Page 1 of Offside Attraction

PROLOGUE

Four Years Ago

“Honey,whodidthisto you?” Mrs. Miller’s voice trembles as she takes in the bruises on Dakota’s face. She grips his shoulders, her eyes locked on the cut on his lip.

“No one did this, Mom. I’m fine,” Dakota mutters, avoiding her gaze as he tries to pull away.

“What do you mean you’re fine? Who hurt you?” She asks again, her tone rising with anger.

“You’re embarrassing me, Mom. Let’s just go.” Dakota shrugs her off and climbs into the passenger seat.

Mrs. Miller hesitates before returning to the driver's side. Dakota, fidgeting in his seat, glances toward the crowd of students in the parking lot. His eyes land on Hayes Griffin.

Hayes—his sworn enemy, the bane of his existence. Dakota doesn’t know exactly why Hayes gets under his skin so much. Is it his good looks? His wealth? His charm? Or the fact that Hayes relentlessly bullies him, reminding Dakota that he’s powerless against him?

And the worst part—Dakota can’t do anything about it.

As Dakota watches, Hayes strolls casually beside his father’s chauffeur, his smirk aimed directly at him—the audacity. Dakota turns away, stomach churning, relieved that the school term is finally over.

As the car pulls away, his mother rants about Dakota’s refusal to open up, but he’s too lost in his thoughts to listen. Earlier today, Hayes and his friend Ezra had cornered him during lunch. It started with insults—no surprise there. But then, Hayes crossed a line, calling Dakota’s mom a drunk.

That, Dakota couldn’t let slide.

He threw a punch, but Hayes easily dodged it. In retaliation, both boys knocked him down, punching him in spots that wouldn’t be noticed—except Ezra went too far, landing a blow to his eye before they left him on the floor.

Dakota knew he was no match for Hayes. Hayes had everything—power, wealth, charm. He was also a star athlete, playing hockey for the junior varsity team. Everyone adored him. He’s the golden boy.

No one would ever believe Hayes could be a bully.

As they pulled up to their small suburban house, Dakota was already out of the car, desperate to escape the conversation he knew was coming.

“Dakota!” his mom called after him.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he shot back, hurrying inside.

His father, Derek, sat in the living room watching a hockey game. “Hey, Son. How was school today?”

“Same as always,” Dakota mumbled, sitting beside him.

Derek’s fingers gently brushed the bruises on Dakota’s cheek. “Roughhousing?”

“Yeah, just playing,” Dakota lied.

Mrs. Miller appeared in the doorway, arms crossed. “Playing? Someone’s been bullying you, Dakota. Every day, you come home with new bruises. Who is it? Is it Ricky?”

“No, Mom. It’s not Ricky,” Dakota sighed, glancing at his father’s frail hands. His dad was dying, and the last thing Dakota wanted was to burden him with his problems.

“Who’s hurting you?” his father asked, his eyes locked on Dakota.

After a long pause, Dakota whispered, “It’s Hayes.”

“Hayes Griffin? Kim and Robert’s boy?” his mom asked, her disbelief obvious.

Dakota nodded.

“I can’t believe that. Hayes is a good kid,” his mother insisted.

Of course. Hayes had everyone fooled.