Page 13 of Delayed Penalty

I know he wants information… he hates Peter, it’s obvious. But him wanting information just implies to me that he cares, and I know he doesn’t so I’m not really in the mood to trick myself again. But I can have fun with him as a friend.

“I’m going to grab us another drink and some ice, go have a seat and try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone.”

Finally releasing him, I head toward the bar, but don’t make it more than five or six steps before I’m being pulled back into his hard chest, Harris’s arms wrapped around my body. I look up into his eyes and it feels like I’m being transported back to the young naïve girl I once was when I thought this man was my knight in shining armor. My forever. My future husband.

It hurts.

But even now, I know it’s not just because of the heartbreak. It’s because even though I’m engaged, even whenhebroke my heart, I still wish I knew what exactly happened between us. I wish I knew why we fell into this rhythm so quickly and seamlessly, for it to not mean anything.

It feels like it should mean everything.

But I won’t ask him because I’m stubborn and refuse to look desperate. If he wanted me to know why, he would’ve told me and not left a fucking letter taped to my door.

“It’s good to see you again, Ave,” he says, his eyes dropping to my mouth, and I don’t know if I should be terrified, angry, or excited at the thought of kissing him. But the only thing I experience is disappointment when he shakes his head and smiles, releasing me.

And just like they’d been signaled with a silent alarm, the butterflies are back.

Chapter Six

Harris

Hey Ave, wanna meet for a rematch in darts?

I promise I’ll go easy.

Avery

Liar.

I’ll try?

Avery

*image*

I’m still engaged.

So, we can’t play darts?

Avery

Oh, and I’m still pissed at you.

Didn’t seem like you were that pissed the other night.

“You’re still a fucking asshole,” Miles says through a mouthful of wings.

“I know, I’ve already apologized like forty-seven billion times, something just came up.”

“Well, try forty-seven billion and one. I’m not quite feeling the love yet after you bailed on me. We could’ve had the hottest night with those two chicks but instead you flaked, again, on them.”

“Are you really implying you didn’t have the hottest night with those two without me?” I ask, eyebrows quirked up.

“That’s not the point.” He smirks. “It’s not my fault I’m a pleaser and couldn’t leave one feeling left out. At least this way, they both got to go home worn out and blissful.”

“Oh, to be fucking single again.” Rex laughs. “Rory crawled in our bed in the middle of night, squeezing right between Sawyer and me. Put a quick end to the naked party I was hoping to have.”

“Being single is fucking great, especially when the only people in my bed are the ones sucking my cock,” Miles jokes, and it is, for him. He’s a huge flirt who isn’t afraid to soak up the love from women wanting to hook up with a hockey player. They have fun, but he’s never been serious about anyone that I know of. It’s not the life for me, or at least it doesn’t feel like it anymore. Not since I’ve seen Avery again.

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