My dad rubbed a hand over his head, and I swore I spotted another three gray hairs magically appear. You could probably chart every time I’d stressed my dad out by tracking the grays dotting his hairline.
“I’ll talk to him,” Dad said. “Make sure he gives you a fair shot. I think his son plays at Ryker with Reed and Grayson. I’m sure he’ll take a call from me.”
It was tempting, but I sighed and shook my head. “It’s fine, Dad.”
I knew he just wanted to help, but I didn’t need him fighting my battles for me. Plus, I’d bet a call from Dad would only make Foster hate me more. “Just give me a few weeks. I’ll win him over.”
I wasn’t exactly sure how I was going to do that. But I’d have to start by proving myself on the ice. And avoiding his daughter, of course.
“That’s the spirit.” Dad patted me on the shoulder. “I’m sure he’ll come around. He’d be crazy to leave his best player on the bench.”
My mom wasn’t so easily reassured, though. She was staring at me, clearly desperate to spill her thoughts.
I sighed. “What is it?”
“Well, it’s just, you know you’re going to have to stay out of trouble, Parker.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Do you?” She tilted her head. “That means no detentions. No saying whatever comes to mind. No mystery injuries. No rumors. Nopolice.”
“Mom, the police was a one-time thing. A total misunderstanding. I swear.”
“You and Seth were caught on the Sunshine Hills Prep grounds in the middle of the night with sixty-four toy devils and a wheelbarrow full of feathers.”
“I still maintain I was sleepwalking.”
“And I suppose you were also sleepwalking the time you painted a Devils logo on Jeremy Hoffman’s car?” Dad asked.
“I can’t help that I’m artistic when I sleep.”
“What about skinny-dipping in the town pool at midnight this summer?” Mum pitched in.
“Sleep-swimming.”
Dad grunted. “We’re just saying—don’t give Foster an excuse to kick you out again.”
My parents were right. We all knew it. But I could see they needed my word.
“Okay, okay. I’ll be good. I’ll stay out of trouble.”
Mom’s lips twisted to the side. She didn’t believe me. “I hope so. You’ve worked too hard to let it all go to waste in your senior year.”
“I won’t do anything to jeopardize my spot, Mom, I swear.”
“Okay.” Neither of my parents seemed convinced though, and I didn’t really blame them. I wasn’t great at staying out of trouble. And it was going to be even harder to avoid it now that Mackenzie Foster was in town.
Chapter 5Mackenzie
“So, this is where I’m spending my senior year?”
I stared up at the red-brick building my stepmom had just pulled up outside, trying to comprehend how my life had changed so drastically in the past week. I was supposed to be back home preparing for the fall art exhibition. Instead, I was staring up at a new school where I didn’t know a soul—well, I knew one person, but it was debatable whether Parker Darling had a soul.
“I know it’s not as flashy as Lakeview High, but it’s a good school.”
No, this school wasn’t nearly as flashy, but apparently it had flash-ers. I pointed to the second floor. “Is that some guy’s butt hanging out the window?”
Tessa grabbed my hand and lowered it, doing her best to hide her shock. “So, your new classmates are a little spirited…”
