Prologue
Four Years Ago
Astoria
Ten days. Almost two weeks. Everything in my bedroom is packed and ready for when I leave. There isn’t anything left for me to do. Now, nothing can drag me away from Parker. I have ten wonderful days to spend with him.
If someone would have told me I'd fall hard and fast for a guy I only met three months ago, I'd say they'd lost their mind. Yet, here I am, on my way to my boyfriend's apartment to spend time with him before I leave for college. A man I love utterly and completely. I’m going to soak up all the love and attention he’s willing to give me while I try and keep the tears, which are certain to form, at bay. I’ve spent so much of my time with him that to think of being away, and not being able to have his arms around me, almost brings me to my knees with misery.
Before I met Parker, I’d only read about love at first sight. It was something in books or movies. It didn’t exist in real life. Or so I thought. Parker is tall, has these amazing green eyes, and thick, blond hair. I love running my fingers through it when we watch a movie. He lays his head on my lap and I comb my fingers through his soft, short locks. He'll let out a long breath of contentment at my touch. It warms me to know I have that effect on him.
When I was in my car, ready to leave my house, I texted him to say I was on my way. The apartment he's renting is only ten minutes from my parents’ house, which, coincidentally, is on the same street as his parents’ home. Arrow Falls is a small town.
Pulling into a spot outside his apartment, I park next to a newer-looking, white Jeep Grand Cherokee. I've never seen this particular SUV before, and it's parked crooked in the spot next to Parker's car. Like they flew in here in a hurry. I hope everything is okay with whoever it is.
Grabbing my purse, I shut off my car and lock it before briskly taking the stairs to the second floor. There’s a nervous anticipation inside me. It happens every time I see Parker. I like to refer to it as butterflies, which flutter when he’s near.
When I met Parker, I had butterflies at first sight.
I was driving with my friend, Mackenzie, and we were approaching a local park that had a basketball court. I could see those chiseled abs of his from the street. My mouth dropped open as my eyes took in every square inch of him. The next thing I knew, Kenzie was yelling for me to keep my car straight. When I snapped to, I realized I was drifting dangerously close to a car parked along the side of the road. And by close, I mean I came within inches of scraping up a black Jaguar. I slammed on the brakes, bringing my car to a screeching halt. My hands were shaking as I gripped the steering wheel to try and calm myself. I’d never had an accident, not even a minor one. My parents would have killed me if I hit someone else’s car because I wasn't paying attention.
As I was trying to calm my racing heart, someone knocked on the window. I jumped, turned, and came face-to-face with Mr. Handsome himself. Parker's mouth was drawn into a thin line, his eyes were narrowed, and his sweaty hair lay spread out on his forehead. I couldn't do anything but stare. Not open my mouth, speak a single word, hell, I don’t think I blinked. I sat there frozen. Kenzie had to reach across me to push the button to roll down the tinted window for me.
Once he saw me, his features softened slightly. "You almost hit my car," he said very matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of something else in his tone. Something that matched the slight quirk of his lips.
I was still mute, so Kenzie spoke up, never missing a beat. "She was distracted by a hot body on the court." I turned to glare at her, a blush quickly spreading across my cheeks. She flipped her platinum locks over her shoulder and winked at me.
"Hot body, huh?" he said with mirth in his voice.
Turning back to him, I nodded. It was all I could do. He smiled then rested his muscular forearm on my door. Even sweaty, he smelled good; like summer and crisp mountain air mixed with rugged hot guy.
"I'm Parker," he introduced with an outstretched hand.
I couldn't do anything but stare at it. Then Kenzie shook his hand. I slapped her arm away then covered my mouth. What the hell was I doing? I'd never smacked her, even in teasing.
"I'm sorry," I said quickly.
"No, you're not." She winked again. Good God, this girl. She was trying to get me in trouble. The kind of trouble where I end up kissing the hot guy hanging on my car door.
Parker's hand was still inside my car, hanging casually, waiting for me to accept it. Finally getting my shit together, I took it in mine.
"And you are?" he asked.
"Astoria," I said breathily. It was not like me to react like this to a guy. I was usually indifferent. I've had them vying for my attention since I started high school. None of them caught my eye like Parker did.
I didn't think much of my looks. Long, auburn hair, blue eyes, and a thin frame. I wasn't as curvy as the other girls my age. My hips were narrow and my breasts on the smaller side. I still thought all the guys wanted to be with me because of my last name. I came from a wealthy family.
"Astoria." Parker rolled my name off his tongue, and it was sexy as hell. It had me melting in my seat. "I'm glad you didn't hit my car, Tora." I'd never heard that nickname before.
"Tori," I corrected him. All my friends called me Tori.
"Nah, I like Tora. Fits you better."
That one encounter kicked off a relationship like I never could have imagined. Sure, I'd dated in high school, but nothing serious. Now, we’re inseparable. Where one of us is, the other almost certainly is as well. I didn't get a summer job since my parents wanted me to have time off before college. Parker is in college as well, but his is less than an hour away from our small Pennsylvania town. Where I am going is three hours northeast. I won’t be able to see him often, once I leave. I only plan on coming home for breaks and holidays. It is too far to travel for the weekend only. But Parker and I are committed to making it work long-distance.
My stomach flutters as I reach his door. I turn the knob and step inside. The cool air hits me. It feels good against my skin. This summer has been hotter than normal. I'm not one to look forward to winter, but this year I'll welcome the frostiness.
I toss my purse and keys on the counter then glance around the living room, not finding him. Taking a few steps toward the bedroom, I hear the shower running. Parker's voice floats to me.
"Let me help you," he says. What the hell? Help who?
I peer around the corner and notice the bathroom door is open a sliver. I gently push it, so I can look inside, then gasp at the sight. Parker is in nothing but a pair of boxers and in front of him is a woman. A naked woman with her bare back to me. She turns to face me, and I stumble backward, recognizing her instantly. My ass hits the doorframe, my eyes well with tears as my hand reaches for the counter, knocking something to the floor with a loud thud. This can’t be happening. I need to get out of here. I need to get away from what I’ve just seen.
Parker notices me and his eyes widen. "Tora, it's not what you think," he rushes to say.
I shake my head, unable to speak. He's getting into the shower. With his brother's girlfriend. How can he do this? How can he throw away all that we have? Was he lying to me all this time? Cheating on me? I never thought he’d do this to me. I have friends who’ve been cheated on, and I always told them how Parker is different. He’s not the kind of guy who does that. I was wrong.
I spin and rush from the room, grabbing my things as I go. With hot tears flowing down my cheeks, I run from the apartment, and down the stairs, as fast as my legs will carry me. The last thing I hear is my name being called by Parker, as I slam the door to my car to race out of the parking lot and his life.