Page 92 of The Score

"I was your literal neighbor, Pen. You've never told me I have that vibe. Should I buzz my hair short? Clip my beard shorter? At least I have as many tattoos as he does."

I'm not jealous. I'm bantering.

She glances at me like she knows what I'm thinking and she disagrees.

"Anyway," she says. "What do you think of the photobooth?"

"What doyouthink?"

"Why not?" she shrugs. "It will be fun."

Next thing I know, we go into the hexagon-shaped structure. The booth is made to look classier with padded black walls and an extended size. Only two of the sides are different. One of them is the hanging black fabric serving as a makeshift door, which we close behind us. Opposite from it, large gold and champagne-colored sequins hang from top to bottom. In the middle of the room and pointing toward the shiny set up, a single column holds a tablet and a camera. We stand in front of it and inspect the screen.

"What's the plan?" I ask.

If I let her lead, this might go better. The last hour has proven how little control I have over everything happening inside of me.

Maybe I should spend some extra time at the gym. If I get into a flow state and focus on putting these feelings into a container, I may succeed at compartmentalizing them. I can't entertain them. It's not like she's ever seen me in a romantic way. All I need to do is remember her laughter when we kissed in her backyard to sober me up.

She gazes around the booth. "I always wanted to do something cute in one of these."

I raise an eyebrow. "More spontaneous bucket items?"

"Yep. Let's seize the moment! We can… I don't know. Make silly faces or something."

"We can do that. Unless there's a sexy bucket list item you'd consider?"

Fuck. Oops.

Her eyes whip to me.

Okay. I'm going to the gym first thing in the morning. The calendar will get busy again soon with the camps and pre-season stuff. It'll be the perfect excuse. I definitely need to get all of this extra… energy… out of my system.

"You've mentioned that a couple of times," I admit. "Then you surprise me with this little tidbit. The wires got crossed, that's all."

She gives me a slow nod. "The photobooth isn't one of my sexy bucket list items."

Don't ask, Leon Karlsen. Do not ask.

My workouts generally focus on weight lifting, but maybe I'll torment myself with some extra cardio as well. Just in case.

"Silly faces." I press my lips together. "That's what you said. I remember."

"I guess that's a wasted opportunity, isn't it?"

I study her. She's not considering anything remotely sexy between us. She can't be, the way she's been ignoring most of my weak moments. At most, she's been playful back. If I'm still looking for signs, that's all on me.

I'm the guy who believes her. Who doesn't ask for more than she's willing to give. I need to stop with my bullshit right away. I might have to throw my whole romantic heart in jail too, just in case.

"What else do you have in mind?" I try again.

"Something romantic?" She licks her lips. "Since it's getting used on social media."

Right. If we'd done something sexy, that would have gotten posted. Then I would have gotten in trouble with the league.

The funny thing is, I'm still very much in trouble. A voice resounds clear in my head.

Touching Pen would be worth the penalties.