Page 17 of The Love Penalty

While I stretch, my mind keeps drifting away to Robbie. He must be here already.Is he getting ready? What are his pre-game rituals? Does he listen to music like I do to get pumped up?I’ll have to ask him tomorrow.

“Well, well, we meet again.”I turn on my skates and see Ashton casually circling me, a big smile on his face. “How’s it going?”

I’m skeptical as to why he’s being friendly. Outside of that first night in Grand Marquee, he and I haven’t really spoken much. Some quips were made here and there during games, but that’s it. Even when he got into that fight with the Vortices, he didn’t really speak to me as I escorted him to the tunnel.

“I’m good,” I say wearily.

“Got plans tonight?” he asks unabashedly.

“Um, not really, no,” I continue, but don’t ask any follow up questions.

“Want to hang out?”

Excuse me?Did he just randomly ask me out?

“We’ve had this conversation before, Ashton. I believe I said no the last time as well?” I ask, eyebrows raised.

“Actually, I said I wanted to get to know you better, and you said, and I quote,I’m not from around here, so it’s not like you’d have made a lasting friendship anyway. You didn’t technically say no, you just assumed you’d never see me again,” he says with a grin.

Well, he’s not wrong. But that doesn’t mean I want to date him. He seems like the kind of fuckboy you read about in books, maybe even has a girl in each city he visits. While attractive, I can’t say he’s my type. I don’t even know if I have a type. My one and only boyfriend had light brown skin, brown eyes, and black hair that was always cropped short. And oh, yeah—an opinionated mother that kept intervening in our relationship.

I’m not bitter about that, not at all.

“Well, let me clear that up for you,” I say, lifting my chin and smiling, “the answer is no.” Then I skate away and notice Robbie looking at me.

Now, there is someone I am interested in. I don’t know what it is about him. I find plenty of people attractive, objectively speaking, but there’s something else that pulls me into Robbie’s orbit. He’s the exact opposite of my ex, from his appearance and stature, to his personality and career.

I’ve never really thought about what settling down would look like for me. My goal is to get to the NHL and that’s what I intend to do. My ex couldn’t handle that and he dumped me, and while I was heartbroken at the time, I understand now that he never would have supported me. He wanted a stay-at-home wife that would raise his children and host parties for his rich friends. That would never be me. I’m too antisocial and grumpy to put up with that. As for kids, when I do settle down, I would like them to have a father that cares about them more than he cares for his money and social standing.

As I skate by Robbie I make sure to give him one of my best smiles and say, “Hello, Captain.” I don’t wait around for a response, but I do notice the way his throat bobs on a swallow and the way his head turns to look at me.

THIRTEEN

Robbie

We lost3-2 to the Bobcats, but I couldn’t care less.Okay, that’s a lie.I care alittle bit. This should have been an easy game, but apparently the Bobcats have some overachievers on their team this season. But we did the best we could under the circumstances. I told Olivia to wait for me after the game so we could discuss plans for our day in the city.

I see her sitting on a bench by the player’s exit area. Her equipment bag is propping her feet up and she’s wearing thick black leggings and a sweatshirt that drowns her figure. Every time I’ve seen her she’s worn a faded sweatshirt, and this one is a light gray and has the original six hockey teams and all their logos on it. I search her face and notice her eyes are closed and she’s clutching her phone in her hands.

My chest constricts and I feel bad for making her wait when she’s clearly exhausted. The hotel we’re staying at is fifteen minutes away, so I unlock my new phone and order us a ride share. Then I slowly approach and sit down next to her. I gently bump her shoulder with mine and she opens her eyes. Theyfocus in on mine, and I can say I am thoroughly, completelyfucked.

She’s so goddamn pretty it physically hurts. Her green eyes are dark and I notice a few freckles on her nose and cheekbones that I haven’t before. Her lips part in surprise as she sees me there next to her but she doesn’t straighten up. She continues to rest her back and head on the wall and I mirror her.

With a soft smile I say, “I made lots of plans for us tomorrow, but if you need rest I can adjust some of them.” She starts shaking her head before I can even finish the sentence. “Are you sure? You look tired.”

“I’ll be okay. It’s only ten right now, I’ll get plenty of sleep as soon as I can get up and walk to the hotel.”

“I ordered us a car. It should be here in five minutes,” I say looking down at my phone.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she says, looking at me with gratitude.

I shrug and say, “You looked tired, so I got your back”.

Oh shit, was that the wrong thing to say? Why are her eyes glassy, like she might cry? My own eyes widen, but before I can backtrack or say anymore stupid shit, I’m met with arms around my neck.

I’ve always loved hugs, but Olivia’s hugs?Incomparable.She squeezes me tight like she won’t ever let go and I can’t help but reciprocate. I bring one hand up to her head and gently rub the back of her neck as she tucks her nose under my chin, right at the base of my throat. My other hand rubs small circles on her back and her grip turns from tight to melting. After a couple minutes of just holding her, I get a notification that our car is outside. “Car is here. Are you asleep?”

“Hmm, no. But I could be. You give nice hugs,” she says in a tired voice. I have to say I didn’t expect her to be so into physical touch. Or maybe it’s just because she’s tired and I shouldn’t readtoo much into it. I give her one more squeeze and break us apart, then grab her bag and sling it over my shoulder. I offer her a hand and she takes it, and we walk to the car together.

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