“What’s going on here?” I jumped as my dad’s voice thundered across the ice.
“Twelve?” he barked. “You know the rink is out of bounds after hours. Why am I not surprised it’s you?”
I guessed Parker really had made a bad impression. My dad already sounded livid, and he was yet to notice me. There was no escaping this situation for either of us, though, so I drew in a breath before I slowly edged to Parker’s side to face my father. As his eyes landed on me, I could clearly see his shock.
“Ma-Mackenzie?” he stuttered.
His features quickly hardened. I was used to seeing my dad angry—especially coaching—but I’d never seen him like this. His jaw tight, his eyes dark, and his expression totally leeched of warmth. It wasn’t just anger; it was disappointment.
He walked onto the ice, and I backed up a step.
“Dad, I—”
“Dad?” Parker hissed.
I grimaced at the sound of betrayal in his voice, but there was no time to explain as my dad started yelling again.
“You said you were desperate to be here, Mackenzie. That you wanted a chance to prove yourself; to show me how passionate you were about playing hockey. How muchrespectyou have for the game. Instead, on the first day, I find you at the rink after hours kissing some boy.”
“Idorespect the game, Dad. But how can I prove myself to you when you won’t even watch me play?”
“So, what, this is all just a way to get my attention?”
“That’s not fair. I didn’t kiss some boy just to—”
“I knew this was a bad idea,” he seethed. “I gave you a chance, but I don’t see a hockey player before me. Just animmature little girl who can’t be trusted. I’m not going to allow you to risk your neck on the ice if you refuse to take it seriously.”
“Iamserious!”
Dad ignored me as he turned to Parker. “I’ve had enough of you already, Twelve. The ice is prohibited after hours. Call your parents to come pick you up. You’re done here.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Parker protested. “I just wanted to get some extra practice in, to prove I’m good enough to train with you.”
“I don’t care,” my dad snapped back. “We have rules here, and you broke them. I don’t want to see your face anywhere near my rink, my camp, or my daughter ever again.”
“But Coach—”
“Dad, please—”
“Enough!” My dad waved his arm across his body, like he was physically cutting us off. “Mackenzie, let’s go.”
He turned and marched away without looking back. I stared after him, unable to move. Had I just destroyed my one chance to win over my dad because of a boy? Because of a stupid kiss?
“My parents are going to kill me,” Parker groaned, before turning my way. “You could have warned me who your dad is!”
“I’m in as much trouble as you are.” I scowled at him in return. “And just so we’re clear,youkissedme.”
“No chance. You leaned in.”
“I was leaningaway.”
“And yet your lips somehow ended up on mine?”
“Accidents happen.”
“Accidents? So how do you explain your arms around my neck?”
“Self-defense.”
