Page 94 of The Risk

“No.”

“Does she go to college?”

“Yes.”

Hazel sighs dramatically. “Are you going to tell me where she goes?”

I think it over. “Do you promise to keep it between us?”

“Of course.” The crease in her forehead deepens.

“She’s at Briar.”

Something indecipherable flickers in Hazel’s eyes. Her jaw tenses, briefly, before relaxing. She twists her ring again. “All right. She’s at Briar. And?”

“And her father coaches Briar’s hockey team.”

Despite her total disinterest in all things hockey, even Hazel comprehends the foolishness of this move. “Are you serious?”

I nod. “Brenna Jensen. She’s Chad Jensen’s daughter.” I let out a sharp breath. “She’s gotten in my head.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I can’t stop thinking about her. And I know it’s a bad idea to get involved with her, especially since we’re playing you next weekend. But…” I shift awkwardly. “I like her.”

“You like her,” my friend repeats.

“Yes.”

“And you’ve been preoccupied and cranky because she’s ignoring you.”

“Yes.”

Hazel falls silent.

“What?” I demand. I always know when there’s something heavy on her mind. “What are you thinking right now?”

“It’s just…did it ever occur to you that this might be part of her plan?”

“What plan?”

“Do you really not see it?” Hazel stares at me as if I’m the biggest chump in the world. “Everyone knew the conference finals would likely come down to Harvard and Briar, and a few weeks before this hugely important game, the daughter of the Briar coach is suddenly interested in you, and, I quote, ‘getting in your head.’ And now you’re so distracted, I bet you’re not giving your usual hundred and ten percent in practice because all you’re doing is obsessing over this girl. Do you get my drift, Jake?”

I do, and it’s funny, because that first night at the diner, I accused Brenna of doing exactly what Hazel is suggesting. Brenna had denied it, and I believed her then and still believe it now. I no longer have a cynical viewpoint about Brenna Jensen. “Brenna’s not like that,” I say simply. “Yes, she roots for her team and supports her dad, but she’s not trying to sabotage me.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I do.”

“Would you bet your life on it?” Hazel says in challenge.

“I don’t need to bet my life on it,” I answer in a dry tone. “But yes, I’m confident that this isn’t some dastardly plot on her end.”

“If you say so.”

But theomg you’re such an idiotlook on Hazel’s face tells me she doesn’t buy it.

23

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