Page 6 of The Penalty Box

A blinding smile spreads over her lips. “That’s amazing, Liam! When does the game start?”

“At seven, but you don’t—”

“Nonsense.” Mom waves me off, pulling her phone and typing away. “Dad should be home too, so we’ll come and cheer you on.”

Both my parents try to come to as many games as they can, but I know they’re both busy.

“Thanks, Mom.” I grab the backpack off the floor. “Evie upstairs?”

“Yup, she’s in her room. You have a little bit more time before dinner’s ready.”

“I’ll start on homework then,” I say and climb two steps at a time.

The upstairs is quiet as I pass down the hallway. The last door is left slightly ajar, light shining through a small gap.

Coming closer, I stop in my tracks when I see Evie sprawled on the bed. She’s lying on her stomach, her legs slowly swaying through the air. Her headphones are on her blond head as she scribbles something down, tongue peeking from the corner of her mouth.

My throat closes as my earlier conversation with Jack and Mike runs through my mind.

She’s cute.

And she grew a nice rack over the summer.

Against my better judgment, I let my eyes sweep over her. I’ve seen her a million times in our lives, yet somehow this feels different. I’ve always looked at her, but did I ever actuallyseeher?

You’d think Evie would turn out a tomboy. With her mostly hanging out around boys in the neighborhood until Jessy moved to Greyford just before the start of middle school, but no. Between her mom and mine, she was always dressed in bright-colored skirts and dresses and had bows in her hair. Yes, by the end of the day she’d get dirty, and her bows were crooked at best, but she didn’t mind one bit. I guess you could say she was the best of both worlds—dressed like a girl, but could hold her own against boys. The trait that only intensified as she grew up.

But Mike was right, Evie has become even girlier in the past year. Grewcurves.Her skirts are shorter, shirts just a tad tighter. Her hair isn’t a wild mess anymore, and her eyes and lips have an extra sparkle to them.

Swallowing through the lump in my throat, I look away. The heat rises up my neck. My ears burn as I grow more and more uncomfortable.

What the fuck are you doing, Ward? Checking out your best friend?

But even that doesn’t stop my friend’s words from messing with my head. Because a part of me knows they’re right.

What are you going to do when she starts dating some guy?

What if Evie really starts dating? Are any of my friends actually interested in her? What if they ask her out? What if she says yes?

Never before did I have to share Evie with anybody else. She’s my best friend. Has been practically since before we were born, and although we always had other friends, I could rely on the fact she’d always be there for me like I would always be there for her.

I must have moved or something because her head snaps up, the loose, messy bun swaying, strands of her hair disentangling from the mess on top of her head. For a moment, I can see the worry on her face, but it doesn’t take her long to realize it’s me.

“Liam, you scared the crap out of me!” Evie pulls down her headphones, getting into a sitting position.

Rubbing at the nape of my neck, I get inside the room. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a bit.”

“Nervous about the game?” Evie pulls back, leaving more space on her bed for me to sit next to her.

Letting the backpack slide next to the bed, I throw myself face-first into a bunch of lace-covered pillows.

“Can’t you have normal pillows like the rest of the people?” The soft material muffles my grumble.

“You don’t say it when we’re watching movies, and you can stack all the pillows behind your back to get a better view.”

True, but there is no way in hell I’ll ever admit it out loud, so I simply shrug. Squishing the pillow underneath my head, I turn to the side to get a better look at her.

“The practice was grueling.” I decide to keep to the safer topic, pushing back all the mixed thoughts and feelings swirling inside of me. “My whole body aches. If the old bastard continues pushing us this way, I won’t be able to stand by Friday, much less skate.”

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