He handed the tablet back to me. “I look forward to seeing more.”
“You do?” I did little to hide my surprise and I quickly cleared my throat. “I mean, great, thanks.”
“And I’d like you to try and complete it by next Friday. I’d love to include it in the exhibition we’re displaying at the Ransom Community Center.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I think it would be a great addition.”
The bell rang as I left his office, and I was still reeling as I packed up my things.
“So, Mr. Green liked your naked selfie?” Mackenzie asked as we left the room.
“Yeah,” I replied. “I think he did.”
“Wait, you didn’t actually draw yourself naked, did you?”
“I guess you’ll find out when it’s finished.”
I started off down the hallway and was surprised when Mackenzie stayed by my side. She was supposed to be avoiding me.
“You’re walking with me,” I pointed out.
“We’re headed in the same direction.”
“You also talked to me in class.”
“I figured I should tell you I can come to the party this weekend.”
“I thought you were trying to stay away from me.”
“It’s harder than you think,” she murmured.
We reached her locker, and she pulled it open. I leaned against the locker next to hers.
“I like it when you walk with me and talk to me,” I said. “I like it when you’re kissing me too.”
She pushed her locker shut. “You said I was out of your system.”
“I said I wouldn’t try to kiss you again. I never said I didn’t want to.”
“You don’t know how to give up, do you?”
“No, I don’t,” I agreed. “I’ve never walked away from something I want. You can keep pretending there’s nothing between us; that we’re just friends. But just so you know, I’mnot going to act like being near you doesn’t drive me crazy; I’m not going to pretend that I can’t stop thinking about kissing you. I know we agreed it shouldn’t happen again. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to ignore what I’m feeling.”
“It’s easier when you pretend,” she said in a quiet voice.
“It’s not easier for me.”
She swallowed, and her green eyes looked hopelessly up at me. “I miss hating you.”
“Yeah, I miss it too.”
Chapter 29Mackenzie
Why was it when one part of your life started to go well, another lost its way entirely? It felt like my extra hockey practices were beginning to pay off. My fitness and my game were improving quickly, I was growing in confidence, and I was feeling more like a valuable part of the team. It was all thanks to Parker. But he was also part of the problem.
We were still training together, but now we’d agreed to be just friends, I had to constantly convince myself I was okay with that. But the pull toward him was undeniable.
