Page 55 of Inside the Penalty Box

“Not what I think? Dylan, I wasn’t born yesterday. This is beyond disturbing.”

“First, we aren’t fooling around.”

My father shook his head and smirked. “Really? What would you call it?”

“Dad, I like her a lot. We aren’t just fooling around.”

“Dylan, do you have any idea how disturbing this is? You guys are basically brother and sister.”

“I take it Penelope didn’t tell you how we met?” I said, glaring at my father.

“No, and frankly, I don’t give a damn how you met.”

I clenched my fists and locked my jaw. He always thought he had power over people, and that was one thing I hated about him more than anything.

“Dad, we met way before…”

“What part of I don’t want to hear it don’t you get? I want you to end things with her immediately.”

“Would you listen to me?” I said through clenched teeth.

“Dylan, I’m done listening. You’re nothing but an immense disappointment. I’m giving you until the weekend to end things with Aurora, otherwise I’ll end it for you.”

I clenched my hands into fists and glared at my father. I wasn’t putting up with this. He never listened to anyone but himself. He squared off with me, waiting to see what I’d do. I wanted to hit him, but then remembered Aurora and her mother were in the kitchen. Instead of taking out my anger, I turned and walked out. He followed right behind me, shouting at me the entire way. Instead of saying anything to anyone else, I stormed right out the front door, slamming it behind me. I was just about to my car when I heard Aurora call after me. I couldn’t talk to her right now. I was too fucking angry, so, pretending not to hear her, I climbed into my car and slammed the door shut and raced out of the driveway.

* * *

I’d stopped by Knox’s place and we’d completed our workout for today. That had enabled me to work off my anger and frustration in a better way than heading home and getting drunk would have.

I pulled my shirt off over my head and dropped it on the table, then adjusted the pillow behind my head and went back to reading when I heard a light knock on the door. I glanced at my watch. It was well after eleven. I placed my book down, wondering who it could be. If it was my father, I was almost certain there’d be a fight. Another soft knock had me heading to the door. Pulling it open, it surprised me to see Aurora standing there, her eyes red from crying. She said nothing; she stepped inside and crashed into me, wrapping her arms around me.

I pulled her inside, shut the door, and wrapped my arms around her.

“What’s going on?” I questioned when she finally stopped crying.

“Your dad kicked me out of the house.”

“What?” Anger coursed through my veins. I hated the man more now than ever.

“He came storming into the kitchen and told Penelope I had to leave. They started fighting…and he whispered something to my mom about me, which made her burst into tears. I didn’t stay around to wait and find out what he said, but by the time I got to the door, they were fighting. I grabbed my stuff and left. My mom chased after me, but he grabbed her and pulled her back into the house and wouldn’t let her go.”

“He told me that your mom told him about us. He demanded I break it off with you. When I refused, he gave me an ultimatum. He said either I ended things or he would. That’s why I left.”

“Why would he say that?”

“He’s pissed with me over the news and the game, and he’s always thought he can control everything. Just ignore it. It will blow over,” I said, pulled her against me. “Now, why aren’t you at home? It’s late.” I pulled her inside and over to the couch where we sat down.

“I didn’t want to go home. I wanted to see you. You left in such a hurry and said nothing to anyone. When I left, I drove all the way to the ferry and pulled over on the side of the road. I sat there crying for a while, debating whether to go home to study or come here. Then Lorelai called, panicking about the exam and worried about our job applications. She wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise, and that was when I knew I couldn’t go home and face her. I was too upset, so I came here.”

She lifted her eyes and met mine, her bottom lip trembling. I wanted to make everything go away for both of us. I leaned down and took her mouth with mine in a slow and gentle kiss. As we parted, she opened her eyes.

“I’m glad you came here,” I whispered. “I needed you.”

I flipped the light switch to the off position, took her hand, and pulled her down the hall to the bedroom.

* * *

We lay wrapped in one another’s arms the next morning. I pressed a kiss to the side of her neck and she let out a soft moan.

---