Chapter 3
Chapter Three
PARKER
“It’s going to be fine,” Lexi tries to reassure me as we stand outside of the Finance & Legal BNC building.
After I’d had a small meltdown, Lexi talked me into going down to the office to see if I could pick up the package, but by the time we’d gotten here, the offices were closed. I am going to have to wait until tomorrow.
“Fine?! I sent a dildo to my new job. A job where my father works.” Two men in suits pause and glance our way at my outburst. I’m making this worse, and I pray they don’t work here. I cover my face with my hands, but Lexi grabs my arms and pulls them down.
“The package has your name on it. It’s going to be fine. When you come in tomorrow, pop into the mailroom and grab it. People aren’t going to open your mail.”
“They might.” It happens sometimes.
“They won’t,” she tries to reassure me. I know logically she’s right, but that doesn’t help my anxiety.
“I never should have ordered it.”
“No way, we’re not doing that. There is nothing wrong with you getting something for self-care.” She links her arm with mine as she leads me away from the building.
“You’re right.” I take a deep breath and try to calm my nerves. It’s all going to be okay, and I’m probably freaking out over nothing. Lexi’s phone starts to go off as we head back toward campus, and she pulls it out.
“Shit, I forgot I have a study group. You want to come to the library and hang?” she offers, not wanting me to go back to our dorm room and stew over this by myself. It doesn’t matter if I’m in the library or our room. I'm still going to worry even if I tell myself I’m not.
“Nah, I want to finish a paper and then read.” Reading will help me pass the time until tomorrow. There’s nothing better than falling into a story to forget the mess of your own life for a few hours.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m fine. The package has my name on it.” I repeat what she told me, hoping that if I say it enough, it will become the truth.
“You’re so full of shit.” She bumps her shoulder with mine. “I shouldn’t be too long. I hate group projects.”
“I’ll be fine,” I tell her. “See you back in the room.” We hug before we part ways when we reach the campus.
Digging in my bag for my key, my phone starts to go off. My stomach drops when I see it’s my father because he doesn’t call me often.
“Hey,” I say, answering the call.
“Getting excited for tomorrow?” I let out my breath at his question. So he’s not calling because he found a dildo at the office. How is this my life right now?
“Super.” I realize when I say it that I have more sarcasm in my tone than I’d intended to.
“Parker, this is a big opportunity for you,” he scolds me, making me feel like a brat. He’s right, but it’s not one I want. I hate how much my life is out of my control right now.
“Sorry.”
“Remember you’re a representation of me.” I close my eyes. My father might disown me over this dildo, and it’s almost laughable.
“I know.”
“Good, now how are things going with the sorority?” He changes the subject, but it’s not one I’d like to discuss either.
“They’re going.” I try to keep my tone chipper.
“It might be too much for you to take on. I’m not sure this sorority is a good thing right now.”
“So you’ll talk to Mom about it?” Finally someone is agreeing with me.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he says after a long pause, and I’m not holding out hope. What Mom wants, Mom normally gets.
“Thanks.” I scan my keycard to get into my building. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart,” he says before ending the call.
My father is a tough nut to crack. Both my parents are really. I know they love me, but it’s not a word that’s often said. Everything is always so structured and laid out. There’s no room for me to relax or be myself with them. It sucks.
I tuck my phone back into my purse and take the stairs up to my floor.
I freeze when I enter the hallway to see four girls standing in front of my door, but what catches my eye is the handsome man in a suit that they’re all surrounding.
He towers over all of them, but they’re circling him like he’s the last cupcake in the common room.
As if he’s possibly sensing my stare, he turns his head my way for a brief second, and our eyes connect.
There’s just that quick moment before he starts to turn away again, but then he suddenly jerks his eyes back to mine, doing a double-take.
I stand there with my feet planted to the ground as I stare at the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen in my life.
I’m unable to move, and my heart gives a flutter as everything else fades away. Who the heck is this man?
“Parks.” Someone calls my name, snagging my attention away from the suit. I’m almost thankful because I was bordering on creepy with my staring.
One of the girls circling him does the same when she lays a hand on his chest, and his attention is pulled from me. I turn away, not wanting to watch. More than that, I want to shake these overwhelming feelings that have come out of nowhere and are now bubbling up inside of me.
When I turn around, I’m face to face with the last person I want to see right now.
“Liam.” I force a smile. He’s popping up everywhere, and I’m not sure if I should be worried, or maybe it’s only coincidence. “What are you doing here?”
“Had to drop something off to someone that lives in your dorm.” Right. This building is all females, and from his unruly hair and wrinkled shirt, I think I know what he was dropping off. “You want to grab some dinner or something?” Oh no. Where is Lexi when I need her?
“I…ah…” I stutter.
“I’m not taking no for an answer.” He gives me a playful smile. He did not just say that.
“Parker.” A deep voice rumbles my name before a heavy arm is draped over my shoulder. A masculine scent surrounds me, and I glance up into those same green eyes that held me captive moments ago. Did he say my name? “I’ve been waiting for you, babe.”
“Babe?” Liam says. I open my mouth and then close it again, wondering if I’m in the twilight zone or something.
“Yeah, babe.” He gives me a charming smile that goes all the way to his eyes before he turns a glare on to Liam. “Who are you?” he asks Liam.
“A friend.” Liam folds his arms over his chest. I think he’s trying to make himself appear bigger, but the suit has him beat in size. Something I don’t think Liam is used to. “Liam Stafford.”
I think Liam is expecting him to know who he is, but the man seems unfazed by Liam’s name. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Everyone knows who Liam is, even if you’re not into football. He’s royalty around here.
“I’m Sam, and if anyone is taking Parker to dinner, it will be me. Right, babe?” he asks, and I just nod my head.
“Whatever. See you later, Parks,” Liam mutters before he turns to leave.
“You all right?” Sam asks. “You didn’t look like you wanted that guy giving you attention.”
“I didn’t, thanks. That was sweet of you.” Sam keeps his arm draped over my shoulder.
“What about you and the herd of girls?” I ask, unable to help myself. I see the girls still lingering, but they’ve moved over to the common area. They all keep sneaking peeks over this way and they’re not exactly good at hiding it.
“I might have told them I’m your boyfriend.”
“They won’t believe that,” I laugh.
“Why?” His brows pull tight like he doesn't understand, and I reach up and push my glasses up my nose. I’m not sure how to respond to his question. “It sure as hell didn’t deter them. College girls are aggressive these days.” He tucks me closer into him like a shield, and my body melts into his.
“How did you know my name?” I ask.
“I came to see you.”
“Me?” I ask, confused.
“Can we talk in private?” He nods toward my door.
“Sure.” His arm never moves from my shoulder as I make my way over to my door.
It’s probably crazy to let a stranger into my room, but for some reason I’m not scared of him.
Even if he’s twice my size. Plus, I’m in a dorm, and I could easily scream.
I scan my key, unlocking the door, and I’m already apologizing as I open the door. “Don’t mind my roommate’s mess, Sam.”
“Call me Samuel,” he responds as he finally steps away from me when we enter my room. Something tugs at the back of my mind at his name.
“Samuel,” I repeat, dropping my bag onto my bed then turning to face him. It’s then I finally notice the box in his hand.
“Samuel Mathews.” He holds it up, and my mouth falls open. “I think I’ve got something that belongs to you.”
How does this keep getting worse by the second?