Page 4 of The Penalty

Xavier

“That is nasty.”

I turned to see Cade pointing at my bruised hand. “What the hell happened?”

The changing room was mostly empty after today’s training session. A couple of the guys heard Cade’s exclamation and looked over. I shot them both warning glances.

“It’s nothing,” I finally said.

“Whose face was on the other end?” Cade asked in a low voice.

“Nobody’s.” Just that worthless shit’s stomach.

Cade’s skeptical expression irked me. We’ve known one another since we were twelve. He could tell when I was being less than truthful.

“Whatever you say, mate.”

Before I could respond, my fucking step-brother approached us.

“Xavier.”

“Adam.” I have to admit, he looked anxious about something. “What do you want?”

“We need to talk.”

I forced a laugh. “Unless it’s about Saturday’s match, we don’t.”

His eyes narrowed when he folded his arms. “We do. Meet me in the car park when you’re done here. And don’t make me come back in to find you.”

He left in a huff. Rolling my eyes, I tossed my training kit in with the rest of the dirty clothes and went to the recovery room for an ice pack. Cade followed close behind.

“Want me to come out with you in case things with Adam go, uh, not well?” he asked.

“Nah. I can’t imagine this will last longer than ten seconds.” I winced a bit when the ice touched my skin. I could feel Cade staring at it and looked up. “What?”

“Maybe you should talk to Victoria. It might help you,” he paused, gauged my reaction and continued, “calm down a bit. You’ve been on edge since leaving her in New York.”

My mind flashed to the night Victoria and I read through her twin’s final journal entry. Victoria had been nearly inconsolable. I did my best to comfort her all the while imagining dozens of ways to make Jordan suffer.

The other night at the club was nothing. A mere warm-up for the main event.

“Xavier,” Cade prompted. “Will you talk to her?”

Desire twisted around my heart. I wanted to talk to her. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, feel her skin on mine. Hear her laugh. See her smile.

“Not yet.” I failed to avoid his steady gaze.

“Don’t fuck this up.” Cade looked solemn. “She’s the best thing that’s happened to you.”

“I know,” I admitted. “You still going to Bennet’s?”

“Yeah. I’ll be out in a bit.”

I shook off the unease and sense of dread that’s been eating away at me since Sunday. My impulsiveness ruled my life these days. Going after Jordan like that would probably end up biting me in the ass somehow.

Whatever.

Knocking him out felt bloody amazing.

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