Page 20 of The Penalty

“What about you?” he asks.

My brows furrow. “What about me?”

“I hope you got to have fun. When I said to keep an eye on her, I didn’t mean for it to ruin your night.”

I’m not sure why that makes me smile, but it does. “My night wasn’t ruined at all. I don’t really drink. Kylie and I had fun together and it was nice getting to know the team a little. They’re different when they don’t have their uptight coach breathing down their necks.”

He huffs a laugh. “Yeah, I imagine they are. I don’t think I’ve met many college-aged kids who don’t drink.”

“I mean, I have a drink now and then, but before I left for college, I was always the DD for my brothers. I’d rather be able to get myself and the people I care about home safely than have a drink. It’s just not really worth it to me.”

“Next time, you can call me, and I’ll come get you two. Any time. I don’t mind.” He reaches into his pocket and takes out his phone, handing it to me. “Put your number in, and I’ll message you so you have mine.”

Is he asking for my number?

For safety reasons, obviously, McKenzie. I remind myself not to read more into this as I type in my number, even though my heart is racing.

Coach Danvers is going to have my phone number.

God, I’m pathetic. I’m only a year older than his daughter. He probably sees me as a daughter as well.

I hand him back his phone, and he shoots me a quick message. My stomach flips when I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Now I have his number. I’m never going to use it, but I have it.

“Well, I’m glad you still had a good time.” He reaches up to scratch the back of his head like he’s not sure what to say now.

I take it as my cue to leave. “I should go. Thanks for letting Kylie come out tonight.”

Before I can reach the door, he stops me. “It’s really late. Are you sure you don’t want to just crash here?”

I would love nothing more than to crash there. He’s right. It is really late, and having to find a safe place to park my car tonight is going to be a pain since I’m so tired. But I also never want to overstay my welcome, even if it means I’ll get to sleep in an actual bed. “You’d be ok with that?”

“We have so many guest rooms that have never even been slept in. You can take your pick of rooms,” he says. His lips tip up in a smile.

“Oh, ok. Well, thank you. That’d be great. I am really tired.”

He nods. “Pick a room and get some rest. Thanks for getting Kylie home safe tonight.”

“Anytime, Coach.”

He nods and starts to turn away, but then he stops. “When we’re here, at the house, you can call me Tyler.”

He wants me to call him by his actual name. It feels like it’s against some rule, but I can’t help the way my heart flutters at the request.

“Tyler,” I say, testing it out.

He nods like he’s pleased with hearing me say his name.

“Good night, McKenzie,” Tyler says as he turns and makes his way up the stairs to his room.

“Good night, Tyler.” I smile as I say his name again.

I shake my head at my own stupidity. I need to get some sleep now. I can’t be lusting after Kylie’s dad. A coach at my school. How do I get these thoughts out of my head?

When I hear Tyler’s door close, I walk up the stairs to pick a room. I open the door across from Kylie’s room to find a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser. Pretty bare, but I won’t be complaining one bit. I slip off my shorts and my top and slide into the bed. My head barely hits the pillow before I fall asleep.

NINE

TYLER