Page 26 of The Penalty Box

Noah notices it and asks, “Ready to go?”

Giving one final look at the ice rink, I turn toward him with a smile. “Sure.”

* * *

“Are you sure you don’t want one of those?” He dingles a Solo cup in front of my nose, a bit of beer spilling over the rim.

I watch as one lone drop slides over his hand. “Nah, I’m good.”

I don’t like drinking, but more than anything, I don’t likebeer. I can still remember the first time I drank it. Liam and I were barely twelve. Our parents went out for a double date, leaving us home alone. Liam found his dad’s beer stashed in the pantry and brought it out for us to try. I barely got the first swallow down my throat. It was warm, foamy, and tasted so bitter and heavy on my tongue I really considered spilling it out on the spot. Liam, on the other hand, loved it. He ended up drinking both of our beers as we watched the latestFast & Furious. I even think he got a little drunk that night. Not like he’d ever admit it out loud.

I sigh. Here I go again, thinking about Liam.

Noah shrugs, taking a long pull from his cup. His free hand curls around my waist, pulling me closer as he starts moving to the music blasting from the speakers.

When we got to Andrew’s house we grabbed the first round of drinks and went in search of his football buddies.

I don’t know what is it about athletes, but they tend to stick in their groups, not mingling with the rest of the people. And where the football players gathered there were also cheerleaders, including Jessy and her two friends Mila and Tammy.

We all hung out for a bit, but then “Despacito”came on and girls squealed loudly, pulling me on the dance floor.

I gave in, reluctantly, and we danced for a few upbeat songs until strong hands wrapped around me from behind.

“I love the way you move,” Noah murmurs in my ear, his hot breath touching my skin. A shiver runs through my body.

“I’m not really good at it,” I whisper back, my hands clenching his shoulders tighter. The familiar flush rises on my cheeks, but thanks to the darkness clouding the room, I’m sure Noah can’t see it.

“I beg to differ.” This time it’s not just his breath that touches my skin, it’s his lips. They’re pressing against my skin, kissing me softly as he talks. Just a gentle press between the words, but I can’t escape the feeling that it’s wrong.

His lips.

His kisses.

The way he makes me feel…

Wrong. Wrong.Wrong.

His mouth traces my chin, but when he’s about to kiss me, I turn to the side, making it impossible for him to do so.

Something flashes in his eyes, just for a second. It’s gone so fast I can’t be sure if it was real or not.

“N-Not here.” I swallow hard, hoping my words will placate him without hurting his feelings. That’s the last thing I want, but suddenly I realize there will be no escaping it. I should have never agreed to this.

Noah pulls back, his hand sliding to my waist and gripping mine as he finishes his beer. “Let’s go.”

Before I can say anything he starts moving through the crowd of people scattered on the makeshift dance floor in the middle of Hill’s living room.

As we walk through the kitchen, he leaves his empty cup on the counter.

“Where are we going?” I ask, trying to keep up with his hurried pace.

Noah looks over his shoulder at me and winks playfully. “You’ll see.”

The cold night air hits me in the face as soon as he opens the door. We slide outside, the iciness of the night eating at my skin and settling deep into my bones.

“Noah…” I start, but his lips land on mine, effectively shushing me.

His kiss is almost desperate. Hard and bruising. The complete opposite of the kiss we shared inside of his car. His long fingers dig into my hair, pulling my head back slightly to get better access to my mouth.

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