Page 33 of The Penalty

“Hey, Dev. Need a lift?”

Chapter 11

Something Sweet

Cece

I’m tugging at thehem of the jersey I wore to the game. I wasn’t planning on it, but Georgia snagged them for us from the campus store. Hers says Hail on the back. She said he was the hottest player that’s not in a relationship based on her in-depth research. Hail is an outstanding player. He’s fast on his skates and aggressive toward the goal. No surprise he scored one for the Lightning tonight, but he’s not my type at all. Not to mention it’s a bit of a cradle robbing situation for Georgia.

I ducked out after the game, though. Georgia heard the team was going to Wright’s. Apparently, that’s where the hockey players and fans hang out after games. She asked me to come, but I begged off, not really feeling like hanging out somewhere to watch a bunch of fanboys and puck bunnies waiting in court for my brother. Been there. Done that. Not for me.

On the plus side, she told me I could take her car home, and she’ll grab an Uber later, so she can have a few drinks. I sent Beau a quick text to keep an eye on the southern belle. He can be an arrogant asshole some of the time, but I know he would never let one of my friends, or any woman, get into trouble if he could prevent it.

A sense of freedom washes over me sitting behind the wheel. Finally, a chance to shake the pent-up restlessness of not having my own vehicle. I know I’ve been totally spoiled having my own car since I was sixteen, but that’s the way it’s been. And losing my ride chipped away at the independence I’ve had since I started college.

I’m coasting by the back of the arena when something snags my attention. There’s something familiar about those broad shoulders. I slow down, turning into the parking lot that’s designated for staff and players. Butterflies are stirring in my chest. Their swirling dance gets more insistent the closer I get to the figure. It’s him. My comic con tryst.

A different kind of anxiety takes over when I pull up beside him. He’s talking to someone. His shoulders are tense, arms crossed over his broad chest as he shakes his head at the man. The older man looks familiar for some reason, and as my eyes dart back and forth between them, something clicks. He’s like an older version of Dev. They’ve gotta be related, but nothing about Dev’s posture gives me any indication this is a joyful family reunion. I’ve seen that look on Beau’s face before when he wants to escape some stuffy dinner with my dad and his uptight cronies.

“Hey Dev. Need a lift?” It’s not like I can leave him here like this. I’m sure Beau wouldn’t want his best friend trapped in an uncomfortable situation.

Shock registers on his face when he catches sight of me. His hesitation is not so flattering. Would he rather be here, trapped in this tense conversation, than accept a ride from me?

But his shoulders soften, features relaxing as he nods. “I’d love that.”

The other man reaches out for him as he’s stepping around the back of the car. But his legs are so long he takes all of two seconds to make it to the passenger side door.

His eyes are fixed straight ahead as if to avoid looking back at the guy after he folds himself into the seat, swearing as he conks his head on the door frame. But the veins in his neck are standing out, jaw clenched.

It takes him a minute to fold his large frame into the tiny sports car. A guy of his size needs a fuck-you truck or big-ass SUV like my brother’s.

“Sorry.” I shrug as he struggles with the seatbelt.

I drive carefully off in case the man does something stupid like step in front of my car, but he doesn’t. Just steps away, shoulders dropping in defeat as we make our way back to the ride.

“Thanks,” he says.

I’m gnawing on my lip, debating whether I should ask him about the confrontation.

“You okay?”

He drops his head back against the headrest, eyes shut. “I’ll be fine.”

Clearly, he’s not into sharing any more details, so I ignore my curiosity. “Great game.”

His eyelashes flutter open, mouth popping open with surprise, as if he forgot all about his team’s win.

“It wasn’t bad.” His brown eyes fix on me. “I thought you weren’t a hockey fan?”

“I’m not. Not really. My friend Georgia wanted to come. Apparently, she’s got some sort of athlete bingo card on the go or something. She needs to check off hockey player, so she was excited to learn my brother is on the team. I told her I’d get us tickets for a game.”

“Gotcha. You’re still not a hockey fan. Guess if all those years at games with your brother didn’t convince you, you’re a lost cause.”

“Actually, after tonight. I think I might be persuaded to come over to the dark side.” Probably a bad idea to tell him I’ve never been so invested in a hockey game as I was tonight, but it’s the truth. Even when I was dating Deacon.

“Really?”

I can feel him turning toward me, his eyes locked on me, but I don’t turn my head. Yes, I have to keep my eyes on the road, but really I don’t want to see the heated gaze that’s washing my neck in warmth.

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