Parker

Parker stood in the lobby with the rest of Beth’s family. The Bennett clan was all in attendance. All except Beth. Parker was busy firing off texts to figure out what was taking her so long. He had a sinking feeling she was avoiding him.

That last text did it. Parker’s phone immediately rang.

“Beth, where are you?” he hissed into his phone.

“I’m in the room. I’m not coming to dinner.”

“Beth!”

“Just go without me. I can’t deal with this right now and I’m waiting for Jared to call me back.”

“So let me get this straight, you’re not coming to dinner with your family because you’re waiting for your boyfriend to call you back?”

Parker was met with silence. He sighed deeply. He knew when to give Beth her space and when to push her. This was not a time to push, no matter how badly he wanted to. “Fine. What do you want me to tell your mom?”

“I don’t know. Tell her I don’t feel well or I got too much sun.”

“You know I don’t like lying to your mom.”

“You’re not lying. I truly feel awful right now, Parker. There’s no way I can sit through a dinner with my sisters all asking how my love life is and why you and I haven’t dated. I can’t do it.” Beth’s voice broke and so did a tiny piece of Parker’s heart. He hated being the reason she was upset.

“Beth, it’s okay. I’ll cover for you. Just get some rest.”

“Thanks.”

He heard her sniffle, and then she hung up. Parker slipped his phone back in his pocket and put his game face on. He approached Beth’s mother, discretely pulling her aside. “Barbara, I just spoke to Beth. She’s not really feeling up to dinner. She doesn’t want to hold us up.”

Barbara looked concerned. “Oh no, is she alright?”

“Yeah. She thinks she may have gotten too much sun, but if you ask me it was all the sugar. We stopped at Seaside Sweets.”

Barbara laughed. “I swear, I’ve never met a girl with such a sweet tooth. She never knows when to stop.”

Parker smiled back, nodding. He hated lying and always tried to limit it to half-truths when he could.

“Well, it’s a shame she’s going to miss dinner at the Social Club,” Barbara replied. “It’s her favorite.”

“I’ll bring her back some of their famous crab bisque.”

Barbara patted his hand. “You’re such a good friend, sweetheart. Beth is lucky to have you.”

Parker knew Barbara meant it as a compliment, but he never hated being called Beth’s friend quite so much. He sucked up his pride and offered his arm to Barbara, following her and the rest of Beth’s family to the waiting fleet of cars.

Beth

Beth frowned at the clock. She’d texted Jared after he disconnected their video chat saying she really needed to talk to him. He said he was just leaving the mountain and promised to call her when he got home. That was two hours ago. He had to be home by now.

She picked up her phone and fired off a quick text to Caroline, but got no response. The radio silence was killing Beth. She felt like a needy girlfriend, but she couldn’t help herself. Her guilt was eating her alive, she needed to talk to Jared and confess. So, she texted the only other person she could think of—Sullivan.

Beth: Hi, Sully. How’s Aspen?

Sullivan: Amazing!!!!

Beth: Wish I was there. Hey, is Jared around?

Sullivan: Yeah, he’s in the hot tub with Car and everyone. I’m headed to join. PS you should totally be out here. Car’s brother invited all these sorority chicks. They’re hitting on your boy like piranhas. But don’t worry, I got your back.

Beth put her phone down and looked up at the ceiling. She was trying very hard to blink away her tears. She hated crying, especially over guys. And she’d already cried way too much today. She grabbed her phone and finished texting.

Beth: Thanks, Sully. Could you just ask Jared to call me?

Sullivan: You got it.

Beth flopped back on the bed. She wished she could just hide under the covers until this whole stupid wedding was over. How had things gotten so off track? She was supposed to be in Aspen right now. She was the one who was supposed to be in the hot tub with Jared, not a bunch of slutty sorority girls. But that was the least of Beth’s worries. Why hadn’t Jared called her back? Or at least texted?

He promised he would, but apparently partying with sorority girls was more important. Beth wondered if she even had the right to be mad. After all, she was the one going around kissing other people. And if Jared would just call her back she would come clean about it.

Her fingers hovered over her phone, itching to text Jared again, but she didn’t. She couldn’t tell him she kissed Parker in a text, it was too cruel. She’d been hoping to admit her kiss to Jared before facing Parker again. For some reason, Beth felt like if she didn’t, that she’d be more liable to do something else stupid—like kiss Parker again.

She couldn’t stop thinking about him and it was driving her crazy. Beth was probably being stupid thinking that talking to Jared would help the situation. Talking had never been his strong suit. If anything, telling Jared she kissed Parker would only ignite the fire that had been smoldering between the two boys for quite some time. It was no secret they didn’t get along and now it made sense. Had Jared known that Parker was into her all along? Was it evident to everyone but her?

She felt like an idiot and her constant stream of questions about what this all meant for her and Parker, and her and Jared, was making Beth dizzy. Parker had left the ball in her court, but she didn’t know what to do with it. What could she do with it?

He’d said, ‘Maybe you need a minute to think this over.’ Of course she needed a minute. She needed a hell of a lot more than a minute! And what the hell was she supposed to be thinking over? Was he giving her an ultimatum—Parker or Jared? Was Parker saying he’d wanted to be her boyfriend? Was that something she wanted? If it wasn’t, would she lose him forever?

Beth felt herself starting to spiral. She needed to get out of the damn stuffy bedroom, but there was nowhere to go. Everyone she knew was at dinner in town and walking the grounds wasn’t an option because of the continued downpour. Beth glanced at the clock. It was late but she picked up the phone and dialed the front desk, praying they’d be able to offer her some relief.

The receptionist picked up after the first ring. “Reception, may I help you?”

“Um, yes. Do you know if the spa happens to be open?”

“I’m sorry, Miss Bennett, the spa closes at seven.”

Damn it! A soak and massage had been Beth’s last hope for sanity.

“I can schedule you for our signature lavender spa treatment tomorrow if you’d like. It features an exfoliating body scrub, rejuvenating body wrap, submersion in our hydro-tub and relaxing lavender oil massage.”

Beth whimpered. That was exactly what she needed. But tomorrow was too late. She needed relief now! Parker would be back from dinner at some point and she still had no idea what the hell to say to him.

Beth exhaled deeply. “Thank you, but that won’t work.”

“Are you sure? I’m happy to schedule it for you anytime.”

Can you schedule it for five hours ago? she wanted to ask. Then she could’ve been at the spa instead of the beach and avoided this whole confusing Parker-Jared situation. Beth sighed. “Unless you have a time machine, I don’t think you can help me. But thanks anyway.”

She hung up the phone and decided to get ready for bed. Again her choices in sleep attire were not at all appropriate. If she’d been skittish of wearing lingerie to bed last night, it was completely out of the question tonight. And so was sleeping with Parker for that matter. Beth dug through her suitcase. “Damn it. Why does it have to be so hot in Georgia?”

Of course she’d packed only the bare minimum for the wedding, thinking she’d have a room to herself and could get by with what she’d already packed for her Aspen trip since she was secretly planning on showing up there as soon as she could escape from Georgia. Sadly, anything that wasn’t a dress or lingerie was meant to be worn in a Nordic cabin, not a swampy southern plantation.

Beth’s first thought was to borrow one of Parker’s t-shirts. That would easily solve her wardrobe issues. She’d borrowed his clothes in the past, but everything was different now. Even the thought of wearing something of Parker’s sent her heart into overdrive. Her cheeks flushed as memories of their kiss came rushing back. The way he’d held her, his fingers in her hair . . . She’d never felt so desired—so loved.

Beth screamed in frustration. “Why is this happening?” It was so unfair. Why now? Why when she had a boyfriend? Even if she did want to choose Parker, the timing was horrendous. High school would be over in a few short months and they would be moving away from each other indefinitely.

More tears managed to drip down Beth’s cheeks. She couldn’t believe the affect one ill-timed kiss was having on her. She and Parker had eighteen years to have that kiss. Why had she waited until now—days before she planned to go to Aspen and give up her virginity to the guy she thought she loved?

Beth collapsed in the ruins of her disheveled suitcase. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the universe was against her. It’s not that she thought her love life warranted such importance, but it certainly felt like a greater force was conspiring against her and Jared ever since she’d decided she wanted to take their relationship to the next level. It’s not like she expected all the pieces to just fall into place for them. Beth knew relationships took work, but she hadn’t expected so many obstacles. Not only were there thousands of miles between her and Jared, but the kiss with Parker made it feel like she and Jared were universes apart. Kissing Jared had never felt like kissing Parker. But what did that mean?

Wiping away her tears Beth tried to collect herself. Crying and feeling sorry for herself wasn’t going to solve anything. What she really needed was to figure out how she was going to survive Brenna’s wedding and all the torturous ways it would force Beth and Parker together. That, and she really needed to find some appropriate pajamas if she was going to continue to share a room with him.

A second look through her suitcase didn’t reveal any suitable options and Beth was about to give up when a thought dawned on her.

“The gift shop!” How had she not thought of it before?

She could run downstairs to the lobby gift shop and buy some God awful floral muumuu to wear to bed, because she was damn sure not spending another night in the lingerie that Caroline made her buy.

Beth was halfway to the door when it swung open. She skidded to a halt, nearly colliding with Parker.

He wrapped an arm around her waist to steady her. “Whoa, you okay?”

“Yeah. Sorry,” she said, slowly peeling herself from his hold.

“Where are you running off to?”

“The gift shop. I need to buy some pajamas.”

He gave her a skeptical look. “The gift shop’s closed.”

“Shit! Why does everything close so damn early around here?”

“What else was closed?”

“The spa and I’m sure anything else worth doing in a fifty mile radius.”

Parker shut the door behind him and ushered Beth over to the rose-patterned sofa. He placed a takeout bag on the coffee table and she looked up at him in awe. “You brought me dinner?”

“Soup and fries from the Social Club.”

The Tybee Social Club made the best fries ever. They called them patatas and they were cut like potato chips, but soft like fries, and seasoned to perfection. Beth had been disappointed she’d come all the way to Tybee Island and was going to miss out on patatas because she wasn’t brave enough to sit through a family dinner after kissing Parker.

After everyone left for dinner, Beth regretted her decision to hide in her room. She was hungry and had actually been looking forward to spending some time with her family and enjoying the Social Club’s culinary fair.

But as usual, Parker found a way to make sure the night wasn’t a total loss. Beth could tell from the aroma filling the room that he’d brought her back her favorites.

“I can’t believe you brought me dinner,” she murmured watching him pull the containers of fries and soup from the bag.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because I was a total flake.”

Parker didn’t respond.

“I’m sorry by the way.”

“I know,” he replied.

“Thanks for the food. You ordered my favorites.”

Parker shrugged. “It’s not a big deal, I just figured you didn’t eat so . . .”

Beth’s heart felt like it was turning itself inside out. Here was Parker, a boy who knew her so well, who did unbelievably kind things for her, showing her how much he cared. And what was her boyfriend doing? Partying in a hot tub with sorority girls. Jared didn’t even have the decency to call Beth back. Why the hell was she even torn?

“Parker, it kind of is a big deal.”

He laughed softly. “Bringing you dinner is a big deal, but you won’t talk about our earth-shattering kiss? Maybe I don’t know you as well as I think.”

“No, you do know me,” Beth said. “I think I just wasn’t ready for so much earth-shattering.”

Parker smiled at her tightly. It was the kind of smile that hid his true feelings, and didn’t reach his gorgeous blue eyes. And that’s how she knew he was scared—probably just as scared as she was.

“I’m sorry I freaked out,” she admitted.

“It’s okay. I shouldn’t have reacted like I did. I mean I can’t expect you to change your life for me.”

“Park . . . that’s not what it is. It’s just . . . I don’t know.” Why the hell couldn’t she find the right words? Ten minutes ago her head had been full of an endless stream of them. But now, sitting so close to Parker, staring into his ocean blue eyes, Beth felt like she was drowning.

“It’s okay,” he said. “I decided I’m gonna stay in your uncle’s room so you can have some space to think.”

“Uncle Harold?”

“Yeah. I sat next to him at dinner. He’s got an extra bed in his room and I think it makes the most sense.”

“You don’t have to.”

Parker gave her that tight smile again. “Yeah, I do. It wasn’t fair of me to put that pressure on you, Beth. I’m really sorry.”

“Parker this isn’t your fault. I’m the one who kissed you.”

He sighed. “I think that’s what makes this so hard.”

She hung her head. “I messed everything up.”

“That’s the thing, Beth. I was already a mess. I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but I think I need to say it. Just once. Even if it doesn’t change your mind.”

Beth swallowed the lump in her throat, but nodded for Parker to continue.

He picked up her hands and began speaking. “Today I did something I’ve been dreaming about for half my life. I kissed the girl of my dreams. And she kissed me back.”

Parker took a deep breath before continuing. “Kissing you was the greatest and most terrifying few seconds of my life. And the moment you kissed me I knew why I’d waited so long. Because you broke me, Beth. You broke the wall I’d built around my heart. The wall I needed in order not to let myself want to be more than your best friend.”

He paused, squeezing her hands. “I know that things are a mess now, and I know I have no right to ask you to pick me. But I really hope you do.”

Beth tried to interrupt, but her throat was so tight it was all she could do to get his name out. “Parker . . .”

Emotion burned in his eyes. “I need you to know that I love you. And even if you don’t pick me, I’ll understand and I’ll love you anyway. Because maybe the timing isn’t right for us now, but I have faith that someday it will be. And I can live with that, because my heart was always yours to break, Beth.”

Tears streamed down Beth’s face as she stared into Parker’s beautiful broken face. His eyes spoke volumes as emotion danced in them like blue flames. Beth’s own despair mirrored in his. A part of her heart had always belonged to him. It probably always would, and it made her want to leap into his arms. But it wasn’t right. Not here, not when she was still with Jared.

“Parker, I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to say anything. I just needed you to know how I feel.”

Parker gave her hands a final squeeze and stood up. He walked across the room collecting his things. He took off his tie and dress shirt. He looked so much more like himself in just his plain white undershirt, and somehow it made everything hurt that much worse. For a moment, he was just Parker again—her best friend, her whole world.

Parker handed his dress shirt to Beth. “Here. There’s nothing you would’ve liked at the gift shop.” Then he walked out the door.