Chapter 20
Parker
I know this is risky. I’m more than likely going to get turned away, but I’d be mad at myself for not trying.
I know it hasn’t been long since Aaron left, but I don’t care.
I’m not going to chance someone else swooping in again.
I fucked up once, but I won’t again. It started with the flowers, I saw that it got to her, but I need to do more.
That’s how I’ve found myself crouched down outside Lily’s window. Her having a bedroom in the basement was convenient for nights like this growing up. I’d much rather do this than have to scale the wall up to a second floor.
It’s not too late, but her parents and Ethan should be in bed. I’m sure since she’s working night shift her sleep is all screwed up, but she’s never been someone to go to bed early anyway.
I take a deep breath, then move without giving myself much time to think about it.
I push on her window, fully expecting it to be locked, but it opens.
Just like it did when we were younger. She would always leave it open for me, but I figured that wouldn’t be the case now.
This little act has me feeling more hopeful than I was when I came here.
I lean forward to peek in and see Lily laying on her side facing away from me.
Her long blonde hair is spread on the pillow behind her.
Her scent overwhelms me, taking me back to when it constantly surrounded me.
I worry for a second she’s already asleep, but then I notice the glow from her phone in her hand.
“Lil?” I ask, not too loud, even though I doubt anyone could hear me.
Apparently neither can she because she doesn’t move.
“Lil?” I call again, a little louder this time.
Again, she doesn’t stir.
I resort to my next tactic. I look around for something to toss at her because I’m sure if I jumped into her room, I may end up with her foot or knee meeting my balls.
I end up plucking a flower off the bush next to me and throwing it at her.
As soon as the petals hit her head she shoots up, looking around.
Her eyes meet mine, and narrow as she rips out the headphones in her ears. The little ball of fluff that was curled up next to her is up and looking at me too.
“What’re you doing?” she snaps.
“How’s your puppy doing?” I ask instead of answering her.
“Doesn’t matter. What are you doing?” she repeats.
“He or she isn’t a very good guard dog,” I comment.
“No, she’s really not.” She glares at the puppy who’s already settling back on the bed to go to sleep.
“What’s her name?”
“Also doesn’t matter. Go away.”
“You left your window unlocked.”
“I forgot to lock it,” she lies.
“You did it for me.”
“You wish,” she scoffs.
“Come out with me.”
“Are you insane?
I shrug. “Probably a little bit. Sneak out with me.”
“We’re adults, Parker. I’m not sneaking out with you. Go home and I’ll make sure to lock my window.”
“Come on, Lil, be a teenager with me again. Just for tonight.”
She shakes her head. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Tulips needs me, clearly I can’t leave her.”
“Tulips?” I sputter.
“Dammit…” she mumbles. “Anyway, I can’t leave her. Goodbye, don’t let the window hit you on the way out.”
I want to ask more about the dog’s name later and make a mental note of that.
“Come on, Lil. Take a trip to the past with me. As friends.”
“Are we friends?” She raises a skeptical eyebrow.
“Of course we are. Just like before.”
She twists her mouth. “We kinda ruined that friendship before.”
“Then let’s get it back.”
She sighs, looking at the puppy, Tulips, and I can tell she’s considering it, but I’m holding my breath until I hear her say it.
“Fine.” She looks up at me, blue eyes wide and dead set on mine. “Don’t make me regret it.”
I sit on the ground, resting my back against the brick wall of her house as she gets dressed. She could easily slam the window shut and lock it on me, but I know she’s not going to. As much as she wants me to believe she doesn’t want to do this, I know she does.
She’s probably fighting with herself in there because it takes her awhile to come out, but I’ll let her do what she needs to do. Anything she needs.
Her head pops out of the window. “I’m coming out the front door.”
“No, sneaking is part of the fun.”
“And I said before we are adults. I’m not climbing through my window.”
“And I said before, we are being teenagers for the night.” I mock her tone and she rolls her eyes.
“If I break something, that’s on you.”
“Good thing I’m an EMT then.”
She mumbles something about that not being helpful as she climbs out onto the lawn to join me. Rolling onto her back, she huffs out a breath once she’s completely out. “Don’t make me regret this.”
I stand up and stretch my hand out toward her. She hesitates to take it, but once she does, I pull her up, and don’t let go right away. “I promise, you won’t.”
I’m pulling her toward my truck, ready to start the night. We have a lot to make up for, and I’m not wasting anymore time.
Opening the door for her, she seems to examine my truck. “I can’t believe you still have this. And that it still runs.”
“You know I take care of the things I love.”
Her mouth twists, and I can feel her snarky retort coming, but I speak before she does.
“And ol’ Bessy here is my number one girl, she’ll run forever.”
Lily tries to hide her grin by ducking into the truck, and I smile. This is going to be the perfect night. I can feel it.