Page 9 of The Penalty Box

Yes, I like Liam as more than a friend, but am I really willing to risk our friendship and put my heart on the line just because he mentioned dating? It’s not like he askedmeout on a date. Not even close.

Besides, I don’t think Jessy gets it. Not really. Liam and I have been friends for so long, he is practically a part of me. An essential part I’m not sure I could live without, while at the same time I know that if I ever do cross that line between friendship and something more, we’ll never be able to get back to how things were. Nothing will be the same. It couldn’t be.

Is it really worth the risk?

Then there’s Noah. Of course, as my best female friend—there is no way I’d go to Liam and talk about Noah with him—she knows all about him and what’s been going on during our English class. He’s handsome and charming, but for some reason, my heart is set in its way and wants somebody else.

No, not just somebody.

Wants Liam.

“It’s not that easy,” I mutter once she gets back, pushing the cup into my hands.

“You’re the one making it difficult.”

“Says the girl who can’t decide between salad and yogurt.” I give her a knowing look. “I’m the first person who wants this to be different. I want to go to how things were with Liam before my feelings toward him got all messy. It’s not like I chose this for myself.”

“True, but you can make this choice. He asked you about dating, so obviously, something made him think about you dating.” Her hands land on my shoulders and she turns me around. Almost instantly my eyes zero in on the guy standing behind the bar. “Now’s your chance, Evie.”

She pushes me a little in his direction. My legs wobble, and I inhale sharply, trying to keep some composure. Since Liam hasn’t noticed me yet, I take a moment to look at him. The room is dark, and there are people between us, but at this point, I know him so well—not just the way he looks, but his habits too—that I don’t have to look at him to see him.

His dark hair is still probably damp from the shower, and mussed since he rarely takes a moment to comb it. His grin so wide his dimple pops out, brown eyes shining brightly in excitement over the win.

Maybe Jessy is right. My fingers clench with nerves as I maul over Jessy’s words. Maybe I should just ask him and be done with it once and for all. Things won’t be the same, but are they really the same as they used to be when we were younger? Far from it. Yes, we’re still friends, but I can feel the connection we have change almost daily. Small, at first insignificant changes, that suddenly become big and nothing is as it used to be.

“Okay.” That one word comes out in awhooshof air. I look over my shoulder at my friend’s smiling face. “I’m going.”

I take a few steps, determined to get the job done.

Maybe I really do need this to either get what I want or to get free of this attraction I feel for my best friend so I can move on.

A group of people gets in my way. I frown, shifting my weight from one leg to another as I wait for them to move on, but that’s all it takes for him not to be alone anymore. And it’s not just anybody.

It’s Jeanette Sanders.

I’m not familiar with a lot of the senior class, buteverybodyhas heard of the Sanders twins. When somebody new moves to town, it’s a given people will start to talk. They’re not an exception.

I watch him as he leans on the counter, a lazy smile on his lips. My heart squeezes slowly, painfully. The lump forms in my throat and suddenly it’s hard to breathe.

Of course he’d be interested in her. She’s older, more mature, and gorgeous. I don’t have to be able to see her through the dim light illuminating the living room to know that. I’ve seen Jeanette around the school hallways a few times in passing. She’s tall and lean, with midnight hair and olive skin. There is an almost exotic tone to her features. Although she mostly keeps to herself, I’ve seen guys look at her, and apparently Liam’s no exception.

Turning around so I don’t have to see them, I catch Jessy’s worried eyes on me. She’s seen them too.

“This was a mistake,” I say as I walk around her.

“Evie…” Jessy tries to call me, but I don’t turn back. If I do I might get a glimpse of Liam flirting with Jeanette again and I’m not sure my heart can take it.

I have to get out of here. Now. If I don’t I’ll suffocate.

This was a bad idea. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t embarrass myself in front of everybody.

Whatever the reason behind his question was, it most certainly wasn’t because Liam is interested in me.

After all, I’m just his best friend.

Chapter Four

LIAM

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