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“Of course it’s not,” I agree, wondering who’s downstairs. “You still haven’t agreed to come to the game with me.”

“And I’m so not going to!” she yells after me, making me laugh.

I have to make her go with me because there is no way for me to survive it otherwise. Jeanette will probably just sit there without saying one word to me with a scowl on her face, so I’ll be left to fend for myself. Not that Brook would be much help in the understanding department, but at least I wouldn’t be bored out of my mind. She would probably have something fun or sarcastic to say about everything that’s happening on the ice.

“Where’s that crazy dog of yours?”

Hearing his voice almost makes me miss one step and fall face down. Thankfully, I have a habit of holding on to the railing.

“Derek?” I look down at him standing next to the door. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be at school preparing for the game or something?”

“Or something.” He smiles at me, showing his straight white teeth and dimples in his cheeks. “I was on the way there but decided to stop by. So, where’s the dog?”

“She’s out with Dad. He took her to the dog park. This isn’t really on the way to the school,” I point out loud, a little bit surprised with his answer.

What’s with his popping by whenever he wants? He was here to work on a project, then he stopped by last weekend, and now he’s here again. Couldn’t he at least call to give me a heads up? I always look like a walking mess. My hair is all over the place, and I’m always wearing my old comfy clothes and these stupid fluffy socks.

Not that I worry about how I look in front of Derek King. Not one bit.

“It’s not that out of the way.”

“You could have called.”

“Not for this.” He shakes his head looking nervous.

“This what?”

He scratches the back of his neck. “What are you wearing tonight?”

“What?” I burst in surprise. He is asking me about clothes? He came all the way here for that? Clothes? Seriously, this is getting more and more ridiculous by the second.

“This is stupid.” His fingers go through his hair in frustration, making it even messier than usual. “Forget it. I’ll see you later.”

He turns around and walks away. I watch him open and close the door behind him, shocked still.

What the hell just happened now?

Nothing about him makes any sense. Absolutely nothing.

“Derek already left?” Mom asks, peeking through the doorway of the kitchen.She’s probably been there all the time listening.

“I guess so.” I shrug, still confused with the whole situation.

“Huh, strange.” She sounds almost disappointed. “He was standing at the doorway for quite some time before I came, making a hole in our front porch with his pacing back and forth. I thought he’d never ring the bell.”

I frown at her words. Why would he do that? Guys are so complicated. Coming all the way here, finally entering, only to walk away without saying what you came to say in the first place?

“I think I’ll just…” I don’t finish, but turn on my heels and open the door only to crash into him.

“You really have to stop doing this,” he chuckles.

“You really have to stop just showing up,” I mutter crossing my hands over my chest. “Weren’t you supposed to be on your way to school?”

“And why did you come out?” he challenges.

Sticking my chin in the air, I narrow my eyes at him, my mouth closed shut. There is no way I’ll admit what Mom told me and that I don’t actually want him to leave without finding out what he wants.

Derek laughs softly looking at my stubborn stance. “Okay, I just wanted to give you this.”

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