Chapter 23
Lily
It’s been a few days since the night Parker and I “snuck out” of my house. A few days since we kissed.
And I’ve avoided him like the plague since.
I almost jumped on that man, but I knew if I did it could be setting myself up to be hurt by him. I just can’t do that again. I may not be sad about my breakup with Aaron, but I probably should be…right?
I learned it was harder to sneak back into my house when Jerry Lee is living with us. I didn’t want to crawl through my window again when Parker dropped me off. Of course, walking through the front door had Jerry Lee announcing my arrival.
“Hi bitch! Jizz!”
“Shut up,” I whisper yell.
“Lily?” Ethan’s groggy voice calls from down the hall.
“Go back to bed, it’s just me,” I tell him softly.
He rubs his eyes and then looks at me questioningly. “Did you go somewhere?”
“Maybe, don’t worry about it, go back to bed.”
“I heard Parker’s truck.”
Damn him and his old truck that I love so much.
“Huh? Who’s that?” Nice, Lily.
“Hunky Parker!”
“Jerry Lee, seriously, you’re the worst thing to happen to me.”
“I like Parker way more than Aaron,” Ethan adds unhelpfully.
“I know you do. He’s your friend.”
“He used to be your friend too.”
“He did.”
“What happened?”
“Uh, go back to bed. You’re dreaming, goodnight.”
He huffs, turning to go back to his room, and I scurry to mine. As soon as I’m inside, shutting the door I lean back against it, and remember exactly what happened and why I can’t let Parker in again.
I thought I’d enjoy being away from Amity.
That coming to college in a big city would turn me into some main character in a sitcom or something.
But it’s only been a month, and I feel like I’m drowning in homework, I’ve almost been hit by at least three cars, and I have no friends.
I mean, my roommate and I are cool, but I wouldn’t consider us friends.
I miss home.
I miss Parker.
I thought the distance would be good for us; we still text, but it feels different.
We agreed that we aren’t technically together, but it didn’t feel like a real breakup.
I know he’s not happy I left, he understands and would never try to hold me back, but he had a different vision for his future. Our future.
Maybe I was wrong, and I should’ve stayed.
It’s fall break, and I wasn’t originally planning to come home until Thanksgiving, but I can’t wait anymore. I choose not to tell anyone, and surprise both my family and Parker with my arrival.
One long ass drive later, I’m back in Amity. The familiar sights bring me so much comfort I don’t even know if I’ll go back to school. This is my home; this is who I am.
My family is so happy to see me when I get home, we have dinner, and then I’m going to sneak over to Parker’s house to surprise him. I can’t wait to be back in his arms, to feel the familiar comfort of being in his strong embrace. To fall into bed with him and not sleep.
In fact, maybe we’ll never sleep again. Just stay lost in each other forever.
Yeah, that sounds like exactly what I want.
I park a couple houses down the street, and walk up to Parker’s bedroom window, knocking softly. It’s dark inside, which is a little odd for him because it’s not late, but maybe he worked and was tired.
The front door opens, and I duck down into the bushes with a squeal.
“Lily? Is that you?” Parker’s mom, Jackie, calls.
I stand up slowly, wincing at the pain of getting scratched by a particularly sharp branch.
“Surprise.” I shrug. “Is Parker home?”
Her face falls slightly. “No, honey, he’s out right now.”
“Oh, is he working?”
She shakes her head, “No, he went out with some friends. You can probably find him at Dusty Boots.”
“Oh, okay, sure. I’ll try there.” I detangle myself from the bush without causing too much damage to my clothes and skin.
“Hey Lily?” she calls after me when I’m free and about to beeline it to my car.
“Yeah?” I turn to look at her even though my face is flaming with embarrassment that she caught me like this.
“He’s really missed you. I think he took you leaving a lot harder than he expected to.”
“I missed him too,” I tell her honestly. “That’s why I’m back early.”
She smiles. “Good luck.”
I laugh. “It’s Parker, I don’t need luck.”
Pulling up to the restaurant, I feel both eager and anxious about seeing him again. I don’t know what I’m about to say, but I don’t think it matters. I miss him like crazy; I probably won’t be able to say anything, I’ll just jump into his arms and attack his face.
I’m smiling already as I get out of the car and walk to the door. Stepping inside, I immediately search for the familiar face and bright blue eyes. When I find it, but my heart instantly drops.
He’s not alone, someone is sitting next to him, his arm around her shoulders.
I can’t see her face but they’re talking with their faces so close together and I freeze.
She laughs and I recognize her from school.
Her name is Bree and she always wanted him.
Of course she took the first chance she could.
I can’t believe he did too.
I shake my head, trying to make the visual in front of me change, but it remains the same. They get so close their foreheads are touching, and I can’t stay here to see what happens next. I feel like I’m going to be sick or scream and I need to leave.
I was wrong to come back here. Clearly, I was wrong about a lot of things. The worst part is I was wrong about Parker. My best friend, my first love. The man I thought would always be mine and would go to the ends of the world for me was quick to replace me.
I guess now it’s my turn to move on.
Of course, I still couldn’t move on for a couple years. While he whored around town, I couldn’t bring myself to even date another man. Not until Aaron and look how well that turned out for me.
Now, I’m back to where I was, letting Parker back in so easily and I hate how natural it feels for us. But I’m going to keep my distance because I have to. Especially if he’s still sleeping his way through Amity for fun.
I see the way all the nurses fawn over him when he comes to the hospital. They do the same to Jameson too, but they all know he only has eyes for Sutton and would never try anything. Parker, on the other hand, is fair game and they know it.
After another two nights of work, I’m off for the next three. The sun is setting when I wake up because Tulips is whining next to me. I grumble, opening my eyes to see her fuzzy face staring at me.
“Is there any chance you could wait a little longer to go to the bathroom?”
She lets out a bark that has her moving her whole body to protest.
“I guess not.” I swing my legs over the side of my bed and stretch my arms out before standing and walking with Tulips upstairs to let her out.
I debate on making myself a cup of coffee, but I should try to get some sleep tonight and not become completely nocturnal.
We come back inside and as I get back in my room I see my phone light up. When I check it I fear my time avoiding Parker is about to come to an end.
Parker: If I told you I had a cat emergency and wanted you to come over to help, would you believe me?
Lily: No, probably not.
Parker: Well, you should.
Lily: I remember you being a lot smoother when we were younger.
Parker: That’s because I was trying to impress you.
Lily: And you’re not now?
Parker: Nope. Just a man that needs help from an animal expert.
Lily: I’m a lot of things, but not sure an animal expert is one.
Parker: What if I say please?
Lily: Try and see what happens.
Parker: Will you please come help me with my evil cat?
Lily: Almost…
Parker: What am I missing?
Lily: I’d take a “Queen Lily.” Or a “Your majesty.” Something of that variety to consider.
Parker: I’ll call you whatever you want if you come over.
Well, that shouldn’t make me feel some type of way, but it does. I can just imagine the way his deep voice sounds saying that to me. And then I think of what else he could call me. The way he says my name when we’re together. Or “Lil.”
Lily: Fine, but if I need a rabies shot that’s on you.
Parker: She doesn’t have rabies.
Lily: I meant from you.
Parker: I’ve missed you.
I’ve missed him too.