Page 58 of Penalized Love

Levi and Wilder end up chatting with one another on the other side of the room, but I’ve already noticed that Levi has glanced at Hailey at least once.

“So, how long have you been into photography?” Jade asks.

I take a sip of my beer before answering. “Since elementary school, actually. It started as a hobby I got more serious about in high school, and now it has become so much more.”

“That’s awesome,” Hailey chimes in. “I’ve seen some of your shots of the team on their social media pages. You’ve got a real talent.”

I can’t stop the grin from taking over my face. “Thanks. That means a lot.” It feels good to be recognized for my passion. And it feels good to be friendly with other people, something I never thought I would say. I enjoy keeping my inner circle small, but I don’t mind socializing every now and again.

“How long have you been working at Brewed Beginnings?” I ask the first question that comes to mind. I feel slightly awkward about doing so, but here we are.

“Oh, I’ve been there since freshman year. It’s a job…you know. Not exactly thrilled about it, but at least I’m getting paid. Since my manager got transferred out of our store, things have gotten better.”

Jade nods, picking up on Hailey’s tone. “Retail jobs can be brutal. I used to work at a clothing store in Crestwood Mall. The stories I could tell you…”

Selene leans against the kitchen counter, nursing her beer. “Oh, do share. I’m always up for a good story.”

Jade pauses for a second, trying to figure out how to start before launching into what happened when an irate customer walked in and had a meltdown because the store wasn’t carrying a dress in the color that she wanted it in. The way she recounts it has us all laughing.

As the laughter dies down, I notice Selene’s attention shift, her eyes narrowing as she looks past us. Following her gaze, I spot Knox standing across the room. Unsurprisingly, he stands out even in the crowded space. He’s got that intense look on his face, like he’s analyzing everything around him.

Hailey must have noticed what happened because she says, “See something interesting, Selene?”

Selene snaps her attention back to the group, and although she tries to play it cool, I know her well enough to know it’s all an act. “Who’s that guy over there?” she asks, nodding in Knox’s direction.

I glance back at Knox, who’s now chatting with a group of guys, including Levi, Wilder, and Blaise, on the other side of the room. There is no sign of Asher. “That’s Knox Sanchez. He’s also on the hockey team.”

“Interesting,” Selene murmurs, her eyes lingering on Knox a moment longer before she turns back to the group. “Maybe I’ll introduce myself later.”

“That might not be the best idea,” Jade says. All our eyes shift over to her as we wait for her to continue.

“Why not?” Selene asks for the rest of us.

Jade takes a sip of her drink before answering, her eyes darting between Selene and Knox across the room. “Let’s just say Knox has a bit of a reputation. He’s not exactly known for his long-term commitments, if you catch my drift.”

Hailey nods in agreement. “She’s right, at least based on what Levi told me once.”

Selene raises an eyebrow. “That works for me because I’m not looking for anything serious.”

Her words hang in the air for a moment, and I can’t help but be concerned. I know my best friend can handle herself, but I also know that guys like Knox can be trouble. Before I can say anything, Selene downs the rest of her beer.

“Well, I think it’s time for a refill. Anyone else need another drink?” she asks.

Hailey and Jade exchange a look before shaking their heads. “We’re good for now,” Hailey says, holding up her half-full cup.

As Selene makes her way back to the cooler, I turn to Hailey and Jade. “So what else do you know about Knox?” I ask.

Jade shrugs. “Not much. Just that he’s kind of a player and doesn’t seem interested in anything serious.”

Hailey nods in agreement. “Yeah, that’s it.”

I chew on my bottom lip, still not entirely convinced. I’m impressed by Selene’s honesty with people we’ve just met and vice versa. Hailey and Jade have more loyalty to Levi and Wilder and, by association, the hockey team, than to us, but they have no problem talking about Knox. It would be easy for them to just keep quiet, but I appreciate them telling the truth.

But I don’t trust them enough to talk about Asher. Hopefully, Selene, who knows where all the proverbial bodies are buried, doesn’t say anything.

Selene returns with her refilled cup. “So what did I miss?”

I’m the one that replies. “Nothing important. Just chatting.”

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