Page 35 of The Penalty

MCKENZIE

It’s been two weeks since I woke up in Tyler’s lap, and I haven’t let it happen again. There have been a few nights where we stayed up playing card games, but we both went to bed at a reasonable hour. And I’ve had more fun on those nights than I have in a long time. I’m even starting to look forward to the next time, even though they’re infrequent and probably mean way more to me than they do to him.

The Bobcats won the game the week Koby was out, but it was certainly closer than anyone wanted it to be. Then there was an away game, which was a much better win than the week before, and this week is a bye week. Unfortunately for me, that meant I had to go two weeks without being on the football field and in the action. Instead, I’m at Alessandro’s, trying to get some extra cash.

Today is Friday, but not just any Friday. It’s my twenty-second birthday. I haven’t told anyone because I don’t want to make it a big deal, and I really don’t want anyone to feel obligated to do something for me.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t treat myself to a chocolate chip muffin and coffee from my favorite coffee shop on campus. I talked to my mom this morning while I was getting ready in the gym bathroom. I had a late shift last night, so I didn’t stay with the Danvers.

Mom went on about how she missed me and wished she could cook me my favorite dinner. She’s definitely having a tough time now that four of her five kids no longer live at home. I wish I could be there to hug her today, too. I wish that every day, but more so today when I can hear the loneliness in her voice and try so hard to keep the same out of mine.

I need Tyler to review and sign a few things for my class that’s due next week, basically a mid-way review for the semester, so I figured today would be the best time to get it since he doesn’t have a game this weekend.

I stroll to the field house, enjoying the slight breeze. Fall is here and I’m so ready for it. I wish it lasted longer because winter comes fast and hard in Nebraska. I’m used to it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish we got a few more weeks of fall before the snow hit.

The first thing I hear when I walk into the field house is the sound of metal clanking. The team must be in the gym. I walk in just in time to see Tyler lift his shirt up to wipe some sweat from his forehead. Either the universe hates me, teasing me like this, or it’s giving me a fantastic birthday present.

I stop in my tracks and stare for a moment too long. When he puts his shirt back down, I shake my head and hope to God no one saw me drooling there for a second.

Half the team must be in here working out because as soon as they notice me, people start calling my name.

Hayes is the first one to approach, shirtless, as always. He has a nice body, but for some reason, it doesn’t affect me the way Tyler’s just did. I wonder what that says about me.

“Kenz. What’re you doing here?” Hayes wraps his sweaty arm around me.

“Hello to you, too.” I take his arm and remove it from my shoulder. “I need to talk to Coach for a minute.”

He shakes his head. “One of these days, you’re gonna be here to see me. I just know it.” He says it with a flirty smile that I’m sure would get any girl on campus to agree to a date with him.

I roll my eyes and smile. “Keep dreaming, Hayes.”

At this point, almost everyone has turned to look at us, including Tyler. He looks upset about something, and I’m wondering if maybe I shouldn’t have come. Maybe I should’ve scheduled time with him? Showing up unannounced isn’t my usual thing, but I thought Tyler and I were cool now. The look on his face says maybe I was wrong.

“Hey, I need you to fill out some paperwork for my class. Should I leave it on your desk?”

Tyler walks toward me but doesn’t stop. “No, I can do it now.”

He walks past me, and I assume that’s my cue to follow him. I wave to the rest of the guys before following Tyler back to his office.

“Sorry to interrupt your workout,” I tell him once we’re in his office.

“I was pretty much done. No problem. What do you got for me?” He sits behind his desk and the sight reminds me that Tyler is a grown adult who has a real career. He’s a man. Not just one of these guys running around trying to catch my eye. I think that’s one reason Tyler appeals to me so much.

Not that it matters or will lead to anything.

Clearing my throat, I look at the papers in my hand. “Um, these are like a mid-semester review. I basically need you to grade me, then put it in the envelope and seal it with your initials.”

I fan through the papers and realize the envelope is missing. I open my bag to check for it, pulling out my phone and a notebook and setting them on Tyler’s desk. Nothing. I know I had it when I walked inside the field house.

“Shoot, I can’t find the envelope. I must’ve dropped it. I’ll be right back.”

He nods, and I hand him the papers before I retrace my steps. I find the envelope close to the gym. I guess I dropped it on my way in.

I jog back to Tyler’s office. He’s looking down at the papers with a pen between his teeth. Why is everything he does so hot?

My phone lights up on his desk, and I quickly put it in my back pocket. I’m sure it’s birthday texts from my family. They’re the only ones who ever really text me. Besides Kylie, of course.

“Here’s the envelope. You have to seal it and initial it. I can give it to Professor Moore next week.”