Page 92 of Delayed Penalty

The only person I want to touch me can’t.

“Dude, is that the kid?” asks a mammoth of a man as he skates up to us. He’s scowling like he’s angry, but I have a feeling that just might be how his face is. “She’s as bad a skater as Lawson.”

“Hey! I’m not bad!” the man in question insists, skating to an abrupt stop and throwing snow up on the other grumpy-looking guy. “Stop being a dick, Keller.”

“Stop sayingdick. There are kids around,” Keller throws back.

I laugh, and all eyes turn to me.

“Ah.” Keller grins roguishly. “You must bethe nanny.”

I’m not sure I love the way he says it or how Hayes’s shoulders stiffen when he does.

“Kells…” he warns.

“What?” The guy shrugs. “She is, isn’t she?”

“I am.” I stick my hand out. “But I usually prefer to go by Quinn.”

He slips his hand in mine, and the only thing I can think isIt’s not Hayes.It’s not bad, but it’s not the same either.

“Nice to meet you,Quinn.”

“You too.”

Hayes steps forward, his shoulder brushing against mine, and I drop Keller’s hand instantly.

“Who did you bring?”

Keller points to the corner where an old man stands talking to Coach Smith. “My neighbor Harry. He’s a big hockey guy. Probably having the time of his life right now.”

“Holy shit. Did you, like, do somethingnicefor somebody?” Lawson gapes at his teammate.

“Shut up,” Keller grumbles, and I have a feeling this is highly unusual for him.

“I think it’s awfully nice you brought him along,” Fox says, skating up to the group. “Ma’am.” He tips his hat at me with a shy grin.

“Awfully nice,” Lawson mocks. “See? I told you you say shit like that, country boy.”

“Be nice, Lucas.” Rory stops next to Lawson, her arm looped through Auden’s. I’ve never seen them together before, and even though I know they’re twins, I still didn’t expect them to look so much alike.

“Hey, Quinn.” Auden smiles at me. “You having fun listening to these idiots bicker?”

“They’re…something.”

Hayes looks down at me. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you.”

“Brody Benson is my brother, remember?”

“Holy shit,” Hutch says, wrapping his arms around Auden’s middle and tugging her back against him, and I try not to let myself be envious of the simple action. “You’re Benson’s little sister? From Tennessee? No way.”

I shrug. “That’d be me.”

“That guy is amazing. Sucks to play against him because he’s so fast, but damn is he fun to watch.”

I smile, loving how they talk him up. Brody, of course, would let their praise go right to his head, but he’s just like that. Always loves having his ego stroked.

“Dude, look at Flora, Hayes.” Lawson points across the ice. “She’s fitting right in with Locke and his ten thousand nieces and nephews.”

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