Page 39 of Penalized Love

“That’s an understatement. My best friend, Jade, always tries to convince me to let loose and go out to parties with her, but I have a packed schedule between Levi, school, work, and chess club. I assume yours is too with the hockey team?”

Since I’m in the middle of chewing a piece of my sandwich, I wait until I’m done to respond. “I’m in a similar boat with the business and having a best friend who also tries to cause chaos in my life. But between classes, the team, and everything else… it’s been nonstop.”

She raises an eyebrow. “Everything else? Care to elaborate?”

“It’s not as interesting as it sounds. I have some health issues I’m trying to get a handle on. Dad’s got the hockey team over tonight for some bonding thing, and I’m helping out and attending.”

Hailey nods along as if this isn’t a surprise to her. “Levi mentioned it to me. He’ll be there tonight. Sounds like a good time to observe all their drama up close. The stories I hearfrom Levi sometimes are just…wild. I swear, some guys get into situations I could never dream of.”

I laugh to cover up the fact that I’m thinking about the tension between Asher and me and the issues that Asher is having with Knox. Asher seems to be the common denominator here. “I doubt there’s that much drama. But you never know. I just hope it doesn’t turn into a mess.”

“With all those guys in one place? It’s bound to be.”

“And I assume Asher is going to be there? That could also cause a mess.”

I jerk my head as my eyes land on her. “Wait. What are you talking about?”

“I saw you two having a pretty intense conversation after one of their games.”

Fuck. “That wasn’t even a good segue.”

“And you’re avoiding the question.”

Touché. “Things are…complicated, to say the least. We used to date, but I went away to another college, and now I’m back.” That’s the condensed, clean version, at least. I don’t mention how he broke my heart or how he can still set my body ablaze when his green eyes meet mine. Or how his presence sets my nerves on fire.

She studies me for a moment. “There’s more to it than that, isn’t there? I can see it in your eyes, Isla.”

I shift in my seat because she nailed it. This is why I’ll never excel at poker... or become a serial killer. My eyes will betray me each and every time. “It’s been awkward, but we’re making it work because we see each other so often now.”

“Awkward how? Like, you want to rip each other’s clothes off awkward, or you want to rip each other’s throats out awkward?”

I can’t help but laugh at her bluntness. It helps relieve the tension this questioning has been creating within me. The truth is, it’s a bit of both, but I am not sure if I want to admit it to her.

“You sound like my best friend, Selene, now.”

“It sounds like we need to get you, me, Jade, and Selene together at some point.”

I like that idea. “That sounds like a plan. But in terms of Asher, it’s complicated,” I repeat. “We have a lot of history.”

See? Simple diplomatic answer.

“But you’ll figure it out, I’m sure.”

I’m glad she has more faith in that than I do.

The rest of our lunch goes well as we take our time getting to know each other. Once we wrap things up and say goodbye, I decide to head to my car and drive home versus running the risk of having to see Tessa by going to our dorm room. I replay my conversation with Hailey in my mind as I’m trying to wrap my head around what tonight will be like if Asher shows up. As I pull into my driveway, I see Bella at the window. As I walk up the front porch stairs, Bella’s excited barking greets me even before I open the door. She is all over me as soon as I step inside.

“Hey, old girl,” I say, bending down to give her a few scratches behind the ears. She licks my hand in response, her whole body practically vibrating with excitement. “You ready for a house full of people?”

She tilts her head at me as if she’s never heard such a preposterous thing. I laugh and give her one last pat before heading into the living room, where my mom is wiping down the coffee table.

“Hey, Mom. Need some help?” I ask, and she looks up, smiling.

“Perfect timing, sweetheart. You can help me with the drinks and then make sure everything is ready in the living room,” she says.

“Where’s Dad?”

“He’s out back, double-checking the grill. Why don’t you go say hello?”

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