Page 6 of The Penalty

Lifting my beer to my mouth, I watch him from the corner of my eye and run my hand down my chest and stomach. I don’t have defined abs or cut lean muscles but I’m hot. Definitely not breakable. Which comes in handy for hockey.

Rhys’ eyes flash to me, to my hand, then he turns away when Tobi pushes him from the doorway to pass him.

Looking down at myself, I make sure I don’t have something on me. Fuzz. Bruise. A sticker. That would be embarrassing. Where would I have gotten a sticker?

He swallows hard, gaze lingering at my abs where my shorts are sitting low on my hips.

Tobi shoves Rhys. “What are you looking at?”

“He’s got nice abs.” Rhys shrugs unabashed.

Is he into dudes?

“I’m not even an athlete and I look like that, too. He’s not special,” Tobi scoffs and lifts his shirt. “Actually, I look better.” He flexes and six-pack abs appear.

“Bullshit.”Don’t look at Rhys, don’t look at Rhys, don’t look at Rhys.

“It’s not bullshit. You’re just bigger,” Tobi scoffs.

“What can I say? Daddy likes to eat.”

Tobi makes a gagging sound and bends over like he’s going to puke on the floor while Rhys snorts as he’s taking a drink, so he ends up choking and coughing.

“Don’t ever call yourself that again.” Tobi looks a little green.

Perfect.

“Don’t worry, little brother, someday you’re going to appreciate the finer things in life.” I take another drink and force myself not to pat Rhys’ back. If I touch him, I will be fucked and not in the fun way.

“I don’t think I will ever appreciate that.” Tobi gestures at me.

Rhys laughs, swaying a little. I didn’t realize how drunk he’d gotten. “Well, this has been fun, but I gotta get home.”

“You can’t walk home drunk. That’s dangerous.” I jump from the table and follow after him.

“It’s two blocks.” Rhys slurs his words a little.

I get distracted by his glorious ass and find myself in the hallway sans shoes.

“Wait! Fuck! I need shoes.” I run back into our apartment and snag my purple Crocs, putting the strap down to use them in sport mode as I hear the elevator ding.

“You aren’t waiting!”

“I’ll be fine.” Rhys steps into the elevator as I come sprinting around the corner.

“You could fall into a manhole and die.” I yell trying to make it to the elevator. My mom is going to murder me if she finds out about this.

“Who the fuck falls into a manhole?”

The doors are closing, but I shove my arm between them, and they open again. Rhys looks completely unamused, but I don’t care.

“You, that’s who!” I give him what I hope is a serious expression.

“This is ridiculous. I won’t fall into a manhole.”

“I’ve got a manhole you can fall into,” I say, rendering him speechless. “I win, so now I get to walk you home.”

“Why do you win?”

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