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“So, you go to Sunshine Hills Prep?” he asked.
My brow creased as I wondered how he knew that. He must have seen my confusion because he quickly explained. “You said you were in senior year, and I haven’t seen you around my school.”
“Ah.” I nodded. “Yeah, I go to Sunshine.”
Given the age and failing health of my car, he was probably wondering how it was possible I went to such an esteemed and expensive school. Betty definitely looked out of place in the Sunshine Prep parking lot. I was certainly the only kid there driving a car older than them. The only reason I was able to go to the school was because my uncle was a teacher there, and my tuition was heavily discounted. There was no way my mom could afford it otherwise.
Reed didn’t question my car though. “I’m at Ransom High,” he said. He watched me closely as he waited for my response, as if he was expecting me to judge him for it. I hadn’t grown up here, so I didn’t share the same prejudice against Ransom that most of my peers held.
“I know.” I nodded at the Devils logo that was prominently displayed on his top.
He glanced down at his chest and frowned. “I’m surprised you’re still talking to me then.”
“Why?”
“People from Sunshine Hills and Ransom don’t generally play nice.”
“Well, I’m not from Sunshine Hills or Ransom.”
He glanced at me with a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “No, I didn’t think you were.”
“What gave me away?”
He laughed. “It might have something to do with the fact that you’re wearing about ten coats and you’re still shivering.”
“I wish I was wearing ten coats,” I muttered.
“So, where are you from?” he continued. “And how did you end up in this freezing, miserable place?”
I cringed as he once again referenced my deranged rant. “I’m from California. My mom ditched me here for the year to live with my uncle. He teaches at Sunshine Prep.”
“Ditched you?”
“Yeah.” I sighed. “She got offered her dream job in London and couldn’t turn it down. So here I am.”
“Stuck,” he said, his voice low, almost like he was talking to himself, but then he looked across at me. “I’m sorry, that sucks.”
“It’s okay,” I replied. “I understand why she had to go. Sort of.”
I didn’t know why I was sharing all this with Reed. A boy I’d just met who, at first glance, seemed to be exactly the kind of guy I did my best to avoid. Before I could dwell on my uncertainty, I heard music drifting toward us from up ahead, and I realized we were almost at the party. As we drew closer, I could see people milling in the front yard, despite the cold, and the party appeared to be in full swing. A few of them shot curious looks in our direction as we reached the front gate, but it was dark enough they probably couldn’t make us out clearly.
“This is me,” I said. “Thanks again for tonight. You really came to my rescue.”
“Like I said, my damsel-in-distress radar was pinging.”
I hesitated because I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to Reed. Mia had made it sound so simple: Reed Darling was trouble. However, after our brief but eventful encounter, I felt like he might be a little more complicated than that. He was like a good puzzle, and I didn’t want to put it aside until I’d figured it out.
“Do you want to come in?” I asked. “I know it’s a Sunshine party, but the girl hosting it is really nice. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind…”
Reed smiled softly and slowly shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea. Besides, I’m still in my running gear.”
It was hard not to feel disappointed. Even more so when he leaned in close and whispered in my ear, “But you have a good night, Sunshine. I hope I proved to you not all hockey players are pigs.”
My eyes widened as I realized he had remembered me after all. I caught the briefest whiff of his cologne, and then he was off, jogging down the road into the night. I stood in a state of shock as I stared after him. There might have been rumors swirling about Reed Darling, but despite everything I’d heard about him, he didn’t seem to live up to his infamous reputation.
Not yet, at least.
3
