“There’s something wrong with you. You know that, right?”
“What?” he protested. “I happen to think raccoons are cute when they’re angry.”
“Sounds like a good way to get bitten.”
He raised one eyebrow. “I mean, a guy can always hope.” There was something wolfish about the way he grinned at me, and the air between us seemed to crackle in response. I firmly ignored the sensation, even though it sent goosebumps down my arms.
“Sorry to disappoint, but my teeth aren’t going anywhere near you.”
“Bummer.” He didn’t look too disappointed. “Guess I’ll just have to be satisfied with yourbitingwords.”
I ignored his jab as I adjusted my position. “You know, with all the gossip that goes around about you, I’m surprised I never heard how irritating you are.”
Parker shuffled around until his stretch matched mine. He made it look simple, while my muscles were screaming and begging for me to stop.
“So, you’ve been listening to gossip about me?” He looked delighted by the idea.
“It’s a little hard to avoid.”
“And what have you heard?”
“Oh, just the usual. Parker Darling, playboy party animal. Deadly to his opponents on the ice, devastating to girls’ hearts off it.”
“Sounds about right.” He smiled proudly.
“Is it true you started a cult?”
He leaned in close and smirked at me. “What if I did? You want to join?”
“I think there’s already more than enough people worshipping you around here.”
He was still grinning as he leaned back. “Sounds like youalready know all my deep dark secrets. Stop avoiding yours. What’s your dad’s problem?”
Parker didn’t know when to give up. Why did he even care about my whole pathetic story?
“He’s always been protective when it comes to me. He thinks if I play, I’ll get hurt, and he doesn’t want me taking the risk.”
“So, he just bans you from the sport for life? Seems a bit extreme.”
“I guess he has his reasons.”
“Like what?”
I hesitated. Was I really about to open up to Parker Darling? Surprisingly, the thought didn’t horrify me. In fact, I found I actually wanted to share more, and the words spilled from my lips. “My mom died when I was little…”
“Oh.” His voice was soft and shock filled his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” I replied. “I was so young, I barely remember her.” I must have said the same thing a thousand times before. People didn’t want a complicated answer when they found out about my mom. It was far easier to pretend I felt nothing at all.
He sat in silence watching me, waiting for me to continue. I knew it would have been okay if I didn’t, but still, I found I wanted to. Maybe Parker could handle a little complication.
“My dad doesn’t say it, but sometimes I wonder if he worries about me a little more—well, a lot more—because he lost my mom. Don’t get me wrong, he’s totally overreacting, but I think it comes from a good place.”
“I’m sorry,” Parker said again. “That really sucks.” He pausedand looked down at the ground before returning his gaze to mine. “He really doesn’t know how strong you are, though.”
The way he was looking at me made my breath catch. I managed to reply with a small shrug. “It doesn’t matter. He’s still never going to believe girls are as fast or as strong as boys. And they are pretty useful skills for hockey.”
“Clearly your dad hasn’t been on the end of your right hook.”
