Page 4 of The Penalty

“Tell the man what you’re up to this summer, Lucy.” He’s going to leave a handprint with how hard he slaps me onthe back.

I roll my eyes at my best friend. “Working.”

“That’s cool. I’ve got a job lined up with my dad’s company. Only a couple of days a week, so I’ll have plenty of time for practice. He hired me a new goalie coach for the summer. Blake Thompson. You’ve probably heard of him. He’s trained some of the best. You know...”

“We’re done here.” I cut him off. That’s way more information than I needed from the young punk, but he can’t seem to keep his words contained.

JJ pulls back for a second, brushing a hand through the shoulder-length mess of brown hair hanging in his face.

Beau’s shoulders are shaking beside me as JJ takes off to spout nonsense at a more receptive audience.

“Do we have to let those two move in with us next year?” I ask Beau, eyeing JJ and Grant, who are now competing to get their voices heard. I guess I survived living with Jackson, though, so I can eventually handle these two. Yeah, maybe by this time next year when I’m on my way out.

“We don’t have to, but I think the place would be lonely with only you and that broody fucker to keep me company.” He nods at the corner where Cole is sitting with Jacks. He was all by himself until Jacks descended on him, and now it looks like they’re actually engaged in a conversation.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Awww, Lucy, you would be lonely too. I know you’d never admit it, but you like the company.”

I stare at him through narrowed eyes. “Do I?”

He nods. “Yes. You do. You’re going to miss us over summer break, all alone in this huge house. Are you sure you don’t want to come home with me? My family wouldn’t mind. If they even noticed you were there. They’re away so much we’d have the place to ourselves more often than not. Other than Sissy, but she’s got her own packed social schedule. It would make the summer break so much better.”

I shake my head. “Can’t. Got my jobs lined up.”

“You could get a job or three in Pittsburgh.”

He’s persistent. That’s for sure. But I’m already taking enough of his charity living in this place. Rent here is way cheaper than anything else in the college town, but that’s the benefit of his parents owning the house. I wonder if they’ll sell it after he graduates or keep it as an investment. Sounds like something rich people do. Not anything within the scope of my life experience.

“I’m good. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

“It wouldn’t be the same without you, man.” A warm smile full of perfect teeth flashes across his face. “And maybe try to take it easy on the new guys. They mean well. They’re just like little puppies that aren’t quite housebroken yet.” Beau can come across as a cocky asshole sometimes, but he cares so much about the team.

“I’m not potty training anyone. Sounds like a job for you, captain.”

He shakes his head at me. “Shoot me a message if you want to come for a visit. You’re always welcome.”

I know he means it, but I’ve been burned before by people who claimed they cared about me. This can’t last. We’ll get through this year and move on with our lives. The only bright spot is the pro contract I’m going to sign with Vancouver. As long as nothing goes wrong, I’ll set myself up for the rest of my life. After graduation, I never want to rely on anyone else or worry about how I’m going to pay for my groceries.

Beau is great, but he lives in a very different world than I do. He’d never understand how important it is for me to earn as much as possible over the summer. I need to be able to afford the bills not covered by my scholarship, plus save whatever I can.

“Sure.”

“I know you don’t mean it, but I’m still putting it out there. I’ve gotta go make Woodsy and Seb do some shots before they try to sneak out of here with their girls.”

He pushes up, swaggering over to the other guys. Might be time for me to call it a night. Slip out of here before things get too emotional. Yes, I’ll miss the members of our team who are graduating this year, but I’m not shedding tears over it. Too many people have come and gone from my life. Plus, they’re moving on to better things. The life I want and will do everything I can to get.

I’m the first one up. A major advantage to not drinking alcohol is no hangovers. I head down to the gym space in the basementto work out. My headphones are blaring a pounding rock beat in my ears, and who knows how much time has passed when Beau steps through the door.

I grab my towel, swiping it down my soaked face. It’s been longer than I thought.

“What are you punishing yourself for?” Beau asks, tilting his head so a chunk of his dark blond hair falls in his eyes. It’s unusual to see him before he’s perfectly put together.

“I’m not punishing myself. Just working out. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do, captain?” I ask my friend. He’s been given the captain spot next year with Aspen leaving, and I’m proud of him. He deserves it. He was raised to be a leader. Me, I was born to be just what I am. A bruiser. An enforcer. We’re a perfect defensive duo.

“Yes, but not right this second. You can take a day off, Dev.”

I can’t. Not one day of this summer will be wasted. I’ll be at work, at the gym, or on the ice when I can snag some time there. My job helping at the local rink at least guarantees me some ice time.

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