Page 59 of Penalized Love

Our conversation continues, and soon, we are back in the living room with the guys joining us. Levi and Hailey are together once again, chatting with Jade and Wilder. Knox stares me down for a moment before Selene takes the opportunity to talk with him. Of course, she’s ignoring the warning Jade and Hailey gave her. What the hell was that look from him all about? Blaise didn’t bother coming over, and I’m not sure where he went.

I will credit everyone for their efforts in trying to talk to me, but it still feels like everyone is paired off except for me. I turn to Selene, who’s deep in conversation with Knox. Is it bad that it wouldn’t surprise me if she ended up going home with him tonight?

Wilder claps his hands together, and everyone looks at him. “Alright, who’s up for some flip cup?” he announces, his voice loud enough to cut through the music. Everyone agrees, but I notice that the teams are uneven.

“Looks like we’re short one player,” I point out.

Just then, I see Asher making his way through the crowd to join us. I can feel my pulse pick up the second I lay eyes on him, but I force myself to not react.

“Hey, look who decided to show up,” Levi says, slapping Asher on the back. “Thought you weren’t going to make it tonight.”

Asher grins, his gaze flicking to me for a split second before his eyes are back on Levi. “Nah, just needed a minute. Didn’t want to miss the action.”

Apparently, this is enough to draw Selene away from Knox for a second because she nudges me and throws a side-eye my way. I ignore it, taking a sip of my drink instead.

“Glad you’re here, man,” Wilder says, raising his drink. “We were just about to start a round of flip cup. You in?”

“Definitely,” Asher says, then turns to me, his eyes meeting mine with a hint of a smile. “What about you, Isla? Are you ready?”

I raise an eyebrow because I can hear the challenge in his voice. “Oh, I’m always ready.”

As the group sets up for the game, I catch Asher’s gaze again. He smiles at me, and I can’t help but smile back despite not knowing what is happening between us. I hope that, at least for tonight, we can keep things casual. We are just two people having fun at a party.

Everyone walks down to the basement and gathers around the table. Knox stands there with his arms crossed as if he would rather be elsewhere. Selene leans over to talk to him, and it’s only then that his mood slightly changes.

Since no one else says a word, I think I’m the only one who notices their interaction. Interesting.

As the group starts setting up for the game, Asher leans closer. “Hey, can we talk for a sec?”

I glance at him and nod. We step to the side, just out of earshot of the others.

“So, I’ve been thinking about the content we’ve been filming.”

That got my attention. “Oh? What about it?”

He hesitates for a moment, then smiles. “I was thinking maybe we could film A Day in the Life—like, follow me through a game day or something. Give people a real behind-the-scenes look. I think it could be cool and show more of what it’s like from my perspective.”

I raise an eyebrow because it was something that was thrown around, but it wasn’t what Asher had agreed to initially. “A Day in the Life, huh? I like it. It could add a more personal angle people would connect with. Plus, you’re already getting used to the camera, so it wouldn’t be too awkward.”

He chuckles. “Yeah, I trust you to make me look good. And, you know, maybe it’d be fun to spend some more time together.”

Ah, that’s what all of this was about. “Asher?—”

“Look, I know we’ve been through a lot. And I know there’s still a lot we haven’t figured out yet. But you can’t deny that there’s still something here.” He gestures between us, his eyes searching mine. “I feel it. And I think you do too.”

I bite my lip, but he’s not wrong. “It’s complicated, Asher.”

He nods, his expression serious. “I know it is. But I’m willing to put in the work. I’m not the same guy I was back then. I’ve learned from my mistakes, and I’m willing to prove it to you, however long it takes, sunshine.”

23

ASHER

Although it’s early in the morning, I have a smile on my face. Sure, I’m still tired, but I also feel rejuvenated. Not only did Isla agree to spend more time with me, but I also had a wonderful dream last night, and she was starring in the film. I would have been pissed if my alarm had gone off during it.

I check the time before getting out of bed. Coach will have my head if I’m late to practice. Plus, I can’t tell him the reason I’m late is because I’m dreaming about banging his daughter.

But it’s more than that.

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