Page 96 of The Penalty

On the drive to the arcade, we talk about easy stuff. Her family. Graduation. I tell her about the team and how we’re shaping up for next year. All the things I wanted to talk to her about over the last few months but couldn’t.

It feels like a fresh start.

We needed a fresh start without the looming black cloud of getting caught hanging over us.

The place I’m taking her to is a good distance from campus, but there’s still a chance we might see someone we know. Or, more accurately, see someone who knows me. I’m not worried about it anymore, though. The important people already know about us, and if we get caught, it doesn’t matter. She’s not a student anymore, and no one can prove that anything happened prior to her graduating.

I picked this place because I wanted tonight to be fun.

This is our first date. Officially.

The arcade is an adults-only bar with vintage pinball and old-school video games. They also have bowling, air hockey, and racing games. I’ve never been, but one of my coaches mentioned it in passing one day, and I thought it sounded fun.

Games have always kind of been mine and McKenzie’s thing, anyway.

Her face lights up as she takes in everything, and a big smile breaks out on her lips. I take her hand—yes, in public—and walk us over to the bar. After I order us drinks, we start playing.

We do everything from Pac-Man and Galaga to air hockey and a racing game that she wins.

We eventually take a break and have a burger.

“This has been so much fun,” she says. “Best first date ever.”

“Yeah.” Hopefully, it’s both of our last first date ever. “This was fun, but I would’ve had fun doing anything with you.”

“You know I don’t need the fancy dates and over-the-top gestures,” she tells me.

“I know you don’t need them, but I want to give them to you. I want to spoil you. Will you let me have that?”

The corner of her mouth tips up in a half smile. “If you insist.”

“I definitely insist. I know you don’t need me, but I’m going to make sure that you want me for the rest of your life.”

She reaches out and grabs my hand. “I do want you. Even when I tried to talk myself out of it, I’ve always wanted you.”

It’s a weight off my shoulders to hear her say that because I’ve been so worried that I ruined our relationship. I wouldn’t blame her one bit if she decided to walk away forever after the way I treated her. Pushing her away and hiding my feelings then leaving her when things got hard. I’d deserve it if she cut me out of her life.

But I’m so fucking glad she’s giving me a second chance.

While we eat, I see people casually glancing at us. I assume they recognize me. College football is a pretty big deal in this area. They threw a parade for me when I was first hired, for God’s sake.

But I’m grateful that this community is pretty respectful. They may recognize me, but no one comes over to talk to us or ask for a picture. They let me enjoy my night, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

When we’re ready to go, I hold McKenzie’s hand to the truck and open the door for her. For the first time in my life, I feel truly content. A voice deep down is telling me this won’t last, that I don’t deserve to be this happy. But for now, I’m choosing to ignore it.

I drive back to her apartment and walk her to the door.

I’m trying this whole being a gentleman thing.

“I had a good time tonight,” I tell her as I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. As badly as I want to take her back to my place and spend the night buried inside her, I need her to know it’s not just about sex for me. It’s never been about sex. So, I will continue to date her until she knows that I’m in this for real.

“Me too.” She smiles back at me.

I lean down and kiss her gently on the lips. It feels so good to kiss her again.

When I pull back, I swear I see a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She nods, and I turn to walk away.