Page 84 of The Penalty

I’ve been putting off finding my own apartment even though I still think it’s the right thing to do now that I’m able to work more and have more money. But I only have a few months left at La Vista, and I’m not sure what kind of lease I could get for that short of time. Because of that and against my better judgment, I stay at the Danvers’s house. It makes Tyler happy that I’m here, which makes me happy and ultimately makes Kylie happy, even though she had no idea I was looking to move anyway.

It’s almost like we’re one big happy family. We have breakfast and dinner, where we talk about each other’s days. When I’m not working evenings, the three of us—and sometimes Jake—will watch movies or play board games if Kylie is feeling generous. It’s been so nice.

Except there’s a looming secret hanging over my head.

Tyler has been busy with letter-of-intent signings and new recruits over the last week, so time together has been scarce. Today, he has a later start to his day than usual, so he made us all scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon before Kylie and I had to leave for class.

“Do you work tonight, McKenzie?” Kylie asks between bites.

“Nope. I’m off tonight.” I’ve been counting down the days until this night off. Not only do I have a pile of homework, but I also want to sit around and do nothing with Tyler and Kylie.

“Cool. I think Jake is going to come over.” Tyler shoots her a side-eyed glance, and I do my best to hold back my laugh. He’s been surprisingly friendly around Jake, but he’s told me in private that he doesn’t think he’s good enough for his daughter. “And I was going to see if he wanted to bring one of his friends.”

She wriggles her eyebrows at me, and a knot of dread forms in the pit of my stomach.

“Oh. Uh.” My brain doesn’t move fast enough. I can’t look at Tyler because that would be too obvious. Instead, I look down at my plate and shift some eggs around before I say, “Ok.”

Kylie claps her hands in excitement. I feel the exact opposite, but I have no way of getting out of it now.

“Perfect,” she says before going back to her food.

I’ve completely lost my appetite.

Kylie finishes eating first and excuses herself to grab her books from upstairs.

I immediately turn to Tyler and whisper, “I couldn’t think of a way out.”

He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Don’t worry, baby. This is my fault. I’m not upset.”

“I just wanted to spend tonight with you.”

There’s pain in his eyes. I know this is killing him, too. The secrecy. The sneaking around. There’s only so much a person can take. “Me too.”

Kylie comes back downstairs and into the kitchen. “You ready? Let’s go.”

Our classes start at the same time today so we’re leaving together.

“Bye, Dad. See ya later,” she says from over her shoulder.

“Bye, Ky. Have a good day.”

“Bye, Coach,” I say as I follow Kylie down the hall, wishing I could kiss him goodbye.

“Bye, baby. I love you.”

Five words and the whole world stops. I freeze in place. My heart is beating in my ears as I wait to see if Kylie noticed what he said. For a moment, I think maybe she didn’t. Maybe she wasn’t paying attention.

She keeps walking and doesn’t turn around, and I think maybe we’re ok.

Then, right before she reaches for the doorknob, she stops. She turns and looks at me, her brows furrowed as she thinks. I can’t imagine what I must look like. Deer in headlights, I assume.

“What did he just say?” she asks me.

Tyler comes out from the kitchen. I look from him to Kylie, unsure what to do. Tyler jumps in before I can answer her. “I was telling you bye and I love you.”

Kylie starts slowly shaking her head as if she’s trying to understand. “No. No. That’s not what you said. What did you actually say?”

Tyler and I look at each other. I have no idea what to say, and I know he’s probably panicking internally too.