Chapter 10 Parker #2
“You should probably take that up with your parents,” I agreed. “Oh, how’s my outfit today?” I held out my arms and looked down at myself. “Sorry, I know you prefer me without clothes…”
“I prefer when you leave me alone.”
“Leave you alone? Be honest, you’d miss me.”
Her eyes were flaring with irritation once again, and she quickly dragged Jaz away. It only seemed to make my heart pulse faster. I enjoyed messing with her, and I was smiling to myself as I continued inside the museum.
“I kind of thought you were going to start playing nice,” Seth said under his breath as he joined me.
“Don’t know what gave you that impression.”
“She’ll never agree to what you want if you keep annoying her.”
Since when was Seth the sensible one? It was becoming harder to argue with him, but I just wasn’t sure I had it in me to play nice. Especially not with Mackenzie Foster. Every time she looked my way, some deep instinctual part of me wanted to growl. Who was I to deny my inner wolf?
Although I hadn’t heard a word of our teacher’s introduction, I soon gathered that we had time to explore the museum before some sort of presentation, so Seth and I wandered through the exhibits.
Most of them were interactive and probably would have been enjoyable if we were five.
The place buzzed with energy as kids’ laughter mixed with the sounds of beeps, whooshes, and rushing water.
Lights blinked and flashed on different displays and demonstrations.
It felt like it was all trying a little too hard to make science fun.
I kept one eye on Mackenzie, from a safe distance, as I waited for inspiration to strike.
When I left this place, I knew I wouldn’t remember a single exhibit.
I would remember that after chasing the bus, several strands of Mackenzie’s blonde hair had come loose from her ponytail.
That her eyes lit with a sense of interest and amusement as she took in each display.
That she laughed easily whenever Jaz leaned in close to talk to her.
But her relaxed expression turned to irritation whenever she caught me watching.
“You’re being weird,” Seth said as we skirted to the side to make way for a couple of kids who were racing toward a station of vibrating strings.
“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I feigned interest in the nearest display—a barrel filled with foam balls and a tube pumping out a stream of air.
I had no idea what it was supposed to be representing and couldn’t be bothered to read the description card beside it. This was why I stuck to hockey and art.
Seth waved a hand in Mackenzie’s direction. “You haven’t taken your eyes off her since we got here. You’re stalking her like a lion hunting his prey.”
“That girl is no one’s prey. She’s the lion. Well, the lioness. And we all know they’re the true killers in the pack.”
He raised an eyebrow at me.
“What?”
“Mackenzie’s hot. It’s not surprising you’re attracted to her.”
“I am not attracted to her”
“You kissed her the first time you met her.”
“She kissed me!”
He scoffed and shook his head with disbelief.
“It’s true,” I continued. “Besides, I would have kissed anyone who was willing back then. In fact, I’d still kiss pretty much anyone who’s willing—anyone except her.”
“I don’t buy it.”
I grunted my frustration. “This is all about hockey, trust me. I’m just waiting for the perfect moment to test her reflexes.”
“Here? Now?” Seth looked around at the packed exhibition. It wasn’t exactly a subtle place to execute my plan. Not that I really had one yet.
“Why not? Tryouts are tomorrow, and we’ve got another game this weekend. We haven’t got time to waste.”
I looked back down at the activity in front of me before slowly picking up one of the foam balls. I tossed it up and down in my hand a few times, as an idea formed. “In fact, why don’t we check her reflexes right now…”
“Uh, what do you—”
I pulled back my arm and then launched the ball toward Mackenzie before Seth could convince me otherwise.
Almost instantly, I regretted the decision.
I’d thrown the ball just a little too enthusiastically, and she wasn’t even looking this way.
My aim was too good. It was flying straight toward her head.
There was no way she’d see it coming and this time she really would kill me.
As the moment of impact approached, I wanted to turn, run from the museum, pack my bags and find a new town to live in. Maybe a new country? But then Mackenzie’s arm darted out, and she snatched the ball from the air. She’d caught it. My mouth dropped open.
“Whoa,” Seth whispered in awe. “That was some real Spider-Man shit.”
I felt a little awed, too. But it quickly dissipated as her eyes flashed in my direction. I was dead. So dead. All I could think as she stormed across the room toward us was that I’d messed with the wrong girl. But I also knew I’d found the right one…
“What is the matter with you?” she fumed.
I was asking myself the same question. She emphasized her point by launching the ball directly at me from close range. I didn’t even try to deflect it, letting it bounce off my forehead and onto the floor.
“You’ve still got it,” I said, not taking my eyes off her.
“Uh, I think what he means to say is, sorry,” Seth added.
I ignored him. I wasn’t sorry in the slightest. “Was that a lucky catch? Or are you really that good?”
“You’re a psycho, you know that, right?”
“And you’re fast,” I continued. “Really fast. You can catch a ball without even looking, and you don’t back down. Ever. We need you.”
She started to frown. “Did I hit you too hard with the ball just now?” Turning to Seth she asked, “Is he okay? Should we call a teacher over?”
Seth smirked. “Just hear him out.”
“Fine, I’ll play along.” She slowly returned her gaze to mine. “Need me for what?”
I suddenly felt nervous. I didn’t think she’d listen to me even for a second. But now I had a chance. What if she said no?
“We need you to be the Ransom Devils’ new goalie.”
She stared at me for several moments, remaining silent and still, but confusion was clearly swirling in her eyes. Doubt gathered in my gut. She was going to refuse.
“Look, I know we’ve had our differences…” I said.
“Is that what we’re calling it? Differences?”
“But our team needs someone who can defend the net, and I think you might just be the only person at our school who’s capable. The way you caught that ball… You’re perfect.”
“Perfect?” she scoffed. “You know I’m a girl, right?”
“Right.”
“And you play for a boys’ team.”
“Yes, and?”
She crossed her arms. “I’d say no just to ruin your day.”
“This isn’t just about me, though,” I pointed out. “This is about the whole team. You saw the game on Friday. We can’t win this season without you.”
Her expression was impossible to decipher as she considered me, but then she started to smile. “Well, I guess you’re going to lose.”
And with that, she walked away, taking all my hopes of a successful season with her.