Page 23 of The Penalty

“I think that’s enough boy talk for this morning,” I say. The last thing I want is for Kylie to start explaining what her type is.

Both girls laugh and then McKenzie checks the time on her phone. “I hate to ask this, but is it ok if I take a quick shower before I head to work? I don’t have time to go anywhere else before I need to be there.”

“Of course. There should be clean towels in the cabinet in Kylie’s bathroom.”

“Thank you.” She stands and takes her empty plate to the sink.

“Leave that there. I’ll get it.”

“Thank you again for breakfast and for letting me stay here last night.”

I give her a quick nod. “Any time.”

Once she’s back upstairs, Kylie says, “Thanks for letting her stay last night, Dad. I tried to tell her she could, but she didn’t want to be a burden.”

“Your friends are always allowed to stay here. This is your house, too.” I want Kylie to feel as comfortable as possible in our home. I know I wasn’t around much when she was growing up, but this is my second chance.

She smiles. “I really like McKenzie.”

“Good. She seems like a nice girl.”

I definitely was not thinking about her being nice last night when I finally crawled into bed. But that thought will remain locked in my mind until the day I die.

TEN

MCKENZIE

It’s been two weeks since the first football game of the season. Last weekend was an away game, which I wasn’t able to attend for my class. I’d have to use my own funds to get there, and since I don’t have any spare funds, away games are out of the question this season.

Which is fine. I can catch the highlights on TV and still provide brief updates on the university news channel by Monday morning. I’ve built some friendships with the players, so I can text them for statements. They’re always happy to help me out.

The team being away also meant I had a full weekend to make some extra money and get caught up on homework.

Kylie let me stay at her house with her while Tyler was out of town, but I made sure to be gone before he got home. The last thing I want is for him to think I’m mooching off him. I can tell Kylie feels bad for me. I never should’ve told her that I’m technically homeless at the moment. Every time I leave her house, she looks at me with her big, worried eyes. I have to keep assuring her that I’m fine. Sometimes, it feels like I need to convince myself, too.

After my last class of the day on Monday, my phone rings. I smile when my dad’s picture lights up the screen.

“Hey, Dad.”

“Hey, baby girl. How’s it going?”

I sigh and sit down on a bench. “It’s been a long day. My classes are good; it’s just a lot of work.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you’re so smart and such a hard worker.”

I laugh. He’s my biggest hype man. “I’m not that smart.”

“Smartest person I know.”

I’m about to tell him that he must not know many people, but instead, I just thank him and ask, “How’s work going?”

“Oh, same old, same old.” My father has worked in the same factory since before I can remember. I always thought he could do better than working at that place, but there aren’t many other options in Aurora. Neither of my parents wanted to move away from Aurora, so he worked hard and slowly moved up the ranks.

But I know my dad doesn’t love that job. We could see it every night when he came home exhausted. He works there for us. To give us the best possible life he could. And I’ll never be able to repay him for that.

“When are you gonna find a job you actually like, Dad? I’m sure there are work-from-home jobs you could find.”

He chuckles. “I think this place is my destiny. I’m gonna be there as long as they’ll have me. But don’t you worry about me, baby girl.”