Page 32 of The Penalty

Some new building with the inscriptionGodfrey School of Businesson the front is roped off and there are chairs set up with an aisle down the middle.

Wow. I wonder if he knows he shares the name of this building? What a cool coincidence.

We walk up the steps and it’s all roped off and filled with people dressed all fancy. There’s something special going on, but I don’t really understand what. What a building dedication means, I have not a clue, but apparently it’s a big deal.

Rhys takes a deep breath, straightens his shoulders, and enters the ceremony space.

We walk up the aisle that’s covered in a dark blue fabric with silvery details on the edges and the school’s helmet logo in the middle of it. I kinda want to piss on it but I don’t want to be arrested today, so I won’t.

As we pass the rows and rows of white folding chairs, I notice two men who look identical watching him. They seem like they could be related to Rhys, so maybe those are his brothers? They’re tall and lean but look deadly. Both of them have another man by their sides. One has wavy brown hair that looks messy but on purpose, and the other has curly blond hair that looks soft. All four are wearing suits and are now watching the man I’m following.

The man I’m supposed to be fake dating?

Rhys’ hand clenches into a fist, so I reach for it and force my fingers between his.

His head snaps toward me, and he stops moving. “What are you doing?”

Is this a trick question?

“Supporting you?” My duh is implied.

“How is holding my hand supportive?” He lifts our hands between us like I didn’t know what hand holding is.

“It’s a reminder you aren’t alone? And if you’re mad or whatever, you can squeeze it.” I don’t know how he missed these simple childhood concepts.

He groans. “Why are you adorable sometimes?”

I shrug. “Just comes to me naturally.”

“Why am I doing this?”

I glance over at him. “Are we in the wrong place?”

“No, it’s just—a lot.” Rhys moves again, this time pulling me along with him until we’re standing in front of the little group.

There is a man with curly blond hair who wears a big grin on his face that lights up his eyes. We’ll be friends, I can tell. The dark-haired men have straight faces that I can’t read at all, and the last man is holding onto one twin’s arm and trying not to smile. I might be friends with him too. They are my type of peeps.

“Hi, I’m Colin.” Curly blond holds his hand out to me to shake, which I do.

“Hi Colin, I’m Teddy.”

“Of course you are,” he says with delight and the twin closest to him gives him a look, but the smile doesn’t fall from his face. “Nice to see you again, Rhys.” He offers his hand to Rhys, who shakes it.

“Nice to see you.” Rhys smiles, but I can tell he’s forcing it.

I lean over and whisper. “He’s a good one.”

“Everyone can hear you,” Rhys says with a sigh.

“No, they can’t. I’m whispering.”

“They really can.” He holds back a laugh and turns to Colin. “Can you hear him whispering?”

“Sure can,” Colin says, delighted.

“But I’m whispering!” I whisper-yell.

“Now you’re just yelling,” Rhys says, but he seems to have cheered up some, so I’m going to call it a win.

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