Page 57 of The Penalty

I reach up to rub at my chest, trying to ease the breathless pain. Not exactly what I was expecting. I’m way too sensitive to the judging eyes of random strangers, but being the target of one of my brother’s competitors on the ice is new. Or maybe it’s not. Maybe Beau has been dealing with this for a long time and he never wanted to hurt me. Ever protective. But then, it wasn’t Beau who lost it. He was mad, obviously, but he didn’t get himself sent to the penalty box. That was all Dev. A different kind of tingle skitters across my skin. It shouldn’t be hot, but it kind of is.

“What did he say?”

He looks up, brown eyes pained. “You don’t need to hear that. It was disgusting. He’s a piece of trash. Glad I took him out to the curb.”

“That can’t be good for you. I don’t want you getting in trouble for me.”

“Hey.” He closes his hand around my chin, tilting my face up to his. “You’re my girl now. No one talks about my girl like that. Ever. You’re worth the risk.” His eyes are shifting around, though. He looks nervous, and I hate that me being in his life could jeopardize his future.

I don’t say it out loud. That I don’t think I’m worth fighting for. Not worth risking things for. But it’s like he can see inside the tangled mess in my brain. The dark thoughts, and self doubt that I usually keep to myself. Because nobody needs to hear that. Or wants to hear it. A lady never complains, as my mother is fond of saying.

His face scrunches up in pain. “And he’s seen the pictures. They might be circulating again. I’m so sorry, Cece.”

My skin crawls. I’m never escaping those. That one stupid moment. Stupid mistakes like that shouldn’t be able to follow you for the rest of your life. But in this day and age, they do. And we’re back to that place where I’m bad for Dev. The man craves his privacy. Something he never had growing up. He shouldn’t have to carry my burden as well as his own. “I’ve got to go. Georgia is waiting for me in the car.”

I’m reluctant to leave him like this. He looks so upset, but the team usually goes out to celebrate a win or commiserate after a loss. He won’t want to come to silly old games night with me. And it’s probably better if he keeps his distance.

But his face falls, eyes drifting away, but not before I catch the lost look in them. I can’t bear to hurt him by pushing him away when he’s already down.

I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask. “You should come. We’re having a games night. Unless you’ve got other plans with your team.”

He dips his head to mine, capturing the lip I was nibbling on, and it steals my breath. His kiss is slow burn, fingers reaching up to tangle in my hair, pulling me closer until his tongue slips inside to trace mine, and the world fades away. When we’re together like this, nothing else seems to matter.

The metallic squeal of the back door shocks us apart. What am I doing? We’re out in public. Right behind the arena full of Dev’s teammates, including the one person who can’t find out about this.

Don’t be Beau. Don’t be Beau.

“Hey, Lucy, need a ride?”

I’m too scared to turn around. It’s one of his teammates, but since I’ve been avoiding them, I’m not too familiar with their voices.

Dev straightens. He reaches casually behind me, hands resting on my lower back for a moment before he slides one up my back, pulling my jacket’s hood up and over my ponytail, until it’s shadowing my face.

“I’m cool. I’ve got plans tonight. See you later.”

I’m resting a hand on his chest, and his heart is pounding as fast as mine. Georgia. I need her asap. I slip out my phone, sending a quick SOS.

Boots stomping on the pavement get closer and closer, and Dev pulls me in, tucking my head against his chest to conceal my face. His shirt is soft under my cheek, but I’m hyper aware of every movement behind us and can’t enjoy the proximity.

There’s a low whistle, and the disembodied voice is even closer this time. “Sure, drop the bomb out there and leave the rest of us to deal with the aftermath. Honestly, good on you. Beau is going to be a nightmare tonight. He hates losing. He’ll be beating himself up over it, and that’s no fun for anyone.”

Georgia’s bright red car in my peripheral vision is a beacon of safety as she squeals up in beside us.

“Nice ride. Are you sure I can’t come along?”

“Fuck off, JJ.” Dev’s words rumbleagainst my cheek.

“Fine.” There’s an exaggerated sigh. “Catch you later. Or maybe not. If you’re smart, you won’t come home until tomorrow.” The footsteps finally start to recede.

“It’s safe.” It’s a low whisper in my ear.

Dev moves beside me, keeping me blocked from prying eyes as I step toward the safety of the car. I duck my head down, reaching out to fumble for the door. It swings open, and I slip into the back seat, leaning to the side until I’m almost horizontal.

One door slams and then another, while I remain hidden. The engine rumbles to life with a smooth purr that matches the laugh of its owner coming from the front seat.

“Hey, Dev. Cece, what are you doing back there? You look like you had an encounter with one of the ghosts that haunts the arena.”

“Close call with one of Beau’s teammates. For a minute, I thought it was him. I think I may have actually had a near death encounter. Pretty sure my heart stopped for a minute or two there.”

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