Parker: Anna…
My body stills.
Parker: Text me when you get home.
Another one two hours later.
Parker: Anna, are you home? It’s well past midnight.
Anna.
Something in my chest knots up.. He called me Anna twice. He made a choice to start calling me Anna. Why? Maybe he’s giving me a choice. I don’t know how I feel about that yet.
I don’t know how I feel about any of this.
Parker.
His family.
My career.
My past.
I drop my phone on the bed and push myself up, head spinning and head toward the kitchen in search of anything that might make me feel human again.
Water first. Then something to soak up the alcohol. I should have eaten last night instead of letting my nerves dictate my moves. I need bread or crackers. Anything.
My body may be moving slower than usual, but my mind is already racing ahead. What does it all mean? Last night was… easy. Laughing with Noelle, Sutton and Birdie like I’ve known them longer than a few hours. Letting myself exist in a space where I had no control.
I didn’t put distance between us or let them do all the talking. I participated in the conversations. Who is the best pop singer of all time? Whitney? Mariah? Taylor? When Noelle said Taylor, the shit hit the fan. Birdie and Noelle insisted it was Whitney. Since I’m closer to Noelle’s age, I agreed with her. We took it to the people eating and drinking to break the tie… karaoke time. Of course, Birdie and Sutton won.
Noelle said, “That’s no fair you’re a real singer.”
We couldn’t stop laughing.
I haven’t had that much fun in a very long time. There lies the problem. Now, I want more of it.
I grab a piece of bread and throw it in the toaster, push the button, and lean against the counter.
My phone rings and I look down at it. It’s Noelle.
I answer by clearing my throat. “Hi.”
“Good morning!” she chirps, entirely too cheerful for this hour.
“Is it?”
She laughs, “You survived margarita night. That’s a win in my book.”
“A win? I’m on the prowl for ibuprofen.”
“Worth it?” she asks with her voice climbing an octave.
“Totally. I didn’t realize how stressed I’ve been.”
“Good,” she says. “Because Birdie and Sutton already asked if you’re coming next week.”
Next week.