Playing to Win

Not knowing what else to do and not minding having her close, I tucked her head under my chin and just held on until she’d cried all she could cry.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered into my shirt.

“Don’t be.” Her arms went slack around my waist, my cue to let her go.

Jordan wiped the tears from her cheeks with her hands. “Gah! What’s the matter with me?” She gave me her back and continued to scrub at her face. “I just cried all over a stranger!”

I tried not to let her words hurt because I knew what she meant. “I’m not that strange. You did eavesdrop on me singing.”

Jordan whirled around, her cheeks blazing. “I-” She stopped, pointing her finger at me. “That-” Her lips pressed into a flat line as she glared.

“You’re incredibly adorable when you’re flustered,” I said, reaching out to tuck a wisp of her hair behind her ear.

“No, I’m not.” She pushed my hand away, making me laugh.

“You are. Come on. We’re going to be late to practice.”

Her eyes widened. “Practice! Dad is going to kill us!”

“Well, then let’s go.” Grabbing her hand, I pulled her toward my car.

We drove to the rink in silence. Jordan needed time to collect herself and truth be told, so did I. I’d been on this girl’s bad side since the moment she laid eyes on me. First, in the parking lot and during lunch the first day of school. Then, at practice. She’d been avoiding me. Glaring at me. Fearing I would somehow steal her dream of starting. I understood that kind of fear, experienced it myself. Jordan’s passion for hockey matched my own for music.

Somehow, I hoped we’d both get what we wanted.

As soon as I turned off the engine, we launched out of our seats to grab our gear. Fifteen minutes late. We sprinted across the parking lot. I reached out to hold the door for her. Inside, the sound of Coach’s whistle echoed in the halls as he called out drills.

“Don’t worry about Dad. Once I explain everything, he won’t be mad.” She gave me a sad look. “At least, not at us.”

I nodded, not knowing what to say. We arrived at the guy’s locker room first. I stopped and Jordan kept going. For some reason, instead of rushing inside to change, I stood there, watching her.

She’d almost made it to the women’s locker room when she paused and turned around. I hadn’t moved and she didn’t seem surprised to find me still there.

“Thank you, Asher.” The sincerity in her voice made my heart skip a beat. Could this be my chance to be more than Jordan’s competition on the ice? More than the guy who annoyed her by parking in her spot and sitting at her lunch table?

“You’re welcome.”

I didn’t know the answer, but I knew what I hoped. I hoped we could start over.

CHAPTER NINE

Jordan

I was right. Dad didn’t get mad. At least, not at me. And not at Asher. I’d seen the two of them talking at the end of practice. When they finished, Dad shook Asher’s hand and clapped him on the shoulder. Probably thanking him for giving me a ride.

After practice, I rode with Dad to the high school to pick up my car. He didn’t say anything about Payton, I already told him everything once Asher and I made it on the ice, but stress and anger made his shoulders and brow tight.

At the school, Dad removed the jumper cables from the back of his SUV while I popped the hood of my car. He connected the cables and before long the engine started.

“I’ll see you at home,” he said once he’d disconnected the cables again.

“Dad-” I started to say, but he cut me off.

“Just go on home, kiddo.” His voice sounded tired, worn completely out.

“Okay.” I hated feeling this way. I could just strangle my brother for making my parents worry like this!

Dad watched me until I drove out of the parking lot.

When I got home, Mom met me at the door, her eyes red from crying and I knew right away Payton hadn’t come home yet. Dad must be out looking for him.

“I warmed up some leftovers,” she said while keeping her vigil at the front door.

I couldn’t eat. Instead, I headed up the stairs to shower. Once I finished, I opened my window and tried to work on my homework, but found it impossible to concentrate. Who could think about math after a day like today?