Page 100 of The Penalty

I jump clutching my chest. “Christ. How long have you been there?”

“We were listening from behind that column over there,” Colin say as he steps into view.

“So you heard?”

“Parts. The acoustics in this place are dreadful,” Owen mutters. “On a scale of one to defcon Oliver. How mad was he?”

“I’m new to this scale. I don’t know. I guess livid. He basically gave me an ultimatum.” I rub my forehead not even sure I can process all of what he said.

“Was he really calm and cold?” Owen asks.

“I guess.”

“He was,” Teddy adds.

“That’s not good.” Owen shudders. “We might want to cancel dinner with him tomorrow,” he says to Colin.

“He almost acted like he was on my side because we’re family. But that doesn’t seem right.” I admit going over the conversation in my head again.

“You’re fucked,” Colin says, eyes wide. “You’re never getting rid of him now.”

“What?” I look at Owen like he’ll give me better news.

“He’s right. If he sees you as family, it’s basically over.” Owen pats my shoulder, giving me comfort about as well as if he were using a broom.

“How did I do that?” How did I manage to lose my shitty father and somehow get a more complicated family out of it?

Owen shrugs.

“If you’re the receiver at an orgy, does that make you a glory hole?” Teddy says, and everyone turns to look at him. “What?”

“Where did that come from?” Colin asks, cracking up.

“You said it looked like we’ve been in an orgy which got me wondering.” Teddy shrugs.

Rhys changed Teddy’s name to My Glory Hole.

TWENTY-SEVEN

TEDDY

Rhys is acting weird. He’s too quiet. Like the ham-stir in his mind is going too fast. Too many trains on not enough tracks and everything is on fire. I can’t let him leave here like this.

“Thanks for coming with me,” Rhys says, playing with my fingers in his lap.

“Of course, we’re boyfriends.” I open the door, but he doesn’t move. “Are you not coming in?”

He looks past me and sighs. “It’s late.”

“So? The fancy clothes suitcase is in my room along with your clothes.”

“I can get those another ti?—”

“No. Either you’re coming up or I’m going to your place.” He’s not leaving here all grumpy face. “You’re taking this stupid thing off me, taking yours off, hugging me while we’re naked, then putting on comfier clothes.”

He cocks an eyebrow at me. “Oh I am?”

“Yes, you are. Choose.” I cross my arms and wait.

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