Page 74 of Match Penalty

"No… not at all. I can see you just fine," Matt says while scratching his neck, not knowing where I'm going with my questioning.

I really shouldn't let JP turn me into Penelope's crazy assistant that no one wants to be around. I should be more professional than this. As Penelope's right hand, the crew have high expectations for me, and it's my job to deliver.

"Sorry, Matt. What can I help you with?" I try to steady my voice, putting my "assistant to the GM" face back in place.

"It's about the auction items—there's a mix-up with the jerseys, and I need your input before I take them to be signed."

I glance back toward JP, but he's already walked away, his broad shoulders disappearing around the corner. My chest tightens, anger and hurt warring for dominance.

"Fine," I say to Matt, following him into the equipment room even as my heart screams at me to go after JP.

By the time I finish sorting out the jersey issue, JP is long gone. Again.

I lean against the wall outside the equipment room, letting out a shaky breath. This can't keep happening. I won't let it keep happening.

My phone feels heavy in my hand as I pull it out one more time.

Me:You can't avoid me forever. We work in the same building.

The message shows as delivered, and for a moment, I see the typing indicator appear. My heart leaps—

And then it disappears.

Just like him.

The next two days pass in a blur of auction preparations and failed attempts to corner JP. He's become a ghost in his own arena, appearing only for practice and games, vanishing the moment the final whistle blows.

I catch glimpses of him—in the hallway, on the ice, leaving the parking lot—but he's always just out of reach. Always one step ahead of me, as if he's memorized my schedule just to avoid it.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Aria tells me over coffee at Serendipity's. "You two looked… I don't know, settled at Oakley's. Does that even make sense?"

I know what she means. It seemed like finally, we were on the same page. That we had made the conscious decision to be a couple even though we were technically only going on our second date. That is if you call the Pike's Place outing a date.

I stir my coffee more aggressively than necessary. "I thought we were settled, too. Oakley's was supposed to be the start. I don't know how it could have changed so quickly."

"And he's seriously dodging you after practice?"

I nod and then pull my cup up to my lips to take a sip.

"What are you going to do?" she asks.

"I can't let him disappear without explanation. Not a second time."

She reaches across the table, squeezing my hand. "Then don't let him."

I glance back at my friend knowing she's going through it, too.

"How’s the job search?" I ask.

She rolls her eyes, taking a sip of her own coffee. "Not great. Phil was incredibly considerate with my salary. He knew what I had going on at home and was generous to help my sister and me."

"Why didn't you tell Everett any of this?" I ask, knowing that her sister's cancer treatment is expensive and she's now draining her hard earned savings.

"Because I don't want to be anyone's charity case. Not even the billionaire whose monthly budget on suit ties would probably wipe out my sister's medical bills in one go."

I know she needs this job, and I hate that she hasn't found anything yet. "Speaking of charity, you're still coming out with us to try on dresses after work on Friday, right?" I ask.

"I wouldn't miss it. Penelope is demanding to buy my dress. I feel like she's up to something," Aria says with a raised brow.

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