Page 57 of The Penalty

A few minutes go by and there’s no response and no read receipt.

Is he really ignoring me now?

Did he block me back?

I can’t take this anymore.

It’s been hours and he’s not even opening the messages.

Even though I should be going back to the dorms, I grab my stuff and head to Rhys’ mom’s house instead. Coach will probably be pissed for me getting back so late but we have an evening game tomorrow, so it’ll be fine. I can nap or whatever if I have too.

The air is biting cold as tiny snowflakes fall. It’s beautiful and about as peaceful as this city gets. The streetlights make the snow glow a little and even though it hurts to breathe, I enjoy it.

When I get to the building, I can’t remember if I have to be buzzed in or not. There’s only been like three times I was in here, picking up Tobi or whatever. The door opens so I jog up the short flight of steps and enter, coming into a spacious lobby with a uniformed employee behind a desk counter thing.

“Hello, can I help you?” the doorman asks, looking up from the computer screen.

“Yeah, I’m just visiting a friend of mine.”

The man looks me over and I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile but it’s probably not.

“Does yourfriendknow you’re coming?” he says friend weird. Does he think I’m trying to be discrete about a hook up? Kinda presumptuous of him.

“No, I’m trying to surprise him.”

He lifts an eyebrow at me, gives me a very judgmental look, then sighs. “What apartment?”

That’s a great question and one I should probably know since I walked my ass over here in the snow at ten pm on Thanksgiving when I should be sleeping because of our game. If Coach finds out I’ll be in so much trouble.

I rack my brain and think I remember the right one. “One N.”

He does something on the computer and asks my name. “I’m sorry, but you don’t have permission to be let up. I’ll have to call.”

Shit.

“Sure.” I shrug like it’s no big deal, but what the hell am I going to do if Rhys tells him no? It’ll be so awkward!

“Miss Cameron, so sorry to bother you this late,” the man says, giving me a look. “I have a Teddy Ellis down here asking to come up.”

I don’t hear what she says, but he responds with, “Of course, thank you, Miss Cameron. Have a good night.”

He hangs up the phone and gives me a straight lipped look.

“Elevator on the left.”

I smile at him but am pretty sure he’s plotting my death. “Thank you!”

Rushing for the elevator, my Crocs squeak on the shiny floor and I impatiently wait for the doors to open without looking back. I think he’s a shape shifter or something. He might eat me and not in a sexy way.

When I get to the right floor, I step out and look up and down the hallway. I’m not entirely sure which way to go but a door opens and a pissed off Rhys steps out, so I head in his direction.

“Thank fuck you’re alive.” I shove my hands in my pockets and try not to run down the hallway.

“What are you doing here?” His arms are crossed and for some reason, I want to squeeze between them and his body. Make him hug me.

“You didn’t respond.”

“I didn’t want to talk to you.”

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