Page 28 of Delayed Penalty

“But as far as you moving in,” he continues, “it would need to be sooner rather than later with our upcoming preseason games and prepping for the regular season. I know that’s probably not ideal, but…”

I nod. “I get the schedule. Brother is a hockey player, remember?”

Man, Brody will have a shit fit when I tell him I’m living with Hayes. But that’s a problem for future me.

“I can do soon,” I tell him. “That shouldn’t be a problem.”

And it will save me from dealing with my cranky landlord. I can hand him the money I owe him, then promise to never, ever darken his doorstep again. He’ll be so happy he’ll probably cry.

“And the living-with-me part?” Hayes asks, those light eyes of his boring right through me. “That won’t be a problem either?”

“You wouldn’t be my first roommate.”

“No, but I bet I’d be your first male roommate.”

He’s right. While I’ve had plenty of roomies over the years, they’ve all been girls who are like me. Not big, tall men who play professional hockey and are undoubtedly hiding a set of rippling abs under their shirts that are just a bit too tight and toned muscles in their jean-clad legs. I’ve definitely never had a roommate like that.

He grins wickedly. “Yeah, thought so. I’ll let you simmer on that while I’m gone.”

“You’re leaving?”

He lifts his brows. “Uh, yeah, that’s sort of the whole point of the trial run, isn’t it? See if you can make it through the day?”

“Oh. Yeah, I guess that’s true.”

I nibble on my bottom lip, the nerves I’ve been repressing beginning to rear their heads. I’m going tobe all on my own, taking care of a seven-year-old I barely know. I can do this…right?

“I have a team meeting around ten, then I’m heading to the rink to get some skating in before hitting the gym.” Hayes pushes off the counter and tosses his empty water bottle into the recycling bin next to the trash. “You have my number, so call if there are any problems. I’ll make sure to keep my ringer on. I’ll be back later this afternoon.”

I nod. “Sounds good.”

“Does it? You don’t seem sure, and Ineedyou to be sure. Flora is…” He looks down the hall to where her door is still slightly ajar. “Well, I want the best for her. So if you think this won’t work, I need to know now, not later, so I can figure something else out.”

I understand where he’s coming from. I do. I want the best for Flora too, and I think—I hope—I can do this.

I push my shoulders back, determined to make this work, and nod. “I’m sure.” And there’s only a slight waver to my voice when I say it.

“And, Quinn?”

“Yes?”

“Think about what I said.”

He doesn’t have to elaborate. He doesn’t need to. I know he means our living arrangement.

Could I live with the ridiculously hot hockeyplayer? Sure. Am I going to have to remind myself he’s my boss and to keep my hands to myself? Probably every damn day. But am I sure I can do this, especially if it means I can pay my bills and not be worried every time I leave the house that I’m going to come back to a padlock on my door? Possibly. I’m just going to have to remind myself of that rule every kid is taught when they’re little—I can look, but I can’t touch.

Even if I really, really want to touch.

CHAPTER 7

HAYES

“No fucking way.”

“Way.”

Lawson shakes his head. “I’m calling bullshit.”

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