Beth

The wedding went off without a hitch. Brenna made it to the altar in time—wrinkled dress and all. Both Brenna and Eric wore such happiness on their faces that Beth was sure no one even noticed the wrinkled dress or Brenna’s slightly disheveled hair. Besides, that was Brenna. She was authentic to the core, and never apologized for her spirited nature. It wouldn’t feel right if her wedding day was an exception.

Besides, Beth didn’t think Brenna and Eric would’ve made it through the ceremony if they hadn’t gotten their reunion out of the way first. She’d seen the way they’d looked at each other earlier—like even the universe wouldn’t dare to keep them apart.

But for all Beth noticed about her sister and Eric, it paled in comparison to the way she felt when she’d first seen Parker waiting for her to walk up the petal-lined aisle. Beth’s heart had leapt to her throat as she drank in Parker’s long limbs, outfitted in an expertly tailored gray suit. He wore a slim tie almost the exact shade of his ocean blue eyes, and he’d traded his glasses for contacts, which only made the brightness in his eyes more fetching. And when Parker smiled, Beth felt something in her chest crack wide open. She knew his smile down to her very core—it was the one he reserved just for her. It spoke of secrets and promises and amazing things yet to come. Beth returned his smile, hoping to convey just how much she was looking forward to all of those things with him.

* * *

When the ceremony was over, Beth slipped her arm though Parker’s as a thousand nerves danced under her skin. Parker leaned in and gave her a knowing look. “Ready?” he asked.

Beth nodded. She truly was ready—ready for forever with him. She smiled, linking arms with Parker. If forever had a beginning, it would feel like this.

Parker

Parker swayed with Beth in his arms on the dance floor. They hadn’t left it once since the music started. He couldn’t bear to not be touching her, and this was the best excuse they had. Beth had obviously told her sisters about her feelings for him, or maybe they’d just guessed from the giant smiles both he and Beth couldn’t seem to wipe from their faces, but as far as Parker knew, everyone else in Beth’s family still thought they were just friends.

Parker was happy to keep it that way for now. Beth’s parents were strict about dating and he didn’t want any more obstacles to overcome just yet. His hesitation to tell anyone his good news came from his deep-rooted fear that when things seemed too good to be true, they usually were. Even now, as he held Beth against him, Parker couldn’t help thinking that something would swoop in and ruin all of his hopes and dreams.

Dancing with Beth cradled in his arms felt like heaven. Her cheek pressed against his neck, her fragrance of light citrus filling the night air—it was all too perfect.

Parker slowly stroked his thumb against the bare skin of Beth’s lower back. Her bridesmaid dress was white and lacey with a low-cut back, and he couldn’t help feeling like he was holding an angel in his arms. The thought did little to calm his nerves. Parker was dying for a moment alone with Beth to reaffirm last night hadn’t been a dream, that she really had picked him and ended things with Jared. But then again, he didn’t want their perfect moment to end. Dancing under the starlit sky with Beth Bennett in his arms was a dream come true.

“What?” Beth asked catching his adoring gaze.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” she asked, eyebrows raised.

“Well, not nothing, but I don’t want to jinx it.”

“Jinx what?”

Parker moved his mouth to her ear and whispered. “How happy I am.”

He felt Beth shiver as her mouth quirked into a smile. “Me too.” She gazed up at him, her deep brown eyes twinkling. “You know . . .” she said playfully. “This is starting to feel like a date.”

“Oh yeah?”

She gave an impish shrug. “I mean there was dinner and now dancing . . .”

“And we could take a moonlit walk,” Parker offered catching her drift.

“And if I’m not mistaken, those were all the things you said you wanted us to do first.”

“You’re not mistaken,” he replied.

“So now what?” she asked.

It was Parker’s turn to shrug. “The world is our oyster.”

“Well, I have an idea,” Beth offered.

“What’s that?”

“I think maybe we should take that moonlit walk back to my room.”

Parker’s heart nearly beat out of his chest. “So you were serious about that note you left me?”

Beth smirked. “I was wondering when you were going to bring that up.”

“It’s pretty much all I’ve been thinking about,” Parker admitted. “I mean, come on. You can’t tell a guy you want to wake up next to him in the morning and expect anything else. It’s torturous. Do you know how many cold showers I had to take?”

Beth giggled. “I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

She laughed. “You’re right. I’m totally not sorry.”

“Good,” he said. “Because I’m holding you to it.”

Beth grinned. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Beth

Beth’s willpower got her through one more song, but the sensation of Parker’s fingers stroking the small of her back was doing unholy things to her insides. She stretched up on her tiptoes and whispered into his ear. “Ready?”

She couldn’t see his smile, but she felt it against her cheek. A moment later he was guiding her off the dance floor and through the crowded reception, his hand never leaving her back. It was a new, yet welcome feeling.

Having Parker nearby had always been reassuring, but now, his touch was intoxicating. Everywhere he brushed her skin lit up with heat and electricity. The feeling spread through her body in unexpected and delicious ways. Her heart beat faster and her chest felt tighter. She wondered what she looked like to the people she passed. In her mind, Beth felt like she was sprinting away like a thief in the night. She held her breath, sure someone would notice she’d stolen the most precious guy at the party.

When they made it far enough away from the outdoor reception, Parker took Beth’s hand and began to run. She pulled him up, giggling and breathless after only a few steps.

“Wait. I can’t run in these,” she said reaching down to slip off her shoes. She handed them to Parker and picked up the long hem of her gauzy white dress. “Race ya,” she said.

“What?”

But Beth was already bolting barefoot across the lawn. She knew it was cheating, but she also knew Parker would catch her in a heartbeat. She hadn’t been able to beat him in a race since she was six.

She was right. In no time, Parker’s arms snaked around Beth’s waist. He dropped her shoes and hoisted her off her feet. She gasped and half-heartedly tried to slip his hold by tickling him.

Parker barked a laugh. “You’re such a bad sport.”

She was about to say something witty when he swept her feet out from under her, catching her just before she landed on the ground. She shrieked which made Parker smile so wide his dimples carved handsome grooves in his flushed cheeks.

“You almost dropped me,” she gasped.

“Never.”

“You could have!”

Parker smirked deviously. “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” Then he attacked her with his own brand of tickling that left Beth panting with laughter.

When he stopped, they were tangled together on the cool, lush grass. Parker’s beautiful face was inches from hers. Her heart raced with the promise of his kiss. He made her want to be reckless. Beth looped her arms around Parker’s neck and he leaned in, kissing her with abandon.

Fireworks erupted in the distance and Parker pulled away, laughing when he saw Beth’s awestruck expression. “I swear, I didn’t plan that. I’m not that good.”

Beth laughed. “I don’t know. You should give yourself more credit. It sorta feels like fireworks in my chest every time I kiss you.”

Parker grinned and leaned in to kiss her again, and that’s when it happened. She heard someone call her name and dread spread through her like a crack ripping through ice. Even before Beth looked up, she knew who she’d see standing there. She’d know his voice anywhere. Except he wasn’t supposed to be here. He was supposed to be in Aspen.

Jared

Jared couldn’t watch it any longer. He called Beth’s name because his other alternative was to rip Parker off of her and beat him to death. But when she looked up he wished he’d gone with beating Parker. The look on her face broke his heart all over again.

He’d beaten himself up non-stop since Beth had caught him and Caroline together. Jared didn’t think anything could hurt worse than the betrayal he’d seen on Beth’s face that night. But he was wrong. This hurt worse. Much worse.

Jared supposed he deserved it, but that’s why he’d gotten on a plane. He had to find Beth and tell her how sorry he was and that he didn’t want to lose her. Jared hadn’t expected to fall in love with Beth, but he had and he’d screwed it up. But this was all so new to him. He didn’t know how to be in a solid relationship. He’d never had a good role model, but somehow Beth had changed him. She made him want to be better and he couldn’t let her go. Not without a fight. Not without telling her how he felt.

Jared had been rehearsing what he wanted to say the whole way to Georgia. He wavered between truth and denial. He’d decided on truth, but he hadn’t been expecting to find Beth in someone else’s arms so soon. Especially not Parker’s arms. The guy had no spine. And apparently no pride if he was already going after Jared’s leftovers less than twenty-four hours after they’d broken up. At least Parker had the decency to look scared. They both did.

Parker helped Beth climb to her feet and Jared took a step toward her. She tensed and in a flash, Parker was between them.

“You need to leave, Jared,” Parker ordered.

“That’s not up to you,” Jared snapped. “I’m here for Beth.”

“She doesn’t want to see you.”

“Why don’t you let her decide for herself?” Jared snarled.

Beth pushed her way around Parker. “Easy,” she warned him. “I can speak for myself.”

Jared grinned smugly, but then Beth turned to face him. “And he’s right. I have nothing left to say to you, Jared. You should leave.”

“But I need to explain . . .”

“Explain? What is there to explain? You were my boyfriend and I caught you sleeping with my best friend!” Beth shouted.

Parker put his hand on Beth’s shoulder and she lowered her voice when she spoke next. “This is my sister’s wedding. My whole family is here. It’s not the place to discuss this. And there’s nothing you can say to make what you did excusable.”

Jared ran his hand through his hair, frantically. He wanted to punch something. Parker would make a nice punching bag—but that would only get Jared in more trouble. “Beth, I’m sorry, okay? I know I screwed up, but I truly care about you.”

She huffed a laugh and he took a pleading step toward her again only to be immediately blocked by Parker.

Jared glared at him. The guy was begging for a beating. Jared tried to leash his anger. He needed to get Beth alone. He was sure if he could just kiss her again, he could make her see how he felt. But Parker kept getting in the way.

Beth spoke up. “Jared, I’m serious, you need to leave.”

“Not until I say what I came here for.”

Beth crossed her arms. “Fine, then get it over with.”

Jared eyed Parker, then Beth. “Can we go somewhere and talk, just us?”

“Absolutely not,” Beth replied.

“What I have to say is kinda personal.”

She shrugged. “Then don’t say it, but I’m not going anywhere with you. I told you, we’re done. If you need to get something off your chest then do it right here. Otherwise you can leave.”

Jared stood his ground. He hated being put on the spot and he didn’t want to admit how deep his feelings for Beth were or how Caroline had manipulated him in front of Parker. Why couldn’t the kid take a hint and get lost?

Out of patience, Beth turned to walk away. She slipped her hand into Parker’s and Jared snapped. “God damn it, Beth, will you just listen to me? I’m in love with you!”

Beth spun around, her mouth hanging open in disbelief. “In love with me? You just slept with my best friend and you have the audacity to come here and tell me you’re in love with me?” She laughed cruelly. “You don’t know what love is, Jared.”

“I do. And I know you’re not going to believe me, but I did what I did with Caroline because I had to.”

“You’re right. I don’t believe you.”

“It’s true! Car was blackmailing me.”

“Right,” Beth replied. “Because Caroline Voss doesn’t have a line of guys waiting to bed her.”

“Maybe she does. All I know is the bitch is crazy. The scholarship I won was from her dad’s company and she threatened to take it away if I didn’t do exactly what she said.”

Beth’s eyes widened.

“Beth, I’m so sorry. I know I screwed up. It was only supposed to be a one time thing, but then I fell for you and I didn’t know you two knew each other the first time we hooked up, but when I found out, everything just got messed up and—”

“Wait,” Beth said interrupting Jared’s rant. “What do you mean the first time we hooked up?”

In his panic, Jared realized he’d just made things even worse.

Beth had tears in her eyes again. “Was this not the first time you were with her?”

There was no going back now. Jared knew the honest route was his only chance. He nodded. “We had sex in the janitor’s closet the first day of school.”

Beth shook her head slowly. “No. Caroline wouldn’t do that to me.” Tears were sliding down Beth’s cheeks now. “She’s my friend.”

“No she’s not.” Jared took no pleasure in hurting Beth with the truth, but there was no other way to get across to her that he was a victim in Caroline’s game too. “She threatened to take my scholarship away if I told you the truth. Then she made me go to Aspen because she didn’t trust me not to tell you over spring break. She wanted me to break up with you, Beth, but I wouldn’t do it.”

“So I’m supposed to believe you were doing me a favor by sleeping with my best friend behind my back?”

“No! I don’t know.” Jared needed to gather his thoughts. Everything was coming out wrong. “Beth, I know this is a mess but I never meant for any of this to happen. I screwed up. When I met Caroline, I was trying to be the old me, the guy who didn’t get attached. She was just a stupid mistake. But then I let myself fall for you and I didn’t expect it. I knew I’d fucked up but I didn’t know how to fix things without losing everything I care about.”

“You mean lacrosse?”

“No, I mean you. Please give me another chance, Beth. Caroline never meant anything to me. You’re the only thing that matters.” He took a step closer. “Let me fix this,” he begged.

Beth flinched away, backing into Parker, who folded her into his arms as she broke down into a fit of sobs.

“You need to leave,” Parker said quietly while Beth buried her face in his chest.

This was not how it was supposed to go. Beth was supposed to forgive him. Jared couldn’t lose everything. His scholarship. The girl he loved. His last ounce of self-respect.

Jared’s temper was reaching its boiling point. “Beth?” He called her name pleadingly but she didn’t turn around. He broke. “So that’s it? We’ve been together six months and you’ve just moved on overnight? With him?”

Beth remained silently sobbing in Parker’s arms.

“I know I screwed up, Beth, but it’s only because I fucking love you and that terrifies me.”

She finally looked at him. “All this time and you say it now?” Beth asked. “It’s just because you’re afraid of losing me.”

“No, it’s not, Beth. It’s how I feel. I love you.”

“Jared, it’s too late. That’s what I was calling to tell you last night. It’s over between us. Seeing you with Caroline just made it crystal clear.”

“Beth, don’t do this,” Jared pleaded.

“I’m with Parker now and you’re just jealous.”

“I’m crazy jealous,” he corrected. “I’d be jealous of anyone who stole you away from me.”

“That’s just it, Jared. Parker didn’t steal me from you. I was never yours to begin with. I’m my own person and I want a real relationship. I was just an accessory for you to play with when it was convenient. You never made any effort to do the things that I wanted. And I didn’t think it was a big deal at first, but you know what, it is. So thank you for making me realize I deserve better.”

“What, Parker? You think he’s better than me?”

“I know he is,” Beth retorted.

“I got news for you, Beth. Parker’s not the perfect guy you think he is.”

Beth roared to life. “Really? How’s that? Did he sleep with Caroline too?”

“He knew about it!” Jared fired back.

Beth didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, and he tried to warn me, but I’m an idiot and didn’t want to believe my boyfriend and best friend would do that to me.”

Jared laughed. “Oh Parker more than knew about it. Why don’t you ask him about Caroline’s proposition? She made him an offer too.”

Beth’s eyes flicked to Parker and Jared grinned triumphantly when Parker’s self-righteous smile faltered. He had him. “That’s right, Parker.” Jared continued. “Why don’t you tell Beth how Caroline asked you to help her break us up? I mean, since you’re such a perfect guy I’m assuming you told her all about it, right?”

Beth

Beth looked between Jared and Parker, and the expression on Parker’s face made her heart stop. Guilt. It was unmistakable. She saw it flicker in his blue eyes and her heart crumbled to ash.

“That’s right,” Jared spat. “Perfect Parker knew what was going on. And if he really cared about you, he would’ve told you.”

Beth turned to Parker, the remains of heart disintegrating. “Tell me it’s not true.” But the look on Parker’s face said it all. Jared was telling the truth. Parker had known more than he’d told her. She felt frost crackling its way through her veins as she backed away from him. “This isn’t happening,” she whispered.

“Beth,” Parker started. “Caroline did say that, but I would never—”

“How could you not tell me?” she interrupted, her voice strangled.

“Because I didn’t want to hurt you,” Parker pleaded.

“But you knew she was sleeping with Jared and you didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t know she was sleeping with him or blackmailing him, if that’s even true. I tried to tell you what I suspected, but—”

“You didn’t try very hard, did you? But why would you when you were just waiting for Jared to break my heart so I’d come running to you?” Beth barely got the words out as her chest constricted with pain.

Parker took a step toward her, his face desperate and pleading. “Beth, you know I would never do that. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy. If Jared made you happy I was willing to swallow my feelings.”

Beth looked between Parker and Jared. She didn’t know what to believe. She only knew she was a fool. She’d been minutes from going up to her room with Parker to cement their newfound feelings before Jared showed up.

She looked at Parker. “Was any of this even real?” she asked, searching his burning blue eyes for the truth.

Parker took her hand in his. “Every second. Beth, I promise you, I never lied to you about how I feel.”

“Neither did I,” Jared interjected. “Beth, I’ve never felt this way about anyone. And I know it’s probably too late, but I just want you to know that I’m in love with you. I don’t want to lose you. I’ll do anything.”

A thousand things were happening at once. Beth’s mind reeled as her heart tore in half. She was crying and laughing at the absurdity of it all. She wanted to fall to pieces and run away at the same time. But the only clear thought she could grab hold of was that she couldn’t deal with this right now.

Beth pulled her hand from Parker’s and started running. She was only a few yards from the front of Bellemora. A car idled at the valet stand with the engine running. Her heart pounded as she pumped her legs faster. She just needed to escape.