O Goalie Night (The Ottawa Otters #1)

Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

BETH

I never want to leave this bed.

Up until now, I’ve always thought my bed back home was comfortable, but after sleeping in Foster James’ guest room, I may as well have been sleeping on an inflatable raft filled with dead leaves and branches.

As I stretch my arms above my head, I feel like every part of my body is being supported, cradled even. This bed is my holy grail. I want to live here. I want to make and raise a family here and, eventually, die here. And not just because I don’t want to face the fact that I got swindled out of three thousand dollars I really couldn’t afford to lose.

If I stay in this bed, I’ll never have to.

Last night feels more like a fever dream than a memory. After taking my time making the bed with military precision, I texted my mom and sisters identical messages.

Beth: Hi! Arrived safely and all settled in. Sorry it took me so long to message– I just got the wifi password! Exhausted and turning in for the night. Love you! xoxoxoxoxoxooxoxo

Where’s the lie?

I realise I’m going to have to tell them the entire story, and soon, but I just couldn’t make myself rehash it all again. I would have cried and that would have upset everyone.

Instead, I turned my phone to silent and fell into a sound and dreamless sleep. It was bliss. I think I need to seriously consider never leaving this bed.

“Where the fuck is she?”

Perhaps not.

I throw the 500 thread count sheets off and hop down from the bed, missing them both immediately. After rummaging in my suitcase for my bathrobe, I throw it over the t-shirt I’m wearing and march down the hallway towards the smell of cooking bacon and the sound of my brother’s hissy fit.

“You weren’t supposed to take her home,” he accuses as I round the corner to where he and Foster are standing squared off against one another.

“No, he wasn’t,” I say so loudly that both men jump and turn towards me. “ You were.” I may have been mildly irritated at Ben before, but hearing him chastise his friend who has done nothing but look out for me makes me positively livid. “You were supposed to pick me up at the airport and make sure I got to the apartment safely.”

Ben takes a step in my direction, towering over me like he always has. His hair, the same shade of muddy brown as mine, is shorter than it was when I saw him in August. He crosses his arms across his barrel chest, clearly not ready to be held accountable for his actions or lack thereof. “What apartment would that be, Beth? Fozzie says it doesn’t even exist.”

Oh, you have got to be kidding me.

Foster gives him a hard glare. “This is your warning to tread carefully,” he utters quietly.

“What apartment, Ben?” My voice is practically vibrating with anger. “You mean the apartment listing I sent you weeks ago, asking you to check out for me? The one you responded with a thumbs up emoji to?”

My brother's face goes slack and I think Foster's eyes might roll so far that they’ll never come back.

“Seriously, man?” Shaking his head, Foster steps around my brother and hands me a green ceramic mug filled with coffee. “There’s cream and sugar, if you want it. Or if you’d prefer, you could throw it at him. It might even give him second degree burns, if we’re lucky.”

“Thank you and noted,” I say as we exchange conspiratorial smiles. I’m not used to having someone side with me, especially against my brother, and it’s a refreshing change.

“What?” Ben uncrosses his arms and rests his hands on his hips. He’s looking much less sure of himself now that the tables have turned. “The place looked fine.”

“Exactly,” I fume. “It did look fine. I don’t need you making me feel like an idiot, Ben. I’m doing a pretty great job of that all on my own. How about we call Mom and Dad? Maybe put them on speaker and we can update them on the last twenty-four hours together?”

“Come on, Bug.” He only uses that nickname when he’s desperate and given that he promised our parents he’d look out for me, he knows they’ll be disappointed to find he didn’t. “You know that will only upset them.”

“You’re right. They’d be very upset to hear that someone took advantage of me and you weren’t there.”

At that, his nostrils flare and he spins around to where Foster is leaning against the counter holding a spatula, observing our sibling squabble.

“What the fuck, man?” Ben demands.

I’m confused at first, not understanding his reaction, until Foster gives an exasperated sigh.

“She’s clearly talking about the people who scammed her, you moron.”

Ben visibly relaxes. “Right, I knew that.”

Realisation dawns and my jaw drops so fast I’m shocked it doesn’t dislocate. How could he have thought that Foster would make a move on me when I was in such a vulnerable state? Even if I wasn’t, the very idea is laughable. He’s Foster James. I have enough self-awareness to understand that there are leagues and he is far out of mine.

Ben’s focus is back on me. “Look. I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you, Bug. Really I am. Are you okay?” He looks genuinely apologetic as he opens his arms to me.

I know I shouldn’t let him off the hook this easily. I should stay mad at him in the hopes that he might actually learn something. But I’m so sad and overwhelmed, and right now I could really use a hug from my big brother.

The moment his arms are around me, I burst into tears. It’s the first time I’ve cried since all of this happened and while I’m a bit embarrassed to be falling apart in front of Foster, I’m also surprised I managed to hold out this long.

“Awww, don’t cry, Bug. It’s going to be okay.” He ruffles the hair on top of my head.

“How?” I pull away, wiping at my tear-stained face. “I start my new job on Monday and I don’t have a place to live.”

Ben places a hand on his hip and runs the other over his face as he blows out a breath. “I’ll put you up in a hotel until we figure something out.”

A hotel?

Foster doesn’t seem to like his suggestion either. When I look over I see his shoulders stiffen as he continues flipping bacon. “Why can’t she stay with you?”

I’m so grateful he said it and not me. My entire family stayed with Ben the last time we were here. His condo is huge with three bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Ben suddenly looks very uncomfortable. “I would invite you to stay with me, Bug, I’d love to have you. But Valentina is there already.”

“Who?” I have no idea who he’s talking about.

“Your future sister-in-law,” Ben states without a trace of sarcasm. “You’re going to love her, I promise.”

I try to hide my surprise at this revelation. Ben’s only serious relationship ended close to a decade ago. He’d started dating Madelyn when they were sixteen, but they broke up when he was drafted after juniors and he’s never so much as mentioned her or any other girl since.

Not that I’m one to talk. I’ve only dated a handful of guys and none of the relationships ever reached the meet-the-parent stage .

Foster shifts against the counter. “Don’t you have several bedrooms?”

“Yes, but she’s very private. I can’t just tell her my little sister’s going to be moving in.”

“Why the fuck not?” Foster asks tersely. “It’s not like you’re asking her to babysit.”

This is a new level of humiliation for me. Foster doesn’t realise it, but he’s pressing on an open wound. Everyone in my family already treats me like I need adult supervision. It’s part of the reason I’ve been trying so hard to become more independent.

“It would be weird, okay? The relationship is too new. Besides,” he glares at his friend before continuing, “I don’t think you’re one to give out family advice, okay?”

I watch Foster’s jaw go rigid and his eyes harden before he looks at the floor. After his reaction to me asking about his family yesterday, I suspect there’s more to that story than he’d like to admit.

“I’ll find you a hotel,” Ben repeats, bringing my focus back on him.

My shoulders sag. It sounds completely ungrateful, even to me, but I don’t want to stay in a hotel. They’re fine for short trips but not for extended periods. I want to have access to a kitchen, be able to do laundry, and not have to hear people moving around at all hours of the day and night.

Not to mention, hotels are very expensive. I certainly can’t afford to stay in one for an extended amount of time. I know Ben will offer to foot the bill, but I hate the idea of taking a handout from my successful brother.

But beggars can’t be choosers and I can’t think of another solution .

“Okay,” I manage to force a small smile. “Thanks, Ben.”

“You can stay here.”

At that, the two youngest Michaels children both turn to Foster and in perfect unison say, “What?”

He hesitates, as if unsure of himself. Leaning his weight back against the countertop like he’s on unsteady ground, he seems almost uncomfortable as the sudden centre of attention.

“For the week, at least.” He looks at me and then to Ben. “We leave tonight for eight days of away games. Her stuff is already here.” He meets my eye for a brief moment before looking away and shrugging. “You’re welcome to stay, if you want.”

“Yeah?” Ben asks him before turning back to me. “What do you think?”

I hesitate. This move was about me becoming more independent and after being here less than twenty-four hours, I feel like more of a burden than ever. “I think it’s too much to ask.”

“You didn’t ask, I offered,” Foster insists, giving me a faint smile. “You’ll have the place to yourself. You can even use one of my cars to get around, if you’d like.”

My brother gawks at him. “But you never let me drive your rides.”

“She knows the wifi password, too.”

Ben gasps. “You told her your wifi password?”

“I did.”

“I’ve been asking you for it for years.”

“I’m aware.” Foster deadpans before throwing me a wink and turning back to the bacon on the stove.

Ben scowls and I try not to laugh. I feel torn about Foster’s offer. I already feel like such a nuisance, but to stay here for a week? That’s a very big imposition.

On the other hand, it’s close to my new job and I’d be much more comfortable here than at a hotel. And being able to use his car would be so helpful.

“Well?” Ben asks, waiting for my answer.

Having an extra week to find a place would make my life so much easier. Besides, I wouldn’t want to offend my host by turning down such a generous offer.

Foster remains facing the frying pan, but his head tilts to the side like he’s listening to hear what I’ll decide.

“I’d like to stay here.” I can’t be certain, but I could swear Foster’s face breaks into a grin before turning away again.

“That settles it, then.” Ben claps his hands together. “Fozzie and I will go on the road, you’ll stay here, and no one will tell Mom and Dad what I did or didn’t do.”

Leave it to Ben to frame the situation around him. Heaven forbid his golden boy image be tarnished in the eyes of our parents. I’ve always found it impossible to stay mad at my brother and it’s just as annoying now as it was when we were younger.

“I really am glad you’re here, Bug.”

“Thanks, Ben. Me too.”

“And I’m sorry. Maybe I was being a bit of an asshole.”

“You definitely were,” Foster says without looking over as he grabs plates from a cupboard.

Ben glances over his shoulder at his friend before he whispers to me, “I need you to tell me what the wifi password is.”

I tilt my head and with a placating tone usually reserved for the children I teach tell him, “Aww. Never.”