Chapter Seventeen
Megan relaxed into the passenger seat of her brother’s truck, breathing slowly, trying to push down the thrill of Adam’s intense gaze and the memory of his email. Focus on your family; he’ll be home when you get there.
Excitement was winding itself into a ball in her stomach. She missed her parents and couldn’t wait to see them. They rarely went so long without talking, and though they’d been sorry to miss her actual graduation day, they’d celebrate today. As a family.
“Your boss was looking at you like a starving man at a buffet,” Parker said, switching lanes before stopping at a light.
Megan’s entire body went rigid. She turned her head, tried to play it cool. “As if.”
Parks sent her a big-brother glance. She looked away so he didn’t see too much. He wouldn’t want to know, and she had no intention of telling him. Her life. Her business. And her nonstop memories on replay in her head sending a warm rush through her body.
“You like him.”
Looking out the window, grateful for the air conditioning, she laughed. “Uh, yeah. I wouldn’t work for someone I didn’t like.”
Or spend the night in his bed learning everything he liked. She didn’t have a bucket full of experience, but Adam had far surpassed anything she’d imagined. That single-minded nature of his, along with his attention to detail, were attributes she’d never fully appreciated until now. And after the email that had made her smile for the rest of the day, she fully planned on appreciating it as many times as possible before they parted ways.
“No. You girl-likes-boy-like him.”
Scrunching her brows together, she turned her head again. “We’re sure you’re older? Because honestly, sometimes I think you’re still twelve.”
“What? That’s a thing.”
“Okay. If you say so.”
“You didn’t deny it.”
There wasn’t much she could say, so instead, Megan hoped she wouldn’t betray just how right he was. She dug her sunglasses out of her purse and put them on. “There’s nothing to deny. Did Mom and Dad say how long they were staying?”
“Less than a week, and nice try. Stop skirting around the conversation. Thought he wasn’t the kind of man you’re looking for.”
In the beginning, she’d thought so too. And you still think so. You know so. He’s not forever. Parker was only saying what she already knew, but irritation blossomed beneath her ribs, filling her chest like air in a balloon. “Oh? The kind of man who’d do anything to make sure his son had everything he needed? Loyal? Funny? Incredibly sexy and driven? Yeah. Definitely not a keeper,” she snapped.
Realizing everything she’d just said, heat washed over her face. Parker stopped at a light and stared at her, his mouth forming a small O. “Holy shit. I thought you were sleeping with him. I didn’t know you were in love with him. Jesus Christ, Megan. When the hell did this happen?”
Panic replaced everything else, and she couldn’t breathe. She did not love Adam. She loved Charlie, and she cared for Adam. She’d miss him when she was gone, just like she’d miss Charlie, but she knew they were temporary. Very temporary.
Forcing out a breath, she was relieved when Parker had to focus on driving again. “I’m not in love with him.”
“Right.” Parker made a loud scoffing noise. “Been there.”
“This isn’t like you and Garrett, Parker. It’s not like that at all. We’re just…having fun.”
“Give me a second. I want you to be able to talk to me, but I just gagged in my mouth.” He breathed out, one corner of his mouth tipping up when she smacked him in the arm.
“We acted on our attraction. I’ve been so busy thinking about and working toward the future that I forgot I’m allowed to have a now.”
“You’re definitely entitled to a now.”
She didn’t need his permission.
“I’m just not sure you’re built for that,” he added.
There was no way Megan would admit it out loud, but she wasn’t so sure, either.
Turning to look at her big brother’s profile, she thought again of him and Garrett. They were a definite happily ever after. But the path hadn’t been as smooth as she’d believed. What did that mean? Nothing. It means nothing because in the end, despite the bumpy path, they both wanted each other for the long haul. Stop. Stop overthinking everything. It was an amazing night, and given the chance, I’m going back for more. Screw ever after.
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do,” she said, hoping her voice sounded stronger than she felt.
“You’re the worst liar ever. Just so you know,” Parker said, pulling into his underground parking stall.
Getting out of the vehicle, they shut the doors, and he locked the car. He swung an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
“If you knuckle my hair, I’m going to tell Garrett,” she warned.
“Tattletale,” he mocked.
But he didn’t touch her hair.
Megan’s heart knocked against her chest when her brother unlocked the door to his apartment. Her mom was waiting there to greet her. Her dad stood just behind her mom. Both had wide smiles on their familiar faces. With her lungs feeling too tight to pull in air, Megan rushed forward into open arms. It had really been too long this time.
If Megan were lucky, she’d age as well as Helene Carter. With her dark hair—colored frequently—cropped short and her slightly angular face, she looked young. The lines around her blue eyes only served to make her look happier.
“I’ve missed you,” her mom whispered, rocking Megan from side to side.
“Me too. You kids need to stop the whirlwind traveling and settle down near your family,” Megan teased.
“One day.”
“My turn. Outta my way,” her dad joked, nudging her mom aside.
His hugs were like curling into a blanket on a rainy night. A cocoon of warmth and the illusion of safety from the storm.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Hi, baby girl,” he replied.
The familiar scent of his cologne closed around her just like his arms. He picked her right up off her feet and squeezed her tight. Like her mother, Richard Carter wore his age as well as his tailored clothing. Fit and trim, he spent his days golfing, hanging out with his wife, and sightseeing. It suited him.
Back on her feet, she stepped away and clasped her hands to her chest. She couldn’t hold back the emotion that pushed to the surface. “I’ve missed you guys.”
Her mom took her hand and pulled her into the living room where Garrett was putting out some delicious-looking appetizers. “We know, honey. We’re sorry we missed your graduation.”
“Hey, Garr. Let me take one of those off your hands,” Megan said.
She grabbed a bite-sized pinwheel and bit into it with a happy sigh as her mother sat down on the couch.
“Whole family is here. Finally,” he said, tapping her on the nose.
“Come sit,” her mom said, patting the couch.
Both of her parents took turns showing her multiple photos of their trip on their iPhones. Most of them were the exact same pictures, which Megan thought was cute enough; she “oohed” and “awed” anyway.
“Where to after this?” Megan asked, feeling a pang of loneliness, even though they’d just arrived.
“We’re thinking of Europe, actually,” her dad said.
Megan sank back into the couch. Garrett and Parker brought in some chips and homemade salsa, which her dad helped himself to.
“You can’t take an RV there,” Parker said.
Megan rested her head against her mom’s shoulder and felt her laughter.
“True, you can’t. But we’d like to do a big trip, something really special, and then we were thinking of buying a house again,” her dad said.
Hope fluttered in her chest. How great would it be to have her whole family right here in Maine?
“Anywhere in particular?” Megan tried to keep her voice even.
Her mom squeezed Megan’s hand. “Somewhere close enough to see you guys.”
They exchanged an interesting glance over the top of Megan’s head. Megan smiled at Parker and Garrett before gripping both her mom and dad’s hands.
“What aren’t you saying?”
“We found an adorable little house in Providence. We did look closer, but your mother fell in love with this one, and we thought, it’s only an hour,” her dad said.
“Found like bought?” Garrett asked.
Her mom nodded. “Yes. It’s like a fairy tale cottage. You guys are going to love it.”
Megan released both of their hands, happiness surging inside of her. “But what about traveling?”
“We’ve done a lot of it. We’re ready to settle in and be around for grandbabies,” her dad said, winking at her and then at Parker.
“Ha. There’s as much chance of me giving you one as there is of Parks getting pregnant,” Megan said, wishing the truth of her joke didn’t make her feel hollow inside.
“Speaking of that,” Garrett said.
Megan’s eyes widened, and she pointed at Parker. “You’re pregnant?”
They all laughed, and Parker stuck his tongue out at her, just before he took Garrett’s hand. “No, smartass. But we’ve started the process to adopt.”
Megan opened her mouth, ready to squeal her excitement, but Garrett put a hand up. “One more thing,” he said.
She sat with her mother and father, staring at her brother and Garrett, heart thundering. Parker looked at Garrett, and the softness that overtook his expression stole her breath.
“We’re going to get married to make the process more…official,” Parker said.
Garrett shoved him in the shoulder. “Right. Nice way to put it, Mr. Smooth-Talker.”
Park’s cheeks pinked. Megan bit her lip when he glanced over at the three members of his family and shrugged. “Sorry. We’re getting married because we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together.” He looked back at Garrett with one eyebrow arched. “And conveniently, doing so will look good to the deciders of our fate.”
Garrett shook his head but then leaned it on Parker’s shoulder. “We decide our own fate, baby. I’d marry you even if we hadn’t decided to start a family.”
Parker kissed the top of Garrett’s head. “Obviously. I’m kind of a catch.”
Her mom gave a half-laugh, half-sob. “Can we hug you yet?” she squealed.
They all laughed, and her dad rose first and pulled his son up into a hug. Megan and her mom joined in, hugging Garrett and then trading places.
When they sat back down, emotion pumped through the room, vibrating around Megan. Her parents were settling in; her brother was going to be a husband and trying to be a dad. She was a teacher. Everything she wanted was happening. Life was moving forward according to the plan she’d started making for herself at the age of five. And still, a tiny piece of her heart was reluctant to get in on the celebration.
Her brother was absolutely right when he’d said she “girl-likes-boy” liked Adam. It was that piece of her wishing hard, right that moment, that things could be different than they were. You’ll find your forever. Parker and Garrett’s hands were still linked, and when they’d sat back down, her parents had sat beside each other. Her mom was curled into her father’s side. She’d find it.
And for now, she had them. It would have to be enough.