Page 38 of Offside Attraction

“So how was school today?”

“Great.”

“Yeah?” she asks lightly. “No one giving you a hard time?”

I pause, glancing at her from beneath my lashes while continuing to work.

“It’s not middle school, Mom. No one’s giving me a hard time.”

“Good,” she exhales. “I guess I worry too much.”

“Yeah, you do,” I say. “I’m not fourteen anymore. I can take care of myself.”

“I know.” I can hear the smile in her voice even though I don’t look at her.

She stirs the pot. “How are hockey tryouts going?”

My hands still for half a second before I look up at her. She’s watching me now, a small, hopeful smile on her lips.

“I know you didn’t tell me you were trying out,” she continues gently, “but you should’ve. I’m your mom. I’d like to know what’s going on in your life.”

I take a breath and drop my gaze back to the bowl.

“Tryouts were good,” I say. “Sorry I didn’t tell you. I wanted to make the team first before saying anything.”

“You’ll make it,” she says without hesitation. “You’ve always been good at hockey. Ever since you were little.”

I don’t respond.

“I hear Hayes is on the team too,” she adds casually. “He’s pretty good. His mom won’t stop talking about how Hayes is the reason Crestview Prep has the best hockey team.”

My head snaps up. “You’re talking to Mrs. Griffin?”

“Not really,” Mom shrugs. “You know she’s the president of Evergreen Private Hospital.”

“She is?”

“Yeah. Mark and I ran into her and Mr. Griffin the other night during date night. We got to talking. She even asked about you.”

My jaw tightens. “Are you guys planning on being friends?” I ask. “You know—since Mark works at their hospital.”

Mom goes quiet, stalling as she pours the half-cooked spaghetti into the colander.

“You’re stalling,” I say flatly. “Which means you want to be friends with them.”

I know I’m overreacting. I know I sound like an asshole. But the last thing I want is my mom and her husband getting cozy with the Griffins.

I already have to see Hayes at school. Mark works at their hospital. And now they’re chatting, exchanging pleasantries, asking about me?

Everywhere I turn, there’s Hayes fucking Griffin.

And I’m so goddamn tired of it.

The Griffins are good people. Everyone knows that. Rich, powerful, influential—but humble. Kind. Which honestly makes no sense considering the son they raised.

Hayes walks around like the world belongs to him. Like everyone’s already in his pocket. A conceited bastard who doesn’t even bother hiding it.

I like to believe his parents have no idea what really goes on in his life. What he’s done. What he’s capable of. Meaning they don’t know about the drama between Hayes and me that’s been festering since we were ten. And even if they do know, I doubt they care.