Playing to Win

I shrugged. “It’s nice.”

“How come you moved?” Jordan asked and for some reason my heart lurched a little in my chest at the sound of her voice. What was wrong with me?

“Uh, my dad bought a car dealership here.”

Three sets of brows rose.

“That explains the fancy car,” Jordan murmured under her breath.

For some reason, I felt the need to apologize for what happened earlier, even though I couldn’t have possibly known that parking space had been reserved for her.

“I didn’t know it was your spot.”

“It’s fine.” She glanced at the uneaten food on her tray. “Actually, I think I’m finished.” She rose from the table. “See you guys later.”

Unable to stop myself, I studied her as she went to dump her tray and set it on the dish return. Her blonde hair hung like a wild mane around her shoulders and down her back. Smooth, tan skin covered her bare shoulders and toned arms. She looked strong, like an athlete. I’d never really been attracted to a girl like her before, but something about Jordan turned my crank.

“What’s her story?” I directed my question to Kelly, who seemed more likely to give me a straight answer.

“Who? Jordan? Don’t worry about her. She’s just been a little stressed lately.” The two girls shared a look.

What could be causing Jordan stress?

School? The year just started.

Friends? She didn’t seem to have any issues with these two.

Boys? The thought made my jaw clench. Which was dumb. I decided to ask.

“Stressed? How come?” I asked, trying to sound casual. As though I didn’t really care. And I shouldn’t. I didn’t even know Jordan. “Boyfriend problems?” Yeah, not casual at all.

Natalie snorted and Kelly laughed out right.

“Jordan? Boyfriend?” Kelly shook her head. “Funny.”

Natalie grinned. “Although, her issue does have something to do with boys.”

I didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean?”

“Jordan plays hockey,” Natalie said.

My eyes widened. “Hockey? Really?” Even in Minnesota I hadn’t known many girls who played hockey. Jordan’s hot points intensified until I thought my attraction to her might incinerate me.

Too bad she probably hated my guts.

“Yes.” Kelly nodded.

I frowned. “So, why the stress?”

Natalie and Kelly exchanged glances again, but it was Natalie who spoke up. “Jordan’s actually really great at hockey. So good, she made the guy’s team. Today is their first practice and she’s a little nervous.”

“It doesn’t help that her dad’s the coach,” Kelly added before taking a bite of her lunch.

The girls kept talking, their conversation moving to school work and their own sports. But I stopped listening, too caught up on the information they’d shared.

Hockey?

All guy’s team?

Her dad was the coach?

Parks.

It couldn’t be. But the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach told me it just might.

And if I was right?

I was so screwed.

Blue days, I had Lakeview Singers, an invitation only choir Ms. Jackson put me in based on my previous choir experience and the fact I played guitar. No way I was the only guy at this school who played, but apparently, I was the only one who played and sang in the choir.

I found a seat on the top tier, glad for a break from my academic classes and anxious to just sing. It didn’t take long for the seats to fill, most of them occupied by girls, but I wasn’t the only guy hiding out in the back row.

“Hey, man.” A tall guy with long blond hair walked right up to me with his hand extended.

“Hey.” I stood up to grip his hand.

“I’m Jarom.” He took the seat beside me.

“Asher.” I was a little taken aback. Hardly anyone in any of my classes had taken the initiative to introduce themselves to me.

“Man, we gotta stick together in here. These girls,” he shook his head, warily scanning the clusters of girls on the tiers below us. “They want to do all this stupid crap. Dancing and-” he shook his head and shuddered a little. “Ms. Jackson’s cool, but she goes along with whatever.”