Page 19 of The Penalty Box

She looks down at her phone like she doesn’t damn well know what time it is. “At midnight? Sitting on my front porch when it’s freezing outside?”

“It’s not that cold.” I shrug it off, although my fingers would disagree.

“It still doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.” She goes back to her task of searching for her keys. Either she didn’t take them or she’s choosing to ignore me because there is no way they’re lost in that tiny thing.

“I couldn’t just wait for you at home!”

“You shouldn’t be waiting for me at all,” she backfires. The bag falls back by her side as her fuming amber eyes turn to me.

“You went out with a fucking football player. What do you expect me to do? Just chill at home?”

“Yes, actually I do! I don’t see how my going out with anybody has something to do withyou,” she spits out, poking her finger at me. “It’s my life. You don’t get a say in it.”

Irritated, I cross the short distance and stop right in front of her, not even an inch of space between us. At least this way she’ll have something to poke at. “It has everything to do with me, Evie. You’re my…”

I stop abruptly, at loss for words. She’s my what exactly? Best friend? No matter how true those words are, they don’t seem like enough, because to me Evie has always been more than just a friend. So much more than I could ever put in words. She’s my constant. My other half. Mybetterhalf. I don’t even know how to function without her. This past week I’ve been going crazy because she’s been ignoring me. I don’t remember the last time I didn’t get to talk with her for so long.

But Evie doesn’t give me a chance to finish.

“I’m yourfriend, Liam.” She spits like the word offends her in some way. “That’s it. But that doesn’t give you the right to meddle in my life. You’re doing whatever and whoever you want to do and I can do the same.”

Whatever and whoever…My brows furrow. “What the hell does that even mean?”

Evie looks away guiltily. “Nothing.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “It sure as hell looks likesomething. Spill it out, Evie.”

“It’snothing. I’m done with this. Good night, Liam.”

My heart starts beating rapidly as I watch her go around me. The finality of her words makes my palms sweaty, my breathing harsh.

She can’t leave me.

Desperation buzzes in my skin, icy cold. My hand shoots out to wrap around her wrist and pulls her back. She stumbles, crashing into me and knocking the air out of my lungs, but I hold steady. There is no way a little thing like Evie could get me on my ass anytime soon.

Evie lifts her amber eyes, her gaze crashing into mine. Her eyes are wide, surprise evident on her face. But she’s not the only one.

What the hell are you doing?the sensible Liam, Evie’s best friend, asks. But he’s not the guy who’s owning my body right now. Not even close.

“We’re not done,” I say, my grip on her tightening.

“Li—” Evie starts, but I’m done talking.

Pulling her closer, I bend down, my lips crashing against hers in an unforgiving kiss. I can feel her gasp in surprise, her hot breath touching my lips as my mouth devours hers. Taking the opening, I let my tongue slide inside her hot, wet mouth.

Holly hell.

I’ve kissed girls before, so it’s not like it’s something new, but kissing Evie is different than anything I’ve ever experienced before.

Evie’s tongue meets mine, and that little touch is all it takes for something inside of me to break. Slowing my assault, my free hand finds its way to the nape of her neck, tilting her head to the side to give me leverage and deepen the kiss. Her hand that was only seconds ago poking me, grips my shirt for dear life as she returns my kiss.

Her lips are soft and sweet, just like I knew they’d be. They slide over mine like they’re made for me. A soft moan humming in the back of her throat makes my blood roar in my veins.

I did that. Me and nobody else.

The way her body feels against mine, the way our lips mold together… it’s like she was made for me.

Mine.

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