36. Parker

CHAPTER 36

Parker

H ere we were. The Castleton Chipmunks lacrosse team had made it through all the rounds of the playoffs, and we’d made it to the championship game.

After everything I’d been through this last year, I couldn’t believe I was here. Maybe I was lucky because all of it—everything I’d gone through—had brought me here. To Audrey Rose. To the love of my life.

She always had been. And I knew deep in my bones that I’d been waiting for her. That it wouldn’t have been like this with anyone else.

Because the girl in the second row, screaming for me, wearing my jersey with my number painted on her cheek—she was the best thing that had ever happened to me.

She was the reason I was going to be captain of the team next year. Because somewhere along the way—while pretending to be her boyfriend and acting in a starring lead in a musical, for fuck’s sake—I gained the confidence I needed all along. And I forgave myself for everything with Millie.

Without Audrey, I never would have realized just how dull my life had been before. I hadn’t truly been living or enjoying the world around me. I’d just been going through the motions: class, practice, the gym. It had been a life, but not one that brought me joy.

My ex and I had never been right for each other, and I hated it took her cheating on me for me to see that. But she wasn’t a bad person. I might not have wanted to be friends with her again, but I could see how she must have been hurting. Our relationship had made sense—we had a class together, and she liked me. I liked her well enough, so when she’d asked me out, I’d agreed. But I’d never given her the attention that she deserved. Because the passion wasn’t there.

Not like it was with Audrey.

But it was more than that with her, too. Audrey and I had this deep foundation we’d built together of trust and respect. We didn’t keep things from each other—not the important things. How easy would it have been for her to never tell me about Duke? But we had.

“Let’s do this!” Derek shouted. “Castleton Chipmunks on three!”

Laughing, I threw my hand in, and we all screamed for our team.

It was the most intense sixty minutes of game play of my life, even as I played in five-or-so minute shifts. On the field, I had to adopt that lethal calm, blocking everything out. On the bench, my heart was in my throat as I watched my teammates pass the balls or try to block the opposing team’s play.

And down to the final minute of the game, when Taylor passed me the ball and I ran with it towards the net, launching it with nothing to lose—I knew this season would be one I’d never forget.

My girl was waiting by the side of the field, like always, beaming in my jersey.

“You won.” Audrey’s face was beaming as she stood next to my parents—and hers.

“Hi, baby,” I said, dropping my gloves and helmet onto the ground so I could pick her up and twirl her around. Audrey’s laugh lit me up inside, and I set her back on her feet. I wanted to kiss her, but with both of our families here, I’d wait until we were alone.

“We’re so proud of you, Parker,” my mom said, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.

“Good job, son.” My dad patted me on the shoulder, the pride on his face practically radiated through.

“Thank you guys so much for coming,” I said, feeling a little choked up. “It means so much to me.”

Even Ella and Cam were here, coming down for the weekend to help support me. I was touched. Cam and I had finally met the day after the big party—we’d all gone out for brunch—and we’d instantly started talking about sci-fi and fantasy series we liked.

In short, everything was great. Better than great, even.

I pushed my fingers through my hair—damp, since I’d been sweaty after running around on the field for four periods—and looked at my family. My blood, and the one I’d made. It felt right that we were all here.

“So we thought we’d all go out to dinner and celebrate. What do you think?” Dad tugged my mom into his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and tugging her to him.

I nodded. “Sounds great, Dad.”

Audrey slid her hand into mine and wrapped her other arm around mine.

“The team is getting together later tonight for one last hurrah before everyone goes home for the summer.” I looked down at her. “Do you want to go?” Audrey gave me a little pout, and I dropped my lips to her ear. “Don’t worry, we’ll have some alone time later.”

Her lips tilted up in a coy expression. “Alright.” She stepped up on her tiptoes. “But only if you promise to make it up to me.”

“Leave the jersey on,” I murmured into her ear. “I want to see you in it as I?—”

Audrey wrapped her hand over my mouth to keep me from talking, scolding me with her eyes.

Chuckling, I kissed her palm. “Later,” I promised.

Dinner had lasted forever, and I’d barely made it two drinks at the party with the guys before I was dragging Audrey out of there, desperate to be alone with her.

If I’d have had my way, I would have been inside of her as soon as I stepped off the field, but our families were important, and I hadn’t gotten to spend much time with my parents all year.

Audrey was in my arms, her lips on mine, as soon as the door shut behind us.

God, she looked so pretty tonight. There was a pink shimmer over her eyelids, and she’d pulled her hair up with a cute pink ribbon.

“I need you,” I panted, pressing open-mouthed kisses to her neck before sucking on the skin there.

“Then have me,” she said with a gasp as I pushed her panties aside, roughly plunging two fingers inside of her. Thank fuck, she was wearing a skirt. I loved the easy access, especially compared to the pants she’d worn in the winter.

Plus, I loved watching it swish as I walked behind her, admiring her cute little ass.

Audrey let out a whimper as I pushed her up against the door, her head falling back. “Parker,” she cried. “I need?—”

“I know what you need,” I mused, pulling my fingers out and lifting her into my arms so I could carry her into our bedroom.

Dropping her on the bed, I didn’t waste a single second, stripping my clothes off before tugging her skirt and pretty pink undies down and pushing my jersey up past her hips. I groaned at the sight of her spread out for me.

Just like our first time.

“Fuck,” I groaned, using my fingers to spread her open. “Look at you. So wet and perfect for me. Your pussy is the prettiest shade of pink, Audrey.” Dipping down, I brought our lips back together, kissing her roughly as I pushed my fingers back inside of her, making sure she was ready for my cock.

The little breathy noises she was making were going straight to my cock, standing at attention and begging to be inside of her as I continued to fuck her with my fingers.

When I could feel her getting close, I pulled them out. She let out a little whimper as I sucked them clean, keeping my eyes locked on hers.

“How do you want me?” Audrey fluttered her eyelashes, running her fingers down her body before bunching the jersey up at her waist.

“On your knees,” I ordered. “Let me see my name on your back as I fuck you. Jersey stays on.”

She scrambled up on her hands and knees, raising her ass into the air and giving me the perfect few of my last name across her back.

One day, it would be hers, too. It was crazy to already be thinking about marrying her one day, but I couldn’t help it.

There was no one else I could see in my future. Not when we fit just right together. She made me a better person in every possible way, and I wanted to give her everything.

Kneeling behind her on the bed, I spread her cheeks wide, massaging her cute little ass with my hands.

“Parker,” Audrey moaned as I continued to lavish attention everywhere but where I knew she needed it. “Get inside of me.”

Knowing neither one of us could wait much longer, I positioned myself at her entrance, driving deep inside of her with one shallow thrust.

“Did you need my cock, baby?” I asked, holding her hips, keeping my pelvis pressed against her backside.

She hummed in response, tightening her pussy around me, and I groaned. “Fuck. Feels so good.”

I gave her a light smack against the ass, and Audrey let out a small moan, so I did it again. Not quite enough to cause pain, but enough that I could tell it brought her pleasure.

“More,” she begged.

“So beautiful,” I rasped, gathering up her long blond streaks in my fists and tugging them as I snapped my hips into hers, over and over again, fucking her hard, just like she wanted.

I’m panting, trying to hold myself back, trying to think about anything except for how good it felt like this, how tight and wet she was as I buried myself inside of her.

And all the while, as I pumped inside of her, my eyes were glued to my jersey. The thing that proved she was mine. She had been from the very first moment she’d put it on.

It was that thought that I kept in my mind as I brought her to a climax and as I followed behind. That she was mine.

I was hers, and she was mine, and no championship in the world was as good of a prize as the blonde in my arms screaming my name as both of us descended into utter bliss.

It was the weekend, and for once, we didn’t have anywhere to be. It had been a little over two weeks since my team had won the championship game, and I was practically floating on air. Everything was different.

Because I had the girl.

She was mine. My Rosie Girl.

My sleeping beauty, who had fallen asleep in our bed. The one we shared. In our apartment. Living together still felt surreal. I’d loved having her in my room whenever she stayed over this semester, but this was different. No sneaking out. No worrying about getting caught.

Our clothes hung together in the closet, and it felt domestic as fuck to make breakfast for her every morning and dinner together every night.

If there was one thing about my girl, it was that she was not a morning person. Since the season was over, I went for a run every morning to stay in shape, but I let my girl sleep.

I couldn’t imagine life any differently. Twenty-two, and I could see my future clearly. Audrey and I were already living together, and after we graduated next year, we would do life together. I’d started talking with firms in New York City, and hopefully, one of them would give me a job offer. She was already looking for casting notices and trying to find an agent who would help her get cast in a role on Broadway. And while my girl knew it might not be easy, it was what was in her heart.

And I never wanted her to do anything other than follow her passion, to reach for the stars. Because she was a star, so brilliant and bright, and I wanted to help hold her up.

A small smile curled on my lips as I watched her, not wanting to disturb her as the movie played. Her blonde hair was sprawled out over our bed, and I couldn’t help but play with it, running my fingers through the soft strands.

“Mmm,” Audrey moaned, nuzzling against me further in sleep. “Parker…”

I ran my thumb over her cheekbones, tracing each inch of her face like I could memorize it from touch alone.

Finally, her eyes fluttered open.

“Hey.” I shifted my position, sitting up against the pillow so I could watch her fully.

“Sorry I fell asleep,” she whispered.

“It’s fine, sunshine,” I said, kissing her forehead. “I like watching you sleep.”

She blushed. “Stop saying things like that.”

“Like what?” I asked, knowing I was playing coy and trying to hide my smile.

She playfully smacked my arm. “You know what I mean. Don’t pull an Edward Cullen. And I don’t need true love’s kiss to wake me up.”

“No, but does it hurt to try?” I grinned. That was always her favorite fairytale growing up. After the prince had slain the dragon, he found his princess, his true love, and woke her up with a kiss. A smirk covered my lips. “The dragon was slayed, after all. And you love me. So I guess what they say is true. And they all lived happily ever after.”

Audrey smiled. “I think I can live with that.”

So could I.

Pulling her into my arms, I nuzzled my face against her neck, letting her sweet strawberry scent wash over me. Letting the knowledge that she was my happy ending—that despite everything, we were here together—rush over me, filling me with warmth and love beyond comparison.

Her eyes drifted closed again as she fell asleep in my arms.

“I love you,” I murmured against her ear. The words could never express the enormity of what I truly felt, but they were a start.