O Goalie Night (The Ottawa Otters #1)

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

FOSTER

“ A ccording to the email their teacher sent me, they’re just starting their World War I unit. It makes sense seeing as Remembrance Day is coming up in a couple of weeks. I’ve got this really great presentation on Vimy Ridge that I’m going to show the kids. It was developed for older children, but with a bit of tweaking I can make it suitable for fourth graders. After that, we start learning about hibernation. Which is an interesting subject too, to be sure, but I don’t have any materials prepared to teach it.”

Beth has been talking non-stop since we got in the car, but I don't mind. She talks with her hands like she’s in front of a classroom or conducting an invisible symphony. So far I’ve heard about her flight, her plan to search for a used car right away, and her excitement for her new job.

Best of all, we’re not talking about me. One of the reasons I don’t usually like meeting new people is that I somehow always end up the focus of the conversation. And while I’m sure some people enjoy that kind of attention, I can assure you I’m not one of them. I end up feeling like I’m being interrogated.

But Beth just talks. It’s almost like I’m privy to an inner monologue that she can’t keep caged up. She’s got the nervous energy of someone being strapped into their first roller coaster; terrified, but oddly happy about it. There’s a wholesomeness about her that I don’t see often and I understand why Ben wanted someone to look out for her.

I’m glad he asked me to pick her up and not someone else. If he’d sent Austin, he’d probably have convinced her to take a private tour of the city that ended at his condo.

None of us on the team are saints; I’ve had more than my fair share of hookups in random cities with random women. But Austin Crawford’s exploits bring new meaning to the term “player.”

The thought of him taking advantage of Beth when she’s just arrived sets my teeth on edge. I’m so put off by the idea that I miss that she's trying to get my attention.

“I’m sorry, what was that?”

She lets out a nervous laugh and looks down at her hands. “No, I’m sorry. Am I talking too much?”

“Not at all. I just got distracted looking for the right exit to take. What were you asking?”

“I was just curious if you knew of any animals that hibernate. I haven’t had much time to look into it yet and all I have so far are bears and bats.”

I blow out a breath and shake my head. “I’m not sure. Do otters hibernate?”

“No, but they are fascinating. Did you know river otters can dive to a depth of sixty feet?”

I did not know that .

“Seriously?”

“Yes!” She pushes her dark hair behind her ears and twists in her seat so she’s facing me. “They can hold their breaths for eight minutes under water. They’re extremely intelligent and adaptable, and they mate for life.”

I sneak a glance at her after that comment and have to bite back a laugh when I find that her cheeks have gone pink.

“Definitely talking too much,” she mutters under her breath. Before I can argue that’s not the case, she sits up in her seat and points to a house. “I think this is it.”

I pull up in front of the two-storey house with white siding and park the car. It seems like a nice neighbourhood and the properties all appear to be well-maintained. I make a mental note to tell Ben as much as I’m sure he’ll want to know.

I insist on taking her bag in for her. The thing is more beaten up than a retired boxer and must weigh at least eighty pounds. I have no idea how she managed to get it this far.

I’m almost sad it didn’t take us longer to get here. I enjoyed talking to her. Or I suppose listening to her would be more accurate. She’s funny and smart. Hopefully I’ll get to see her again sometime now that she’ll be living here.

As a friend, of course. Don’t get me wrong—she’s cute as hell, in that wide-eyed, girl-next-door way—but she’s Ben’s sister, and I would prefer my balls remain attached to my body.

“So you’re renting a room, not the entire house?” I ask, eyeing the two Toyota Corollas parked in the driveway .

“Yes,” she answers as she skips up the walk way. “I’m renting from a retired couple. They have an ensuite apartment, so I have my own kitchen and bathroom. They’ve been wonderful to deal with, especially considering I needed to move in on such short notice.”

I set the suitcase down as she knocks on the door. She bounces on the balls of her feet as she waits, practically radiating excitement. After a few moments a teenage girl wearing headphones and a bored expression opens the door.

“Oh,” Beth stutters, taking a step back to make sure she’s at the right house. “Are Colleen and Brian here?”

The girl takes one look at the suitcase and rolls her eyes.

“Moooooom! We’ve got another one.” The sour teen turns and walks away without another word leaving us standing in the open doorway.

I’ve got a very bad feeling about this.

A middle-aged woman appears, drying her hands on a dish towel. Her face falls when she sees us and she gives us a look of pure pity. I know before she opens her mouth what she’s about to say.

“I’m guessing you’re here about an apartment of some sort?”

Fuck.

“Yes,” Beth says, giving her an anxious smile. “I got an email from Colleen yesterday confirming it would be ready…” she trails off.

It’s clear that Beth knows something is very wrong, but she hasn’t quite figured out what. Every cell in my body is urging me to throw myself in front of her to shield her from the disappointment that’s coming .

“There is no Colleen,” the woman says sadly. “And no apartment either. I’m so sorry, dear. You’re the eighth person this month. I’m guessing you already paid a deposit?”

Beth gives a minuscule nod and whispers, “And the first month’s rent.”

Rental scams. Con artists using the housing shortage to prey on people. I’ve seen reports of it happening all over the country.

I’m so angry right now. Not only at the criminals who took advantage of her, but at Ben for not helping her find a safe place to stay.

“Do you need a drink of water, dear?” The sudden concern in the woman’s voice brings my attention back to Beth who’s gone paler than snow and looks unsteady on her feet.

Afraid she might pass out I put my arm around her waist for support and she sinks against my side. I thank the woman for her time and apologise for disturbing her.

“I wish there was something we could do. We keep reporting the ads to the police, but as soon as they come down, new ones pop up.”

I thank her again and without removing my arm from Beth, pick up her suitcase in my free hand and guide her back to the car.

She says nothing as I help her into the passenger side, just continues to stare ahead like a lost soul. After I throw the suitcase in the back, I take my phone from my pocket and call Ben. I wait outside while it rings, cursing when it goes to voicemail.

“Ben, I need you to call me,” I bite out. Then, realising that might freak him out, I add, “Beth is fine, but I need you to call me right away.”

I climb into the driver's seat and find that Beth is in the exact same pose I left her in; hands in lap, back straight, eyes staring blankly ahead. I slowly reach over and rest my hand on hers. They’re freezing. I start the car, turning up the heater as well as the heated seat for good measure.

Seeing her so upset has me feeling helpless. Powerless.

What am I going to do with her? She’s alone in a new city and I can’t track down Ben.

“Are you okay?” I ask, knowing she’s not. Given the circumstances, how could she be? She’s so quiet. Too quiet. In the short time I’ve known her, I’ve gotten used to her incessant talking. I want nothing more than to go back to when she was excitedly spouting fun facts about water mammals.

She blinks in surprise, almost like she’d forgotten I was there. “I…yes. It’s just…It was the school that sent me the ad, along with some others. I thought…”

“Hey.” I lean forward until she meets my eye. “None of this is your fault. These assholes are very good at looking legit.”

She closes her eyes. “I feel like such an–”

“Do not finish that sentence, Beth. Do you hear me? You didn’t deserve this.” No one does of course, but especially not her.

She opens her eyes and gives me a watery smile before nodding. “Okay,” she sniffs. “I should call my brother.”

“I just tried him. He’s not answering his phone.”

“Oh…alright.” She swallows. That look of panic flashes in her amber eyes again and I can practically hear th e wheels turning in her head. “You’ve already done so much for me, Foster, but do you think you could drop me off at a hotel?”

“No.” I answer, firmly. Her shoulders sink and I rush to explain. “Because you’re staying with me tonight.”

I didn’t realise I was going to say it until the words came out of my mouth, but it’s the only thing I can think of that makes any kind of sense. She can crash in one of my guest rooms for the night and figure out what comes next tomorrow. I’m sure Ben will want her to stay with him until they can find her another apartment. Preferably one that actually exists.

She shakes her head vehemently. “I’ve already inconvenienced you enough. I can’t ask you to put me up.”

“You’re not an inconvenience at all,” I insist. “And you’re not asking, I am. Beth, please do me a solid and stay at my place tonight so your brother doesn’t murder me for leaving you at a seedy hotel.”

A ghost of a smile touches her full lips. “I didn’t ask you to take me to a seedy one.”

I shrug. “Those are the only ones I know.”

Her giggle warms the interior of the car far better than the heater ever could. I release the breath I’m holding, relieved that she doesn’t look so devastated anymore. My heart couldn’t take another second of this girl looking so sad.

“In that case, I’d be very grateful to spend the night at your house.” She pauses. “Provided it’s not seedy.”

“Well,” I grin as I put the car in reverse. “Not as seedy, anyway.”