Page 21 of The Penalty

A little piece of hope was all I needed.

The final match of the season went exactly as planned on Saturday. We won (obviously) giving the club another league championship. Back-to-back, for anyone out there keeping score.

I recorded my twentieth clean sheet of the season and was named Goalkeeper of the Year.

Winning never gets old. Neither does the cheering or the accolades or the adoration. I fucking love it and will never get enough.

Victoria texted me after the match ended. She sent a photo of her TV screen with the message I’m so proud of you.

She must be just as desperate as I am for the smallest bit of connection.

I’d heard from Killian and Max at halftime. Fingers crossed all the texts would lead to the outcome I wanted. It took a mountain of convincing on my part, but I think I managed to get them in my corner for now.

The plan was for me to meet them at the fundraiser at nine. I made those two swear to secrecy and had to trust they’d do this one little thing for me.

After I completed all my post-match interviews, I showered, tossed all my clothes in my travel bag and went to the airport. My nerves didn’t settle until we were about an hour into the flight.

“Hey.” Bennet’s serious tone gave me pause.

I looked over at him.

Oh shit.

His grim expression didn’t help.

“Before I say this, I’d like to remind you we’re on an airplane over the Atlantic. Don’t do anything crazy like try to open a door.”

Panic set in. I clutched the armrest and said as evenly as I could, “What happened?”

“Jordan confronted Victoria in Manhattan last night.” His eyes widened at whatever expression burned itself on my face. “He pretended to be some guy from Missouri. She’s fine. He only talked to her. Hannah was able to get rid of him when she found her.”

Way too many fucking thoughts ran rampant through my mind. “Where? Why was she alone? How did Hannah manage to find her?”

Bennet ignored my concerns. “When you see her tonight, don’t be surprised if she asks you some tough questions.”

My heart nearly stopped. “Tough how?”

“According to Hannah, Jordan said a lot of shitty things about you.”

“What things?”

“I don’t know. Victoria didn’t get into specifics with her.”

Unbridled rage turned my vision to static. If I’d only pictured killing him before, now I’d make sure Jordan took his last breath the next time I saw him.

“Did you find out about this during the match?”

Bennet didn’t answer straight away, which riled me up even more.

“I’m waiting, Logan.”

“Last night,” he finally admitted. “I talked to Victoria after it happened.”

He stiffened against the seat when I stood up.

“What did you say to her?” Venom razored my every word.

“Sit down, mate,” he said as tactful as a diplomat negotiating a treaty. Fear, anger, and impatience pounded behind my eyes. But I sat, because honestly what the fuck else could I do trapped in this flying tin can?

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