Chapter 1 #3
“Lara, you look gorgeous.” Mila hurried into the room and gave me a big hug, her long blond hair cascading down her shoulders, her cheeks bright and her eyes cheery.
“So do you.” I gave her a huge hug and stared at her. “Being in love agrees with you.”
“Haha, thanks.” She grinned and looked back at Ryker for a few seconds.
I watched them exchanging a loving look and I turned away slightly, feeling envious.
How horrible was it that I was jealous of my best friend?
I was happy that she’d found love, but I was sad for myself.
Would I ever find that? Would Parker ever look at me the way Ryker looked at Mila?
“So what have you guys been up to?” Mila asked as she looked around the room. “Sorry we’re late. Bad traffic.”
“No worries.” I shook my head. “We were just sitting on the couch talking.”
“Oh?” Her eyes brightened, and I shook my head slightly to indicate to her that it wasn’t anything good or exciting.
“Just about random stuff.” I gave her a quick smile and then leaned in to whisper in her ear, “I think I just need to forget Parker. I don’t think it’s ever going to happen.”
“Oh, Lara.” She chewed on her lower lip. “You don’t know that.”
“Let’s be realistic. We’re not you and Ryker.”
“You guys could be even better.”
“Really, Mila?” I laughed. “Is there anything better than you and Ryker?”
“Haha, I don’t know.” She laughed back at me and her eyes were glowing. “I think that would be pretty hard. I mean, we’re pretty awesome.”
“Yeah, exactly. So if you think you guys are the top, where do me and Parker fit in? We are nowhere on the scale of good. We aren’t even on the scale of bad. We aren’t even on any scale, that’s how pathetic it is.”
“Oh, Lara.” Mila laughed. “Don’t say that. That’s horrible.”
“It’s horrible, but true.” I started laughing. “It’s pathetic. This whole situation is pathetic. I don’t even know why I bother.”
“What are you two laughing about?” Parker looked over at me and gave me a curious look.
“Nothing much. Mila was just telling a joke,” I said with a smile.
“About me?” Ryker raised his eyebrows at me.
“Could it be about anyone or anything else? She’s positively obsessed with you.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” He grinned and walked over to us, leaned down and gave Mila a kiss on the cheek. “All you should be talking about and thinking about is me.”
“Oh, stop with the sap, you two.” Parker shook his head as he walked over and joined us. “I hope tonight’s not going to be some PDA date night with your two best friends standing awkwardly at the side.”
“Would we do that?” Mila asked him with a small smile.
“Yes.” He rolled his eyes. “If I’d known it was going to be some sort of date night, I would have brought a date with me tonight,” he said, and my heart sank.
I could see Mila’s eyes on me and I knew that she knew just how devastated that comment had made me, but I attempted to keep a small smile on my face.
“Yeah, me too. I would have brought one of my guys if I’d known,” I lied.
“Oh? What guys?” Parker looked at me. “Anyone I know?”
“No.” I shook my head, but inside I was thinking, How would you know some random guy I was dating?
“Anyone you’re thinking of getting serious with?” he asked again, and I looked at him curiously. Hadn’t I just told him ten minutes ago that I wasn’t seriously dating anyone? Had he not been paying attention?
“Not really.” I shook my head.
“Hey, Parker, Mila and I want to change. Is it okay if we go in your room?” Ryker asked as we just stood there.
“Sure.” He nodded. “No hanky-panky, though.”
“Parker.” Mila hit him in the shoulder. “You’re so disgusting.”
“Hey, I know Ryker. I wouldn’t put anything past him.”
“I’m not you.” Ryker slapped his friend in the arm. “You’re the dirty dog in this friendship.”
“Haha, you might be right.” Parker laughed. “Dude, remember that time in Cancún with those two chicks from Georgia?”
“How can I forget?”
“Should I be hearing about this?” Mila spoke up, looking slightly annoyed.
“Hey, it wasn’t me,” Ryker said innocently. “It was all Parker.”
“That it was.” Parker grinned. “That was a fun night.” He looked at me. “I won’t bore you with the details.”
“Thanks,” I said, my stomach sinking again. Ugh, I hated hearing stories about Parker with other women. It made me feel so insecure. Knots twisted in my stomach that made me want to throw up.
“Anyway, let’s go and change, Ryker. We’ll be right back, guys.” Mila gave me a sympathetic look and they walked out of the room. “We’re going to have a great time tonight racing those fast cars around the track.”
“Yeah, it’ll be fun.” I nodded and then I looked at Parker and grinned. “You’re going to let me drive first, right?”
“Hmm, not sure.” He laughed. “Are you a good driver?”
“I’m an awesome driver.” I gave him a look.
“I don’t want it to be a bumpy ride.” He tilted his head.
“It will be a smooth ride.” I rolled my eyes at him and laughed. “I’m a good driver . . .” I paused as his expression changed. “What?” I looked at him curiously. “What is it you want to say?” I asked again as his eyes grew brighter and he grinned at me.