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  “Oh, hi, um, I was wondering if you’re accepting new players?”

  She narrows her gaze on me and grips the clipboard to her chest. “What year are you, and do you have any experience?”

  “A senior.” I switch to the other leg. “Honestly, I’ve never played. But I’m willing to put in as much time as required to learn.” Because I want to do one thing my mom enjoyed in high school.

  “Coach Dobson,” she says, stretching out her hand.

  “Sydney Bell.” I flash a smile while shaking it. “I just transferred to Spencer.”

  She nods. “We don’t normally accept people with no prior experience in their senior year. But, since there’s a trial, I’ll give you a shot. You’ll do basic training and then a test. If you pass, I’ll put you on the team as a backup.”

  If I get cut after the trial, it won’t be much of an honor to my mom.

  Determined, I tell Coach Dobson, “I’ll do my best to earn a spot.”

  She appears impressed by that. “Good. I like your spirit.” She pulls off a sheet of paper from the clipboard. “Here’s the training schedule. Just wear the academy’s P.E. gear. You’ll get an official jersey if you make the team, and only if I deem you fit.”

  “Understood. Thank you.”

  Coach Dobson nods, and returns to the soccer field, blowing her whistle to round up the players.

  One way or another, I will get on the team.

  4

  “Let’s go, Lions! Let’s go! Woo!”

  Rumbles erupt from the bleachers as the team runs onto the field. My name soars above all else from girls hungry for my attention.

  Adrenaline pumps through my veins. Friday night lights. The first game of the season, and the team’s amped.

  I bump my fist and elbow with Davidson, our ritual before every game.

  “Ready, man?” he asks, shifting anxiously.

  “You know it. Let’s win our first game, huh.”

  The referee blows the whistle after the coin toss. Spencer Academy’s offense is up first.

  I peer back into the bleachers, looking for my family. Dad’s rigid face greets me. My stomach stiffens. He’s particular about winning the first one. If I blow it like last year, I’ll have his harsh criticism to deal with.

  Davidson slaps my shoulder, and we rush onto the field after securing our helmets. I run off the play with the guys, and we ready at the line. Everything fades, and I focus only on the game.

  Colbeck Prep has a strong defense. But they’re no match for our offensive line.

  I break away, getting ample time to find an open player while my guys hold off the opponents.

  Nunez frees himself easily. I go long, throwing flawlessly to him. He catches the ball and runs into the endzone.

  “Touchdown!” roars the crowd.

  That sound never gets old. It continues for the rest of the night, rising when Spencer Academy achieves a victory.

  I celebrate with the team, throwing high-fives and whacking shoulders and helmets.

  The thrill of a great game is always sweet. And I get to experience those emotions for one final season.

  Ecstatic, I jog to the sideline toward my family when the guys make their way back to the locker room. Mom’s all smiles, so is Evan. But Dad’s features are torn.

  “Great game, little bro,” Evan says, shoving me.

  I laugh and tell him, “Hey, gotta give the crowd what they want, huh.”

  Mom nods. “You have a lot of supporters.” She chortles. “Especially the girls. They’re fanatics.”

  “Yeah. It’s crazy.” I snort and wipe the wet strands from off my forehead.

  Stepping forward, Dad squares his shoulders and sticks his hands in his pocket. He clears his throat before saying, “It was a good game. Maybe tighten up a bit for the next one.”

  My excitement wavers as hurt ripples through me.

  “Looking forward to the season and seeing if you’ve improved,” he throws in for good measure before heading to the doors.

  Mom sighs. “Well, see you soon, honey. Remember that brunch is soon. Love you.” She hastens off to catch up to Dad.

  “He only wants the best for you,” Evan says, trying to cheer me up. He jolts my shoulder again. “Go celebrate with your friends. Enjoy this.”

  “Yeah, sure.” As if Dad ever gave him shit when he played soccer at Spencer, much less with anything else.

  Evan looks at the screaming girls, holding signs with my name on it. Huffing a short laugh, he mutters, “Girls.” Then he takes off.

  Still angered by my dad’s words, I wheel around and march in the direction of the locker room, fists clenched. My dad never misses a chance to snatch whatever little happiness I have. Why can’t I be enough for him? Why does he always expect more?

  I need a drink.

  5

  Nia wasn’t kidding when she said everyone would be at Shaw’s Cove. The beach is swarmed. People are boogie boarding or simply enjoying the ocean.

  We find a shady spot in the sand close to the rocks. Setting down our bags, we spread the large beach towel and relax while scoping out the scene.

  I glance up at the mansions on the cliffs in awe, thinking how cool it is my aunt and uncle live near the beach as well.

  “This is nice,” I mutter.

  “Yeah,” Nia agrees. “I love this place.”

  My gaze gets distracted by a bunch of guys goofing off a few feet from us. The girls with them giggle like they’re the funniest comedians in the world. I spot Brian Nunez and Cory Davidson from AP English, along with Parker Prescott.

  “Of course,” I murmur.

  “Oh-oh. Rich boys are around,” Nia teases and shoves my arm.

  “Ha. I’ve noticed.” I narrow my gaze on Parker.

  He catches me staring and stops laughing with his friends. I lower my eyes to my bag, rifling inside for my sunglasses and phone.

  Parker walks over, casting a shadow with his towering frame.

  “Oh, it’s Parker Prescott,” Nia jokes, nudging me.

  I scoff at her and mumble, “Yeah, I can see that.”

  He continues staring at me after nodding to her.

  “Sydney Bell,” he says in a jovial tone, “come swim with me.”

  I move the shades and crumple my face. “Why should I do that?”

  Seemingly exasperated, Parker rakes his hand through his windswept hair and shifts to his other leg. “You’re infuriating, know that?”

  “Among other things,” I quip.

  He constricts his gray eyes, studying me.

  “Look, guy, you’re blocking the view,” I say, shooing him.

  Aghast, Parker blows out a short breath but remains there with his arms folded until his friends call him. “Yeah yeah. I’m coming!” he yells back.

  Looking at me one more time, Parker smirks and jogs back to the group.

  Nia tsks. “Just be friends with him. He’s clearly feeling you. He was staring at you at the pool party, too.”

  I flashback to the moment in the passage. Did Parker really want to use the bathroom, or had he followed me to talk to me?

  Shaking my head, I suck my teeth and tell Nia, “He probably has a bet going as to who’ll sleep with the new girl first.”

  We watch as he heaves his shirt over his head and applies sunscreen.

  “Ooh. He looks good,” Nia gushes and fans herself. “More than good.”

  “He’s all right.” I fix the shades on my face and act cool, but secretly can’t stop watching. He didn’t go swimming at the party, so I wasn’t afforded all the goodness that’s clearly under his clothes.

  Parker has a toned, sexy body. Broad shoulders and cute butt in his trunks. Damn. All that football training pays off.

  I zap the heated thoughts away and lie down on the towel next to Nia.

  “We should go swimming,” my cousin suggests. “The guys are just... Gawd.”

  “Geez.” I chuckle. “What happened to the guy you were crushing on last year? Is h
e still in a relationship?”

  Nia turns shy, dipping her head and smiling. “No. Found out they broke up this summer. But I don’t think he’ll ask me out. I’m a nerd, Sydney. Guys don’t wanna date me.”

  I suck my teeth. “So what if you’re a nerd? You’re a smart, beautiful, and fun girl. You deserve someone nice and respectful. Not a guy who’s gonna play you and toss you aside like Parker or his friends.”

  She purses her lips. “Hmm. You’re one to talk. You’ve never had a boyfriend.”

  “That’s just it, we’re seventeen. What’s the rush? We can find boyfriends in college.”

  “Or you can practice now,” she teases.

  I snort. “I’m good right now.”

  Nia squeezes my arm. “You’ll change your mind when you start to lower your guard.”

  “Hm.”

  She hops up and says, “Come on, let’s go in the water.”

  “Sure.” I tuck my phone and sunglasses inside the tote.

  Taking off our clothes, we head to the ocean and enter an area that isn’t crammed.

  I splash Nia’s face right before she does it to me.

  “Uhh!” she guffaws, and we launch into a fun water war, getting our curls drenched.

  Suddenly, her brown eyes expand as she glimpses something over my shoulder.

  “Um, cuz,” Nia whispers, motioning behind me.

  Parker swims around before I get the chance to look. His friends deviate to the side and proceed to flirt with girls I recognize from the party on Wednesday.

  “She finally came into the water,” Parker says, a partial smile on his handsome face.

  Nia harrumphs and gestures ashore. “I see some classmates who just arrived. Gonna say hi.”

  I purse my lips, realizing what she’s doing. “Oh, cool. I’ll go with you.”

  She shakes her head severely. “No-no-no. Hang out here. Be right back.”

  Parker moves before me, blocking my way as Nia heads to the shore.

  His eyes are intense as they regard me. “Where did you transfer from?”

  “Seattle.”

  “Far. What part of Seattle?” he inquires.

  “West,” I reply simply. “Ever been?”

  “Nope.”

  I cut my eyes from him. “So why ask?” I move away, trying to put distance between us.

  Parker follows me. “Are you dating anyone, Sydney Bell? Is your boyfriend back in Seattle?”

  “At the moment, I don’t date.”

  “What do you do then?” He squints mischievously. “I’m up for it.”

  “I’m sure you are. Haven’t we already been through this? I’m not interested in being your plaything.”

  Parker wrinkles his thick brows. “I’m not looking for a plaything.”

  “Yo, Prescott!” Brian Nunez bellows. Geez. I wonder if he ever gets a moment to breathe.

  “Your friends need you,” I say sarcastically and look over. The girls giggle with each other, eager for Parker’s attention. I flick back to him. “Better go get your next one-week girlfriend.”

  A sad shadow crosses his face. “So judgmental. You don’t even know me.”

  “I’ve heard enough. Girls talk a lot here, especially in bathrooms.” I squint at him.

  “And you’re choosing to believe rumors?” He scoffs and shakes his head. “How naïve.”

  “No. I’m protecting myself.”

  “Parker,” one of the girls calls out sexily.

  He glares at her and snaps, “Don’t you see I’m having a conversation here?” That wipes the smile off her face.

  “Geez,” I mutter.

  When he refocuses on me, I turn uneasy. There’s depth in his gaze that threatens to drag me in if I’m not careful.

  “Let’s hang out later,” he says seriously.

  “No, I don’t think so.” Escaping the strange pull between us, I turn and head back to shore.

  Nia is talking to an athletic-looking, handsome dark skin guy with a charming smile.

  She hands me my towel when I reach them. “Kawan, this is my cousin. Sydney, this is Kawan. He’s a senior, too.” She winks afterward.

  That name sounds familiar. All our phone conversations pop into my head. This is the guy she’s had a crush on. “Hey. How’s it going?” I stretch my hand out to shake his.

  Kawan offers a broad, genuine smile. “Nice to meet you, Sydney.” He has a swag to him I know she likes, and a flirty gaze when he regards Nia. So why hasn’t he asked her out now that he’s free?

  Nia blinks coyly and peers at the ground. I feel like a third wheel.

  “So, um, do you have classes together?” I ask, breaking the awkward vibe.

  “Yeah, French and AP Environmental Science,” Kawan answers.

  “Cool.”

  My cousin shifts her weight while toying with her towel. “Kawan’s really good at French. It’s super impressive.”

  He chuckles and shrugs. “I try. But you’re even better.”

  They’re cute, praising each other.

  As they fall into conversation about classes and teachers, I find myself compelled to peer back at the ocean, glimpsing Parker just as he walks out.

  Water streams from his head down his muscular chest and washboard abs. I allow my eyes to trail the pronounced V of his torso to the waistline of his trunks. Shit. I can’t deny it anymore. The boy is hot.

  It’s as if time has slowed down as Parker combs over his drenched hair and gazes my way. I don’t drop my eyes, even when he smirks. I shamelessly continue to watch as he grabs a towel, taking his merry time drying his chest. Is he putting on a show for me?

  The girls from the water mosey over. They giggle at whatever the guys say and throw their long, damp hair off their shoulders.

  Ugh.

  “There’s a bonfire tonight,” Kawan informs us, pulling back my focus. “You girls should hang out.”

  Nia squints at me. “Sounds good.” She smiles sweetly at him. “We’ll definitely stick around.”

  Kawan nods. “Cool. Well, I’m gonna say hi to some friends. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

  “K,” Nia says softly, beaming at him.

  I wave to Kawan and drape my arm around her shoulder when he walks away. “Cuz, you are so into him. Clearly, he’s interested in you.”

  She frowns. “I don’t know, Syd. Maybe he just wants to be friends.”

  “Uh, no. Kawan was giving you the sexy eyes. You know what? Maybe he’s bad at reading body language. How about making the first move?”

  Nia releases a long sigh. “I don’t think I can. I’ll feel like shit if he rejects me.”

  I nod, understanding.

  We return to our large towel in the sand. In the middle of putting back on our clothes, the blonde girl from Monday’s party and her Asian friend stroll over.

  “Hey, I’m Aubrey. You were at the elite party, right?”

  “Yeah,” I say. “I’m Sydney. This is my cousin, Nia.”

  “I know.” Aubrey glances at Nia. “We’ve had classes together but never officially met. Different cliques.” She gestures to her friend. “This is Ji-won.”

  Ji-won studies me from head to toe. “How come you left the party so fast?”

  “Actually, I ended up there by accident.”

  Nia nudges my arm. “She’s a transfer, just wanted to see what it’s like.”

  “Hm.” Aubrey folds her arms. Like Ji-won, she’s a petite girl, and both could pass as Victoria’s Secret models in their tiny bikinis. “So, are you interested in Parker Prescott? There’s a rumor brewing you two might be the next couple.”

  I laugh short and sputter, “No, definitely not.”

  She bobs her head slowly, hazel eyes trying to figure me out. She must have a thing for Parker.

  “Are you staying for the bonfire?” Ji-won asks us.

  “Yeah,” Nia answers right away. “Sucks that the bus is leaving soon, though.”

  “You don’t have a car?” Aubrey exclaims as if ap
palled. “Well, no worries. You can ride back with us.”

  “Really?” I ask, wary.

  “Of course.” She slants to leave. “Grab your stuff and come hang.”

  “That’s fine, but thank you,” I refuse.

  She scoffs. “Come on, Sydney, we won’t bite.”

  Ji-won falls in step with Aubrey, and they wander back to the elite group.

  Nia begins packing up our things.

  I ask her, “Sure about them? I feel like they’re not the kind of friends we need.”

  “Sydney, you need to start trusting people.” She straightens and reaches for my arm, giving it a light jerk. “It’ll be fine. I’ve never had issues with them.”

  I glance at the group while draping my bag over my shoulder. Aubrey leans into Parker, touching his shirt as she speaks, a cunning grin on her face.

  He seems disinterested, moving from her to grab a beer from the cooler. He meets my gaze briefly, then plops down in a beach chair.

  Nia finishes packing the towel and bumps my side. “Come on, cuz. Let’s go hang out.”

  Aubrey and Ji-won seem nice after all. A few other girls sit with us, and we share interests.

  Whenever I feel someone’s eyes on me, I’ll look over and catch Parker’s piercing gaze. He and his friends are chilling at the side, drinking. Brian, Cory, and Penn have girls clinging to them. But not Parker.

  Hm?

  As the sun starts to set, the few students who don’t drive make their way to the academy bus in the parking area.

  “You’re still staying, right?” Aubrey confirms.

  I look at Nia.

  She shrugs and replies, “Yeah.”

  Ji-won perks up excitedly. “Awesome.”

  “Indeed.” Aubrey swathes her arm around her friend and chugs the rest of her beer.

  They smile with each other. A voice inside warns me these girls are scheming.

  “Actually, we don’t wanna be an inconvenience—”

  “It’s fine, Sydney,” Aubrey implores. “Stay. We insist.”

  Nia brushes my arm and whispers, “Relax, cuz.”

  I squint at her.

  “Beer?” Ji-won offers, pushing to her feet. She bends over a cooler and grabs two bottles, reaching one to me. I refuse. She gives it to Aubrey instead.