Page 54 of Secret Pucking Unicorn

“Her parents told me so. They knew I was heartbroken and tried to comfort me. They told me they tried to convince Miranda to stay after Ma put her foot down about me going away, but Miranda was insistent. She wanted to go there and ride for their equestrian team and make it to the Olympics. They gave me tea and biscuits while I cried. They took time away from packing to care for me. Then Miranda didn’t even stay at that school to compete. She wasn’t going to get to ride the horse she had her heart set on and raised a ruckus. They had to kick her out. When she went to the school in Portugal and refused to take part in class, they had to find another school for her.”

“Soph, she was put in a German language immersion school in Portugal, and she didn’t know either language. How the hell was she going to learn?”

I can’t believe it when she stamps her foot like she’s still a ten-year-old. I’d take another swig of my beer, but it’s empty. Coach realizes and hands me a fresh one over his shoulder as I pace behind him.

“Thanks,” I say as I hand him my empty bottle.

“Well, she knew English for all the schools in America and couldn’t stay in any of them either.” She stops in front of me and lays her hand on my arm. In a gentle voice, she says, “Declan, you know I love Miranda like a sister, but you can’t rely on her. She’s going to break your heart. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

I know she means well, but her ire is misguided. Miranda was a child. She had no say in where she went to school.

“She went to the same high school for her final two years and university for four. How do you explain that?” Carter asks.

Sophie turns to face him. “Her mother finally put her foot down and refused to let her flit around. She had to make the best of it where she was or they were going to pull her out of school, have her live with them, make her do an equivalency exam, and get a job.”

“How do you know this?” I ask. This doesn’t sound right to me.

“Her mother told me. We keep in touch. She’s heartbroken over how Miranda treats them. Never returns their calls or emails. Didn’t tell them she was moving to New Zealand. Didn’t invite them to her college graduation. She cut them off.”

My blood is simmering, but before I can erupt, Carter jumps up.

“They are complaining she didn’t invite them to her graduation when they didn’t tell her they were moving to Argentina? Can’t be bothered to tell their child they are moving to another continent? She goes to California for Christmas to discover they’ve been gone for months. And she told them about graduation. I was sitting next to her on the couch when she emailed them the information. They never responded.”

She twirls her ponytail around her finger. She’s always done that when she’s agitated.

“There are two sides to every story,” she says. “We’ll get to the bottom of it when her parents get here.”

My wolf lets out a low growl, and I don’t bother to try to hold it in.

“What do you mean ‘when they get here?’” I ask, my voice low. I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

She shrugs. Shrugs. “I texted them to let them know what was going on. They will be here in a few hours.”

Coach tilts his head in confusion. “You texted Miranda’s parents she discovered she’s a witch and they are coming from Argentina in a matter of hours?”

“No, they live in New Jersey. I visited with them this week before I came here. Near some racetrack. Mammoth?”

“Monmouth,” Carter says. “When did they move there?”

“I don’t know. A bit over a year ago.”

“Does Miranda know?” I ask.

“That they are in New Jersey? Yes, I assume that’s why she’s here. She regrets treating them callously and wants to make amends.”

“So, as soon as she graduates and leaves the country, they suddenly move within an hour of where she spent the past six years? For twelve years they couldn’t work it out to be in the same place she was so they could live together, but suddenly they can be here now? And she has to make amends? You don’t think that’s fucked up, Sophie?” Carter asks. It was exactly what I was thinking but couldn’t say without many more expletives and maybe punching something.

“Are they coming here?” Coach asks pointing toward the house and barn.

“No. I have a suite at the Devil’s Den. I said I’d meet them there. Can someone give me a ride back there?”

I don’t want to leave Miranda except to meet my parents’ plane and drive them back here. Carter looks pissed. I don’t know if the two of them in the confines of Carter’s little sports car is a good idea.

“I’ll drive you,” Stone says.

“Thanks.” She turns to me. “I assume Ma and Dad will stay there too?”

“I already reached out to Teagan, and she has a suite ready for them,” Coach says.

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