His Darling Freckles (His #1)

PROLOGUE

BIANCA

Eight Years Ago

“You okay, Freckles?”

I glance up at my best friend, finding his eyebrows furrowed. A hesitant nod leaves me, but he doesn’t seem to believe it as he wraps his arms around my body. It seems cliché, but every time he hugs me, it gives this serenity that I crave even after we pull away.

“Freckles?” I hear again.

I give him a small smile. “I’m sorry. Um, what were you saying?”

“Forget about that. What were you thinking about?”

Memories from years ago plague my mind, flashes of red and blue turning up more than once.

A soft breath leaves me as I remember my small, trembling hand reaching out as they carried him away.

My eyes flick down to my arms, and it’s almost as if the pieces of glass are still in my skin.

I blink to rid myself of the thoughts, given it wasn’t the only thing weighing down on me today.

“Nothing important. Don’t worry about it,” I say to reassure Liam.

He squints, but lets it go, thankfully, still giving me another one of his hugs regardless. “It’s okay, you’re safe. I’m here.”

I sigh, hugging him harder with his statement.

We pull back and his eyebrows are pinched together.

“I hate that you went through that. If we had met earlier, maybe you would’ve—I don’t know—not felt so alone?

” he states. It sounds as heartfelt and genuine as ever, but that doesn’t surprise me because that’s all Liam is.

At my lack of a response, he continues, “I’m sorry, Freckles.

I’m here now, okay? If you want to be sad, I’m here with you. ”

I turn slightly to put my head on his shoulder, us both sighing in unison as he slides his fingers through mine. Today was our weekly cloud-watching day, and we were up in the tree house Dad had built for me. There is a soothing silence, and I relish it.

I love spending days with him; he always makes everything feel so much better, and I was going to miss that.

I was going to miss him.

The eviction notice we got a couple weeks ago hangs above my head, wanting to tarnish the moment. Mom has already gone through the trouble of telling everyone, but I asked her to let me tell Liam. The only problem was, I could never find the right time.

Now, I’m moving in less than twenty-four hours and my best friend has no idea.

“Liam?”

He looks at me with those captivating, forest-green eyes, and for a moment, I lose my train of thought. With determination, I shake my head, knowing I have to tell him today.

“Yeah?” he answers, and I falter.

How could I tell him? It was going to break his heart.

“Um, never mind. Hey, you promised me a movie and popcorn.”

His pearly whites show and he stands, pulling me with him. “That I did, Freckles. Race you to my house?”

I climb down the ladder, not giving him an answer, before taking off running.

He groans in the distance, and I laugh at that.

Making it to his front door faster than ever, I triumphantly walk upstairs to his room.

My jaw drops when I find him already comfortably sitting on his bed while I’m basically gasping for air.

“H-how?” I stutter out.

“You took the long way, dummy.” He pats my head in a condescending manner, and I swat his hand away.

His little smirk turns into a full-on laugh, and after a bit, one leaves me too.

His gaze connects with mine, and I revel in the look.

I wish for my mind to always remember him like this.

The sweetest kid who would never do anything to hurt me.

Liam

Five years ago

My bag hits my back as I weave through the crowded hallway.

I push open the boys’ locker room door, getting ready to change into my football uniform.

A special vibration comes from my pocket and I check my phone, smiling.

Bianca wishes me good luck with my game, my reply being I’ll call her later to wish her a proper happy birthday.

Despite her being my lucky charm, I’m still antsy. It’s the homecoming game, the most important one we have, and I might be called in. Nerves trickle through me at the thought.

“Parker, let’s go!” Hands grip my shoulders as we crowd the entrance, getting ready to run onto the football field.

A shaky breath leaves me as we rip through the paper banner.

Shrieks and cheers drown out my thoughts, albeit temporarily.

The sun is out, blisteringly so, and my body aches at the heaviness of my gear.

I turn back, searching for my parents through hundreds of faces, hoping that they’re there.

Shaking my head, I jog over toward the huddle of burly players as we get the same speech from our coach.

“Win on three!” he shouts, pumping his fist in the air, and I raise mine.

We count down, shouting as we break, and I move to sit on the bench with the other inactive players.

Andrew, the kicker who I’m backup for, shoves me in the shoulder jokingly, and I send him an uneasy smile.

He recently rolled an ankle during practice and won’t be able to play.

But there’s a huge chance a field goal won’t even be needed for the game.

As the first period starts, I rest my elbows on my knees while running my hands through my hair, and I hope with everything in me that we win.

I don’t feel it—the two hours that have passed.

Though, a quick look at the clock and seeing we have five minutes left and are down by two points is enough to confirm.

Sweat starts beading at my brow, and I hope Coach decides to go with one final play for a touchdown.

Unfortunately, my name comes out of his mouth.

“Parker. You’re up.” My eyes snap to his, and I look between him and Andrew, my jaw hanging open slightly.

Sweat runs in a full-on stream down my back and I slowly stand as I chug some water, not believing what I’m hearing.

I walk closer as the shouts and cheers fade in and out.

Coach is barking orders at me, and the pressure of our quarterback’s hand slapping my shoulder as a sign of encouragement snaps me back to the present.

We both nod, and Coach’s words, “We’re counting on you,” vaguely fill my ears.

I strap on my helmet as I jog behind the quarterback, and some team members cheer for me, thumbs-up sent my way. I walk to the line as our holder positions the ball, ready for me.

The clock is ticking and everyone has gone silent.

I’m not supposed to be here. I’m the backup, the second choice—not first. This is the third game I’ve played in the whole season, and it just so happens that the outcome of our most important one rides on me.

Why did Andrew have to get hurt? My breaths reverberate in my ears and I try to think of something that’ll get me to be calm.

I have faith in you, always, Liam.

Bianca’s voice sounds in my head and I feel a little lighter. A weight is lifted off my chest, the haze clears, and with a determined look, I kick the ball. Everyone watches as it heads straight between the goalposts; the crowd erupts in cheers.

A choked laugh leaves me and my head turns to the scoreboard, my success pushing us to win by one point.

The guys run toward me and they hoist me on their shoulders as they shout about our victory.

We all chant as the adrenaline soars through the roof.

They put me down as Coach grabs my hand, bringing me in for a side hug.

He gives me a look as if to say he knew I could do it, and I smile when the team dumps red Gatorade on him.

My stomach hurts as I laugh, and I turn to run toward one of my teammates. We jump, our shoulders clashing in midair. Twisting, I finally see Mom and Dad waving at me and jog over to them, embracing them gently, Mom squeezing me back.

“We’re so proud of you, amor!” Mom hugs me once again from the side, and I’m happy for their praise. Thing is, nothing will compare to when I’ll hear it from my best friend, my lucky charm.

Heading to the locker room, holding back the urge to call her right now, I stuff my things in my bag. But as I go to exit, the guys stop me.

“Parker, where are you going? We’re gonna celebrate at Coach’s house.”

I nod, moving to give an excuse before Andrew holds a hand up. “C’mon, you gotta come, you can talk to your girl after.” Everyone hoots, and exaggerated oohs start while I roll my eyes.

“One hour,” I relent, and they all cheer.

Keeping my promise to Bianca at the forefront, I agree to not stay a minute more, which they thankfully respect.

Something along the lines of hope blooms as I feel acceptance from them for the first time since joining the team.

I catch a ride to Coach’s house. I joke and smile as my teammates act out the plays they did, as well as my winning field goal.

Thinking that it’s been around an hour or so, I click my phone on, the numbers eight and thirty causing something foul to curl up behind my ribs.

Even if it’s technically early for me, it’s almost midnight for her in Philly.

I raise my hand. “Hold up, guys.”

“Parker, wait, where are you going?” someone shouts for me, but I don’t pay attention as the ringing stabs at me little by little.

I head to where I left my bag, rummaging around it to take out the gift, then hurry outside.

I switch to a video call, like I promised, my own misery staring back at me.

I mean, she’ll understand, right? It was an accident.

The call gets declined and my heart aches that much more. My phone rings, and it’s her calling back through a normal phone call, which stings, but at least it’s something.