Page 58 of The Penalty

The car is shifting under me as we make progress out of the lot and onto the street.

“You’re safe now,” Georgia says.

But I wait another couple of minutes, exercising extra caution.

“You coming to games night with us, puck boy?”

Dev actually lets out a rare chuckle. Georgia has that effect on people.

“Iguess.”

“Good. We could use some fresh blood. I was thinking of breaking out the Ouija board.”

That has me sitting up fast. “No, you’re not. Aren’t you the one who told me you’re not supposed to fuck around with those things? A demon in the house is the last thing we need.”

“There she is.”

She was messing with me, got it.

“Why are you bringing one home, then?”

Her head is cranked around to look at me rather than the road she should be focusing on.

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t they call this one Lucy? For Lucifer? He sure looked like he was possessed tonight. What was that all about? I’m still a hockey newbie, but judging by how fast he got sent to the penalty box, I’m assuming that move wasn’t legal.”

I laugh. Why am I not surprised she’s done a deep dive into the team, including the origins of their nicknames?

“Asshole deserved it.”

“Fair point. No further questions. Let’s get home. We’re making Penne Vodka for dinner. You two can be in charge of the salad.”

The rumble of Dev’s stomach travels all the way to the back seat, and he reaches in his backpack for a snack. “Trail mix?” he offers. “If you don’t mind me eating in your car?” He turns to Georgia.

“No problem, sugar, but I’ll pass. Saving up for our delicious meal.”

I shake my head so he’s the only one munching away on the short ride back to our place.

“Hey, you brought the jock!” Anna pulls her head off Blake’s lap as soon as we step into the house.

I come to an immediate halt when Dev freezes in place. I tug on his arm, trying to encourage him through the door.

“Don’t scare him away, Anna.” The other few times he’s been over, we were kind of occupied in my room and only emerged for brief periods to avoid starvation. While death by sex might seem glamorous, I’m not ready to check out yet. So, he hasn’t had much contact with my roommates yet. Now that I’m thinking about it, he may have been avoiding them.

“What? We’re not used to athletic types around here. Most of our friends have only played hockey with a video controller in their hand. If that.”

“Well, he plays video games, too. Obviously, he’s more well rounded than the rest of us.”

“I’d say he’s well rounded.” I give Georgia the stink eye when I turn to catch her appreciating his rear end with a covetous look in her eyes.

I lean back to hiss in her ear. “Mine. Eyes to yourself.”

She laughs, marching by us. “What are we playing? Clue, Cards Against Humanity, Risk?” I tilt my head up at Dev. “What do you feel like? We have pretty much everything you can think of. Our board game closet is epic.”

He’s shifting from one foot to the other, arms crossed over his chest. I’m worried if he doesn’t relax, he’s going to leave, and I’d really like to keep him for the night. Or maybe the week. If only we had zero responsibilities. Snowed in for a week doesn’t sound so bad if I’m with him. But that is unlikely to happen in October.

“Whatever you want.”

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