by Lynn Rush
It was freezing out, and flurries settled over us, but that didn’t matter. I had Willow in my arms again. She held me close as we danced along the outskirts of the pond to our own song.
“Have I said lately how glad I am that you’re back?”
“Not in the last ten minutes. I was starting to wonder if maybe you weren’t anymore.” Willow winked.
She was wearing a pink stocking cap with a white poof on top. Her bright blue eyes drew me in, and I just had to kiss her again.
“I’m glad you’re back,” I said, then brushed my lips against hers. “I’m glad you’re back. I’m glad you’re back, infinity.”
Her hold on me tightened as I got reacquainted with her mouth. It’d been five days since State, so yeah, I’d kissed her a few times since then, but never enough. I’d never get enough of her.
She giggled against my mouth. “I feel like I’m dreaming.”
I curled a strand of her silky black hair behind her ear. Her big blue eyes were dilated and her lips shiny. I was addicted to that look. And thanks to scholarship offers at nearby schools in Boston, I’d be able to see her like this all the time still.
She’d gotten calls from Boston College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Boston, but she’d chosen the University of Boston. It would have been great to have her at the same school as me, but she wanted to take the better offer.
“We should start heading to Bear Lake for the victory party, huh?” Willow said between kisses. “They’re probably waiting for us.”
I bent my knees slightly, then hoisted her up. She cinched her legs around me and took control of the kiss. She felt like home. Her fresh ice scent, her warm mouth, and strength surrounded me.
She was my anchor.
We coasted to the edge of the rink, and I fell back into a bank of snow. Her giggle echoed off the trees surrounding the pond. She wasn’t even phased by the cold air and flurries. She just smiled and cuddled up against me.
“Hey, I haven’t told you yet! Mom and Dad found a cute little apartment close to the Ice Den, and it’s only a block from Jessa’s house,” she said. “They say we can move in next month.”
“Sweet. Does that mean your dad found a job?” I asked.
“He’s got an interview with something that actually might use his finance degree, finally!” She propped her chin on my chest and looked up at me. “I haven’t seen him smile this much in a long time. Him and Mom.”
“I’m glad.”
“Have you heard from your dad after yesterday’s visit?” She brushed away some flurries that’d landed on my face.
“Yeah, he called and said good night to me and Caleb. It’s so weird. I mean, I never thought I’d go visit my dad in jail.” I closed my eyes and sagged against the snow as I drew in a breath of the cool air. “But even in the orange jumpsuit, he looked better. Weird?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’m glad you went to see him and that he called. I bet that made Caleb really happy.”
I nodded, happy that he was getting help and that we could still see and talk to him, but super sad it took him landing in jail to get said help. “He said he watched the State Championship.”
Her head perked up. “Really?”
“Yep. Saw my winning goal, even.” I couldn’t help the smile filling my face. “It was cool to talk about hockey with him again.”
“I’m proud of you for going. I’m not sure I would have been able to.”
“He’s family,” I said, then hugged her tight.
“So what’s next?”
“Absolutely nothing other than dating you and everyone knowing that we’re together.” I kissed her cheek. “Starting with the State champs party!”
We hopped to our feet.
“Shall we, Toe Pick?” I grabbed her in my arms and spun her, finally putting her back down.
She looked up at me with a huge grin. “After you, Puck Head.”
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Acknowledgments
I wish I could specifically name every single person who’s come alongside me during this writing journey, but the list is so very long. I will try to name a few here, though. Super Agent Nicole Resciniti, thank you for your tireless work. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for you. Super Editor Stacy Cantor Abrams and team. There were several editors who worked on this book, and I’m so thankful for you all.
My sweet hubby, Charlie. Thank you for your endless support, your willingness to brainstorm with me and give me hugs and chocolate when the world just isn’t quite right.
Kelsey and Chloe Evans. Thank you for all your help with the high school side of things. It was fun getting to chat with you guys about all this. You’re so sweet and fun. Thank you!
To everyone at Entangled and Macmillan who has played a part in the creation of this amazing story. I love how the story turned out, I love the cover, and I love your dedication to helping create an amazing product.
To Michele Trent and Beth Cowles, thank you for your friendship. Thank you for being there for me during the ups and downs that come with the world of publishing. I couldn’t imagine life without you two. Thank you to my Trail Sisters and the Snot Rocket trail running group, for logging all those miles on the trails and taking amazing adventures with me. They help fuel my creativity, and I so enjoy your company!
To the beta readers who took the time to read through early drafts for us and offer up amazing feedback.
And finally, to the fans of Willow, Brodie, and the whole Woodhaven High crew, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and enthusiasm. We hope you enjoyed reading In the Penalty Box as much as we enjoyed writing it.
XO ~Lynn
In the Penalty Box came together with the help of countless individuals. First and foremost, I’d like to thank Lynn Rush, my amazing coauthor, for agreeing to write a book with someone she’d only met online! Ha-ha! I’d also like to thank our superstar agents Nicole Resciniti and Jennifer Wills.
If you read the first draft of this book, you’d be amazed at how far it’s come and how much better it is now compared to back then! This is thanks to our fantastic editors, Stacy Abrams and Judi Weiss.
To Liz and everyone else at Entangled Publishing, thank you for believing in this story!
Another round of thanks goes out to our incredible beta readers, especially our hockey experts! Colin McDermott, A.J. Simmons, Anna Webb, Travis Parisi, Robbie Shapiro, and Myles Bible—you are all so amazing, and we are beyond grateful for your help!
Thank you to Andrew Cole-Bulgin and Fiona Simpson for always believing in me! I’m here today because of both of you.
On a personal note, I want to thank my husband, Lee Roy. Your encouragement to follow my dreams means the absolute most to me! I love you and everything you do for me and our family. Sweet Bella Rose, you inspire me to achieve my goals! Thank you, my darling, smart, and inquisitive daughter!
To my parents, thank you for raising a daughter who loved to read and write! What a fine example you set for me! Bella Rose is following in my footsteps, and I could not be more proud! I’m so grateful for your love and wisdom!
To my mother-in-law and father-in-law, thank you for all of your encouragement, support, and for watching Bells! Thanks to your help, I’m able to meet my deadlines!
To my Street Team members, thank you! You do so much for me, and it is appreciated more than words can express!
I also want to thank my friends. I’ve known some of you for years, others, only a few months. But each of you holds a special spot in my heart! It’s inevitable that I left someone off the list—I always do and then feel terrible about
it afterward, so I’ll apologize in advance! I feel very blessed to have such incredible friends, and please know that the following people are all amazing! Especially Lynn Rush, Ali Novak, Alex Evansley, Rachel Meinke, Ariana Godoy, Jordan Lynde, Sarah Ratliff, Zara Ali, Katarina Tonks, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Seibert, Peyton Novak, Kristi McManus, Ravendra Patel, Eve Martaa, Michelle Hayes, Rob Shapiro, Tracy Wolff, Rusty Marcum, Anne and Mark Casadei, Kim from Read Your Writes Book Reviews, Katie Prouty, Angela Sanders, Chelsea Hjalmarson, Lindsay von Arx, Lauren Magnatta, Kelly Frey, Hannah Matthews, the AVL Mops Crew, Meg Summers, Noreen Bruce, Sarah Phillips, Suzanne Correnti, Kristin Polk, Darci Simer Yahnke, Yetta Williams, Beth Revis, Nora Carpenter, Rachel Hylton, Meg Cook, The Overworked Moms Writer Club, Sprinters United (Writing) Group, our Friday Night IG Live Crew, my Komixx Family, and my WattFam. Your support is worth its weight in gold! No matter if we see each other weekly or we haven’t been in the same state or even country in years or we’ve never met in person, you are all appreciated and loved.
A huge thank-you to our sharp-eyed proofers! You all helped more than you could ever know! Wow! Thank you, Kathleen “Chip” Haley, Fiona Simpson, Heather Nelson, Jodie Zellmer, Lauren Johnson, Melissa Chandler, Amanda-Victoria Sumrall, Sarah “Roooomie” Coyer, Elizabeth Johnson, Jeanna L. Blume, Brianna Williams, and our author friend and hockey enthusiast, Rob “Robbie” Shapiro!
To my readers and reviewers, thank you! I’ve always wanted to be an author. You made it possible and for that, you will always have my gratitude!
—Kelly Anne xoxo
About the Authors
Kelly Anne Blount is a USA Today bestselling author of young adult novels. When she’s not writing, she’s probably lost in a book or having an adventure with her handsome husband and their darling daughter. After living in a palace in Scotland, across from the Caribbean Sea, and in the snowy land of Wisconsin, Kelly and her family now reside in beautiful Asheville, North Carolina.
Kelly loves connecting with readers on social media! You can find her everywhere: @KellyAnneBlount.
Sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/KellyAnneBlount
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynn Rush is a full-time writer, wife, and trail runner living in the Sonoran Desert, despite her fear of rattlesnakes. When she’s not running, writing, or reading, she and her Ironman husband are watching movies that fuel her undying love of superheroes, vampires, and all things Supernatural.
Find her on social media: @LynnRushWrites
Sign up for her newsletter: http://bit.ly/LRNewsletter
Loved Woodhaven? Then you won’t want to miss taking a trip to their rival town, Twin River, with the Twin River High series—all three books coming soon!
The goth girl covers up a major secret for the school’s hot quarterback...
The genius and the brooding soccer star make a mutually beneficial deal…
The new girl pretends to have it all, with the boy who actually does.
Fun and drama abound in the halls of Twin River!
Coming Soon!
Don’t miss Kelly Anne Blount’s sweet and hilarious rom-com, available now!
New York Times bestselling author Rachel Harris returns to YA with a passionate, emotional romance perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen or Huntley Fitzpatrick.
by Rachel Harris
Look up the word “nerd” and you’ll find Lily Bailey’s picture. She’s got one goal: first stop valedictorian, next stop Harvard. Until a stint in the hospital from too much stress lands her in the last place a klutz like her ever expected to be: salsa dance lessons.
Look up the word “popular” and you’ll find Stone Torres’s picture. His life seems perfect—star of the football team, small-town hero, lots of friends. But his family is struggling to make ends meet, so if pitching in at his mom’s dance studio helps, he’ll do it.
When Lily’s dad offers Stone extra cash to volunteer as Lily’s permanent dance partner, he can’t refuse. But with each dip and turn, each moment her hand is in his, his side job starts to feel all too real. Lily shows Stone he’s more than his impressive football stats, and he introduces her to a world outside of studying. But with the lines blurred, can their relationship survive the secret he’s been hiding?
New York Times bestselling author Julie Cross’s sexy, relatable hockey series is perfect for fans of Miranda Kenneally.
Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.
Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.
It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.
For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.
For every book nerd who’s ever crushed on a guy from afar, this sweet contemporary romance will be sure to melt your heart.
LISA BROWN ROBERTS
Shy bookworm Amy McIntyre is about to compete for the chance to interview her favorite author, who hasn’t spoken to the press in years. The only way to win is to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight, but that level of confidence has never come easy.
The solution? A competition coach. The problem? The best person for the job is the guy she’s secretly crushing on…local surfer celebrity Toff Nichols.
He’s a player. He’s a heartthrob. He makes her forget basic things, like how to breathe. How can she feel any confidence around him?
To her surprise, Toff agrees to help. And he’s an excellent teacher. Amy feels braver—maybe even brave enough to admit her feelings for him. When their late night practices become less about coaching and more about making out, Amy’s newfound confidence wavers.
But does Toff really like her or is this just another lesson?
Let’s be friends!
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