Read Online The Penalty Box by Deirdre Martin - Free Book Online Page A

team.”
    â€œRight.” She hadn’t even thought of that. These kids had to try out, and some of them might not make the team, Tuck included. “Why don’t you want to coach squirts?”
    â€œIt’s not that I don’t want to,” Paul said carefully. “I would just prefer coaching the teenage boys. They’re more skilled.”
    â€œWhich must mean coaching them is more prestigious,” Katie observed.
    â€œWell . . . yeah.”
    â€œSo this is purely an ego issue, then.” She turned the car down Laurel Avenue.
    â€œAre you analyzing me, Miss Sociologist?”
    â€œMaybe.”
    â€œYou still want to interview me for that book?”
    Katie’s heart jumped. “I would love to. What’s your schedule like?”
    â€œLate mornings, early afternoons are best.”
    â€œI could take you out to lunch, if you’d like. I hear the curly fries at the Penalty Box are to die for.”
    â€œYeah?” Paul sounded pleased. “Where’d you hear that?”
    â€œMy mom. Your bar is the talk of the Episcopal Church.”
    â€œNot the clientele I’m seeking but what the hell, I’ll take the free PR. You want to do it there, then?”
    With you I’d do it anywhere. Katie smiled brightly to cover the sudden surge of desire shooting through her. “Sure. When?”
    â€œHow’s Friday sound?”
    â€œSounds good. Should I just meet you there?”
    â€œThat makes the most sense. Katie?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œYou’re going the wrong way down Laurel.”
    â€œWhat?” Katie slowed the car. “You said right.”
    â€œLeft. It’s not a big deal.”
    No, except she looked like a ditz. She quickly pulled into an empty driveway and turning the car around, drove off in the right direction. She could feel Paul watching her as she concentrated on her driving. The more he looked at her, the more she thought she might be the one to die in the car—of a sheer heart attack brought on by acute anxiety and lust. Finally she couldn’t take it anymore.
    â€œWhat?”
    Paul shook his head, marveling at her. “I still can’t get over how great you look.”
    Katie colored. Praise made her feel vulnerable. Praise from a man this gorgeous made her feel like she was sitting behind the steering wheel naked.
    â€œThank you,” she managed.
    â€œHow did you do it?”
    â€œDiet and exercise. I run, too.”
    â€œYeah?” Paul’s eyes lit up. “Maybe we could run together sometime.”
    â€œMaybe.”
    Perhaps she was wrong, but she could have sworn she saw disappointment flit across his face. She was baffled. Why would he want to run with her ? Maybe that was an ego thing, too. Maybe he thought he could kick former fat girl Katie’s ass out on the open road. If so, he was in for a big surprise.
    â€œSo,” Paul said casually, “do you have a boyfriend?”
    Katie clutched the steering wheel hard to avoid driving up onto the sidewalk. “Not right now, no. How about you? Do you have a boyfriend? Oh God—I mean girlfriend.”
    Paul put his hand on her knee and Katie’s foot nearly shot through the floorboard.
    â€œ Relax. I don’t bite.” Paul removed his hand. “I used to.”
    â€œWhat? Bite?”
    â€œNo, have a girlfriend. She dumped me when I retired.”
    â€œNice.”
    â€œHappens all the time.” He sounded resigned as he gazed out the window. “Where you living now?”
    â€œWhere I’ve always lived. On Herbert Place. I’m staying with my mother.”
    â€œI don’t know where Herbert Place is,” Paul admitted.
    â€œOver the tracks, close to the printing factory.”
    He turned back to her, concerned. “Is it safe to run there?”
    â€œOf course,” Katie retorted with a frown. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
    Shrugging, Paul leaned back against