14. Parker

CHAPTER 14

Parker

W hen Audrey had told me that their date auction was an annual event, a fundraiser for her sorority’s charity, I hadn’t imagined anything like this. It felt like half the school was here, crowded into the auditorium to watch the show.

And damn, if I hadn’t felt a flare of possession when she’d gone up on stage. I couldn’t help it. She looked perfect, like a pretty pink princess, especially with the lights behind her illuminating her golden hair.

I couldn’t help but think about how right it had felt to hold her in my arms the other day during rehearsals. How right it was to kiss her in front of the entire cast and crew of the musical.

To claim her as mine, even if it was just in our roles.

We were dating, even if it wasn’t real, but I hadn’t even taken her out yet on a date. A real date. I frowned at the thought. Sure, we were visible on campus. We walked together, shared dinner most evenings together, and spent most of our free time together. She let me hold her hand, interlacing our fingers as we walked with no space between our bodies.

It wasn’t enough, though. I was still failing as her fake boyfriend. I needed to step up my game.

Maybe that was why I’d bid on her basket. Not because I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else going on a date with her, but because I’d wanted to prove that she was mine.

The look she was giving me as she came out from the back told me I’d made the right call. I didn’t regret spending all that money if she looked this happy afterward. Truly, there was nothing better than the feeling of your girl walking straight into your waiting arms.

I swept her up into a hug, holding her tight against my body.

“You did so good up there, sunshine,” I whispered against the top of her head. “I’m proud of you.” I wanted to give her the words because I was beginning to suspect that no one told her how amazing she was. Sometimes it felt like she thought she needed to tone herself down. To be less than the amazing person she was. I wanted to prove to her that the only people who would ask her to change weren’t friends at all.

To support her in every decision and every choice she made. If she wanted to wear pink every day, to wear her shimmery eyeshadow and sparkly lip gloss because it made her happy, that was no one’s business but hers. All I wanted was to see her happy.

“I can’t believe you just dropped five hundred dollars on me,” Audrey mumbled as she pulled away slightly so she could look up at me.

I shrugged. “It was for a good cause. Plus, I wanted my date.” I smirked at her. “No one else was getting my heart-shaped sandwiches.”

Because damn, one look at her up there, and I’d known that there was no way in hell I was going to let anyone else win a date with Audrey. Fake or not, she was my girlfriend, and I wanted all of her dates. All of her smiles.

All of those pretty little blushes she gave me.

She wrapped her arms around my back, hugging me tight. “Thank you.”

Brushing her bangs out of her eyes, I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Of course, Rosie Girl. I’ve got you.”

“I know,” she murmured.

“So, how about that date?” I wiggled my eyebrows.

“Now?” Audrey laughed. “It’s late. And don’t you have a game tomorrow?”

We did. And next weekend, we had our first away game of the season. I sighed. “Raincheck, then?”

“Whenever you want, boyfriend ,” Audrey winked at me.

Wrapping my arm around her, I tugged her close as we headed out of the auditorium, leaving all of it behind us.

“Did you eat?” I asked, looking over at her. If there was one thing I knew, it was that she was constantly forgetting to feed herself. When she got busy, it was the last thing on her mind. But she had me now, and I’d always make sure to take care of her, even when she forgot herself.

She shook her head. “No. I got caught up setting up and?—”

I nodded, guiding her to my car.

“Parker, where are we going? You have a game tomorrow. You should get some sleep.” Audrey crossed her arms as she stopped in the middle of the parking lot.

“I’m going to feed you, Rosie, and then I’ll take you back to the sorority house and watch you go inside to make sure you’re safe, okay? And once I see your light turn on in the window, then I’ll go.” I tugged at the end of the pink bow she had in her hair. “Okay?”

Her eyes met mine, and I expected more of a fight, but then her arms dropped to her side, and she just nodded.

“The dining hall is mostly closed, though.” She scrunched up her nose. Audrey was right—after a certain point, the only thing that was left open was the grill. And while I never minded a good burger, I knew the only thing she really liked from there was grilled cheese or chicken nuggets when she was in the mood. “So where will we go?”

Guess I was getting my date after all. I grinned. “Tacos.”

If there was one thing I knew, it was that Mexican food would always make things better. Plus, I liked that it was where we’d shared our first dinner together after the Halloween party where we’d run into each other. It felt like our place.

I liked the idea of us having places. Anything that would tie us together. When this was all over, would she still go to those places and think of us? Or would it be places we never stepped foot in again?

Slipping my hand onto her lower back as we got to my car, I opened the door for her and let her get inside. She’d already buckled up before I came around and slid into the driver’s side.

Audrey blew out a breath, messing up her bangs. “I have to admit, I was really worried about tonight.”

“Why?” I frowned.

She shrugged, looking anywhere but at me as I pulled out of the parking lot. “Last year wasn’t great. I know you weren’t here, but…” Nibbling on her bottom lip, she hesitated.

“Your ex?” I guessed. I’d told her once that I’d be her knight in shining armor, but I’d never realized how true it was until now. How easily I’d made the decision tonight to prevent her ex from winning time with her. “What would you have done if he’d won?”

“It’s not like we’re forced to go on the dates, but I would have had to talk to Ilene, my sorority advisor.”

“Does she know?”

A nod. “Yeah. I told her everything that happened last semester. She told me, well… Do you know what love bombing is?”

I shook my head, though I had an idea from the name. Still, I wanted her to keep talking. “No. Tell me.”

“It’s when you overwhelm someone with declarations of love, gifts, and excessive attention to make them fall for you.”

“He did that to you?”

Her voice was quiet. “Ilene pointed it out. I thought he was sincere at first. Fall semester was great. And then… things changed.”

I clenched my teeth together. “How?”

“He got more controlling, I guess. He’d be mad when I was hanging out with people other than him. If I wore certain things, he’d berate me for my outfit choice. If I was talking to other guys after class, he’d accuse me of cheating. Call me a slut.”

I pulled into the parking lot of the taco place, putting the car in park but not getting out of the car.

“He’s a narcissist,” I stated. Not a question. Just an observation.

Audrey fiddled with her hands on her lap. “Yeah. And for whatever reason, he won’t let me go. Like he sees me as his property.” She shut her eyes. “I never should have gone out with him. Or slept with him. I was such an idiot.”

“Hey.” I rested my hand on her thigh, squeezing lightly. “That’s my best friend you’re talking about.”

She gave me a small smile.

“You’re not an idiot,” I reassured her. “And we’ll get him to leave you alone.”

“How?” Audrey seemed so small. I fucking hated that.

I gave her a peck on the cheek. “By showing him that we’re together.”

“What are we doing here?” Audrey whispered into my ear the next Monday as we stood in the busiest coffee shop on campus, her hand laced tightly around mine. She was holding onto it like I was a lifeline—her lifeline—and for some strange reason, I liked that.

I leaned down, dragging my lips against her ear. “Showing people we’re together, sunshine.”

She inhaled sharply as I placed a kiss on her neck before standing back to my full height. I’d always been tall, even as a kid, but now I practically towered over her. If I stood behind her, I could almost tuck her completely under my chin. It was strange how much I wanted to wrap my arms around her and keep her safe from the world.

“People already know we’re together, Parker.”

I hummed in response, taking another step forward as we waited to order.

“Do they?” I was pretty sure the circles of people who knew we were dating were the lacrosse team and the cast and crew of the musical. But even that wasn’t enough. I wanted the entire campus to know she was mine.

Especially Duke Prescott, who hadn’t gotten the memo yet that Audrey wanted nothing to do with him.

“Yes?” She sounded unsure, her cheeks the most adorable shade of pink.

Finally, it was our turn to order, and I took a step up, Audrey joining me at my side.

“What would you like?” The barista asked, looking at me. She completely ignored Audrey, smiling at me like I’d give her the time of day.

What she didn’t know was the only girl I had eyes for was the one standing right next to me, wearing a pink sweater dress adorned with white pearls and tan heeled booties.

“My girlfriend will have a hot white chocolate mocha,” I said, emphasizing the first two words a touch louder than I needed to. “I’ll have a flat white.”

“Perfect. Anything else?” She fluttered her eyelashes at me.

Audrey cleared her throat. “Can I get one of those strawberry tarts?”

Finally, the barista looked at her. “Sure.” Her tone with Audrey wasn’t as sweet as it had been to me.

Squeezing Audrey’s hand, I kissed the side of her head before letting go. “Why don’t you go find a seat, sunshine, and I’ll pay?”

“Sure, baby,” my girl agreed, giving me a little smile and the sweetest blush. “See ya in a sec.”

I handed the barista my credit card, paid and got Audrey’s pastry before I headed back to find her at a table by the fireplace. It was a cozy spot and one where everyone could see us.

I set the pastry down before sliding in next to her, wrapping my arm around her. “Smart spot, baby,” I teased her.

“It just slipped out,” she said, blushing even harder than before.

“It’s okay, I liked it,” I reassured her, tugging on a blonde curl. “You can call me anything you want, Rosie Girl.”

She hummed in response, taking a bite of the puff pastry tart covered with cream cheese and strawberry. A little moan left her throat, and her tongue darted out to lick the little dollop left on her lower lip.

“Good?” I asked, watching with rapt attention.

Her head dipped in a nod. “Want to try it? These are my favorite.”

“Yeah,” I answered, hoping my voice didn’t sound as gravely as it felt.

Instead of handing it to me, Audrey angled the pastry towards me, holding it up to my mouth. I took a bite right next to where she’d eaten it, and she was right. It was good.

“Mmm,” I said after I swallowed, wiping my lip with my thumb before licking off the extra strawberry juices. “Delicious.” I eyed her lips. “Just like you.”

“Parker!” Audrey scolded, playfully smacking me on the arm before setting the pastry down on the plate.

I tipped her chin up with my finger, making her meet my gaze before pressing my lips to hers. I didn’t deepen the kiss, just let it linger there. Her eyes widened as I pulled away, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“There,” I whispered against her mouth. “That’ll do it.”

Winking, I stood up to go fetch our coffees, wishing I could do more.

That it wasn’t all just for show.