He was the main reason I was questioning my sanity when I arrived at the lake house for the team party on Saturday night. The old wooden house was tucked away in a forest of pine trees outside town. Jaz parked her car with the others on the long driveway, and we followed a gravel path flanked by softly lit torches around to the back of the house. A light dusting of snow crunched underfoot, and there was a welcome glow coming from the bonfire that had been built out back.
We were running a little late and most of the team was already here. My gaze immediately went to Parker, who was standing on the far side of the flames. He glanced up at me as I approached and a smile slowly pulled at his lips, making my traitorous heart flutter.
Yeah, I probably should’ve stayed home.
“We’re completely outnumbered,” Jaz said as we slowlymade our way to join everyone. “It’s a sausage fest.”
“What did you expect?” I laughed. “This is a boys’ hockey team party.”
“I know, I know. I just figured I wouldn’t be the only girl to invite myself.”
“I’m glad you did.”
“Yeah, me too. I don’t know how you’ve managed to survive on your own this long.” She grinned. “Howisthe team bonding going?”
“Good, I think.” I was certainly feeling closer to my teammates. Some of them had made an effort to sit with me in classes we shared or invited me to their table in the cafeteria. I’d even been roped into a pickup game of basketball one lunch period. It was nice to finally feel accepted, but it also made the prospect of being kicked off the team harder.
“Foster!” Seth called as we neared the fire. A few of the other guys cheered my arrival too and beckoned us to find a seat.
“Certainly seems like it’s working,” Jaz said as she watched the guys all laughing and joking around the bonfire.
My eyes were drawn back to Parker, who was watching me. His smile always hinted at trouble, but tonight it seemed to also hold a promise: we weren’t done. Not by a long shot.
“And you and Parker…”
I turned back to Jaz. “Me and Parker, what?”
She twisted her lips as she looked between the two of us. “What’s happening with you guys?”
“Nothing. We’re just friends.”
“Just friends?”
“Yep.”
“I thought you hated him.”
“I do. I mean, I did.”
“You did?” She was eyeing me closely. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I said as innocently as I could. “He’s just a bit like a fungus. Irritating, but when you can’t get rid of him, he grows on you.”
Jaz burst out laughing. “Yeah, I can see that.”
“Punch?” Seth asked, coming over to us with a red cup in each hand.
I happily took one, but Jaz looked skeptical. “Is this team-bonding punch or Seth on summer break punch? Because I’m driving.”
“I wish it was Seth on summer break punch, but unfortunately itisa team-bonding night.”
“Sounds great,” she said. “Thanks, Seth.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Have we missed anything?” I asked. “I know we’re a little late.”
“Well, we already did the hair braiding and piggyback races.”
