Page 116 of The Penalty

“How do you know all this?”

“I told you. Philip and I have remained in touch over the years.” He spoke so low I almost didn’t catch it. “Do you remember what happened at the bonfire that one summer? When you and Jordan got into a fight?”

I snickered. “Narrow it down for me. All we did was fight.”

Adam looked thoughtful. “True. He was quite miffed about not making the Royal City development team. He sucked as a striker though. Come to think of it, he sucked as a winger, too. He shouldn’t have been surprised they didn’t want him.”

The way Adam looked at me transported me back to the first day I met him. We were eight. My father and Rebecca thought it would be easier if they introduced us in a casual setting. We’d been on the pitch, kicking the ball around.

I remembered not thinking much about him except it would be fun to have a younger brother, even though we’re only five months apart. But he’d looked at me like he already idolized me in some way. Like I was the older brother he’d always wanted.

A grin tugged at my lips. “He did suck.”

For a split second, all the animosity between us dissipated.

“Anyway.” Adam shoved his hands in his pockets. “Thought you’d want to know since Victoria lives there. Hope everything’s going alright with you two now that you’re splashed all over the gossip sites.”

“One thing about Victoria is she knows how to handle the media. We’re fine. Thanks though.”

Without saying another word, he left. The door closed quietly behind him.

What the fuck is going on?

Xavier

The following week flew by faster than I thought it would. We had a match on Wednesday, and another one set for Sunday. I still wasn’t able to talk to Victoria much since her schedule this week was just as hectic.

Cade pestered me nonstop Friday at training for a night out in London. Begrudgingly, I agreed.

“Should we show up unannounced at the estate after this?” Cade asked, pulling at the sleeves of his shirt. “We haven’t been there in nearly a month.”

We’d just arrived at Constellations, one of the more exclusive lounges in the city for dinner. The clientele generally consisted of business professionals, athletes, politicians, and celebrities.

Contrary to my reputation, being here wasn’t quite what I wanted to do tonight. Going to Bennet’s? Not even an option. I had a small window of opportunity to speak with Victoria later, and wanted to be home.

“It’s your funeral, mate.”

“Oh, come on. It’s fucking Bennet, not some psycho.”

“You’ve obviously never been golfing with him.”

“Neither have you,” he laughed. “Besides, golfing isn’t my thing.”

“You need a hobby.”

“I have one.” Cade stopped walking. His lips stretched into a smug smile. “In fact, I have three. They’re all coming over tomorrow night.”

“Are they of legal age?”

I barely managed to avoid his poor attempt at punching my arm.

“Come over and find out.”

Cade’s general demeanor on any given day fluctuated between smart ass, charmer, and asshole. We’re quite similar in that regard and it’s probably one of the reasons we get on so well.

We sat at a table near the bar where I spent way too much time half-listening to him talk about his three ‘hobbies.’

“Everything good with Victoria?” His question surprised me.

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