When no one else spoke up, Parker jumped down from the log, the music kicked in again, and the party started for real.
Jaz nudged me. “What’s up with Elliot?”
I looked in the direction she nodded and saw Ford sitting on a log with a bunch of other players. He was on the end, looking down into his red cup as though he was wishing it was a bottle of tequila.
Everyone else was chatting and having fun, but Elliot looked like he wished he were anywhere but here. He certainly didn’t look interested in team bonding. When Parker had first pitched the idea, Elliot had walked out in a huff, and I hadn’t seen him spending any extra time with his teammates. He’d made absolutely no effort with me. I wasn’t sure if it was because I was a girl, or because I was playing his position, but the guy clearly didn’t like me.
As if he’d heard my thoughts, Elliot glanced up and saw me watching. His eyes narrowed before he stood from the log and walked off.
Jaz nudged me again, but this time when I turned to seewhat she was looking at, I found Parker standing there.
He gave me a soft smile. “Hey.”
How could one little word feel so powerful? Why could I feel it resonating in the depths of my soul?
“Hey.”
His eyes darted to the ground and then back to me. He almost seemed nervous. “You didn’t feel like sharing your deep dark secrets?”
I was staring at my biggest one.
“Nope. I’m an open book.” I gave Parker a tight smile and moved past him. “I need to refill my drink.”
My cup was still full, but I had to get away. All week I’d been trying to keep my distance from Parker. And all week I’d been failing. But the way he was looking at me tonight, I worried I might do something stupid if given half the chance.
I needed to clear my head. So, I placed my cup down on the drinks table and walked beyond the fire. I started down a path that led through the trees toward the lake, leaving the warmth of the party behind me. It was freezing tonight, but I kept moving.
The trees thinned out as I reached the lake and found an old wooden dock. I buried my hands deeper into the pockets of my coat as I stopped to look out at the view. The water was frozen, and with the moonlight shimmering across its surface and a sky full of stars sparkling above, it was the perfect spot to still my mind. And yet, all my thoughts were back at the fire with Parker.
“You must be freezing.” I repressed a shiver as he came up behind me, but it had nothing to do with the cold.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Here.” He placed his jacket over my shoulders.
I eased out a breath as I glanced up at him. “Now you’re the one who’s going to freeze.”
“Nah, I don’t really feel the cold. Dad says us Darling boys are part yeti.”
“Ah,” I nodded. “That explains the hairy feet.”
“I don’t have hairy feet.”
I laughed and shook my head. “You should see your face. I’m only teasing.”
He reached up and lightly ran his fingers down a loose strand of my hair. “I like it when you tease me.”
“Parker…” I warned. “We can’t kiss again.”
Disappointment clouded his eyes, and he slowly lowered his hand. “Who says I was trying to kiss you?”
I lifted an eyebrow.
“Okay, maybe I was trying to kiss you.” He flashed me that damn cheeky smile of his.
“You know we need to stay away from each other.”
“Yeah, I don’t think that’s going particularly well…”
