Page 179 of The Pucking Coach's Daughter

“Dad,” I blurt out when he gets even with our row. “What are you?—?”

“Have you heard from your mother, Sydney?”

It takes a second for the words to filter. Heard from. Mother. Sydney?

I scramble for my phone, but there’s nothing. Things on it have finally calmed down, and I didn’t even have to change my number.

Maybe the hockey team had something to do with that, too.

“No,” I finally respond. “Why? Did something happen?”

His expression stays stoic, even as he says, “She called me.”

I jump up, but he holds out his hand.

“What did she say?” I ask.

“I need your cell phone, and I need you to stay here,” he continues. “She didn’t say anything—I missed the call.”

But she’s not dead.

“I can help find her.” My voice is small.

“Sydney, please.”

Maddy and Penn are both watching me. I slowly hand over my phone. He takes it and tucks it away. I give him the password—I don’t really have anything to hide—and the question of why is on the tip of my tongue.

But he gives me the answer unprompted. “I’ve contacted the detective who’s been looking into your mom’s disappearance. He drove up from Emerald Cove, and I’m heading to meet him now.”

“I should come?—”

“You should stay,” he interrupts. “It’s okay, Syd, let me handle this.”

His gaze turns imploring.

“Okay.” I clear my throat. “Okay, well… let me know if you find anything.”

“I will,” he promises.

He leaves.

I sit.

“Are you okay?” Penn asks, leaning into me.

“Fine.” I shake it off. “We’re here for Dylan. Right? It’s not about me.”

Maddy snorts. “Sure. You really don’t have to be here if he was asking?—”

“Dad didn’t want me to go with him,” I interrupt. “I think it’s fine, under the circumstances… What is he doing here?”

Oliver Ruiz climbs the steps toward us. His hazel eyes burn into mine, but he keeps going up. One more row anyway. I twist and track his movements. He glares at the group sitting just behind us, and soon they’re all scooting down to make room for him.

“Hey, Ollie.” Penn’s voice is too cheerful. Nearly forced. “What brings you here?”

Oliver says nothing.

“School spirit,” Maddy coughs. “Obviously.”