Chapter 7 Mackenzie
Finally, it was Friday. I’d barely survived my first week at Ransom High and wanted nothing more than to hole up in my room and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist. But unfortunately, my prize for enduring one week living in a new town, attending a new school, and existing on the same planet as Parker Darling, wasn’t blissful solitude.
Instead, I found myself sitting in the stands that evening watching the Ransom Devils’ first game of the season.
My stepmom had pretty much guilt-tripped me into coming to support my dad.
Watching hockey was like a cruel form of torture for me.
Knowing I could never take to the ice myself, I both loved and loathed watching others play.
I’d still gone to plenty of games over the years, but mostly to support Max.
I never missed a chance to cheer on my brother.
But there was always a quiet voice in my mind reminding me I’d never get to follow in his footsteps.
My dad probably would have understood if I hadn’t shown up tonight, but Tessa kept pointing out what an important game this was and how much it would mean to him to have all of us watching.
It was a little ironic, then, that after only one period, my stepmom had to take my sisters home because Skye was having a meltdown.
I wondered if Tessa might have let me leave if I’d started screaming and kicking my feet too.
It was just as well they weren’t here to watch the game unfold. The Devils were currently being ripped apart by the Westfield High Tigers. It would be bad to laugh, right?
“Do you think if I just close my eyes, you can tell me when it’s over?” Jaz was sitting beside me in the stands and had been chewing her nails the whole game. Her brother Owen was playing and, unlike me, she actually cared whether the Devils were successful or not.
“You should have brought something to read,” Isaac said from beside her. He hadn’t lifted his eyes from his book since the game began, and I had a strong feeling he was only here because Jaz was.
She shook her head at me. “He always comes but never watches.”
“I have ears,” Isaac replied. “I can hear if there’s a goal.”
“Not really the point, Isaac.”
A smile hinted at his lips, but he continued reading.
Bringing a book wasn’t the worst idea—I could also use a distraction.
Unfortunately, despite the inner turmoil hockey caused me, I didn’t have it in me to look away.
Whenever the Tigers got near the Devils’ net, my palms began to sweat, and every time Ransom forced a turnover my heart raced as the crowd urged them on.
Hockey was as much a part of me as the blood rushing through my veins, and I couldn’t ignore it even if I tried.
“This team really won the championship last year?” I said to Jaz.
“It was a different team back then,” she replied. “Lots of guys graduated, and I guess they aren’t the same without the full might of the Darling Devils.”
That stupid nickname again. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.
“Grayson and Reed left big shoes to fill,” she continued.
“They were the best players in the league,” Isaac added. “And they’re already starting for Ryker University as freshmen.”
This wasn’t the first time I’d heard about the older Darling brothers.
Their names were mentioned around school almost as much as Parker’s.
Many of the comments I’d overheard had been about how the Devils would fare without them this season and how the boys were performing at college.
And I’d heard more than a few rumors about them that were just as ridiculous as Seth’s fight club story.
I’d been surprised to find out Parker’s brothers were at Ryker with Max.
My brother and I had messaged regularly and spoken on the phone a few times since he’d started at college, but he always seemed to keep his hockey-related updates short and sweet, like he was worried it might upset me to hear about them.
However, I did know that Max was also getting plenty of game time for the Raiders as a freshman, so he must have been giving the infamous Darling Devils a run for their money.
“It doesn’t help that Anderson couldn’t stop a beach ball tonight,” Jaz added. “We might not be losing quite so badly if he actually made some saves.”
I nodded involuntarily in agreement. She was right; the Devils’ backup goalie was completely out of his depth.
When I looked back to the ice, the Tigers were on another breakaway and Anderson was completely out of position.
It was like he’d forgotten where the net was.
My dad must have been having a meltdown on the bench.
If this was the best goaltender Ransom had, there was no hope for the Devils this season.
It wasn’t all Anderson’s fault though. The rest of the team were also struggling.
Their passing felt clunky and uncertain, and with every mistake they seemed to get increasingly frustrated with each other.
Of course the team was new, and my dad had only just started as coach, but he definitely had his work cut out for him.
Just as a Tigers forward went to shoot the puck past the stranded Anderson, a Devils player appeared almost out of nowhere. It was number sixteen; Parker. He swiped the puck from his opponent, preventing a certain goal, and shot off down the ice.
“God, he’s fast,” I murmured. I’d been trying not to appreciate just how talented Parker Darling was, but it was impossible.
Certain players just had something special about them.
They moved like they were born to play and seemed capable of doing things no other player on the ice could.
I couldn’t take my eyes off Parker when he was out there—though I’d rather chew my hand off than ever admit that out loud.
Even though he was moving at breakneck speed, he somehow managed to weave his way past multiple Tigers players before firing the puck past the goalie into the net.
The crowd erupted in hopeful cheers, but I knew it was too little too late.
Parker had now scored two goals for the Devils, but the Tigers were still winning by three, and there were only a few minutes left.
Parker couldn’t win the game on his own.
“You think that was good.” Jaz nudged my arm, making me realize I was still staring at Parker. “You should have seen him and his brothers. When all three of them were playing together it was crazy.”
“Honestly, I think Parker might be the best of them,” Issac argued.
Jaz folded her arms and turned to him. “How can you tell if you don’t watch the game?”
“Because Parker got recruited to college earlier. Plus, his stats are off the charts. Did you know he’s on track to surpass Reed as the all-time leading goal scorer at Ransom High?”
“How do you know that?” she asked.
“Because I listen.” He glanced up at her and grinned.
“Yeah, well, he won’t be beating any records if the Devils play like this for the rest of the season,” Jaz replied.
“True,” Isaac agreed before returning to his book.
It was almost a mercy when the game came to an end. Anderson let in another two goals before the final siren meaning the Devils had lost 7–2. A massacre. Every player’s head was hung low as they made their way back to the locker room.
“They lost,” Jaz said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t believe they lost. The Devils never lose.”
“I think that’s actually their biggest loss since we started high school,” Isaac added. “Might be one of the worst ever.”
Jaz huffed out a frustrated breath. “Seriously, are you hiding stat sheets in that book of yours?”
Isaac closed the massive novel and tucked it under his arm. “Sorry, I just mean that this is obviously a freak occurrence. I’m sure they’ll get back on track next game.” I could tell he was only trying to reassure Jaz.
“I hope so,” she replied. “Owen’s going to be devastated.”
“My dad too,” I agreed, although in truth he didn’t really do devastated.
When it came to hockey, he only seemed capable of showing different shades of fury.
He’d taken all the aggression he had as a player and used it to fuel his passion as a coach.
Most of the guys who played for him were half terrified.
He got results though. At least, he usually did.
We rose from our seats, and I went in search of my dad. Thanks to my stepmom leaving early, he was my ride home. It didn’t take me long to find the locker room, but with the game only just finished I knew he would be a while, so I leaned against the opposite wall to wait.
Eventually, Devils players began to filter out of the locker room. Most of them wore forlorn looks, like the game had broken something fundamental in their souls. Anderson looked especially devastated, and his eyes were red and puffy like he’d been crying. Poor kid.
Another five minutes passed. Then another. There was still no sign of my dad. I sent him a text but wasn’t at all surprised when he didn’t respond. He was probably already busy analyzing everything that went wrong.
When Seth emerged, I stepped away from the wall. “Hey, Seth.”
“Oh hey, Mackenzie.”
“Tough game. I saw you took a hard hit in the third. Are you okay?”
“Bit of a headache, but I’ll survive.” He gave me a tired smile. “I always thought brain cells were overrated anyway.”
I laughed, but I could see Seth had forced out the joke. He looked as bummed as every other player who had shuffled past me.
“Have you seen my dad?”
“I think he’s still in the locker room,” Seth replied with a nod toward the door.
I sighed as I followed his gaze. Guessed that meant I’d have to keep waiting.
“I’m the last one out though,” he added. “It should be fine if you want to go inside.”
“Oh, really? Thanks.”
“No problem.” He smiled. “Have a good night, Mackenzie.”