Page 73 of The Penalty

“Uh huh. You’re such an ass.”

“Yeah, but you love me.”

“Sure. Keep telling yourself that, little brother.” The face he gives me would look better on an ogre than a witch. He loves to pretend he’s the older sibling.

“Jazz!” My smile really spreads when I see my new friend behind the cash register.

There was already a big smile on her face when we stepped up to the counter, but when she spots us, it creeps up the side of her face, crinkling the corners of her eyes. She looks so different from when I met her at the Halloween party. I’m surprisedI even recognized her without the massive wig and intricate makeup.

“Cece. Beau. What can I get for you two?” She ducks her head at Beau.

“She’ll have a kid’s hot chocolate, and I’ll have an Americano black.”

I appreciate the eye roll she gives my brother. “Not that there is anything thing wrong with a hot chocolate, but what would you actually like, Cece?”“I’ll have a London Fog, please.” I don’t think my stomach can handle coffee right now.

“Got it.” Her brown eyes flick up past my shoulder to check the line. “I’d love to chat, but we’re kind of swamped right now.”

“No worries. We should catch up later.” We tapped our contact info at the party, but I’ve been so busy with my school catch up, and my side project I haven’t had time to reach out.

“For sure. Have a good one. Both of you.”

Beau drops a ten in the tip jar. “I’ll wait for the drinks. Why don’t you grab us seats?”

I keep my eyes on the exterior door, watching students come and go. I’m half tempted to slip out with the crowd. Forget all about this crazy idea.

“What’s wrong?” Beau asks, slipping into the seat across from me before I can make my escape. A floral aroma wafts up from the red mug he places in front of me.

“What?”

“You’re chewing on your nails.”

Right. Drawbacks of knowing someone literally your entire life are they know all your tells. We never were any good at playing poker against one another. Forming evil alliances? That we excelled at.

“Nothing. I’ve got a lot going on. School. This graphic novel I’ve been working on with Anna. Just busy.”

“Sure. Tell me about the graphic novel? How’s that going?”

“Great.” This I can talk about.

I’ve been keeping my eyes locked on my hands and then my drink since he sat down across from me. Afraid the twin intuition would give me away, and he’d guess my secret. But now that I’m looking up at him, he’s the one who looks off. His usually perfect hair is a little off kilter. Not enough for most people to notice, but I’m not most people. There are small lines of strain around his eyes that I’ve seen before. Whenever he’s been under a lot of pressure, they appear. Trying out for a new competitive team. Applying for colleges. Dealing with our father.

“What about you? Are you doing okay?” I reach over to place a hand on his.

“I’m fine.”

All I need to do is lift a brow at me, and he knows I can see right through his lie.

“No, you’re not. Don’t lie to me. What’s going on?”

He takes a sip of his drink, cursing. It spills over the sides of his mug when he slams it on the table. “That was fucking... I mean, freaking hot.”

“Beau. You can swear in front of me. Also, I’m kind of disappointed you’re the reason they put those warning labels on hot drinks. I thought better of you.”“Shut up.”

“Never. Now tell me what’s going on? Is it the team? Girl problems. I don’t need details. Just the basics.”

“It’s not girl problems. I don’t have time for girl problems. And even if I did, you’re the last person I’d tell.”

“That’s because you know I’d side with the girl. Us women have to stick together.”

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