Page 7 of The Penalty

“No, not really,” she admits.

“I’m sure your dad loves that.”

“Yeah. I’ll watch the games every now and then, but I’m just not into it. I don’t know. It might be because football took him away from us for so long.”

“Oh, really?” I ask. She hasn’t talked much about her family yet, but I guess I haven’t either.

“Yeah. He got drafted to the NFL when I was really young. I think this is the first time we’ve actually lived in the same state.”

Wow. I truly couldn’t imagine not being with my dad. “Why didn’t you go with him?”

She shrugs. “I stayed in Georgia with my mom. That was the deal. He visited a lot or flew us out to see him. And I spent summers with him when I was younger.” I nod, listening intently, even though it’s none of my business. It’s hard to imagine what growing up as Tyler Danvers’ daughter would’ve been like.

“Hey, do you want to come over for dinner tonight? Dad won’t be there. He’s working late.”

“I wish I could, but I’ll have to take a rain check. I have to work tonight.” I’ve been working as a server at Alessandro’s since my freshman year. It’s a family-owned place and pays decently. They’ve always been very flexible with my class schedule, too, which I appreciate.

I wish I didn’t have to work at all, but it is what it is.

“Aww, bummer,” she pouts.

“I know, but let’s definitely plan something for the weekend.” Her face lights up at my suggestion.

“Ok, yeah. Dad isn’t home much during football season, so I have a feeling I’m going to be spending a lot of time by myself in the coming months.”

“I can imagine. I guess football becomes all-encompassing when your dad’s a coach.”

“Oh, yeah.”

We study for the next hour before heading to class.

After I’m done for the day, I head out to the parking deck and grab my work uniform out of my trunk. I make sure no one is looking before slipping off my top and swapping it for the black Alessandro’s polo with my name tag hooked in the top left corner. I awkwardly shimmy out of the black pants I wore to school and put on the jeans I have specifically for work. I don’t want my everyday jeans to permanently smell like garlic and marinara sauce.

I fold up what I wore to classes and add it to the pile I have sitting in my back seat. My entire closet is in my car since I technically don’t have a place to live at the moment. I was able to sleep on Sabrina’s couch last night. I met her in one of my classes last semester, but I certainly don’t want to take advantage of her kindness. I’ll likely stay in my car tonight since I have a closing shift at the restaurant. I’m already dreading it because this front seat is not as comfortable as I was hoping it would be.

I know it’ll all be worth it when I get my diploma and land my dream job as a sports reporter. Hopefully, getting to that point won’t burn me out first.

FOUR

MCKENZIE

“So, what’s your plan for the day?” Coach Danvers asks when I show up at practice.

“Sit and watch. Maybe take a few pictures. Is that alright?”

He looks at me like he wants to say no, but Coach Zach comes up beside him and claps him on the shoulder. “That’s fine, McKenzie. Right, Coach?”

“Yeah, I guess. Just don’t get in the way.”

“Right. I’ll do my best not to run out onto the field and join in. Wouldn’t want anyone to get jealous of my receiver skills.”

Zach laughs. “Might need to add you to my roster.”

I purposely avoid sitting on the bench so I don’t give Coach Danvers a reason to ask me to leave and take a seat on the grass away from the team. It’s basically like I’m not even here.

The team goes through play after play. I watch them run, make adjustments, and move positions. Over and over and over. And I enjoy the hell out of every second.

I use the camera that I checked out from the media department to take a ton of pictures of the team, and I’m looking through them when Hayes walks up to me.