Apparently, 'soon' is now. And knowing Quinn, she won't make it easy on me.
Blowing out a breath, I finally fess up. "I'm on my way home. I'll be there in twenty." I end the call before she can even respond.
When I reach the house, I greet an enthusiastic Duke with a kiss on the top of his head before heading up to my room. Dad is probably holed up in his office so I don't bother looking for him.
Quinn is on my bed, already out of her cheer uniform—she's in a white tee and skinny jeans—and flipping through a magazine, when I walk in. "Oh, you're here," she says flatly, not even bothering to lift her head.
Yeah, she’ll definitely give me a hard time.
"Hey," I say tentatively.
"So, where have you been?" The question sounds casual, but Quinn isn't fooling anyone. She’s pissed.
Guilt gnaws at me. Dropping my bag on the floor, I sit at the edge of the bed. "I was with Parker."
She flips another page. "If this is the part where you're going to convince me that there's nothing's going on between the two of you, then save—"
"No. It's the part where I admit that there's something going on between us."
Her hand on the magazine freezes. "Listening."
Swallowing a chuckle, I put my hands on my lap. "I didn't tell you and Brayden this, but after meeting Liam yesterday, I went to Parker's. We talked. One thing led to another, then we kissed."
"Hell, no."
I blink. "Excuse me?"
She moves into a sitting position and glares at me. "You're not going to give me the cliff notes version. You're going to tell me every little freaking detail. You owe me that."
I can't help laughing this time. "Just so you know, I had every intention of doing that. I just wasn't done yet."
Huffing, she motions for me to continue.
That's what I do. I proceed to tell her everything that transpired with Parker. I don't leave anything out.
When I reach the part where Parker admitted that he wanted me for so long, her mouth falls open and her eyes flare wide. The news shocks her just as much as it shocked me.
Afterwards, the only thing Quinn can say is, "So, you guys are dating now."
I give a shrug. "It's only been a day."
She shoots me an incredulous look. "You just literally went on a date."
"I don't even know if I can call it that. We just spontaneously decided to go grab a bite."
"Together. Just the two of you. That's a date."
"Fine. I guess we're dating now," I acquiesce, sounding blasé when I really feel anything but. More like giddy, thrilled and happy.
Silence permeates the air for a moment before she comments, "Honestly, I can't blame you for hitting that. Guy’s got a tight ass.”
I sputter out a laugh.
"What? It's true."
"I didn't say it wasn't." I smile mischievously, remembering the times I checked him out.
Oh, I’m not contradicting her. In fact, I agree wholeheartedly.
"Are you seriously fantasizing about Parker's ass right now?" My best friend's amused tone brings me back to the present.
A dreamy grin spreads across my face. "He really has a nice ass, doesn't he?"
She bursts out laughing. "Oh, you are so screwed."
"I know," I groan, covering my face with my hands. "This was the last thing I expected to happen."
I said I didn't want to enter a new relationship since I just basically came out of the last one. But here I am, swallowing my own words and dating the guy who happens to be my ex-boyfriend's best friend. Well, former best friend. But what's the difference?
Being with Parker should feel so wrong, given what happened. But I can't find it in me to feel that way. I'm not second guessing myself at all. Instead, it seems like the best decision I ever made. Being with him feels right. Like it's the most natural thing to do.
"Honestly, I'm not surprised. The two of you have been spending a lot of time together lately. And I've always noticed that there's something in the way he looks at you."
My eyes snap back to her. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"Because I thought you were already secretly hooking up—"
"We really weren't."
"So, naturally," she continues as if I didn't just contradict her, "I assumed you already knew."
Only I didn’t. I'd been completely oblivious—and maybe a little in denial—about his feelings for me. But now that I’m finally aware, I won’t ever dare take it for granted.
But it also doesn't mean that I’m going to rush into things. I'll simply relish every moment spent with him and let the chips fall where they may.
CHAPTER 24
Sawyer
I can't concentrate on the story I’m working on. My eyes keep drifting over the rim of my laptop, where I have a full view of the pool. Specifically, the guy swimming in it in nothing but a pair of black swim trunks.
When I decided to head over to Parker's house after school, I brought my laptop with me in hopes of working on my college portfolio. But I've been sitting in this lounge chair for thirty minutes and I only managed to write no more than twenty words.
I blame Parker and his bare torso. They keep drawing my eyes away from my laptop. But mostly, the reason is that he has such great form. No wonder he’s the captain of the swim team. Watching him take laps in that pool is like watching an animal in its natural habitat. Thrilling and utterly mesmerizing. I can watch him swim all day.
Finally accepting that I won’t get any writing done, I close my laptop and slide it back into my bag.
I’m not disappointed though, not even a little bit. Because now, I can fully ogle Parker.
Lifting my head, I’m set to once again feast my eyes on the swimming demigod a few meters away.
But I’m not prepared to see said demigod rising from the pool and giving me a full view of his incredible physique.
Water
