Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MOLLY
"And good plans for tonight?" Elle asked as we walked across the parking lot to our cars.
I had told her all about last evening over lunch today.
I hadn't thought it was possible for my friend to hit the level of screeching she had.
To say my best friend was excited for me was an understatement.
It was hard not to share in her excitement though.
I wanted the pretty picture she painted for me.
"Nothing concrete. Parker suggested dinner again, but then something came up at work, and I haven't heard from him since."
I tried all afternoon not to let it bother me. It wasn't like I needed him to text me every minute of the day. Hell, my own job kept me busy enough that I rarely had time to check my phone but not seeing a message waiting for me at the end of the day hurt just a little.
"Yeah, Rhett told me they were looking into something from their last assignment. He didn't elaborate, but I read between the lines enough to comfortably assume things didn't end as well as they thought."
Parker's silence made sense, then. He would need to focus on his job rather than stroking my uncertainty.
"Then I guess my plans are going to consist of changing into my pajamas when I get home and eating something unhealthy, and probably microwavable, on my couch."
Elle snickered at the mental image I provided. "Now that sounds heavenly."
"Right, because snuggling with my adorable goddaughter is such a major burden." I rolled my eyes.
"You're right. My plan sounds much better."
I waved her off. "Go on. Give Savannah kisses for me and tell her how much I love her."
"Will do." Elle opened her car door but didn't climb in yet. "I'll see you in the morning."
"See you tomorrow." I gave a little wave before unlocking my car door and sliding into the driver's seat.
Dropping my purse and large teaching bag into the passenger’s seat, followed by my keys and phone into the cup holder, I pressed the button to start my car, but nothing happened.
Absolutely nothing. Not even a sputter. I dropped my head to the steering wheel with a groan and tried again.
Still nothing.
It wasn't like the car was old. I got it brand new two years ago. There was no reason it should be dead on me. I didn't think I left anything on when I went into work that would've killed the battery. Then again, I had been thinking about Parker, so who knew if I was in the right state of mind.
I picked up my phone, prepared to call roadside assistance when my screen flashed with an incoming call.
Parker.
"You have no idea how happy I am that you called," I said as soon as I accepted the call.
"Well, I'm glad I can make you happy, but something tells me it's not just because you missed me. Is everything okay?"
"Not really. I tried starting my car, but it seems to be dead."
"Dead? Don't you have a newer model car?"
I'm glad it wasn't just me who thought this was strange. "I do. I was just going to call roadside assistance when you called instead."
"How about I look at it first? I'm only ten minutes from you anyway."
I scrunched up my face. Clearly confused by his statement. "Isn't both your job and house on the other side of the city?" It was a pointless question since I already knew the answer.
"Yes, but I was on my way to surprise you when you got home. And you happen to live close to where you work."
My heart did that little pitter-patter thing at the thought of him surprising me. "Wait, really? I figured you were too busy with work, and that's why I didn't hear from you this afternoon."
Parker sighed. "I was busy, but that doesn't mean I don't want to spend time with you. I like the thought of seeing you each day."
Oh I was a goner. For someone who didn't do relationships, he sure knew the right things to say.
I was too busy swooning over Parker that I didn't see anyone approaching my vehicle until they tapped on my window. My head whipped to the side as my heart raced a million miles a second. The air in my lungs whooshed out when I saw who was standing on the other side of the glass.
Ben.
The gym teacher and the man Elle was confident had a crush on me.
"I've got to go. One of the teachers is stopping to check on me. I'll see you when you get here."
"Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes."
I hung up the phone and cracked the door open since the car was dead and rolling down the window wasn't an option. "Hey."
Ben opened the door wider and rested his forearm against the roof as he leaned down to talk to me. "Hi. Everything okay? You're usually gone by the time I leave."
I don't know why the way he said that put me on edge. I must've been letting Elle's words about him liking me affect the way I was thinking.
"I think my car's dead."
"Dead? Do you have a tow truck coming for it? I can give you a ride home if you'd like."
There went that uneasy feeling again. Something about his tone didn't sit right with me. Ben sounded almost excited at the thought of me leaving with him.
"No need. My husband's actually on his way to come check it out."
The words slipped so easily from my mouth before I could think better of it.
"Husband?" Ben's back snapped straight and a scowl contorted his face. "I didn't realize you were married." He glanced down to my finger where my wedding band should've been.
Instinct had me curling my hand up into my lap. "It's a recent development." I left it at that. No need for me to tell him I got hitched in Vegas while drunk.
I could practically see the wheels behind his eyes. I was sure he had a million questions, but he didn't get the chance to voice them. "Actually there he is now." I did my best to hide the relieved sigh at seeing Parker's truck pull into the parking lot.
Ben didn't say anything until Parker nosed his truck in front of my car and got out.
"So you must be the husband?" Ben spat the last word as if it tasted poorly on his tongue.
"I am. And who are you?"
Ben did his best to puff out his chest, but it did nothing to make him look nearly as strong as Parker.
Sure, Ben was decent looking in a preppy way.
He was lean compared to Parker's powerful stance.
Where as Parker looked like his muscles came from actual hard work, Ben looked like he spent more time at the gym staring at himself than actually working out.
"Ben. I work with Molly."
"Nice to meet you, Ben. I appreciate you sticking around until I could get here, but I got it from here." Parker's not so subtle way of telling Ben to leave had me snickering behind my hand.
Obviously I had done a poor job of hiding it because Ben looked at me with fire in his eyes. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow at lunch."
I wasn't sure if that was supposed to be a dig at Parker or what because Ben and I never had lunch together. Instead of calling him out on it though, I ended the conversation. "See you tomorrow."
Ben gave me and Parker one last look before he stomped away. Parker continued to watch Ben until he got in his own vehicle and drove off.
"Nice guy, huh. I get the feeling he didn't care much for me."
"I think he was just shocked to find out I was married." I don't know why I was defending Ben. He didn't deserve it after the death stare he just gave me.
"Ah so you are telling people about us." The smallest of dimples popped out on Parker's face.
I glared at him. Did he have to sound so cocky? "He's the first of my co-workers to know besides Elle. It kinda slipped out when he offered to give me a ride home since my car's dead."
Parker's face went from lighthearted to hard in an instant. "He offered to drive you home?"
I swallowed down a lump in my throat even though there was no reason for me to be nervous. "Yes, but it was an innocent gesture. We've worked together for awhile now."
Parker didn't look like my explanation pleased him, but he didn't say anything, so I dropped the subject.
"Pop your hood and let me have a look."
I wasted no time following his demand, and yes, that was exactly what it sounded like. A demand.
I didn't know the first thing about cars, so I kept my ass happily planted in the driver's seat while Parker fiddled around. It was several long minutes later of tapping my fingers against the steering wheel before I heard anything.
"Try it now," Parker hollered.
I pushed my foot on the brake and pressed the start button.
Nothing.
I was starting to get sick of that happening.
Instead of yelling, I got out of the car and walked around to the front. "Still not starting."
Parker turned around and sat his ass down on the open hood. "It makes no sense. The battery is fine, and from what I can tell, nothing came unconnected."
I shrugged. "Well, you're asking the wrong person. My knowledge of cars is limited to getting the fluids changed as needed. Otherwise I'm probably getting ripped off every time I take it to get serviced."
My husband just shook his head. "You won't have that problem from now on because I'll be the one taking it to the garage."
I considered myself an independent woman by nature, but damn, if I didn't like the sound of that.
"I'm going to call for a tow truck, and then I'll take you home."
"Because you planned on surprising me anyway." I gave him a flirty smile.
"Exactly." He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Surprise. I hope you didn't have other plans for the night."
Even if I did I would be canceling them anyway. Spending time with Parker sounded better than anything else I could come up with.