I can easily envision Mom doing just that. When she was still alive, she'd always been the first one to sing at the karaoke during family get-togethers. Like Dad said, she hadn't been gifted with a beautiful voice. But it never mattered. She always ended up in the center of attention, holding everyone's eyes captive. She was magic that way.
I really, really miss her.
Staring at the boxes surrounding us, I quietly ask, "Dad, have you ever wondered what would things be like if Mom were still alive?"
Dad runs a hand over the dress, a wistful look on his face. "Everyday, kid. Everyday."
*******
I drive over to the grocery store as Dad makes the trip to Goodwill to bring Mom's clothes. He insisted that I keep the floral dress—along with a few ones that I thought were cute—and had me set aside some for Avery. The rest went to the Goodwill pile.
In between going through the clothes, we traded stories about Mom—laughing and crying while we relived our fondest memories of her. By the time we were finished, both Dad's and my cheeks were wet with tears. But even though we ended up being emotional messes, the whole thing had also turned out to be therapeutic. We hadn't realized how much we needed it until it was over. Too bad Avery wasn't around to experience it with us.
Allowing myself a sad smile, I round the aisle of toiletries with a basket in hand—only to stop short when I see Parker standing in front of the shelf containing sanitary pads.
He grabs a pack and stares down at it, his eyebrows curved in a deep frown.
"Since when did you start needing those?" I blurt out before I can even stop myself.
Startled, he glances up, his eyes widening a little when he sees me. "I, uh—"
I raise an eyebrow as I move toward him. "Lost for words?"
I have to admit, seeing the guy with an impenetrable facade get caught off-guard is kind of amusing. After the emotional day I had, I need something to be entertained by.
"Uh, my sister," he clears his throat, "asked me to buy her some of these."
"First time?"
"Not really. But you'd think I'd be used to it by now. Every single time I forget that there's a wide variety to choose from." He glowers at the pads like they're offending him. "Worse, Aria never specifies what she needs. She just always instructs me to grab a pack."
"Yeah. I see how it can be a problem." Parker looks so lost that I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling.
This is definitely something I don't see everyday. And isn't this a good chance to return all the help he'd given me? Well, at least some of it.
Maybe, after this, he won't act like a jerk toward me anymore. A girl can hope.
"Damn it, I'll just call her." He shoves a hand into his jeans pocket, then frowns and curses. "I left my phone in the car. I have to get it." He turns to leave.
"No, wait." I grab his hand without thinking.
Parker stops and looks down at our clasped hands.
Goosebumps pricks my skin under his stare, making me shudder, and I let go.
I clear my throat. "Sorry. Here." I go to grab four different packs and drop them into my basket since he's not carrying one. "This way she'll have a lot of options, and you won't have to make a trip to your car and back here again. Just remember what she chooses so you won't have the same problem next time." I hand him the basket. "There you go."
He just stares, refusing to take it. "You haven't done your grocery shopping yet."
I wave a hand. "It's okay. I'll just get a new one."
"No, I can't let you do that."
My brows pull together in confusion. "Why?"
"You helped me with my problem."
"It's not really a big—"
"So I'll wait for you to get done. We can share your basket."
"You're going to accompany me while I shop?"
"I got time." He shrugs. Then before I can react, he takes the basket from me and starts to walk. When I just stand there, stunned, he throws a glance over his shoulder. "Coming, Peaches?"
I shake my head and finally follow. Fifteen minutes and several items later, I steer him over to where the cereal boxes are located, then grab a box of Cocoa Puffs and drop it into the almost-full basket.
"Make it two," Parker says.
I arch a brow. "You eat cereal?"
"Sometimes. But mostly Aria and Ethan," he replies, referring to his youngest brother who goes to Holy Oaks Middle School. "They can't go a few days without having puffs for breakfast."
A half-smile forms on my lips as I envision him eating Cocoa Puffs with his siblings.
Being the oldest, he's probably the one who always prepares the cereal for the three of them to eat. Parker doesn't look like a doting brother. But the fact that he doesn't have any qualms buying pads for his sister tells me he's exactly like that.
Endearing is the last word I'd use to describe Parker Holloway, but right now I find it fitting for him.
Yeah. He's endearing.
He narrows his eyes. "What's that look for?"
"Nothing." I'm smiling all the way to the checkout.
CHAPTER 9
Sawyer
The sound of someone clearing their throat makes me peel my eyes away from my locker and glance over my shoulder.
I shouldn't have bothered. It's just Liam.
Ignoring him, I turn back to my locker and proceed to take out the books I need for next period.
"Do you need help with your books?" His voice sounds eager.
"No, I don't," I respond in a clipped tone, hugging the books to my chest as I shut my locker.
I can manage
