Page 28 of The Penalty

I climb out of bed and pause at the small mirror hanging on the wall. I look a mess. I throw my hair into a bun and decide I need coffee before attempting to get ready for the day. I’ve got two hours until I need to be at the restaurant, and hopefully, Tyler won’t mind if I take a shower before I go.

I tip-toe downstairs, not wanting to wake anyone. Although this house is big enough that I doubt anyone would hear if I was jumping down the stairs. Still, I want to be respectful.

“Oh.” I’m startled to see Tyler already up and in the kitchen. He’s in the same sweatpants and T-shirt from last night that look delicious on him. “Good morning. I didn’t think you’d be up.”

He looks over his shoulder at me while cooking something on the stove. “Yeah, stupid internal clock. Always has me up with the sun.”

“I’m usually up early, too. I’m surprised I slept as long as I did. Do you mind if I grab some coffee?”

He points to the coffee pot on the counter. “Help yourself. I just made that, so it should be hot.”

“Thanks.”

I pour a cup and grab the creamer from the fridge. Then I subtly look around Tyler’s shoulder to see what he’s making.

“Are you making pancakes?” I ask.

He scratches the back of his head. “Uh, yeah. You said your mom made pancakes on Sundays. Thought it sounded like a good tradition.”

My heart swells an unreasonable amount because he remembered something I told him about myself. It’s so small, and maybe he just likes pancakes, but I’m going to choose to be delusional for a second and believe that he’s doing this because he knows I’ve been homesick.

“Tyler. . .” I’m about to tell him how much I appreciate that when Kylie slides into the kitchen in her socks like she’s Tom Cruise in Risky Business. It’s probably best to keep my delusional emotions to myself. Especially in front of her.

“Morning, peeps. I slept so good last night.” She plops down into a chair. “Sorry I crashed, Kenz. I drained my energy at the game.”

“All good. I was tired, too.” I feel Tyler glance at me. I know we didn’t do anything wrong last night, but I don’t know how Kylie would feel about her dad and me hanging out, even if it was completely innocent.

“Made pancakes, kiddo.” Tyler sets a large plate down on the table, and we sit down to eat.

“Yum. Thanks, Dad.”

“Yes, thank you,” I say as I grab one from the plate.

“Ky, you enjoy the game last night?” he asks.

She scrunches her nose up, and I laugh. “I mean, it was alright. It was a fun atmosphere. One of the girls I was with kept mentioning how hot she thinks you are, though. It was weirding me out.”

Tyler chuckles. “Your old man’s still got it.”

She groans. “Gross.”

Tyler is incredibly attractive. I don’t think anyone would deny it. It’s hard to believe he doesn’t have women all over him all the time. But since I’ve been hanging out with Kylie, I haven’t seen him with anyone.

I wonder if he’s alone for Kylie’s sake or if he just doesn’t want to be in any sort of relationship. It’s none of my business, but I can’t help my curiosity.

“McKenzie, are you working today?” Kylie asks.

“Yep. I’m on a double today.”

“Ugh. Bummer. I wanted to go shopping this afternoon.”

“I can take you shopping,” Tyler says. “I have to go to the school for a bit, but we can go after.”

“Dad, you really want to go shopping with me?” She looks at him like she doesn’t believe him.

He shrugs. “Sure, why not? We’ve hardly spent any time together. We can go wherever you want. We can even go out to dinner after.”

Kylie thinks about it for a second before she agrees. “Ok, let’s do it.”