Page 5 of The Penalty Box

“Don’t talk about her like that,” I warn, even more irritated with the direction in which this conversation is going.

This isEviewe’re talking about. It’s one thing to say she’s cute, although it doesn’t make it any less weird of a concept to wrap my mind around, but it’s completely another to talk about her… well, lady bits.

She’s not just some random co-ed puck bunny you trash talk about in the locker room.

“What?” Mike complains, rubbing at the nape of his neck. “It’s true. She’s filling out nicely all those tight T-shirts and short skirts she’s wearing.”

“She’s always dressed like that.” I grit through my teeth, pulling out my own equipment out of the locker. I might be using a little bit more force than necessary. The last thing I need is to jump one of my friends and get on the Coach’s wrong side. They’re just saying shit, looking to get a rise out of me, and no matter how much I want to give them just that, what I want more is to keep my spot on the team. Mystartingspot this Friday.

“Yeah, but now she fills them just right.” There is an almost predatory glint in my friend’s eyes and I don’t like it. Not one bit.

Even though Greyford is a small town and we’ve all known each other since we were kids, their relationship with Evie is different. Yes, we all hung out together and for the most part, they’re friends, but not like the two of us are. I don’t think there will ever be a person who’ll be closer to Evie than me.

But the way they talk about her… could it really be they’re interested in her like something more? A… girlfriend?

My chest constricts, my hand curling into a fist by my side so hard I have to consciously will my fingers to disentangle so I can continue with my preparations.

They’re just trying to taunt you. Don’t let them.

Today we had one last practice before tomorrow’s game. The first game I’ll start in my high school hockey career. I can’t lose my focus, not after all the hard work I put into getting here.

“That’s what I’m talking about.” Jack’s snicker gets my attention. He has a shit-eating grin on his face like he’s just proven a point. Whatever thatpointmight be.

“What?” I grumble, my mood sour.

“You say you’re just friends, but you defend her like there’s something more to it.”

Once again, I run my fingers through my hair, pulling in frustration as a loud groan rips from my lungs. “That’s because we’refriends.”

“What are you going to do when she starts dating some guy? Are you going to rip him a new one when he makes a move on her?”

My eyes narrow as I look at him. “Evie isn’t dating.”

Is she?I can’t help but wonder. I don’t think so, but then again, would she come to me and tell me if she did? Evie and I are close, but we never discussed opposite sex with each other.

Jack shakes his head. “Yet.”

“If you have something to say, say it already,” I demand through gritted teeth.

He takes me in, my almost rigid stance, my clenched hands and taut jaw. “I did, but you don’t want to listen. Let’s just hope when you do realize it, it’s not too late.”

* * *

The door shuts behind me, the sound echoing in the pitch-black, empty street. I look at the dark house in front of me, sighing. Grabbing my backpack out of the backseat of my Honda Civic, I lock the car and cross the short distance to the Clark house.

Not bothering to knock since I know it’s unlocked, I enter, shaking my head to get the snowflakes out of my hair.

“It’s me!” I yell to nobody in particular as I toe off my shoes.

It’s not the first time I came home to an empty house. My dad is a firefighter, so he works in shifts and sometimes isn’t home for two or three days in a row. Those days, like today, Mom is often over at the Clarks’ house so she isn’t all alone.

“Hey, baby, how was school?” Mom peeks her head from the kitchen, drying her hands with a towel.

Although I hate the nickname I don’t reprimand her. I heard a hundred times over the years the story of me being her miracle baby, so I don’t have it in me to correct her.

Mom and Dad tried for years. She had a few miscarriages, and they were just about to call it quits when they found out they were having me. She took special care during her pregnancy, and even later on. They were always so careful to make sure nothing happened to me, always worried. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact they actually let me play hockey. Then again, Dad played hockey up until his junior year in college when he busted his knee for good.

“It was good.” I shrug out of my jacket, putting it away. School is school, what’s there to say? It’s the same old, same old every single day. Hockey on the other hand… Turning around to look at her, I try to play it cool. “Coach told me I’ll be starting on Friday.”

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