Page 22 of The Penalty

“Is that alright?” I figured pancakes were safe. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who doesn’t like them.

“Yeah. It’s just my mom used to make us pancakes every Sunday morning. Just makes me a little homesick, I guess. Sunday was one of the only mornings we were usually all in the same place.”

That’s right. She said she has four brothers. Pancakes were probably the easiest option for that many people.

“Where’d you grow up?” I ask.

“A really small town called Aurora, about two hours from here.”

I’ve been in Nebraska for a few years now, but I’ve never ventured out of this area. It’s safe to say I’ve never been to or even heard of Aurora.

I grab a pancake, pour some syrup over it, and ask, “What’s it like there?”

“Well, it’s pretty boring. It’s one of those places where everyone knows everyone. The whole town revolved around high school sports, and the only place for teenagers to hang out was the county fairgrounds. When the fairs weren’t happening, we’d hang out in the big field. Play flag football. Shoot off fireworks. There was definitely some drinking. Just stupid stuff teenagers do.”

I keep my eyes focused on my food. “Hmm. Do you miss it?”

“Not really. I miss my family, of course. But the town. . . I’d be happy if I never had to go back there again. There’s nothing there. We had to drive like half an hour just to get to a Wal-Mart.”

I chuckle because I know the feeling. I grew up just outside of Atlanta. Besides my parents, there’s no reason for me to go back there. Especially now that Kylie’s here with me.

Speaking of Kylie, she rubs her temples after taking several big gulps of her juice.

“Do you guys have to talk so loud?” she whispers. I look at McKenzie, smiling and holding back a laugh. We know we were speaking in our normal tones.

“Yeah. I like to yell in the mornings,” I tease. “Warms up my coaching voice.”

Kylie groans. She picks up her pancake and takes a bite like it’s toast. I guess that’s one way to eat it.

“Kenz, next time we go out, do not let me drink that much.”

McKenzie chuckles. “Noted.”

“How do you look so fresh and awake right now? Like, you don’t even have any makeup on, and you look amazing. It’s not fair.” I shake my head at Kylie. I hate that she’s comparing herself to someone else. Yes, McKenzie is beautiful (even though I’m trying my hardest not to notice that), but Kylie is also beautiful.

I know that she’s probably not looking for her dad to tell her that she’s beautiful, so I keep my attention focused on my breakfast while they continue their conversation.

“Oh, please. You’re just as gorgeous. Didn’t you see all the guys checking you out last night?”

The hand not holding my fork clenches into a fist. Kylie is certainly old enough to date, but that doesn’t mean I want her dating any of my players. They aren’t good enough for her. Well, no one is, but especially not them.

Kylie scoffs. “None of them will come close to me. They’re all too scared of Dad.”

Good.

“But Hayes was certainly interested in you last night,” Kylie says slyly. “Are you gonna go for it?”

Yeah, I don’t really like that very much either. Unfortunately, there’s nothing I can say.

I don’t know McKenzie all that well, but I know my players. Not a single one of them is at the point in their life where they’re prepared to treat a woman how she should be treated.

“Not interested. He knows that now. Plus, he’s not my type,” Mckenzie says, and some of the tension in my shoulders releases.

“What is your type?” Kylie asks the question we’re both wondering.

McKenzie shrugs. “Not football players. I grew up around them because my brothers played and heard enough of their conversations to never want to be involved with one. I made it very clear to Hayes that I’m not interested. I’m with the football team this semester for work, so I don’t want to mess anything up by getting involved with someone I shouldn’t. It’ll only be a distraction. But Hayes and I did have some good chats last night. He’s a really nice guy.”

Yeah, I like that answer a lot. Staying friends is fine.