Page 25 of The Player Penalty
“You should have one. I’d feel better knowing an alarm system protected you. Is this your room?”
“It’s not the kitchen,” I say. Julian takes in the bedroom’s pale blue walls and geography-themed decor. “It’s not what you expected?”
“You look sexy,” he says rather than answer my question.
I put a hand over my chest. “They’re pajamas.” A thin pink top and boy shorts are comfortable when alone, but they are awkward when staring at Julian Murphy, the man my therapist inquired about today.
“Well, change into regular clothes. We’re going out.”
“No, we’re not. Where are we going?”
He points to my bookshelves. “You want more of those? I’ll buy you more. We can do that or eat or go to a movie. It doesn’t matter, you pick.”
Julian showing up at my window is something right out of an old movie. Wasn’t that common once upon a time? Secret boyfriends appear out of the darkness to whisk their girlfriends to a forbidden rendezvous.
How sad is my life that I’m twenty-three and any social activity relies on sneaking out after my dad goes to bed?
Screw it, I’m going out.
“I want a new journal. You can buy me one of those.”
“Done,” he says. “I’ll buy you a dozen.”
“I’ll hold you to that. Now turn around so I can change.”
10-Julian
“Which one are we cheering for?”
“The red car with black sides. It’s the 41. Have you met Matteo before?”
“Once,” she says. It’s her quiet voice, the one I now rarely hear.
It was probably during Pete Webb’s now infamous surprise party. I was insensitive towards her, enough for her to remember it all a year later.
“Was he inappropriate?” I hope not. Matteo is almost a friend. We aren’t close, not in the same strange way I am with Lily, but we get along. He’s a great wingman.
“No. We never spoke.” Lily slumps forward on the metal bench. I scoot closer and pull her next to me. She doesn’t resist. “I made him uncomfortable.”
She probably did. It was a small office party, and a poorly organized one, but Lily made an impression on everyone there—I’m not an exception. How much courage did it take to walk back into the RMS headquarters, believing everyone inside it considers you a freak? Probably more than most people have.
“You weren’t there to see it afterward. Boone threatened to ruin Matteo’s career if he didn’t race forRMS. As you can see, itworked.” I point to the 41 currently leading the pack. “The two haven’t spoken or even been in the same room together since.”
Lily’s eyes meet mine before she leans over to whisper, “I’m on Matteo’s side. Boone is scary.”
“Team Matteo here too, but only because Boone Rivers is an ass.” I put a finger to my lips. “Don’t tell anyone I said that. You’ll ruin my career. We’re negotiating my contract, you know.”
“Secret discarded.” Lily puts her fingers to her lips and twists them like a key. “Poor Matteo is forced to race on dirt tracks.”
I chuckle because that’s funny. It’s strange how people can hold contrary opinions. Matteo hates Boone and holds him responsible for putting him in the car while also loving racing. I get it, as my feelings aren’t all that different. “Dirt is old-school racing. I wouldn’t mind doing it again.”
“You haven’t brought it up yet, have you?”
“Busted.”
Lily pinches my chin, eyeing me. “If I had the courage to switch majors again, you should have the courage to talk to him. I would suggest practicing your speech first, but we both know you won’t do that.”
Hell, no, I won’t do that. “I’m waiting for the right moment.” I managed to take the heat off Matteo by placing it squarely on my shoulders. “Don’t be disappointed with me. It’ll get done.”
