Page 25 of The Penalty

“Very.” He laughs. “Have coffee with us and if you don’t like what you hear, you can tell us to fuck off.”

“Okay,” I say against my better judgement but a little part of me wants this. “When and where?”

“What are your classes like today?”

I arrange to meet him and his husband an hour before I have to be at practice so I can have an excuse to leave.

I get to the coffee shop early to scope the place out. I’m not a coffee drinker. We never had the money for it growing up or so I thought, so I didn’t go with my friends to do stuff like that. All our spare money went to hockey fees.

I order a tea and turn, finding Owen’s husband standing behind me looking me over. “Hi.”

“Those good genes are strong in the Godfreys’.” Colin elbows his husband who looks embarrassed.

“Sorry. I can’t take him anywhere.” Owen tries to smile but it’s pretty fake.

“Nice to see you again,” I say, not really sure how to answer any of that.

“The pleasure is mine.” Colin stands with his hands on his hips, wearing jeans and a crop hoodie that doesn’t cover his nipples. Which kind of defeats the purpose but it’s good for him. He and my brother seem like the most unlikely couple. I need to get that story out of them. “You two go sit. I’ll get us coffee, baby.”

Thankfully, it’s dead in here during the afternoon lull between classes and dinner.

Owen shuffles over to a table in the corner. “How’s school going? You settling in okay?”

I nod. “It’s pretty good. Busy with hockey.”

“I can imagine. Any sport at that level is intense.”

Colin saunters over, putting a drink in front of Owen before sitting down. “This is so exciting.”

I lift my brows.

“He even makes the same faces you and Oliver do. I love it.” Colin claps.

I glance at Owen like he’s going to have the answers. “Is your husband okay?”

“He likes to annoy my brother. It’s kind of a game between them.” Owen exhales heavily. “It’s just about the only weapon we have to put him in his place on occasion. You can’t really blame him.”

“You’re okay with that?” I ask.

Owen shrugs. “It’s pretty funny, and it got him off my back. Plus, my therapist thinks a little humor keeps my demons at bay. I can’t be sure of that, but it has been a while since I thought about taking a toaster bath so…”

I blink and then laugh. Maybe I do like Owen against my better judgment. “Is this advice or?” I’m not sure what to make of any of this.

“It could be. But I didn’t tell you anything.” Colin mimes zipping his lips. “But if you want to keep meeting in secret for tips,call me.”

“Don’t do that. You know he’ll have us followed!” Owen mutters with a sigh.

“What?” It’s almost worth having coffee with them to get a glimpse into how the other side lives.

“That’s how Oliver found out we were really married and not fake married.”

“Pardon me? Fake married?”

“It’s a long story.” Owen tips his head back. “And it doesn’t make me look the best.”

“I have time.” I sip my tea.

“Don’t make me tell it,” Owen groans.

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