Chapter 22 Parker
“I can’t believe you actually got your eyes checked.” Melody squints through her phone, frowning when I fiddle with the new pair of glasses sitting on my nose. “You look like a miscreant masquerading as a professor.”
“Excuse you. I am an upstanding citizen of this town.” I eye myself in the rearview mirror of my Jeep, ruffling the hair on my forehead.
Trying to convince myself that I chose a good pair.
A pair Summer will like. “The appointment was overdue, really. And Summer’s first event is tomorrow at Rocky Ridge.
We’re going up there now, staying overnight because of the early start time. ”
I peer through the window at Summer’s building across the street.
She texted that she’d meet me at my car once she finished packing.
I’ve already got a couple of her surfboards loaded in the back, and a sleeve of donuts ready for the two-hour drive.
I sit back in the driver’s seat, nudging up the frames.
They’re gonna take some getting used to.
“Not sure what that has to do with you finally getting your eyes checked, but it’s nice of you to accompany her.” The amusement in my sister’s voice pulls back my attention in time to catch her exchanging a look with Zac, who’s sitting next to her. “What’s inspired the act of chivalry?”
I narrow my eyes at the screen. “What’s inspired that look you’re giving each other?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you’re in lo—”
“Don’t say it.” As if I need the reminder of how far off my feelings are from Summer’s.
Melody smirks. “Do you happen to be sharing a hotel room?”
“We have two rooms. Summer booked them herself.” She proudly announced it earlier in the week.
Trying, I think, to put me on notice that what happened in that biology classroom wasn’t to be repeated.
That almost kiss. The way her hands roamed my body, setting me on fucking fire.
The way she stroked my hair, melting something inside me.
Apparently, it was all a temporary lapse in judgment. At least on her part.
Meanwhile, my lips touched hers, just barely, and it’s all I’ve been able to think about since.
It defied all logic, but she seemed interested enough sitting on that desk.
I woke up the following morning more than ready to talk about it, only to be met with news of our sleeping arrangement at Rocky Ridge.
And then the respectable few feet she kept between us while we paddled in the ocean.
And again, when we trained in Brooks’s gym.
Swam more laps during Herb’s night shift. Rinse and repeat, all week long.
So, I’ve taken the hint and backed off.
“You sound thrilled about those two rooms,” Zac says with a laugh.
“I am. I’m fine. It’s fine. Me and Summer, we’re…” Almost kissing and then pretending it never happened.
“Fine?” Mel supplies.
I go to rub my face but end up knocking the glasses askew. “This is your fault. Everything was great before you went and got involved.”
“Parker, you were living in denial about being in love with Summer. How was that great?” I flinch at Melody’s use of the love word, embarrassed all over again. “So, how come you’re going to this event, anyway? Isn’t it just her volunteer gig?”
I peer at my sister. “What? It’s not a volunteer—”
I damn near jump out of my seat at the sound of a knock at my window. Lisa stares at me from the sidewalk. Beyond her, her husband, Jim, hauls a stack of cardboard boxes into Oakley’s, the inside of which looks quiet between lunch and dinner hours.
I lower my window. “Hey, Lisa. I should be pulling out in a few minutes if Jim needs this spot.”
For some reason, she grins at me with a wide, knowing smile. “Nice glasses. You look like a naughty professor.” Zac’s and Melody’s laughter fills the car, growing louder when I shoot them a searing look. “We haven’t seen you at the bar lately, other than to pick up your take-out orders.”
There’s a very simple reason why Lisa hasn’t seen me in our usual booth at Oakley’s, but I promised Summer I’d stay out of the way the members of this town have so carelessly discarded her.
“Been busy,” I say politely.
“Seems so.” Lisa’s eyes twinkle, for some reason. Her graying hair slips over her shoulder as she leans in, dropping her voice. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. Going on an overnight trip with Summer, are we now? I just knew there was something going on there.”
Damn this town. Can’t anyone mind their own business?
Zac and Melody go quiet, watching this unfold like it’s a high-speed car chase on the news.
“We’ve got separate rooms at the Rockford Inn. And there isn’t something going on.”
“That’s not what Herbert Ambrose said at the bar the other day.”
I force my face to stay perfectly smooth. Pointless, considering the way my hands wring the steering wheel. “I’m not sure what you mean. What would Herb Ambrose know about it?”
If Herb’s been running his mouth about our midnight swims, it’s only a matter of time before I’m paid a visit by the county sheriff.
It’d taken some real finessing to dodge a criminal record the last time he caught me breaking into that school.
Not sure he’d take as much pity on my twenty-nine-year-old ass.
My only consolation is that I’ll surely avoid jail time. Summer will murder me before I even get booked.
“He says he’s recently spotted you two getting… familiar.”
Two gasps fill my car from the phone on the dash, loud enough to have Jim looking around at us, box in hand. I end the call before those vultures can get started on me. “Herb is mistaken. Don’t believe everything you hear on these streets, Lisa.”
Lisa doesn’t appear convinced. But Jim calls her over to help with the last of the boxes, leaving me free to roll up my window and groan in the nonexistent privacy of my own car.
Just what I need. The entire town reminding me of my misguided feelings for my best friend.