Daisy and then back to me. “What do you mean?”

“Daisy thinks it’s safer for everyone if she leaves.”

“That’s bullshit,” Collin spits out. “If you’re alone, you’re vulnerable and where no one can get to you because we don’t fucking know where you are.”

“And I talked to all the guys on the team. They’re aware of the danger and just shrugged. None of us like to see a woman get hurt and would willing put ourselves in danger to prevent that.”

A miserable sound escapes her. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt because of me.”

“You let us worry about that.” Collin shoves his phone aside. “Me and Hutch have been talking. We think it’s a good idea you get a restraining order.”

“I spoke with my lawyer and she said you can get a restraining order under seal if you want that. It’ll keep Ayers out of the press since it’s essentially a gag order for all involved to not say anything.

The press won’t have access to it. The only people who will know about it are local police.

That way he can’t come at you saying you’re ruining his chances at the draft. ”

“But won’t they do a background check and find it, even if it’s under seal? They’ll ask him about it. They might ask me.”

“If they do, then you tell the truth. A restraining order gives you another layer of protection. A legal layer we can use if he violates it. I’ve already talked to Jenny, and she’s agreed to add cameras to the house for security.

Ones that no one knows about except for me, you, and her.

Probably Dylan too since I’m recruiting him to help me install them while everyone’s in class.

There’s a lot of people in and out of that house.

I want a record of them and where they go. She and her Dad agreed.”

I hope she understands how many people love her.

In the few months she’s been here, everyone has grown to adore her.

Jenny was ready to fight asswipe herself, but Dylan and I calmed her down.

Anything she does will reflect on Dylan and that could be bad for his chances at getting in the NHL.

Now, if Ayers comes to her house and starts some shit, that’s completely different.

She’s within her rights to protect herself and anyone in the house.

“So, Red, will you let us help you with a restraining order? Do you think Lucy will give a statement or submit an affidavit detailing everything about that day and the pressure the locals put on you not to press charges?”

“Lucy will go today and do it if I ask her to.”

“Then the question remains, will you do this? I know you don’t trust the cops, but at least we have an avenue in court if something happens. I’ll feel better about your safety if you have this.”

The emotions flickering through her eyes is painful to watch.

She’s been through so much and I’m asking her to go before a judge and tell him what she went through if they don’t grant the restraining order without her having to testify.

I squeeze her hand to let her know I’m here and I understand how hard this is for her.

“Okay. I’ll do it. Who do I need to call? And how much is it going to cost? And before you say you’ll pay for it, don’t even bother. This is my mess and I’ll pay the fees associated with it.”

There is my feisty girl. “My lawyer said she’d do it pro bono.

Her firm has an entire pro bono program.

She can’t stand assholes who beat on others.

She told me last year she did a pro bono case in a same sex domestic violence situation.

Guy was beating the shit out of his partner on the daily.

She can’t stand that. I’ll call her today and have her come over to Mom’s for supper.

I forgot to tell you you’re invited over to celebrate and we get to meet Mom’s new boyfriend, Thomas. ”

“Why don’t you sound excited?”

“I am, I’m just cautious. We don’t want her dating someone who will end up hurting her. She deserves only the best and C and I are going to make sure she gets it.”

“Does she know you’re planning an Inquisition?”

See? My girl gets it without me having to spell it out for her.

“I’m sure she has her suspicions and we might have warned her about it as well. I think she wants you there for backup.”

“Okay. Then I’ll make supper for you guys tomorrow night.”

“What are you making?” Collin’s interest is immediately diverted from the restraining order at the mention of food.

“How about Nana’s fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, and a few southern sides.”

“I love fried chicken.” Collin’s smile could brighten even the coldest and dreariest of days. Or so says Mom.

“Then I’ll make a lot of it.”

“Now, let’s get back to the subject we came here to talk about. What else can we do to make you feel safe and not want to run away?”

She shifts and starts to fidget. “I hate feeling like this. I was almost convinced I was back to normal, but seeing his number light up my phone…I’m not sure I’ll ever feel normal again, not really, and I don’t think you can do anything about that.”

“But I can baby.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her close.

“I’m here and I’ll always be here. If I’m in California, Canada, Florida and you need me, I’m on the first flight back to you.

No questions asked. Even if gets me in trouble and costs me my contract, you’re more important to me than any of the rest of it. ”

“But why?” she whispers. “You barely know me.”

She’s asked me this several times and my answer is still the same. “I know enough to know you’re it for me, Red. I’m patient and I’ll wait on you to catch up to where I already am. So don’t over think it and just roll with it.

“We love you, Daisy.” Collin gives her a goofy grin. “You’re stuck with us.”

She smiles hesitantly.

“No more talk of running away?”

She sighs. I hate it when she does that. “I still think it’s the best option.”

“Girl, you have to be there for your man and your bestie’s first NHL game!”

“I still haven’t decided he’s mine.”

“Please.” Collin looks offended. “Everyone on campus knows he belongs to you. Except for you. Might as well admit it.”

“He’s right. I’m yours whenever you’re ready to accept it.”

“I’m trying to get there.” She ducks her head, hiding her face. She’s very shy when it comes to some things and this is one of them.

“If we’re done here, we need to go and answer all these emails.

” Collin picks his phone up and waves it at me.

“You also need to call our lawyer and get that restraining order set up. Then we need snacks and to get ready to grill the boyfriend…” Collin stands and starts walking toward the Jeep, still muttering about his to do list.

“Is he okay?”

I look at his retreating back. “Yeah, he’s just stressed. Once he gets on the ice on Monday, he’ll feel better and when he knows you won’t run, then he’ll really feel better.”

“He’s a good man.”

“He is.”

“So are you.”

I kiss the tip of her nose. “You ready to head back to your house so we can work on all this?”

“Yes. But I don’t know if I’ll make it to dinner tonight. I just need some breathing room to think about everything. Tell your Mom she’s welcome to come tomorrow when I cook for y’all.”

“That’s fine, sweetheart.”

She’s probably reeling inside over the whole restraining order. I can give her as much time as she needs today, but those papers are getting signed tomorrow and filed on Monday with the court.

“Then let’s go.”

I stand and lead her toward my car, feeling better about things than I did earlier. I don’t think she’ll run and that means I can keep my girl safe.