27. Audrey
CHAPTER 27
Audrey
O h god,” I gasped. “Do you think he’s okay?”
Parker had taken a hard hit from one of the other players. I was sure it wasn’t easy to face your old team. That they were still in the same conference was crazy enough. Let alone everything that had happened with his ex-girlfriend and old teammates.
“That looked like it was on purpose,” Ella observed. My twin sister was with me in the stands, a fact that made me happier than I could express. She was wearing a pale blue Castleton Chipmunks t-shirt and jeans, while I was wearing Parker’s jersey and my favorite white swishy skirt. It was a beautiful day—the sun was high in the sky, and everything felt right .
Rehearsals this week had been amazing. Especially when we’d hidden away and kissed behind the curtains, and I felt like a giggling high schooler sneaking around with her first boyfriend. I hadn’t even been this smitten with the actual first guy I’d dated, which is how I knew everything with Parker was different.
And I was happy. So happy.
But also, a little worried about my man.
The player who hit him was sent to the penalty box, and I bit my lip, watching Parker head back to the bench. Normally, he played a longer shift before heading back, but I was sure they were just making sure he was okay.
“It gets a little rough sometimes,” I admitted to my sister. “Sticks and all of that. But that’s why they have helmets and all that padding.” Still, at least the helmet protected his face. I would hate for anything to happen to his smile. God knows the hockey players lost enough teeth for the rest of the student athletes.
Ella nudged me. “So, how’s everything been going between you two? You know we haven’t really talked about it.”
“Like you and Cam, huh?” The semester had been so busy, it felt like we had barely seen each other lately. Still, she was my twin sister, and we’d always been so close.
She blushed. “He told me he loved me.”
“And?” I bumped my shoulder into hers in return.
“And I said I loved him too.” Her blue eyes were bright, Ella’s face glowing with happiness.
“When did this happen?”
My twin looked at the ground, ignoring my eyes. “Before formal. When his dad was in town.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me sooner!”
She rested her hand over her heart. “I still can’t believe it’s real, honestly. But everything’s been amazing. And we’re looking at places to move into next semester.”
“Wow.” My eyes widened. “That’s big.”
She nodded. “Yeah, but I’m ready for it. It’s been a busy year, being the president, and I think it’ll be nice to spend our senior year living in one place. Plus, then I don’t have to keep sneaking in and out of the fraternity house to spend the night with Cam.” Her cheeks were even redder this time. “What about you?”
“Well, it’s…” I worried my lower lip into my mouth. “It’s great. But we haven’t, ah…” I blushed.
“What?” She frowned.
“We haven’t had sex yet,” I whispered.
“Why not?”
“I don’t know… I want it to be special for us.” For him, since it was his first time. I didn’t want it to be some rushed or hurried encounter because my first time definitely hadn’t been sunshine and roses.
Ella nodded. “It will be, though. I mean, just look at him. Plus, the way he looks at you? Wow.”
God, he was glorious. He’d taken his helmet off, running his fingers through the light brown strands, squirting water from his water bottle on his face.
I fanned myself. “Yeah. He’s…” I practically moaned, just thinking about how good it felt when he went down on me. It felt like we hadn’t had a spare moment together lately—not since the formal—but god, I was wet just thinking about it. “I never could have expected him.”
“That’s how I feel about Cam. That’s how I know you two are going to make it.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I’m really glad you’ve found your person, Audrey.”
I had, hadn’t I? He was everything to me. My best friend, my boyfriend. And it felt fast, but I knew that what I felt for him was different than it had ever been before. Because I’d never felt this overwhelming affection and warmth in my chest just from looking at someone before.
Maybe she was right.
I smiled. “Thanks, Ells. I think I needed to hear that.”
“Anytime, Ro.”
Her childhood nickname for me made the warmth in my chest expand even more, and we settled back in, watching the game and cheering when our team blocked a shot on goal by the opposing team.
Finally, the third period came to an end—luckily, we were still up by two, since neither team had gotten another goal in the last few minutes as we’d been talking.
Unfortunately, there was only a two-minute break before the next period started, so I couldn’t head down to check on Parker.
They won, luckily without too much incident. There was a point that I thought Parker and the same guy who had gotten the penalty before were going to get into a fight, but it was clear that he was holding himself back. I didn’t understand why they’d go after him. Parker was the one who got cheated on. He was the one that should be upset.
But maybe they were pissed that he’d left the team?
I picked at my nail beds as I headed down towards the field. Ella had given me a long hug before she left, promising to talk soon, and I’d needed that. Needed this moment with my twin.
It was strange to think that at some point, we’d part ways. We weren’t sharing a room anymore, but we still lived in the same house. Next semester, we wouldn’t even have that. She’d be living with Cam, and I’d… what? Still be living in the sorority house?
We didn’t have to live there, especially as seniors, but we could. Except, I liked the idea of having my own space. Liked the idea of Parker and I being able to spend time with each other alone, without worrying about anyone hearing us. Without having to leave the door open or stay in common areas.
I hadn’t even thought about where I’d live next semester until Ella had brought it up, but suddenly, I was eager to make plans. Parker and I, though… it was too soon, wasn’t it? We hadn’t even talked about what we were. What this was.
Even if it wasn’t fake anymore.
I stood on the edge of the field, smiling as Parker ran over to me like always, dropping his helmet on the ground before picking me up in his arms and spinning me around. It was practically our tradition now, and I giggled, a giant smile filling my face.
“That’s my Rosie Girl,” he said, his gaze holding mine. “Thanks for coming.”
“Of course. You couldn’t drag me away. Especially since you taught me about the crease, and I understand what’s going on now.” I cupped his cheeks, looking at him in concern as I scanned him for injuries. “Are you okay? You got hit pretty hard.”
“I’ll be fine, sunshine,” Parker reassured me, setting me back on the ground but keeping his arms wrapped around me. “Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.”
Still, watching him get hurt wasn’t fun. Standing on tiptoes, I leaned in close to his ear. “I’ll make it all better later,” I murmured, pressing my lips against his neck.
He dropped another kiss to my lips. “Looking forward to it.”
Someone cleared their throat, and we pulled apart a few inches to see who it was.
A girl approached us, but it wasn’t anyone I recognized. She must have come from the other team because she was wearing their school’s colors. “Hey, Parker.”
From the way he stiffened, I had a pretty good idea of who he was. Parker’s ex .
“Millie.” He just dipped his head.
She was absolutely gorgeous, with dark hair that she had twisted back away from her face, wearing a black and purple jersey that I assumed belonged to her current boyfriend.
“Hi.” I stuck out my hand towards the girl. “I’m Audrey. Parker’s girlfriend .”
“Oh.” She looked between the two of us for a moment. Like my hand on his chest and his wrapped around my waist didn’t spell out enough. “I see. I’d come over to ask if you’d gotten my text, but…”
A text? I looked at Parker, hoping the look of confusion didn’t show on my face.
“I did. But I don’t need to talk, Millie.” He looked at me. “I’ve moved on. I’m happy now.”
She sighed. “Look, you don’t have to forgive me. I know what I did was crappy.”
I scoffed. That was an understatement. “You think?”
Millie glared at me, her eyes screaming, did I ask you? “Still, you left the team. Raf was your best friend.”
“Was he? Because in my world, a best friend wouldn’t fuck your girlfriend.” Parker’s tone was like a sword slicing through thorns. Lethal. With no room for argument.
She blanched and then shrugged. “It’s not like you would, either.”
My jaw dropped. How dare she? I stepped forward, ready to fight her myself, when Parker placed a hand on my back. I looked up at him, and he just nodded. Like he had this.
“I told you I wanted to take things slow. You were the one who asked me out. I’m sorry that I couldn’t give you what you wanted, but that was your choice.”
“Because I liked you!” His ex shouted. “God, is it so bad to want your boyfriend to pay attention to you? Raf does. He spoils me with presents and dotes on me. That was all I wanted. Someone to care about me. But you never did.”
“I’m sorry,” Parker said, shaking his head. “It was never you, Millie. It was always me.”
I couldn’t imagine Parker not doing those things because he’d always done them for me. But maybe there was a deeper reason. Something I hadn’t even let myself consider yet.
Millie turned her attention to me. “It’s because of you ,” she said in a whisper. “I recognize you. From the photo.”
“Mills—” Parker cut her off, a slight shake of his head.
My eyes widened. “Photo?”
The guy who’d hit Parker during the game came around, slinging a shoulder around Millie and interrupting us. “Everything good here, babe?” He kissed her cheek.
“McKennon,” Parker said, his voice like ice. “What’s your fucking problem?” He tightened his grip around me. “Did you seriously think trying to antagonize me was a good idea?”
“Well, it’s not like you would talk to me. Either of us. I know Millie texted you.” He shrugged. “You ran away from the team, from our friendship, without even talking to me. I just wanted…”
“Raf…” Millie said, patting his stomach. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.” There was resignation in her voice, and I wondered how hard that must be. To accept that your boyfriend never really gave you the time of day. She’d fucked him over, but maybe it hadn’t been fair to her either. She wasn’t the villain—it was just a bad situation.
Even if my insides burned with jealousy, thinking about the two of them together. Even if I wanted to gouge her eyes out just for looking at my man.
“We were brothers,” Raf said. “I thought you’d be the one standing next to me at my wedding one day.”
Parker looked across the field, towards his team. Samuel was with his girlfriend, the two of them laughing, and some of the other guys I knew were also crowded around, celebrating. “I’ve learned a lot about friends this year, Rafael. And the thing is, I would never hurt a friend the way you betrayed me. I don’t regret transferring. Above all, because I found Audrey, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her.”
I blushed, feeling the sincerity in his words.
“I’m sorry,” he offered again. “But I don’t think we can be friends.”
Raf nodded, not saying another word.
“Bye, Millie.” Parker nodded at her. “I hope you have a good life.”
“You too, Parker.” She looked at the two of us, still standing so close together. “I hope you got everything you wanted.”
“I did.”
My insides were warm. Gooey. I definitely wanted to show him my appreciation now.
Sliding my left hand into his, I squeezed tightly as they walked away. “Are you okay? After all of… that?” I gestured in front of us.
“God, you’re fucking incredible, do you know that?” he rasped against my ear. “Don’t know what I did to get such an amazing girlfriend.”
I hadn’t even done anything but been there for him, but I suspected that was all he needed. Someone to stand by his side.
Running a hand up his jaw, I pushed my fingers through his hair. “The better question, baby, is what didn’t you do?”
He nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck. “Want to go home?”
I nodded, poking at his chest, still covered in his pads and equipment. “But go change first. You’re all sweaty.”
Sweaty, and yet… delicious. He was so hot like this, and I was practically salivating at even the faintest of touches.
He smirked, nipping at my lips. “Okay, baby. Meet you at the car.” Parker handed me his keys.
I grinned, already looking forward to showing him just how much he meant to me when I got my mouth on him. As much as I was dying to have sex with him, I couldn’t deny that the foreplay had been better than anything I’d ever experienced before, and I was content with that.
For now.
This was it. Our final full dress rehearsal. The musical was next week.
And Parker was… not here. He was late. I was already dressed in my costume for act one, the brown fabric of my skirt billowing around me as I stood at the door, biting my lip.
I knew he’d been stressed with lacrosse, and his coach wasn’t going easy on him, but we’d made it work. He’d been here all semester. Except for now, with so little time left.
“Where is he?” Professor Woods said with a frown, looking down at her watch.
“He said he had practice but that he’d be here,” I said, shaking my head.
She squeezed my arm. “It’s not the end of the world. We can send in the understudy to run lines with you.”
I nodded. “Yeah. That makes sense.”
The understudies for both our roles would still perform the musical during one of the other shows, but if Parker wasn’t here for any reason, then I’d play opposite him instead. Luckily, it wasn’t Duke.
That was my saving grace. He’d been kicked out of CU for the semester and told not to come within one hundred feet of me or he’d be charged with stalking. Ever since all of that had ended, I’d felt more comfortable around campus.
Still, I didn’t want to perform with anyone else. I had in rehearsals—we both had—but it wasn’t the same chemistry I felt when we performed together.
Parker might have been an athlete, but he was mesmerizing on stage. The grace and poise he brought to the table—plus his singing voice? It was enough to have me dropping my panties and begging him to eat me out.
Something he’d done last Saturday after his lacrosse game, making me come twice before he’d let me touch him. Even if we still hadn’t had sex, or even taken our clothes off, things between us were so hot and heavy that I knew it was only a matter of time before we did.