Page 14 of Inside the Penalty Box

“Mom! This isn’t about you and some lawyer,” I cried.

“Aurora, how many times do I need to tell you? Life is about experiences! I bet he was a great experience for you.”

I literally wanted to die. This was exactly like her. Why I thought she’d care was beyond me, and I’d been right. She didn’t give a shit.

“Mom, this is embarrassing.”

“Oh, Aurora, how many times do I have to tell you, life is to be lived, to take chances, to have fun? That was what you were doing. Nothing wrong with it.”

She wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into her.

“Mom, can’t you see I’m a mess?” I questioned.

“I can, and you know what I say is an excellent remedy for that. Drinks. So, let’s go get some and join the guys out back.”

She rubbed my shoulder before opening the door and laughed again as she glanced back at me. “My uptight little bird finally spread her wings,” she muttered.

I followed her back into the kitchen, where she poured each of us another drink, adding an extra shot of gin to mine. I made eye contact with her as she screwed the cap back onto the bottle. Why I’d ever wanted to be like her, I’d never know.

“Come on now. Time to act like nothing has happened.”

I let out the breath I was holding as my stomach continued to turn. “What if I can’t?”

“You can! Although, you will never know what might happen later on.” She winked as she made her way to the patio door and slid it open.

“Is everything alright?” I heard Joe ask as we stepped out onto the patio.

“Oh, heavens yes. I’m sorry about that. Aurora and her issues,” she said, giggling as she stepped outside.

I was ready to kill Penelope. I held my breath as I stepped out onto the back deck. My brother and Dylan sat talking. Immediately, Dylan looked over at me while Walker continued talking. I was going to go over and sit beside my mother when Dylan grabbed the chair beside him and pulled it toward him, slapping the seat.

“Come on over here and sit with us.” He grinned.

If I were going to get through this night, there was one thing I was going to need, and that was a lot more gin.

Chapter 5

Dylan

Aurora had barely touched any of the food that my father made. She’d picked at her salad, barely touched the steak, and sat there looking like she was still about to throw up. To be honest, I was in shock that she was here in my father’s house, but I was happy to see her.

Over the past nine months, I’d kicked myself almost daily for not getting the name or number of the girl I’d met in Cozumel. I’d relived the night over and over in my mind. When I’d woken the next morning to an empty bed, I realized how stupid I’d been. Now fate had stepped in and handed her to me on a silver platter. Or perhaps it was gold. Whatever it was, I was glad to see her again. I just wished she looked the same. Instead, she avoided my eyes and looked like she was going to be sick.

“Don’t like steak?” I questioned as I leaned in close enough to her to catch a whiff of her. She wore the same coconut scented body lotion that she had on that night, a scent I hadn’t been able to forget.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t inhaled it.” Walker chuckled. “Aurora loves meat.”

She looked at me and I winked, then grabbed the pitcher from the centre of the table. “Anyone for more drinks?” I asked.

“Oh, yes, please,” Penelope said, while grabbing Joe’s glass as well.

I poured everyone a glass and added a little more to my own, then looked at Aurora and poured more into hers. She needed to relax a little.

“Well, she doesn’t like to eat, but she sure loves to drink.” I chuckled, watching as she reached for the glass. I’d watched her down at least four of my father’s killer cocktails without food. I’d only guess she’d been feeling something by now.

“So, when do you play again?” Penelope asked.

“Thursday.”

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