Page 14 of The Penalty Box

“I want some answers,” Liam growls, like actuallygrowls.

Pulling my hand out of his grasp, I lift my chin just a little bit higher. “And I’m telling you, it’s none of your business.”

“Evie…”

“I think you should listen to what she said, Ward.”

Slowly, almost reluctantly, Liam turns toward Noah. His eyes narrow as he stares at him, turning into tiny slits. “You shouldn’t put your nose where it doesn’t belong, Russell.”

“Oh, this is rich,” I scoff, propping my hands on my hips. “So you can put your nose intomybusiness, but Noah can’t do the same.” Shaking my head, I look at Noah. “Let’s go, Noah.”

Liam’s hand grabs me once again. “You’re not going with him.”

Irritation and something that sounds almost like desperation, mix in his voice. But no matter how much my heart wants to cling to the second, my mind isn’t ready to let go of the first.

“I sure as hell am not staying with you.”

He stumbles back, shock clear on his face. I don’t think he’d be more surprised if I slapped him. I don’t thinkIwould.

Liam’s mouth hangs open, but no words come out. We stare at each other for a moment longer, until I break it, unable to look at his hurt expression for one more second. My breath hitches, my heart squeezing painfully as I walk around him and get the hell out.

Tears burn my eyes, but I push them back. I can feel people’s curious glances on me, but I ignore them all. Lowering my eyes to the ground so that my face is hidden from nosy stares I walk—okay, more like run—without a destination in mind. My breathing is hard, my heart beating rapidly against my ribs. Steady buzzing in my ears makes all the noises of the school hallway fade away.

“Evie!”

He must have called me at least a few times, but it takes me a minute to register his voice. His hand wraps around mine, stopping me from going anywhere. But Noah’s not the person I’m trying to run away from, so I turn around to look at him.

Wide blue eyes scan my face with worry. “Are you okay?”

I nod once, although no, I’m not okay, not in the least.

“Ask me.” I can see the confusion on his face. “Ask me again, Noah.”

Surprise at my request is evident when he realizes what I’m saying. What I’masking, but he doesn’t leave me hanging.

His thumb traces the inside of my wrist in a slow, soothing touch.

It’s nice. It doesn’t make butterflies jump in my belly, but it’s not unwelcome either.

“Do you want to go out with me, Evie?”

There is a commotion behind his back. For a split second my eyes dart over his shoulder, catching a glimpse of my best friend, but I force them away, on the boy standing in front of me. Boy who’s interested inme. Boy whowantsme.

“Yes,” I whisper, sealing my fate. “I’ll go out with you, Noah.”

Chapter Six

LIAM

“What the fuck is wrong with you, man?” Andrew cross-checks me, the force pushing me into the Plexiglass.

I might have started it by tripping him one time too many for his liking, but ask me if I care.

“If you started to move your ass and get the fuck out of my way, it wouldn’t be necessary,” I taunt, adding oil to the fire.

His grim expression turns furious. I should be afraid of it. I know I should. Nobody messes with Andrew Hill and comes out unscratched, but my rational side is long gone. I welcome his anger, the need to punch something,someone, that’s been buzzing beneath my skin for the past week coming to the surface. And since I can’t punch the one person I want to, he’ll have to do.

“You little…” But before he can finish his sentence, or take off the gloves, the whistle blows hard, our teammates gathering around us and creating a barrier as they pull us each to our side and away from each other.

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