Page 39 of Delayed Penalty

“He did,” a new voice says, and Hayes steps out of the way to reveal a familiar-looking face. He steps forward, extending his hand my way. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Fox. It’s nice to meet you.”

I shake his hand, noting his bright white smile, perfectly straight teeth, and amber eyes.

“Fox. You’re the goalie, right?” He nods. “That save you made with your skate last season was incredible.”

Not that I’d ever tell my brother I sometimes watch Serpents games when I’m supposed to be rooting for his team instead.

His cheeks flush, and he shuffles his feet.

“Howdy, ma’am. I’m Fox. By golly, it sure is awfully nice to meet ya,” another guy mocks with a roll of his eyes.

“I didn’t even say howdy.” Fox shoves the second guy, who barely stumbles.

He pushes him back and steps up with a grin. “Hey, I’m Lucas Lawson, but my teammates call me Lawless Lawson. We’re your moving crew.”

I lift my brows. “Lawless Lawson? Seriously?”

Hayes and Fox snicker.

“Shut up,” Lawson growls. “Lawson will do just fine.”

I roll my lips together, repressing my laugh. I wave them into my apartment. “Well, if you’re here to move me, we better get started.”

They crowd into my tiny apartment—which now suddenly feels infinitely smaller—looking around at the mess I’ve made.

“Um, so, did a moving company already come through?” Fox asks, his eyes wide as he takes it all in.

There are piles of clothes and kitchen items and stacks of boxes, but that’s about all the heavy lifting there is to do out in the living room.

“Nope,” I say, following behind them, snatching up an old bra and tucking it behind my back. “I’ve sold all my furniture over the last few days to pay my back rent, so it’s just all this stuff, plus my bedroom and the spare room, which is honestly a lot more of this.”

The guys all exchange a look.

“What?” I ask, not liking it one bit.

“You sold your furniture?” Hayes asks.

“Yep. Couch, TV, TV stand. Those went super fast on Marketplace. The kitchen table and chairs were a little slower but eventually went, too. Even sold my bookshelves for twenty-five bucks each.”

His brows slant together. “Does that mean you’ve just been inviting strangers into your home?”

I don’t like the way he’s talking to me, like I’m Flora being reprimanded.

I lift my chin, crossing my arms over my chest. “Youjust brought strangers intomyhome.”

“I know those fuckheads.”

“Hey!” Lawson says, looking truly offended.

Fox just shrugs.

“That’s completely different than just handing out your address to random people over the internet,” he continues as if Lawson never said a word.

I want to kick him out. Or in the balls. I haven’t decided which.

“That’s just reckless and stupid and?—”

“Are you finished?” I interrupt.

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