The title sequence was playing, and a familiar tune filled the room. I hid my smile. Apparently, Mr. Darling liked dating shows. Tessa was obsessed with the same one.
“Love on the Range?” Cammie spluttered a laugh. “Have you and Mom switched bodies?”
“Dad, why are you watching this?”
“You know the Wild game is just about to start, right?”
“Something must be wrong with him. Should we call an ambulance?” Parker pressed his hand against his dad’s forehead, as if to check his temperature.
His dad laughed and batted his hand away. “I’m not sick.”
“Maybe not physically,” Parker muttered.
“Very funny, Parker,” his dad replied. “But don’t worry, I’m just trying to win a bet. Your mother didn’t believe I could handle watching three episodes of her showandmiss a hockey game.”
“She’s probably right.”
He ignored Parker as he continued. “And I may have made a little joke about your mother not being able to cook Sunday dinner tonight without ruining it. So, now we’re competing to prove each other wrong.”
“Bit harsh, Danny,” Paige said with a chuckle.
“What will you win?” Grayson asked.
“Uh, well, I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s something I’ve wanted for a long time. Though your mother has always been hesitant to give it to me.”
“Oh, God.” Parker shook his head. “It’s something kinky, isn’t it?”
“Parker!” His siblings groaned as Grayson punched his younger brother on the arm. But Parker just grinned.
He was still smiling when his eyes landed on me, and although he barely held my gaze for half a second, my heartstuttered. I cursed myself for the reaction. The feeling in my chest was the same as when I’d been lying on top of him at the lake. What was wrong with me? How could any part of me be attracted to this guy? He was a total menace. And I wasn’t sure if it made me feel better or worse that he was just as annoying around everyone else, including his poor family.
“You haven’t introduced me to your friends,” Mr. Darling said, looking to Max and me. “I’m Danny.”
“Max and Mackenzie,” Reed said, pointing us out.
“Of course.” Danny smiled. “The third best rookie on the Ryker Raiders and the new star of the Ransom Devils. Great to finally meet you guys.”
I blushed at his compliment and Max laughed. “You too, Mr. D,” he said. “Sorry to barge in on you while you’re watching your favorite show.”
Danny laughed. “No problem at all. The more the merrier in this house. But if you all want to watch the hockey while you wait for dinner, you better go to the den. I might be here for a while.”
“Yeah, good luck with that, Dad,” Reed said.
“I’ll go grab some snacks from the kitchen,” Grayson added.
“Don’t you even think about helping your mother in there,” Danny warned him. “No cheating!”
A subtle smile hinted at Grayson’s lips. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Dad.”
Paige joined Grayson in the kitchen while the rest of us headed to the den. Parker sat in the middle of the couch, Max snagged the armchair, and Reed sunk into a beanbag on the floor as he flicked on the TV. I hesitated in the doorway.
“Sit down, Mackenzie, you’re being weird.” Parker scooted across the couch, making space for me. There was plenty of room, but my skin was still buzzing from the way he had held me on the ice, and I was worried how much worse it would become if I got close to him again. Would it be awkward if I sat on the beanbag with Reed? Definitely. But right now, I felt more confident around a college hockey superstar I barely knew than the boy who had my insides twisted into knots.
Parker was watching me expectantly. After another moment of hesitation, I reluctantly took a seat beside him, keeping close to the opposite arm of the couch.
“I still can’t believe you stole my bedroom, Parker,” Reed said. The game hadn’t started yet, with the players still taking their positions for the faceoff.
“It’s bigger.” Parker shrugged.
