Page 5 of Penalized Love

Did he just ask me out? I take a split second to stop my mind from overanalyzing the situation. Chances are, this is nothing more than a friendly conversation. “Yeah, maybe,” I reply. Part of me wants to come clean and tell him why I follow college hockey. But a bigger part is enjoying this fantasy, pretending to be someone else for one night.

We continue chatting, the conversation flowing easily. Asher tells me about growing up in a small town a couple of hours away and a bit about what he’s looking forward to as a freshman. I share vague details about my life, carefully avoiding anything too specific. However, I find myself relaxing more. Maybe it’s the beer, or perhaps it’s just how easy Asher is to talk to.

“Hey, want to get some air?” Asher asks, gesturing toward the back door. “It’s getting pretty stuffy in here.”

I hesitate for a moment, glancing around for Selene. She’s nowhere to be found. “Sure,” I reply, surprising myself with how quickly I agree.

Asher leads the way through the crowded living room, holding my hand so we don’t get separated. The contact sends a shiver up my spine. We step out onto the back porch, and the cool breeze helps soothe my skin.

While there are a few people nearby, it’s much quieter out here. Asher leans against the railing, looking out at the backyard. I stand beside him, aware of how close we are, but pretending I’m not.

“You know,” he pauses for a second before he continues. “I’m glad I came to this party tonight.”

I turn to look at him. “Yeah?”

He nods, his eyes meeting mine. “Yeah. I got to be introduced to some pretty chill people, but most importantly, I got to meet you.”

Before I can overthink it, Asher leans in and kisses me. His lips are soft and warm against mine. For a moment, I’m too stunned to react. The awkwardness fades, and I allow my eyes to close as I melt into the kiss.

Everything about this feels like heaven, and I’m convinced it has nothing to do with the alcohol coursing through my veins. I can taste the beer on Asher’s breath, but it doesn’t bother me one bit. The world around us drifts into the background until it’s just us in this moment.

When we break apart, I’m breathless. Asher looks at me, the intensity of his green eyes forcing me to keep his stare before a small smile appears on his lips. “Wow,” he whispers.

“Yeah,” I agree, my voice barely above a whisper. My head is spinning, and I don’t know if I ever want it to stop. Well, without the beverages I consumed tonight, it probably wouldn’t feel this carefree, but right now, I don’t care. I want this moment to last forever.

Asher tucks a strand of my blonde hair behind my ear, his fingers brushing against my cheek. “That was really something, Isla,” he murmurs.

I feel a pang of guilt in my chest. He thinks I’m a college freshman, not some high school girl sneaking into a party. But how he’s looking at me makes it hard to care about the lie.

“I have to agree,” I manage to say, trying to sound confident despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Asher grins and leans in for another kiss. This time, I’m ready for it. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His hands find my waist, and I’m forced to stand on my tiptoes.

Suddenly, a loud crash from inside the house breaks the moment we shared. We jump apart, startled by the noise.

“What was that?” I ask, my heart pounding for a different reason now.

Asher shrugs. “Probably just someone dropping something. It happens.”

But I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong as my thoughts wander to Selene and the fact that I left her in there. I scan the backyard, half-expecting to see my dad. “Maybe we should go check,” I suggest.

Before either of us can react, Selene runs out of the back door, her face pale. We stare at each other for a split second, her eyes jerking to Asher before reaching mine once more. She mouths one word that makes my blood run cold: “Cops.”

I swear my heart stops. Cops. Here. Now.

Everything moves in slow motion as panic takes over. I look at Asher, his face filled with confusion. Then my attention turns back to Selene.

“We have to go,” I blurt out, grabbing Selene’s arm. While hanging out with the boy standing next to me was fun, Selene’s my main priority now.

“What’s going on?” Asher asks as concern crosses his face.

I can’t explain because it will only waste more time. “Cops are here! I’m sorry,” are the only words I toss out before Selene and I take off running.

We sprint across the backyard, ducking under a gap in the fence. My legs feel like jelly, and I know it’s a mix of adrenaline and alcohol. But we refuse to stop because we can’t. If we get caught, my parents will ground me for the rest of the school year.

Behind us, I can hear shouting and the sound of breaking glass. I glance over my shoulder, and I’m met with blue and red lights flashing in the distance. The only option we have is to run faster.

We don’t slow down until we’re several blocks away, gasping for air in someone’s front yard.

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