Yeah, that sounds like exactly what I want.
I park a couple houses down the street, and walk up to Parker’s bedroom window, knocking softly. It’s dark inside, which is a little odd for him because it’s not late, but maybe he worked and was tired.
The front door opens, and I duck down into the bushes with a squeal.
“Lily? Is that you?” Parker’s mom, Jackie, calls.
I stand up slowly, wincing at the pain of getting scratched by a particularly sharp branch.
“Surprise.” I shrug. “Is Parker home?”
Her face falls slightly. “No, honey, he’s out right now.”
“Oh, is he working?”
She shakes her head, “No, he went out with some friends. You can probably find him at Dusty Boots.”
“Oh, okay, sure. I’ll try there.” I detangle myself from the bush without causing too much damage to my clothes and skin.
“Hey Lily?” she calls after me when I’m free and about to beeline it to my car.
“Yeah?” I turn to look at her even though my face is flaming with embarrassment that she caught me like this.
“He’s really missed you. I think he took you leaving a lot harder than he expected to.”
“I missed him too,” I tell her honestly. “That’s why I’m back early.”
She smiles. “Good luck.”
I laugh. “It’s Parker, I don’t need luck.”
Pulling up to the restaurant, I feel both eager and anxious about seeing him again. I don’t know what I’m about to say, but I don’t think it matters. I miss him like crazy; I probably won’t be able to say anything, I’ll just jump into his arms and attack his face.
I’m smiling already as I get out of the car and walk to the door. Stepping inside, I immediately search for the familiar face and bright blue eyes. When I find it, but my heart instantly drops.
He’s not alone, someone is sitting next to him, his arm around her shoulders. I can’t see her face but they’re talking with their faces so close together and I freeze. She laughs and I recognize her from school. Her name is Bree and she always wanted him. Of course she took the first chance she could.
I can’t believe he did too.
I shake my head, trying to make the visual in front of me change, but it remains the same. They get so close their foreheads are touching, and I can’t stay here to see what happens next. I feel like I’m going to be sick or scream and I need to leave.
I was wrong to come back here. Clearly, I was wrong about a lot of things. The worst part is I was wrong about Parker. My best friend, my first love. The man I thought would always be mine and would go to the ends of the world for me was quick to replace me.
I guess now it’s my turn to move on.
Of course, I still couldn’t move on for a couple years. While he whored around town, I couldn’t bring myself to even date another man. Not until Aaron and look how well that turned out for me.
Now, I’m back to where I was, letting Parker back in so easily and I hate how natural it feels for us. But I’m going to keep my distance because I have to. Especially if he’s still sleeping his way through Amity for fun.
I see the way all the nurses fawn over him when he comes to the hospital. They do the same to Jameson too, but they all know he only has eyes for Sutton and would never try anything. Parker, on the other hand, is fair game and they know it.
After another two nights of work, I’m off for the next three. The sun is setting when I wake up because Tulips is whining next to me. I grumble, opening my eyes to see her fuzzy face staring at me.
“Is there any chance you could wait a little longer to go to the bathroom?”
She lets out a bark that has her moving her whole body to protest.
“I guess not.” I swing my legs over the side of my bed and stretch my arms out before standing and walking with Tulips upstairs to let her out.