Parker

PARKER

The kitchen looks so much brighter when I wake up the next morning. Granted, I hadn’t counted on sleeping on the kitchen floor, but I guess the exhaustion from coming down just knocked me out.

I yawn, stifling it barely with my right hand, then smack my lips together as I get to my feet. I can’t believe I slept in sticky panties last night . The realization hits me with a grimace when my inner thighs bond together slightly.

The revolting feeling gives way to laughter.

I’ve never done that before, and while I’m honestly a little grossed out by it, I wonder what Brando would think? Would he think it’s funny? Sexy as fuck? Revolting?

I shake my head as I leave the kitchen and head for my bedroom. That’s the last thought I plan on having about him for the rest of the day because I can’t let myself get consumed by thoughts of what if?

That’s how I ended up going through my great rebellious years that I’m pretty sure Mom and Dad are still recovering from.

“Okay, first things first. Shower,” I mumble to myself as I enter my bedroom and head over to the dresser directly across from my bed. I quickly pick through the top dresser to locate a bra, a pair of panties, then close it so I can open the one below it. Once I’ve pulled out a pair of super cute, short-cut jean shorts and a fitted t-shirt, I fling it all onto my shoulder and leave my room.

Flipping the switch and illuminating the room, I walk over to the hamper and close the lid so I can lay my clothes on top, then I take the couple of steps toward the bathtub and pull open the glass door.

It’s one of the little things I insisted on when I was looking for a place of my own because I’ve seen Psycho one too many times to know that the worst things usually happen in the shower. The real estate agent looked at me with amusement in her eyes, but she found the perfect place.

Even though it’s not exactly as big as I wanted, it’s all mine, and I’ve learned to be happy with it.

I step into the shower and then fidget with the handles, withstanding the cold blast of water that cascades out of the showerhead until the temperature is just right. That’s something I’ve done since I was a girl, more of a punishment tactic when I would have thoughts about?—

Chill, I admonish myself.

Today is going to be an ordinary day and nothing more.

As I reach for the bottle of shampoo and begin to lather my hair, I wonder what ordinary even means anymore in the life of a gal like me.