Page 29 of Delayed Penalty

“Was… as in past tense?”

“Correct.”

“What does this mean for you?” Miles asks, taking a drink of his iced coffee as our sandwiches are dropped off.

The smell of crispy bacon on my BLT has me drooling, but it’s the fries, still steaming that has us both risking third degree burns to taste the salty deliciousness just that much sooner.

“I’m not sure. I mean, at the end of the day, she still left me to be with him back then, which just proves she didn’t want me like I wanted her. So, I don’t know, man. Is it still that way? Am I still the one hung up on her while I’m just an ex she probably thinks about once in a blue moon?”

“Have you thought about having this conversation with her? I mean, I’m down to bounce ideas around with you, but no one knows what she’s thinking except her.”

“Yeah, I’m giving her space. She’s got a lot going on right now and I know she needs to figure that out before I jump scare her with a profession of love.”

“Valid.”

We spend the next little bit eating our food and bullshitting about life these last few weeks. We’ve still seen each other a few times a week, meeting up at the gym, going for a run, or our usual wing nights, but it’s not the same as it is during the season. Right now, we’re all recharging our batteries and spending time with our families and loved ones that we don’t get to see as often during the season.

Reminding me that my parents are supposed to be coming to visit soon. I need to figure out when that’s happening, but knowing them they’ll either tell me when they’re here or a day or two before.

“Who’s that?” Miles asks, his eyes now back on Stella as she stands behind the register talking to some guy. He’s fancy, in a nice suit that looks tailored to him, his jaw tight as they look to be in a serious conversation.

“I have no idea; I’ve never seen that guy before. Wait, do you think that’s the guy Trevor mentioned Stella’s seeing.”

“Eww, I hope not. That guy looks like a douchebag.”

“How do you get that? He looks like most other businessmen walking around the city in a suit.”

Looking around the bakery, there’s still the usual business lunches happening, and they all look just like that guy.

He shrugs, popping another chip in his mouth. “I don’t know what it is about him, it’s just the vibe I’m getting from him.”

“I think you’re taking this far too seriously. Besides, I think Max will have a lot of fun giving Rex a hard time if Stella’s dating that guy. That sounds like fun to me, eat popcorn and watch Rex taste his own medicine.”

I think the idea of the roles switching and Max being able to sit back and watch as Rex deals with his sister dating will be hilarious, but apparently, I’m the only one because Miles just looks annoyed.

“I don’t think we should want to give Rex a hard time about his sister, he doesn’t want to hear about her dating, and frankly, neither do I.”

Mrs. Lockwood comes in with the clutch timing, dropping off the food for me to bring Avery, which means Miles can’t sit there and pout for whatever reason he has today.

“We’ll be back soon, Mrs. Lockwood,” I tell her as I stand up and give her a hug goodbye, Miles quickly following suit.

“You better, or I’ll call both of your mothers and tell them you’re neglecting me.”

“Promise,” we both say quickly.

It took a bit of convincing,but I got Kelly’s address from Ellie and Trevor. Thankfully, with Ellie—especially pregnant Ellie—she’s all about helping people get their happy endings. Before her and Trevor got together she was married to some prick and they had the sweetest little girl together, Addy. Once Trevor met the two of them, it was game over, they became hisentire world. Now they have another on the way and we’re all so excited for them.

Thanks again for the address.

Ellie

Anytime. Just remember: story time and sour dough bagels.

ASAP

Of course. I promise.

Ellie

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