Page 6 of The Penalty Shot (Totally Pucked 5)

Not sure how I tempted fate to play in my favor today, but this flat tire has given me the opportunity to get to know Auden, and fuck, I’m feeling like the luckiest bastard in the world right now. My curiosity has the best of me.

She quietly gives me directions toward Lincoln Park on the ride, but doesn’t say much else, until I coax information out of her.

“Sorry if this is intrusive, and feel free to tell me to fuck off, but I guess I’m just curious. Where’s your boyfriend? He couldn’t change your tire, or help you with the groceries?”

My gaze drifts to Auden and the perplexed look on her face. “Boyfriend?”

I nod. “Yeah, the guy that lives with you. I’ve seen him a few times.”

“Oh, that’s Jarrett. He’s my roommate. I’m single, definitely no boyfriend.” She laughs quietly.

Fuck, did I read this entire situation wrong? She’s single? And he’s herroommate?

Wait, then who the hell is the wall banging coming from? Are they roommates with benefits?

Before I can do something stupid like ask her about her sex life, she tells me to turn down Southport Street, and then to a…strip club?

Auden is a…dancer?

“I’m not a dancer,” she says, reading my expression. Auden clears her throat and grabs the backpack at her feet before turning to face me again. Her lips are pursed, and her eyes narrowed as she defends her job. “I’m a bartender. And even if I was a dancer, it wouldn’t matter. There’s nothing wrong with working at a strip club. The people are good, kind people, who didn’t turn their back on me when I needed them the most. It doesn’t mean I’m a bad person.”

She’s on the defense, and it makes me wonder if others have given her shit for working at a strip club.

“Auden, you don’t have to explain any of that to me. I wouldn’t think that.” I say, reaching out and instinctively grabbing her hand. She looks down at my hand grasping hers, and she stiffens slightly beneath my fingers. I almost didn’t feel it because it was so slight, but it happened.

“Thank you for the ride, and for everything, Asher. I appreciate it. I’ll be done at three today, then I would like to treat you to an early dinner. There’s this diner up the road that is really good. If you want to go?”

I nod, giving her a wide smile. “See you then.”

She nods and reaches for the door handle, stepping out of the truck and then her strawberry blonde hair is bouncing as she dashes into work. I watch her until she disappears into a midnight black door on the side of the building.

Killer is turning out to be completely different than I expected, and fuck if it doesn't make me want her more.

Chapter Three

Asher

I’m waitingfor Auden at three o’clock on the dot. Actually, I’ve been here for thirty minutes, in case she got out early because, in her haste to get out of the car, we didn’t exchange numbers. Which means she has no way to tell me if she’s getting off early and I didn’t want her to have to wait for me. I’m a guy who’ll be thirty minutes early before I’m five minutes late.

So, I’ve sat here reading a sci-fi fantasy novel for the last twenty minutes, glancing up every so often to see if she exits the black side door. Finally, she does, and I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. She’s got a bounce in her step that she didn’t have this morning. Now, she seems more relaxed as she jogs toward my car, offering me a shy wave before opening the passenger door and climbing inside.

"Hi,” she says breathily. “Thank you. Again. I know I’ve said it like a billion times at this point, but seriously, I’m beyond thankful. You really saved my butt today.” She reaches up and plays with the ends of her hair as she looks at me with wide, sparkling eyes.

“Not a problem. I got your tire patched up. Definitely a nail.”

Her chest deflates visibly with a sigh. “Thank God. How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. I had a tire plug kit in my truck and I took care of it in fifteen minutes.”

“Well…how about that dinner? That I promised earlier.” She says it timidly, as if she’s anticipating my rejection. If she only knew how many of my dreams she’s starred in, how many times I’ve attempted to sketch each and every curve of her body that I’ve already committed to memory. How fucking beautiful I think she is. How much I want to know more about her because I just can’t make sense of the girl I’ve heard through the wall and this girl sitting next to me.

“I’m starved.”

I put the truck in drive, and out of the corner of my eye, I see the smile on her cherry lips that she’s trying to hide.

Too late, Killer, I see you.

We pull up to Charlie’s Diner in downtown Chicago and find a spot in the back to park. This place has a reputation for being one of the best spots in Chicago, and even though I’ve lived here for years, I’ve never made it here. It’s a 1950s-style diner with vintage black and white checkered floors, and the girls dressed in long poodle skirts. I immediately love it and make a mental note to mention it to Hudson. He and I, we’re kinda foodies and love to try new places.

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