Isaac laughed and shook his head before returning to his book. The thing was massive. I didn’t realize they made books that thick, and the writing looked tiny.
Jaz smirked when she caught my curious look. “It’s theLord of the Ringstrilogy,” she said. “I’ve lost count of how many times he’s read it.”
“You can’t count very high,” Isaac muttered without lifting his eyes from the book. “This is the fifth time.”
Movement at the door caught my attention and I glanced up to see someone leaning into the room. “Here, Mr. Green.”
My spine stiffened at the sight of Parker. I’d already crossed paths with him more than enough times since I got to Ransom; did we have to share the same homeroom too?
He seemed primed and ready to dart right back out the door, but his eyes flashed in my direction as if he sensed my loathing glare. His gaze dipped to my old Devils sweater and then my bare legs, and the corner of his lips twitched withamusement.Ass.
Thankfully, he quickly decided homeroom wasn’t for him and disappeared once more.
“Did you see Parker’s bruise?” I heard someone whisper behind me. “I wonder what happened.” It was one of the girls who had giggled at my outfit.
“Maybe he got in a fight,” her friend replied.
“Probably on the ice,” the first added.
The guy beside me brushed a hand through his blond hair before he leaned back to join their conversation. “Actually,” he said, “there was a fight last night, but it didn’t have anything to do with hockey.”
I couldn’t resist glancing behind me.
“What happened?” both the girls asked in unison, leaning forward in their chairs.
The blond guy lowered his voice. “Parker’s started a new fight club. You know, the sketchy underground basement kind. No gloves. No ref. No rules. Just a crowd yelling for blood.”
The girls gasped and I had to stop myself from spluttering out a laugh.
“The dude Parker was up against fought dirty, but our boy came out victorious. He might look a little rough today, but the other guy ended up much worse.”
What the hell was he talking about? I knew exactly how Parker got his bruise. Even if I didn’t, I never would have believed the story. The whole thing was ridiculous.
But one of the girls crooned, “Oh, poor Parker,” and the other one added, “He’s so brave.”
They both sounded well and truly under Parker’s spell.Noticing my confused expression, Jaz leaned in close and nodded to each girl as she whispered, “That’s Vanessa and Britt. They’re talking about Parker Darling.” As if that alone was enough explanation.
When my expression didn’t change, she continued. “He’s one of the Darling Devils.”
“The who?”
She looked startled for a second, as though she’d never heard the question before. But then she seemed to remember it was only my first day at this school.
“The Darling Devils,” she repeated. “The best hockey players Ransom High has ever had. Reed, Grayson, and Parker Darling.” She pursed her lips as she considered something. “The older two graduated last year though, so I guess Parker’s justtheDarling Devil now. Anyway, that fight club story is one of the tamer rumors you’ll hear about him and his brothers.”
The Darling Devil. Of course, Parker had a little nickname for himself, and an infamous reputation to go with it. No wonder he walked around like he owned this place. Even my punch hadn’t dented his image.
“Actually, you’re all wrong,” I said, unable to stop myself from turning to the girls and entering the gossip circle. “Parker has a black eye because he snuck up behind me in a parking lot last night and I punched him.”
The girls stared at me with equal amounts of confusion and horror.
“And you are?” one of them asked. I think it was Britt. There was a skeptical look in her eyes, like she’d already judged me and decided I wasn’t worthy.
“Mackenzie Foster,” I replied. “I’m new here.”
“Obviously,” the girl answered with a laugh. The way her eyes dipped to my loaner outfit made me feel like I’d shown up at school in a clown costume.
“Well, Mackenzie, I don’t know if you’re trying to be funny or what, but you don’t have to lie about Parker like that.” It was Vanessa who spoke this time, and I knew immediately she was the one to watch out for. There was a crafty intelligence in her eyes. Combined with her dark silky hair and sultry beauty, I could easily picture her ruling over this school at Parker’s side.
