“My Dad went to Harvard. I mean, I don’t know for
“Your dad’s a doctor?”
Parker confirmed with a good-natured smile. “Orthopedic surgeon.”
“Impressive.”
“How about you?” he asked.
“Undecided.”
“Typical freshman answer.”
I sighed in dramatic fashion. “I guess I just blew my chances at being exceptional.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I noticed you the first day of class. What are you doing in Calculus Three as a freshman?”
I smiled and twisted my hair around my finger. “Math is sort of easy for me. I packed on the classes in high school, and took two summer courses at Wichita State.”
“Now
We stood on the balcony for over an hour, talking about everything from local eateries to how I became such good friends with Travis.
“I wouldn’t mention it, but the two of you seem to be the topic of conversation.”
“Great,” I murmured.
“It’s just unusual for Travis. He doesn’t befriend women. He tends to make enemies of them more often than not.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve seen more than a few that either have short term memory loss or are all too forgiving when it comes to him.”
Parker laughed. His white teeth gleamed against his golden tan. “People just don’t understand your relationship. You have to admit it’s a bit ambiguous.”
“Are you asking if I’m sleeping with him?”
He smiled. “You wouldn’t be here with him if you were. I’ve known him since I was fourteen, and I’m well aware of how he operates. I’m curious about your friendship, though.”
“It is what it is,” I shrugged. “We hang out, eat, watch T.V., study and argue. That’s about it.”
Parker laughed out loud, shaking his head at my honesty. “I’ve heard you’re the only person who’s allowed to put Travis in his place. That’s an honorable title.”
“Whatever that means. He’s not as bad as everyone makes him out to be.”
The sky turned purple and then pink as the sun broke above the horizon. Parker looked at his watch, glancing over the railing to the thinning crowd on the lawn. “Looks like the party’s over.”
“I better track down Shep and Mare.”
“Would you mind if I drove you home?” he asked.
I tried to subdue my excitement. “Not at all. I’ll let America know.” I walked through the door, and then cringed before turning around. “Do you know where Travis lives?”
Parker’s thick, brown eyebrows pulled in. “Yes, why?”
“That’s where I’m staying,” I said, bracing for his reaction.
“You’re
“I sort of lost a bet, so I’m there for a month.”
“A
“It’s a long story,” I shrugged sheepishly.
“But you two are just friends?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take you to Travis’,” he smiled.
I trotted down the stairs to find America, and passed a sullen Travis, who seemed annoyed with the drunken girl speaking to him. He followed me into the hall as I tugged on America’s dress.
“You guys can go ahead. Parker offered me a ride home.”
“What?” America said with excitement in her eyes.
“
“Is there a problem?” America asked him.
He glared at America, and then pulled me around the corner, his jaw flitting under his skin. “You don’t even know the guy.”
I pulled my arm from his grip. “This is none of your business, Travis.”
“The hell if it’s not. I’m not letting you ride home with a complete stranger. What if he tries something on you?”
“
Travis’ expression contorted from surprise to anger, and I braced myself for what he might say next. “
I crossed my arms. “Stop it, Trav. You’re being a jerk.”
He leaned in, seeming flustered. “I’ll kill him if he touches you.”
“I
He seemed stunned at my confession, and then his features turned severe. “Fine. If he ends up holding you down in the backseat of his car, don’t come crying to me.”
My mouth popped open, offended and instantly furious. “Don’t worry, I
Travis grabbed my arm and sighed, peering at me over his shoulder. “I didn’t mean it, Pidge. If he hurts you — if he even makes you feel uncomfortable — you let me know.”
The anger subsided, and my shoulders fell. “I know you didn’t. But you have
Travis laughed once. “I’m not playing the big brother, Pigeon. Not even close.”
Parker rounded the corner and pushed his hands inside his pockets, offering his elbow to me. “All set?”
Travis clenched his jaw, and I stepped to the other side of Parker to distract him from Travis’ expression. “Yeah, let’s go.” I took Parker’s arm and walked with him a few steps before turning to say goodbye to Travis, but he was glowering at the back of Parker’s head. His eyes darted to me and then his features smoothed.
“
“I’m the silver one.” The headlights of his car blinked twice when he hit the keyless entry.
He opened the passenger side door, and I laughed. “You drive a Porsche?”
“She’s not just a Porsche. She’s a Porsche nine-one-one GT-three. There’s a difference.”
“Let me guess, it’s the love of your life?” I said, quoting Travis’ statement about his motorcycle.
“No, it’s a car. The love of my life will be a woman with my last name.”
I allowed a small smile, trying not to be overly affected by his sentiment. He held my hand to help me into the car, and when he slid behind the wheel, he leaned his head against his seat and smiled at me.
“What are you doing tonight?”
“Tonight?” I asked.
“It’s morning. I want to ask you to dinner before someone else beats me to it.”
A grin extended across my face. “I don’t have any plans.”
“I’ll pick you up at six?”
“Okay,” I said, watching him slink his fingers between mine.
Parker took me straight to Travis’, keeping to the speed limit and my hand in his. He pulled behind the Harley, and like before, opened my door. Once we reached the landing, he leaned down to kiss my cheek.
“Get some rest. I’ll see you tonight,” he whispered in my ear.
“Bye,” I smiled, turning the knob. When I pushed, the door gave way and I surged forward.
Travis grabbed my arm before I fell. “Easy there, Grace.”
I turned to see Parker staring at us with an uncomfortable expression. He leaned over to peer into the
