“Can we ignore it?”he whispers.
I sadly shake my head.“It’s probably another teammate of yours.A few live in the neighborhood.”
I slip past him and open the door.I was right.It’s Burke Bedard, the captain of the Devil Birds, and his girlfriend, Kendall Morgan.Burke’s a burly polar bear shifter.Kendall’s a petite first-grade teacher.Where Burke is brawny, dark, and serious, Kendall is tiny, blonde, and perky.They are such opposites but adorable together.
“Hi, guys,” I say, stepping back to give them room to enter.“Come on in.”
“Hey, Phoebe,” Burke says.“Alvarez said you guys were here, so we thought we’d stop by and see if you needed anything.Hi, King.”
“Hi,” Ollie says.That’s it.Poor guy.He’s always warm and friendly with me.Lately, he’s even been flirty.I know how he is with his family when he’s comfortable—funny and goofy.But when he’s with strangers or people he doesn’t know well, he turns all bashful.I hate seeing him tense and silent.I want everyone to see the wonderful man he is.I mean, people do see it, but Ollie doesn’t open himself up to it.I don’t know why he has walls up, but I’m so grateful I’m one of the few he lets within them.He’s like that proud but skittish stallion that won’t let anyone near him except that one person he’ll accept a carrot from.I’m that person, and I want my love to be that carrot.
“Can I get you something to drink?”I offer to fill the silence.
Kendall shakes her head.“No, we’re fine.Andie told me you sprained your wrist.We just wanted to check on you.”
I wave my injured arm.“Thanks, I’m fine.It’s feeling better already.Ollie and I were dropping off some boxes he had stored at the cottage.We’ll be going back soon.We’re cat-sitting.”I reach out and grab Ollie’s sleeve to pull him forward.“Ollie, this is Kendall Morgan, Burke’s girlfriend.”
That kicks Ollie into gear.He isn’t rude.He’s quiet.
“Hi, nice to meet you, Kendall.”He holds out his hand to shake.Kendall is barely over five feet tall, so his hand swallows hers and he towers over her.But I tower over her too, so that’s not a big deal.“Morgan.You’re Coach’s sister, right?”
She smiles brightly, her blonde ponytail swinging as she nods.“Yeah, he’s my older brother.”
“Cool.”
Silence falls again.
Bless him, Burke comes to the rescue.“We’ll let you finish up what you’re doing and get back to the cat.King, a few of us live in the neighborhood, so if you ever want to carpool or hang out, you’re welcome.”He claps Ollie on the shoulder and manages to move him slightly.Even though he’s a few inches shorter than Ollie, Burke’s still a big, strong man.“I’m guessing you’re more of an introvert and some of us are going to drive you crazy.Especially Carter.”
That makes Ollie chuckle as pink rises on his cheeks.“Yeah, I’m not that social.It’s not personal.”
Burke gives his shoulder a squeeze.“Totally okay.I don’t know how stuff was with the ’Squatch, but I have my suspicions, and as a fellow captain, I can only imagine how this trade has screwed with you.You’re a Devil Bird now, and you’re part of the flock.”
Ollie nods and swallows hard.I don’t know if the others notice it, but Burke’s words affected him.
“Oh!Phoebe,” Kendall says suddenly when Burke steps away from Ollie.“I want to talk to you and Andie sometime about maybe baking cookies and cupcakes for a fundraiser for my cheer team.We’re raising money for uniforms and competitions.I’m thinking cupcake and cookie bouquets, and single products too.I talked to Jack at Half-Cocked, and he said to work with you two directly.”
I’m so excited by this prospect I almost clap my hands, but Ollie’s got fast reflexes, and he catches my arm before I accidentally hurt myself.
“Careful,” he murmurs.His hold is gentle but firm at the same time.I could pull away…but I don’t want to.Especially when he starts moving his thumb back and forth in a tender caress.
Our eyes lock, and I’m embarrassed to admit I forget we have guests.
“Um…anyway,” Kendall says, “we’re going to head out.Ollie, nice meeting you.Phoebe, I’ll be in touch about getting together.”
From the corner of my eye, I see her grab Burke’s arm and move toward the door.
I tear my gaze and my arm away from Ollie and follow them.I can feel myself blushing, especially when Kendall wiggles her brows and gives me a wink.
“Sounds good,” I say, giving her a hug.“Thanks for stopping by.”
She squeezes me back and whispers, “Get it, girl,” making me giggle.
I’m trying!If snow plows and friends would stop interrupting what I think are about to be moments, maybe we’d get somewhere.
Closing the door behind them after our goodbyes, I take a deep breath before turning back to Ollie.He’s rubbing the back of his neck and looking down at the floor.
“You okay?”I ask.
