Page 40 of The Penalty

I grab a bowl for myself and one for McKenzie because I’m not a complete asshole and sit down at the table.

Once we’re all silently eating our Cheerios, I decide it’s probably the best time to say what I need to say.

“Did you have a good birthday, McKenzie?” I ask. Why the fuck am I so nervous?

She looks over at me, likely confused that this is what I’m choosing to ask her right now.

“Yes. It was perfect. I can’t thank you two enough.”

I nod, then swallow, grabbing my courage for this next part. I force myself to keep my eyes on McKenzie as I say, “I’m glad. But listen, I think it might be best if you spend a little less time here moving forward.”

“Dad!” Kylie drops her spoon.

Hurt flashes in McKenzie’s beautiful green eyes, but she quickly blinks it away before nodding. “Ok.”

“No, it’s not ok,” Kylie says. “No, Dad. That’s so unfair.”

“It is fair, Ky. You’ve been in Nebraska for almost six months, and we’ve barely spent any time together. It’s hard to do when you always have a friend over.” It’s not true. I’m grateful that Kylie found a friend to keep her occupied, especially during football season. But I’m a selfish bastard and wish her friend choice was a little less tempting to me.

“You’re not even here most of the time.” Her voice is getting louder. I know she’s mad at me. She has every right to be. But this was the better option. I’d rather her be mad at me for kicking her friend out than find out what I truly want to do with McKenzie.

“Kylie. My house, my rules.” Fuck. I sound like my own dad right now, and I hate it.

“Kylie, it’s totally fine.” McKenzie attempts to calm Kylie down. The two of them share a look that I don’t understand.

“But—”

“No, it’s fine. Truly. I’ve been feeling like I’ve overstayed my welcome anyway.”

“You haven’t. I don’t know what’s going on,” Kylie says. There’s a sheen in her eyes as if she’s about to cry as she looks from me to McKenzie.

What’s going on is her dad is having a hard time keeping it in his pants. Fucking pathetic.

“Don’t worry about me.” McKenzie reaches out and squeezes Kylie’s hand. “I’m good. We’re good.”

I’m grateful that McKenzie doesn’t seem bitter. She has every right to call me out on my bullshit, but she doesn’t. She must understand that this is for the best.

“On that note, I’ve got some studying to do before my shift later. I’m gonna grab my things and head out.”

McKenzie stands and rinses out her bowl before putting it in the dishwasher. “Thank you both again for everything. I’ll text you later, Ky.”

“McKenzie, are you sure—”

She doesn’t let Kylie finish the sentence, and I’m starting to wonder if something else is going on that I don’t know about.

McKenzie quickly squashes Kylie’s concern. “It’s all good. I promise. You and your dad need this time together.”

Without a glance in my direction, McKenzie leaves the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” Kylie turns to me, anger in her eyes. I hate that it’s directed at me, but I know it’s for the best.

“Kylie, she’s here almost every night. She needs to sleep wherever she’s paying rent. It’s almost like she lives here. If anyone from La Vista found out, I could be in a lot of trouble.”

That excuse seems to calm her a little, but she’s still pissed. “McKenzie would never say anything to get you in trouble. She’s my best friend. The only person I’ve felt like I can truly trust since I moved here, and you’re pushing her away from me.”

Shit. “Kylie, come on. I didn’t say she could never come back. Just not all the time.”

“It’s fine, Dad.” She gets up and puts her bowl in the sink. She’s not gentle with it and the spoon clanks against the glass bowl loudly. “I’ll just be in my room enjoying all the free time I have now. Thanks.”