Beth

Late the next day Beth was discharged from the hospital with a clean bill of health. Parker hadn’t left her side the entire time she was at Memorial South. And he held her hand in the back seat as her parents drove her back to Bellemora.

Things had settled down by the time Beth returned. The wedding was over, Brenna and Eric had left for their honeymoon and most of her family had already departed. The only people left besides Parker, Beth and her parents, was her sister Brianna and her husband, Jaime. They were both waiting to greet Beth when they pulled up at Bellemora.

Everyone helped her get settled into her old room at the hotel. Beth happily crawled into her bed and let her family fuss over her. She really felt fine. A little sore and tired, but it could’ve been so much worse.

At the hospital, Beth had startled herself awake a few times, but each time Parker was there at her side to settle her. He was such a reassuring presence. She honestly didn’t know what she’d do without him. Not only had he rescued her from the car accident, but Parker had saved her from herself. Without him she didn’t know how she could’ve survived the pain and embarrassment Jared and Caroline had caused her. They had hurt her worse than the car accident.

Word about Beth’s accident had already reached her classmates. She received a flurry of texts. Most of them were just fishing for gossip. And there were a ton of missed calls from Caroline. When Beth didn’t return any of Caroline’s calls, she’d sent a long text explaining how she thought she was helping Beth by protecting her from the heartbreak Jared would cause. Beth read every misguided word and then deleted the text along with Caroline’s contact. Maybe someday Beth would forgive Caroline, but it wouldn’t be today.

Beth had a feeling she would be feeling the aftershocks of Jared and Caroline’s betrayal for quite some time. But what frightened her more than the accident, more than facing Jared and Caroline and the gossip already brewing back at Stanton, was the fact that Beth had almost lost Parker.

It had been his face she’d seen last when she faded from consciousness after the wreck and in that moment she’d known it was him—it had always been him. She’d heard that sometimes it takes losing something to know what you had. And Beth thanked her lucky stars that hadn’t been the case for her. A near loss was close enough.

She and Parker had been inseparable since that moment. Their bond coiled tighter by such a traumatic event. Even now, he was settled at the foot of her bed, his hand resting on her ankle, like he couldn’t bear to go without touching her. She was glad for it. Truthfully she craved his connection more than her pain killers. She’d awoken with the ache to grab hold of him and never let go.

Beth smiled as she watched Parker’s fingers absently rubbing her ankle. She was glad he seemed to feel the same way. Whether he knew it or not, having constant contact with him made her feel better than any of the medication the doctors had prescribed.

* * *

After a bit more visiting, Beth’s mother stood up. “Well, sweetie. I think we should let you get some rest now that you’re settled.”

Panic crawled up Beth’s spine as Parker stood, too. She didn’t want him to leave, and the tight expression on his face said he didn’t either.

“Can Parker stay with me?” Beth blurted.

Seeming to sense Beth’s anxiety at being left alone, Parker spoke up. “I don’t mind staying for a bit longer. Maybe until Beth falls asleep?”

Beth’s parents exchanged glances.

“Please?” Beth begged.

Beth’s mother smiled warmly. “I suppose that would be okay.” Then she turned to Parker. “As long as you promise to let her rest.”

“Promise,” Parker pledged.

Sensing her parents were in an agreeable mood, Beth decided to ask the question she’d been thinking of since she woke up in the hospital. “Mom, do you think it would be okay if I stayed here for the rest of spring break?”

“You want to stay in Georgia?” her mother asked, looking surprised.

“I think I just need a little down time before going back to Boston.”

Beth knew Parker had filled her mother in about Jared being her boyfriend, as well as about Parker’s own feelings for Beth. And her mother took it mostly in stride until she saw a few unsettling messages on Beth’s cellphone, prompting Beth to come clean about everything that transpired with Jared and Caroline. It felt good to confide in her parents and get the twisted nightmare off her chest, but Beth still wasn’t in a rush to face the scandalous gossip back in Boston. She only hoped her parents would take pity on her.

After a long pause, Beth’s mother nodded. “I suppose you can stay a few more days. The sunshine will be good for you.”

“And I’ll get to spend more time with my baby sister,” Brianne added.

“But how do you plan to get home?” Beth’s father asked.

Parker piped up. “I’m happy to drive her.”

Beth’s mother looked surprised. “You want to stay, too?”

“If that’s okay with you,” Parker replied.

“Of course.” Beth’s mother replied. “Thank you, Parker. I feel better knowing you’ll be here looking after her.”

“Always,” he said giving Beth a wink.

“But now that you two are together . . .” her father hedged. “I hope I can expect you to behave appropriately?”

“Of course,” they chorused.

“That means separate bedrooms,” her father added.

Beth’s cheeks burned, but she nodded. “Definitely.”

“Don’t worry,” Brianne said. “I’ll be here to babysit for a few more days.”

Beth rolled her eyes playfully at her sister, but honestly, nothing could dampen her spirits. She’d survived her accident and she was with Parker. What more could she ask for?

Beth’s parents said their goodnights, leaving Beth in the room with Parker, Brianne and Jaime .

“Jaime, honey, why don’t you and Parker take in the view from the balcony for a minute?”

Jaime gave Brianne a puzzled look. “It’s dark out, love. There’s not much to see.”

“Find something,” Brianne hissed.

Parker caught the hint first, taking Jaime’s arm. “I think that’s code for sister talk.”

“Oh, right!” Jaime said smiling now that he understood. “The balcony it is!”

Beth couldn’t help giggling as she watched Parker and Jaime stroll out to the balcony together. Jaime was short and stocky, built like a rugby player. Parker was long and lean, with the body of an Olympic swimmer. Their silhouettes looked so at odds with each other, yet they fit. They shared a camaraderie—a brotherhood. And in that moment, Beth realized it was because Parker just fit with the Bennett clan. He always had.

Parker had become a part of her family when he moved next door those many years ago. And perhaps that’s why Beth had never seen him coming. His love had snuck up on her—slowly weaving its way into the very fabric of her being so that it was almost impossible to spot. Parker was more than just someone Beth loved, he was a part of her.

“You really love him, huh?” Brianne asked, interrupting Beth’s inner musings.

“I wouldn’t know who I am without him,” Beth replied.

Her sister grinned at her, sighing. “I just love, love.”

“Is that why you kicked the boys out?” Beth teased. “To tell me you love, love?”

“No, smart ass. I have something to give you.” Brianne handed Beth an envelope.

“What is it?”

Brianne shrugged. “It’s from Brenna. She wanted to say goodbye, but Eric’s leave isn’t very long so they left straight away for their honeymoon once they knew you were okay.”

Beth smiled, tearing into the envelope. A small key slid out as she pulled the note from inside.

Beth, follow your heart. It knows the way, even when you don’t. And consider this an early graduation present. It’s the key to the beach cottage. Eric and I rented it for a full week. I didn’t want the remaining days to go to waste and figured you might enjoy it. (With Parker, if you know what I mean? Wink. Wink.) – Love, Brenna

Beth laughed and handed the note to Brianne. Her sister’s eyes scanned the paper with delight while Beth turned the skeleton key over and over in her hand. A turquoise ribbon trailed from the cool metal of the old-fashioned key, filling Beth with excitement.

“Oh! Someone’s getting lucky!” Brianne teased.

“Bri!” Beth shrieked snatching the note back.

“Oh, please. It’s about time, Beth.”

Beth’s cheeks heated, but she couldn’t deny she was thinking the same thing.

Brianne sighed and flopped back on the bed, scooting closer to Beth. “I remember my first time,” she said wistfully.

“Was it with Jaime ?” Beth asked.

“No. But I wish it had been. Sex is so much better when you’re in love, Beth. Wait until then, okay?”

“I will,” she promised, but as Beth gazed at Parker’s silhouette on the balcony she knew the wait was over.