Page 79 of The Penalty

“Early.” I glanced at the time. “Doubt I’ll be getting any more sleep when I get home.”

“Try to nap.”

Impossible. “I’ll be fine. Getting you home in one piece is all I’m worried about right now.”

“Mmhmm. Same.”

Stopping at the traffic light gave me an excuse to focus on her. She must have propped the phone on something. Her eyes were closed and I could see her arms folded up to cradle her head against the window.

“Tired from all the drinks or all the excitement?” I asked.

“Both.”

She must be exhausted. Not even an attempt at sarcasm.

“You should hang up if you want to rest,” I said gently. “I’m almost home anyway.”

“No. I like having you with me.”

The mood shifted to something softer, almost achingly vulnerable.

“And I like being with you. I’m not going anywhere.”

We fell into a comfortable silence for the remainder of our drive. The sky grew brighter as I walked into my flat. Definitely no more sleeping for me. I’ll probably go for a quick run before leaving.

I sat by the fireplace, putting my feet up on the ottoman.

“I know that chair.” Victoria watched me. “I like when you sit in it.”

“Yeah? Haven’t used it since you were here.”

“We’ll have to fix that next time I’m in London.” A bright light illuminated the interior of the car. “Home sweet home.” She blinked against the sudden light. “Thank you for staying on with me.”

“Will Alex be picking you up in the morning?”

A brief silence followed. Victoria glanced over at Hannah. “Eight? Okay.” Her eyes focused on me. “He’ll come get me at eight.”

“Good. Now go to bed.”

“Just because you’re sitting in the bossy chair doesn’t mean I want to be bossed around.” A tantalizing rasp edged her voice. “I’m about to get in the elevator. I might lose you.”

“You’ll never lose me, love.”

“Tell that to all the steel in this building. Good night, country prince.”

“Good night, city princess.”

Training was awful.

Let me correct that.

I was awful.

Lack of focus. Lack of conviction. Lack of any desire or drive that made me…me.

“Get your head straight, Maddox,” Ashton Clarke said, pulling me aside in the changing room. “Those should be routine saves for you.”

The manager was right. All of this should be routine. Fucking up on the national team didn’t sit well with me at all. The last thing I wanted to do was disappoint him or the rest of the guys.

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