Bennett holds his hands up in surrender. "No touching."
"Why do you guys keep acting weird around me? It's getting annoying," I huff. Moving from the couch, I turn to face Parker. "Can I use your bathroom?"
He nods then tilts his head to the side, motioning for me to follow.
Ignoring the weird looks between his friends, I go after him.
There's no bathroom in the gaming room so we have to climb up the stairs to the main level of the house.
The whole time I can't help but stare at his backside. He really has a nice build—and he can thank swimming for that. And is it just me or is his ass straining against his jeans?
Hmm. He has a nice ass.
But I quickly shake my head. What's wrong with me? Why am I admiring Parker's ass? I shouldn't care for it even if it looks good.
Really good.
"Here," he says as we round the corner, pushing open a door just a few meters away from the kitchen.
The bathroom. Right.
"Thanks," I mutter, stepping inside and closing the door.
After relieving my bladder and washing my hands, I stare at my reflection in the mirror, checking that my ponytail is still neatly in place and there's still makeup on my face.
Not that I want to look pretty for the benefit of the boys.
Maybe just the one with the nice ass.
I scowl. "No. Especially not him."
Stepping out of the bathroom, I don't see Parker anywhere. Did he go back to the gaming room? I'm about to head back when I hear something coming from the kitchen.
I hesitate for a moment before my curiosity wins out, and I decide to check what's going on.
It's Parker and—is he making a sandwich? There's a glass next to a pitcher of lemonade, too.
"Um, hey." I clear my throat. "I thought you already went back."
"I was waiting for you," he says, not even looking up from what he's doing.
My eyebrows shoot up. "You were?"
"I didn't want you to get lost."
I glare at him. "I'm not dumb."
He finally glances up, giving me a pointed look. "I didn't say you were."
Pushing the plate of sandwich he just prepared toward me, he goes to pour some lemonade into the glass before sliding it next to the sandwich.
I blink at them, then at him.
He sighs. "Do I need to feed you?"
I cross my arms over my chest and purse my lips. "I didn't ask you to prepare a snack for me, you know."
"Just eat, Peaches. You don't want to get drunk on an empty stomach."
"I told you, it was one time." I glare.
Does he seriously think that I get drunk on a regular basis? Considering he's been calling me 'Peaches' since that night at the beach, it's probably the case. I didn't even plan on touching alcohol today. Jerk.
But he made me a sandwich, didn't he? I don't understand this guy sometimes.
Tentatively, I pick up the sandwich and take a bite. It's a chicken sandwich, and it admittedly tastes good.
Amusement dances in his eyes as he watches me take one bite after another. And it's all I can do not to stick my tongue out like a little girl.
"Aren't you going to make one for yourself?" I ask in between bites.
"I just ate."
So he's just going to watch me eat? Great.
"Parker?"
Parker freezes, mirth leaving his eyes as they drift over my shoulders.
I turn around to see a frail-looking woman standing at the kitchen archway. She's wrapped in a gray silk robe that seems to swallow her thin frame. Her hair is messy and looks like it hasn't been washed in days.
Wait. She looks familiar.
"Mrs. Holloway?" I blurt just as the realization hits, my eyes flaring wide.
It's been years since the last time I saw Parker's mom. And this woman standing in front of me is nothing like the regal and sophisticated Dianne Holloway I've always known. What the hell happened to her?
"I didn't know we had a visitor," Mrs. Holloway murmurs, smoothing her hair with a trembling hand. She gives me a tight smile. "You're Emmett Dunn's daughter, right?"
"Yes, Mrs. Holloway. I'm Sawyer."
"Well, Sawyer, don't mind me. And please call me Dianne. There's certainly no reason to call me Mrs. Holloway anymore," she laughs, which ends as a hiccup. Is she drunk? "I just came down to get my medicine. Parker said he was going to bring it up to my room but he never came back. Now, I know why. He has a pretty visitor."
I glance over at Parker, but his eyes are averted, his jaw clenched tight.
Is this the reason why he was gone for an hour? He was with his mom the whole time?
Dianne walks over to the galley and starts opening the drawers. "Parker, sweetie, where's my prescription bottle?"
Parker grits his teeth. "You don't need it anymore, Mom. You already took some a while ago, remember?"
She shakes her head, not letting up from opening the drawers. "No. That was yesterday. I need it today." Her movements start getting frantic as her voice rises. "Where are my pills? Where did you hide them? Give them to me!"
He approaches her, grabbing hold of her arm. "Come on, I'll find it later. Let me take you back to your room."
Dianne resists. "No. I'm not leaving without my medicine. Please, son. Give it to me." Tears are now falling down her cheeks.
My chest tightens at the sight. Is this what Parker has been dealing with at home?
"Get her out of here," Parker barks.
Who is he talking to?
I get my answer when a hand grabs my arm. Looking up, I realize it's Jamie's.
"Come on, Pretty Girl. Let's go back to the gaming room. You still owe Bennett another round."
I glance toward Parker, but his attention is solely focused on his mother, who's struggling to free her arm from his grip.
He whispers something in her ear in an effort to calm her. And when he finally looks at me, a mix of anger and shame shines in his eyes. "Leave. Now."
He doesn't want
