In The Penalty Box

by Lynn Rush

  “Next,” someone shouted, and I whipped around.

  Saved by the popcorn dude.

  I spit out my order, including a bag of M&M’s for my popcorn like she’d suggested, and rushed to the side for the pick-up. Hopefully, I’d get my grub before she was done ordering. I had to get out of here. Being near her melted my brain.

  I sure didn’t need my jacket anymore. I unzipped it and let it hang open to get some cool air up in there. It was not good what she was doing to my body. No one had ever affected me like this.

  A brace-faced kid from behind the stand set my popcorn on the counter and said, “Hey, Wind. You gonna take us to State this year?”

  “Gonna try.” I grabbed my stuff and hustled away.

  Willow hadn’t made it to me yet, so maybe I could disappear without running into her again. Forget that whole intriguing and really awkward interaction I’d just had with her.

  Shoving the bottle of soda in my back pocket, I dropped the M&M’s in my coat pocket and zipped around the corner of the concession stand. It was darker here in the shadows, and I needed to calm the heck down.

  I leaned against the brick and drew in a deep breath. The cool, popcorn-scented air filled my lungs, and I held it in there. Slowly letting it out, I opened my eyes.

  “You okay?”

  I shot straight at the sight of Willow standing in front of me. In one hand, she held a bag of popcorn and in the other a bag of M&M’s.

  “Cause you look like you just let me block one of your slap shots.”

  I coughed into my hand. “No. Um. I’m fine.”

  She eyed me as if she didn’t believe a word I’d said, and she might have been right not to, because I wasn’t all right. Stalking her on IG, talking to her, and what was with the touching her hair like that?

  “There’s something different about you,” she said.

  I went to step back, but I couldn’t, since I was up against the concession stand wall. “Um, what?”

  She brought the bag of popcorn to her face, then snagged a kernel with her tongue.

  With. Her. Tongue.

  Her freaking tongue.

  “Nervous or something? It’s not like anyone cares about this game, since it’s not hockey, so what are you getting all worked up about?”

  We were pretty hidden in the shadow of the concession stand, but still. I shouldn’t be seen with her like this. Not off the rink. Just me and her. It would be nice, but it couldn’t happen.

  Coach would rip my captain’s badge off if he thought we were messing around.

  Her eyes locked on mine, and she stopped mid-chew. All noises around me vanished; it felt like a blanket of quiet draped over us. Like when I was alone on the rink, breathing in the cold air, listening to nothing. Quiet. Comfortable.

  She was like the ice. Calming.

  She was a solid goalie and all girl with her long hair flowing in the slight breeze, plus she was wearing a hint of makeup.

  And that smell.

  Her tongue jetted out again, but not to snag a kernel of popcorn this time. She licked her lips. Her nostrils flared, and she drew in a deep breath.

  She eased toward me another step. As if she drew me in with her gaze, I leaned forward. That’s when I zeroed in on her lips. They were shining now, the distant lights playing off them. I bet they were salty from the popcorn.

  Screw it. I had to find out.

  Easing forward, I cut the distance between us in half. Only six inches from changing everything.

  Six inches from tasting the popcorn salt dusting her lips.

  Six inches from opening a big can of problems.

  Oh, but I wanted to kiss her. Big time.

  I stopped. Her gaze shifted down a fraction, and she let out a slow breath as her eyelids hung heavy. I needed to step away now. Right. This. Second. We couldn’t do this.

  A blaring goal horn sliced through the moment like an ice bucket of water. Willow cursed and jumped back, her popcorn falling out of her hand and onto the ground.

  The horn screeched again, and she dug into her back pocket.

  Saved by the ringtone. My hammering heart didn’t calm down and neither did my temperature, though.

  “Hey, Matthew,” Willow said into her phone.

  Now my temperature was ice-cold.

  Halliday was not calling her right now. This was not happening.

  “Oh, I can’t. I’m…at the game with Jessa.” She showed me her back and leaned forward slightly. I couldn’t hear her anymore, but that didn’t calm me down at all.

  “Sorry about that,” Willow said as she hung up and turned around. “Dang it. I was craving popcorn!”

  “That was Matthew, wasn’t it?”

  She nodded and glanced around.

  “Don’t go to the dance with him. He’s a jerk. Maybe…we—I mean—the hockey team. Some of the guys are going.” I took in a deep breath. “You just can’t go with Matthew.”

  “Oh, I can’t, can I?” She jetted out her hip and jammed her fist on it.

  “Shouldn’t. Er.” Shit. This was all coming out wrong.

  If I could ask her to the dance, I would. But maybe as a group we could go. That might be okay.

  “Look. You don’t get to tell me who I can or can’t see.” Her jaw ticked, and her nostrils flared. “I’m a strong, independent woman. I can decide what I want to do without you weighing in, Brodie!”

  And with that, she stomped away.

  Damn it. So much for me avoiding drama.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-TWO

  Willow

  “Matthew won’t be able to keep his eyes off you tonight.”

  “Thanks, Jessa.” I spun around and smoothed out the fitted black dress. For a moment, I felt like I was back on the ice. Flutters in my stomach. Hands, slightly trembling. Getting ready to perform. Everyone’s eyes on me, anticipating my new routine.

  What I didn’t admit was that I didn’t care if Matthew liked it or not. The only guy I was hoping to impress was completely off-limits.

  I was still upset with myself for that moment Brodie and I shared at the game last night. To risk losing my starting spot on the team by breaking one of Coach’s cardinal rules was not worth it.

  “Hey, Jess, will you take a picture of me in my dress so I can send it to Ericka?” I held up my phone.

  “Sure!” She hopped up and aimed the phone. “How’s she doing?”

  “Good.” My chest tightened.

  “You miss her, don’t you?” Jessa clicked the photo and handed my phone back to me, a slight smile on her face, though it looked tinged with a little bit of sadness.

  “Yeah, I really do. Her family was the best host. Ericka and I pretty much consider each other sisters at this point.” I quickly sent off the picture, then tossed my phone onto the bed and faced the mirror again, meeting Jessa’s eye. “It’s still great to be back here with you, though. I’m excited for tonight. My first dance at Woodhaven!”

  “I can’t believe you’re taking Matthew.” Jessa grabbed her curling iron and wrapped a long piece of blond hair around it. “That takes some guts.”

  “He’s actually really nice. I figure why not?” Brodie never once said he wanted to take me to the dance. All he did was harp on me about Matthew—and I certainly wasn’t going to let him tell me what to do.

  My phone dinged, and I picked it up from the bed.

  MATTHEW: Can’t wait to see you tonight.

  MATTHEW: ((winking emoji))

  Jessa glanced over my shoulder. “Ahhh. Speak of the devil.” She snatched my phone out of my hands. “Say cheese.”

  I reached out and tried to grab it back, but it was too late. Jessa had hopped onto her bed and out of reach. “Jess…”

  She scrolled down as I jumped on the bed and tried to get my phone back.


  “Ooh. A picture of him lifting weights.” She pretended to fan herself.

  I managed to grab my cell and plop down on the edge of her bed.

  “You know that I’m all for you going to the dance with him, but…” Jessa sat next to me.

  “But what?”

  She shrugged. “He does play for Twin River. They’re our biggest rivals. Won’t that, ah, make it difficult?”

  “Difficult?” I scrunched my nose.

  “Yeah, you know, if you two start dating?”

  “Not sure what the big deal is.” I stood. “And hey, at least I won’t lose my spot on the team.”

  Jessa opened her mouth but shut it before saying anything.

  “You know I’m right. Plus, breaking things off with Matthew when I leave will be easy. A teammate, not so much.” My heart twinged at the thought of leaving. And of not seeing Brodie again. It kind of took me by surprise, too—leaving hockey and a guy I wasn’t even dating should be pretty easy. Skating was what I loved. What I wanted to do.

  “Anyway,” I said, changing the subject, “when did Teddy and Layla hook up?”

  “Those two have been dancing around each other for years.” Jessa headed over to the full-length mirror and applied another layer of mascara. “Are you excited about dinner? His dad owns the restaurant. He always hooks us up with tons of food when we eat there.”

  My black hair swung over my shoulders. Loose curls fell halfway down my back. I thought about Brodie tucking a lock behind my ear last night, making my stomach clench. His touch had set fireworks off in my system. No. Stop thinking about him. Nothing can happen.

  Jessa adjusted her dress one more time before stepping back from the full-length mirror propped up in the corner of her room. “What do you think?” She turned in a full circle, her maroon dress flaring out from the waist.

  “Beautiful. I’m glad you went with the halter top. It looks great.”

  She smiled and grabbed a small black clutch. “Thank you.”

  A second later, the doorbell rang.

  Jessa grinned. “They’re here.”

  She dashed out of her room and down the stairs. By the time I’d caught up, her mother had already let Preach in. He stood in the entryway, wearing a sleek black tux with a fitted white shirt. In his hands, he held a maroon and silver corsage.

  “Picture time.” Jessa’s mom held up her cell phone as Preach slipped the flowers over her wrist. Jessa grabbed a matching boutonniere from the small table beside the door.

  Her dad came around the corner and smiled. “Aw. Look at my little girl.”

  “Dad.” Jessa rolled her eyes, but she returned the smile.

  The doorbell rang for a second time.

  Jessa swung it open and grinned. “Hey, Matthew.”

  Matthew looked good in his hockey gear, but in a dark gray tux, I had to admit he was downright hot. His blond hair was short at the sides and longer at the top. Gel held it perfectly in place. His striking emerald eyes sparkled as he caught my gaze.

  I inhaled deeply. Maybe I can get over Brodie…

  “You look awesome, Willow.”

  “Thank you.”

  We swapped corsages and boutonnieres and took a few more pictures.

  “We better get going, guys.” Jessa kissed her dad on the cheek and hugged her mom. “Willow and I will be back by one.”

  “Be safe, and if you need anything, just call or text.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Jessa grinned and linked arms with me.

  We headed into the chilly air. Luckily, Jessa and I had matching wraps.

  “Here, let me help you with that.” Matthew placed the material over my shoulders.

  “Meet you at Taste of Rome?” Preach asked me and Matthew.

  “Sounds good.”

  He helped me with the passenger side door to his black Ford SUV. The inside was immaculate, and it smelled like AXE body spray. Matthew might have been a little heavy-handed with the cologne, but maybe he was nervous.

  A few moments later, he slipped into the driver’s side and started up the engine.

  “I’m really glad you asked me to the dance,” he said.

  I pulled my shawl around the seat belt. “Me, too.”

  “Preach seems really cool. I’ve played against him for years but never hung out. You know how seriously this town takes rivals.” The corner of his mouth curved into a smile.

  “Tell me about it. Some of the people who live here act like I’m committing treason by going to this dance with you.”

  Matthew scrunched up his face. “Screw ’em.”

  “Right? To make it worse, there’s a few people who are pissed that I’m on the guys’ team.” I hadn’t planned on opening up to Matthew, but it felt good. Like a weight being lifted from my chest. “It’s only a handful from Woodhaven and a couple teammates who are super obvious about it, but seriously, why are they so fixated on the fact that I’m a former figure skater or, worse, that I’m girl? Why not worry about having the best players on their team? It seems like people are focused on the wrong things. You know?”

  “Like I did. Which, for the hundredth time, I’m so sorry. I honestly can’t believe I treated you like garbage on the ice the first time we met.” Matthew kept his focus on the road, but he shook his head as he spoke. “The ones who are still giving you crap, they sound like a bunch of self-conscious douchebags.”

  “You’re not wrong.”

  We both laughed.

  A few minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of Taste of Rome. Matthew, being the perfect gentleman, opened my car door and helped me out. Brodie was wrong about him being a jerk.

  Preach and Jessa had caught up with us by the time we reached the door.

  “Hey, guys. Over here.” Teddy waved from a large table. Layla sat next to him in a beautiful navy dress.

  After a few introductions, we all sat down. Glancing to my right, I noticed some empty seats. “Isn’t it just the six of us?”

  “Preach, Teddy, what up?” a familiar voice rang out.

  Spinning around, my jaw dropped as I laid eyes on him. Brodie walked over to the table with Pax and Nathaniel flanking him.

  I pulled my wrap around me tighter.

  “Thanks for saving us a spot. We—” Brodie’s mouth snapped shut as his gaze landed on Matthew. “What the hell are you doing here?”

  Matthew grinned and nodded toward me. “I’m Willow’s date.”

  He looked at me and then at Matthew again.

  Brodie pulled out the chair next to me, and Pax and Nathaniel sat across the table. I could practically feel the tension settle over the group like a wet blanket.

  “I’m Jared, and I’ll be your waiter today. What can I get started for all of you?”

  As soon as everyone rattled off their orders, Brodie dug into Matthew.

  “So, Matt, how’s the fourth-place team in the league doing?” Brodie elbowed Pax, who gave a nod of support.

  “Oh, you know, wishing we had a goalie as good as Willow.” He winked at me.

  That response shut Brodie up for at least ten minutes.

  The rest of dinner went slightly better. Preach, Matthew, and Teddy talked about an outdoor rink they played hockey at in the winter. Pax made childish jokes from time to time, but he also was incredibly focused on his soda. He’d slipped it below the table at least three times. Is he getting drunk?

  Brodie sat back and listened, but he didn’t add much to the conversation. Instead, I could feel his eyes on me. Sneaking glances when everyone else was talking.

  Has Brodie been thinking about me like I’ve been thinking about him?

  Because no matter how much it was against the rules, I couldn’t stop fixating on him.

  …

  Music blared overhead. Preach and Jessa swayed to the beat next to Matthew an
d me. Besides the awkwardness at dinner, the rest of the night had been perfect. Two juniors I hadn’t recognized won Homecoming King and Queen. Teddy and Layla had been super nice and invited me and Matthew to a party at Layla’s lake house after the dance.

  “Woodhaven High, we’ve got one last song for the night.” The DJ’s voice rang through the gymnasium. “Grab your sweetie and let’s end this dance right.”

  Matthew took my hand and spun me around before pulling me close. I fell into the moment as we swayed to the beat of one of Frank Ocean’s slow songs.

  Brodie and Pax hovered near the outskirts of the gym. Pax kept slipping a flask out of his pocket and taking sips—he wasn’t even being discreet anymore.

  I was about to turn away when Brodie caught my gaze. His stare actually made me flinch. I was here with a nice guy; I should be focusing on him. And besides, it was only one date. I wasn’t going to marry him or anything. I wasn’t sure I wanted to start dating anyone seriously, considering my plans to get back on a skating team.

  The song ended a few minutes later, and Matthew took my hand. “Are you still up for Layla’s party?”

  My phone buzzed in my clutch. As I fished it out, a text from Gramps flashed across the screen, and only two words registered with me.

  Ericka and ambulance.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-THREE

  Brodie

  “You can’t honestly be into that Vikings douchebag.” I stomped into the deserted hallway right outside the gym. Willow had just hurried away from Matthew, her phone pressed to her ear, but the dickhead Matthew was, he didn’t follow after her.

  If he said something to upset her, I’d punch him.

  Up and down, either way was empty. Only Willow stood, hunched over, near the lockers about twenty feet away. Her hand was pressed to her ear.

  “Hey…you okay?”

  She whipped around, her eyes filled with tears and the phone pressed to her other ear. “Shut up.”

  I skidded to a stop three feet from her, my heart instantly pounding, not from anger anymore but concern. And that was because of the fear in her eyes.

  “I can’t hear you, Gramps. What did you say?” She hunched over more.