“You know Dad would kill me for getting in that truck, right?”
But Tessa just smiled. “Dad’s not here, Kenzie.”
“As my parent, you’re supposed to be the cautious one, not me.”
“I think your dad is cautious enough for all of us when it comes to you. I’ve told him he needs to loosen up a little.”
“Yeah, good luck withthat,” I muttered.
“It’s just a ride down the road in a cute boy’s car.”
I shook my head at her.Cute. Sweet.Where was she getting this from? I guess it wasn’t surprising that Parker had managed to hide his true self during the thirty seconds of conversation he and Tessa probably had at the front door.
“Go,” she ordered, pointing down the hallway. I let out a frustrated sigh.
“And good luck with your game today,” she called as I trudged out of the room, mumbling curses under my breath.
When I got downstairs, I found Parker waiting in the entranceway. Not only was he in my house, he also had my cat in his arms.
“I wouldn’t touch her. She bites everyone,” I warned. “Then again, you’d probably like that.”
But as Parker looked up, I realized Mitts was perfectly content in his arms.Little traitor.That cat didn’t like anyone. Not even me. Apparently, Parker was the exception.
“She seems happy enough,” he said as he scratched Mitts behind the ears and she purred loudly. His grin was a combination of cheeky and innocent all at once, offering only the smallest glimpse of the devil he was inside. When he smiledthat way it was easy to see why so many girls at school adored him.
“What are you doing here, Parker?”
He gently placed Mitts down on the ground, but instead of darting off like she normally would, she started rubbing herself against Parker’s leg. Even my cat couldn’t resist him.
“It’s good to see you, too.”
“It won’t be good if my dad sees you here.”
He looked totally unconcerned. “I know he gets to the rink early before games. But I can climb up to your bedroom window again, if you prefer.”
I responded quickly to avoid my cheeks flushing. “Seriously, Parker, what are you doing here?”
“I’m driving you to the game. I figured given how stubborn you are, you’d be planning to walk again.”
“Well, I’m sorry you came out of your way, but I don’t need a ride.”
“Oh, so you’re not playing against the Chargers today?”
“No, I’m playing.”
“Someone’s picking you up then? Your stepmom giving you a ride?”
“Well, no.”
“Walking,” he scoffed. “I knew it. You realize, it’s freezing outside, right?”
“I don’t mind a little cold weather.”
“Alittlecold weather? The lake behind my house is already frozen over. Not great for your muscles right before a game.”
“My muscles will be fine.”
He grabbed my gear bag from just inside the entrance andstarted outside. “Come on, Mackenzie, let’s go.”
