Page 22 of Offside Attraction

“Got it,” I say finally.

She studies me, uncertain, then rises to her feet. “Dinner will be ready by seven.”

“Okay.”

She hesitates at the door. Opens her mouth. Closes it. Then tries again.

“I know you miss your dad,” she says quietly. “God, I miss him too. Every single day. He knew how to reach you in ways I never could. You were always closer to him—and sometimes I envied that.”

Her eyes glisten.

“But he’s not here anymore, Dakota. And that breaks my heart every day. I just… I need you to give me another chance.”

I swallow.

“Okay.” She sighs again, lips twisting as her gaze sweeps my room—anywhere but my face. Then she turns and steps out, quietly shutting the door behind her.

I lock it.

Shepard pads over, whining softly as I stop in front of the full-length mirror beside my bed.

“Don’t give me that look,” I mutter.

I meet my own reflection, fingers already working at the buttons of my shirt.

“I’m tired, Shep. So fucking tired.”

I strip down, craving a cold shower, and step into the en-suite.

Threeweeksintosenioryear at Crestview Prep.

Every single day, Hayes and I lock eyes in the hallways.

Every single day, I glare at him.

And every single day, he glares right back.

Somewhere along the line, the girls—my year and below—decided I’m thebad boy. Probably because I keep to myself, always brooding, a permanent scowl carved into my face. I forget girls eat that shit up.

The guys, on the other hand, see me as a threat. Especially when their girlfriends won’t stop flirting with me.

That includes Shay Cassidy.

Hayes’s girlfriend.

And yeah—I flirt back. Not because I want her. But because it pisses him off. When I really want to push him, I wink at her when they’re together. She reacts exactly how I expect—flushed, flustered, blushing.

Predictable.

I may not look forward to school, but I always look forward to frustrating Hayes Griffin.

And I’m just getting started.

Today, he’s going to lose it.

Because today is hockey tryouts.

At recess, I grab a bottle of water from the cafeteria and take a seat at a table tucked into the corner. Thepopulartable sits across the room. And by popular, I mean Hayes Griffin, Shay Cassidy, Ezra King, Finn Ashford, and Peach Ashford—the twins—all dripping privilege.