Page 13 of The Penalty Box

Instead of facing me on the ice, she threw me into the stupid penalty box without an explanation.

Chapter Five

EVIE

“Evie…” The words are a hushed drawl as he leans against my desk. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath touch my skin, the goose bumps rising on my flesh.

“Noah,” I return in the same manner, looking at him over my shoulder.

There is a cute, teasing smile playing on his lips as he looks down at me, and I can feel my cheeks flush, if only slightly, underneath his watchful gaze. He’s dressed impeccably, as always. Dark jeans hug his hips, and a dark blue sweater makes his eyes pop. His hair is messy, but not I-just-got-out-of-the-bed kind of messy. His look is more of a I-spent-twenty-minutes-in-front-of-a-mirror-styling-my-hair-to-look-messy messy style. Not like there is anything wrong with it.

He’s handsome, some would say preppy even.

He’s nothing like Liam, the little voice inside my head reminds me, but I ignore it.

I’m not doing this, not anymore. We’ll still be friends, once I’m able to look him in the eyes and not feel like something is trying to chew me up from the inside out.

So yeah, Liam and I… We’re just friends. And that means letting myself open up to the possibility of another guy. Somebody who’snothinglike Liam.

Putting the last of my things in the backpack, I turn around, only to crash into a firm chest.When did he get so close?My heart flutters as I lift my eyes up, up, up and finally meet Noah’s patient gaze.

“So, about that date…”

I nibble at my lip, mauling over his words for a moment.

Am I really going to do this?Jessy thinks it’s a good idea. Jessy’s boy-crazy. I don’t think she’s the best to judge this.You’ll never know if you don’t give him a chance. You like Noah.

Shaking my head slightly, I push the contradictory thoughts away. Am I really that pathetic to fight withmyselfover this? In my own head?

“I—”

“Evie!”

Hearing my name being called stops whatever words I wanted to say. Turning around almost abruptly, I come face-to-face with the person I’ve been avoiding since Saturday night.

“L-Liam,” I stutter, a shudder running through my body, as I see him bulldoze toward me. His brown eyes are narrowed, furious even.

Dammit.

“What the hell, Evie?” Liam demands, almost as soon as he’s within earshot.

“Well, hello to you too,” I deadpan, irritated with his angry tone and hot-head attitude. I knew he possessed both, although up until now I have never been at the receiving end of it. It’s not usual for Liam to lose his cool. Not like this. And today, he’s pissed.

“Where the fuck were you this morning?” he asks, completely ignoring my sarcastic remark.

I cringe a little, guilt eating at me. Maybe I could have answered one of the dozen messages he sent me since Saturday and at least let him know not to come and pick me up.

“I went with Jessy.” I shrug nonchalantly. “I told you a hundred times you don’t have to come back after practice to pick me up for school.”

“And I told you I don’t mind,” he grits through clenched teeth, observing me carefully. “But this doesn’t have anything to do with coming back after practice.”

Of course he knows. I would be surprised if he didn’t see through my bullshit.

“You’re imagining things.” I try to get around him, but his fingers wrap around my wrist, not letting me pass.

“Out with it, Evie. What the hell is going on?”

I give him a glare of my own, noticing people starting to look at the scene we’re making. “We’re not doing this. Not here, not now.”

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