She smiled at me. “You had one rough game. I’m no hockey expert, but Parker Darling is. He went out of his way to get you on the team and now he’s spending all his free time making sure you stay there. He wouldn’t do that for just anyone.”
As much as I wanted to discount her words, they still caused an unusual warmth to flood my chest.
“Maybe.” I stared down into my hands. “I’m just worried it will all be for nothing. My dad might kick me off the team either way.”
She reached across the center console and squeezed my hand. “Then enjoy every minute of the time you get to play.”
I smiled at her and nodded. “You’re pretty wise, Jaz.”
“Oh, I can be. Usually only happens on a full moon.”
I glanced out the window and laughed when I saw a bright, perfectly full moon in the sky above us. “I better get inside. Thanks for taking my mind off things tonight.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank Dominic,” she replied with a grin.“I’ll see you at school tomorrow.”
“Yep, I’ll be the one hobbling through the halls with hips that no longer remember how to move from side to side.”
I waved as I got out of the car and Jaz drove away. Glancing up at the moon again, I wished a little of its wisdom could rub off on my dad too. When I got inside, I headed straight to my room, making sure to stay quiet as I made my way past his office.
Our moving boxes had finally arrived this week, but mine were still piled in the corner of my room. I didn’t feel ready to unpack them yet, and the room looked more like a storage shed than a bedroom. I hadn’t made much progress on my mural since I’d started playing hockey either. But the mountains were almost done and the soft shade of blue I’d chosen for them made me smile every time I saw it.
As soon as I slumped my bag on the floor, Tessa appeared at the door.
“How was hula hooping?” she asked.
“Fun, but I’m pretty tired.”
“I’m not surprised; you’ve barely been home this week.”
A part of me wanted to confide in my stepmom. She was such a good listener, and I knew she’d be supportive. But I couldn’t risk my dad finding out what I was doing each morning.
“I just really need to get in better shape for hockey,” I said. “It’s hard work, but I like hanging out with Jaz too.”
Tessa smiled. “Seems like you two are getting along well.”
I rolled my eyes. “Is it really that difficult to imagine I made a friend?”
“No, not at all. I’m just happy you’re settling in here. I know how tough moving can be.”
I simply gave her a tight smile in response.
“Do you want some dinner?” she continued. “I made grilled cheese and tomato soup.”
“No, I’m okay, thanks. I’m not that hungry.”
Tessa sighed. “You’re going to have to talk to your dad eventually.”
Apparently, she could see right through my excuses. “Maybe you should tellhimthat. He’s the one that’s angry.”
“He’s just worried about you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m old enough that I don’t need my dad worrying about me anymore.”
“I know,” she said quietly. After a small pause she added, “I’ll bring you a tray, in case you get hungry.”
When she left the room, I grabbed my headphones and my paints. I knew I should be resting, but I wanted to work on my mural. There was something uniquely comforting about music blaring in your ears so loudly it blocked out the rest of the world. Tessa always said she could feel the teenage angst radiating from me whenever she overheard what I was listening to. I much preferred my angsty music to the boppy stuff she always insisted on playing in the car.
I caught movement from the corner of my eye and started to wave Tessa away. “It’s okay, I’m not—” I stopped when I realized it was my dad standing in the door.
