4. Parker

CHAPTER 4

Parker

NOVEMBER

T he last few weeks since running into Audrey at the party had been incredible. We’d fallen back into friendship, hanging out whenever we both had free time.

Audrey was incredible. The way she lit up talking about the theater department, her hopes, and her dreams, was contagious.

She made me want to be better. To strive to achieve my dreams, too. Working as an architect had been the end goal for the last few years, but it was only now that I was in my second-to-last year that I had realized how much I needed to focus. Academics had always come easily to me. I was book smart and barely had to study to get good grades. Now that I was in upper division courses though, things were different. Balancing that and being an athlete took up all my time.

Still, I couldn’t resist being around her.

Putting down my weights, I pulled out my phone. Pulled up our texts and scrolled through them. They were mostly random shit. Us sending each other memes, random references to our childhood that made me laugh. It was good. Easy. The way it should be.

Nothing like my relationship had been last year. I should have known it wasn’t right. That she’d been going behind my back with my teammate. More reasons I’d sworn off being involved with a girl. My grip tightened on my phone as I typed out a message.

Parker

Do you have plans tonight?

Audrey

We’re supposed to have some sort of bonding event at the sorority house. Probably just watching a movie. Why?

Just wanted to see if you wanted to be my dinner buddy.

I hated eating dinner alone, and though I probably could have asked one of my teammates, I much preferred her company.

Audrey

Yeah. Wanna meet at the Commons?

Hell yeah. I whooped, pumping my fist in the air, forgetting where I was.

Sam gave me a strange look, and Derek Stephens, our team captain, rolled his eyes. We were all working out in the gym facilities reserved for student athletes. We might not have games until the spring season, but we still had to keep up with our training and stay in shape.

“You texting your girl, Maxwell?”

I shook my head. “She’s not my girl. Just my friend.”

“Sure.” Stephens shook his head. “That’s what they all say.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. It was true. She was just my friend. Audrey didn’t think of me like that. She’d made that clear, pushing me into the friend zone. It was fine. Stopping to take a long drink from my water bottle, I wiped the sweat off my forehead. “Whatever. I’m gonna head to the showers.” I had finished my workout, anyway.

“Bye, Lover Boy.”

Rolling my eyes, I ignored them making kissy sounds. They were wrong. I didn’t have time for a girlfriend. But I did have time for a friend.

One whose every word I hung on.

Her smiling face greeted me as she waited by the door, wrapped in a white peacoat with a light pink scarf around her throat.

“Hi.”

“Hey.” I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, tugging her close to me in a side hug. She smelled like strawberries and roses, something I was trying hard not to notice. “You hungry?”

“Starving,” she admitted. “I’ve been so busy today that I didn’t even have time for lunch.”

I frowned. “Rosie, you gotta eat.”

She gnawed on her lower lip. “I know, I know. I’ll be better, I promise.”

Chuckling, I guided her inside, the smell of food immediately hitting my senses.

Audrey shrugged out of my grasp, and we both headed to grab food before meeting back up at the register.

“You can put them both on my plan,” I said, handing the cashier my card.

“Parker,” her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to pay for my food. It’s fine.”

I shrugged. “Do you know how big my meal plan is?”

“Still…” She had that cute little pink blush again.

“Rosie Girl,” I sighed. “Let me. It’s the least I can do for my friend.”

“Fine.” She rolled her eyes, picking her tray up as the cashier swiped my ID before handing it back to me. “Thanks, man.”

He nodded, and Audrey and I headed to a booth for two, sliding in on either side. There were plenty of booths that would hold four people, but I didn’t want any of my teammates joining us and teasing me in front of Audrey. They’d probably embarrass her, and I wanted to protect her from that.

Plus, I didn’t want to know if she found any of them attractive. She was my friend, but I didn’t think I could watch her date one of my teammates.

It would break me, and I wasn’t sure if I could come back from that.

Shoveling food in, I ignored the thought as I ate my cheeseburger and fries. Once the season started, I’d have a strict diet and calorie plan, but for now, I’d enjoy something a little more greasy.

A shadow came over our table, and I looked up to find a tall blonde man standing over us.

“Duke.” Audrey stiffened. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s the cafeteria, Aud. Aren’t I allowed to eat?”

But he didn’t have a tray in his hands. And his intense focus on Audrey was unnerving me.

“Well, yeah, but…” She fidgeted, not meeting his eyes. When we’d sat down, she’d shrugged off her coat, leaving her just in a baby pink sweater. Instead of looking up, she played with the hem.

Fuck. She was clearly uncomfortable. Who was this guy?

“Do we have a problem?” I asked, standing up and drawing to my full height. He might have been tall, but I was taller—bigger. All of my lacrosse training had beefed me up, and I used my size to tower over him.

“Why are you eating with my girl?” He sneered.

“Your girl?” I raised an eyebrow. “Are you his girl, Audrey?” She hadn’t even mentioned this guy to me.

“N-no.” She shook her head. “We broke up.”

Ah. So this was an ex. Fuck. I felt a flare of possession run through me. She wasn’t mine, but damn if I wouldn’t protect her. So, of course, I felt protective. That was all this was.

“You heard her,” I said, staring him down. “She’s not yours.”

“Aud, baby. I just want a second chance.” His floppy blonde locks and blue eyes might have been handsome, but he seemed sleazy. I hated guys like that. Ones that would take advantage of females.

I turned to her. “Do you want him to stay, Rosie?”

“Leave, Duke.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I’m not getting back together with you.”

He rolled his eyes, leaning in close to the table. “You will,” he said, and Audrey’s face was ghostly pale. “Who else is going to want my sloppy seconds?”

My chest rumbled in warning, a low growl slipping out, and he looked at me. “No matter what she says, she’s mine.”

And then he spun on his heel, walking away.

When he finally left, I slid back into the booth, looking at her.

“Are you okay?”

She was shaking, practically seething with anger. But she took a deep breath before nodding.

“Is he always like that?” I asked, furrowing my brow. “Bothering you?”

“Well…” Audrey bit her lip. “Sometimes. Mostly, he leaves me alone.” She shrugged, looking down at her glass. “It’s just when he feels threatened that he lashes out. Or when he drinks and forgets we broke up.”

“Rosie…” I sighed.

“Don’t poke the bear, Parker. He’ll get the hint, eventually.” She shook her head. “I’m sure it was just that he saw me eating with you. He feels ownership over me still. But he should have thought about that before he cheated on me.”

He cheated on her? Fuck. I really wished I’d punched him now. Who the fuck would cheat on a girl that radiated sunshine like she did? She was the most gorgeous girl in any room.

Looking down at her plate, she pushed around her pasta with a fork, avoiding my gaze.

“Audrey. Did he hurt you?” My words were soft, full of concern. “Did he hit you?”

She flinched, her eyes finally connecting with mine. “N-no.”

Why didn’t I believe her?

“Not physically,” Audrey whispered. “He never laid a hand on me. He just…” She shrugged again. “Can we not talk about it tonight?” She croaked out. “I don’t…”

“Okay.” I placed my hand over hers, squeezing lightly before pulling away. “I’m here, you know? I’ll be your protector any time you need it, Audrey.”

She let out a breath, nodding, some of the tension easing from her body. “Thank you. You’ve always been such a good friend to me, Parker.”

Friend. Fuck. Was that all I was ever going to be?

I’d have to learn to accept it. Friendship with her was better than nothing. At least this way, I got her smiles. Got to be around her sunshine.

DECEMBER

“I can’t believe the semester’s already over,” Audrey said, rubbing her nose on her sweater. “I don’t want to say goodbye again.”

It felt like nine years ago when I’d told her I was moving. “Hey,” I said, placing my hand on her shoulder and speaking softly. “It’s okay. I’m coming back this time. You’ll see me next semester.” I squeezed lightly before taking my hand off of her.

She nodded. “I know." Fiddling with the bottom of her sweater, she looked at the ground. It was the first time since meeting her again that I’d seen her wearing jeans. I wasn’t even sure she owned a pair. The girl was always in dresses with tights or leggings.

“I wish you could come with us on break,” Audrey whispered. She and Ella were heading to Vermont for a ski trip with their friends. Their car was loaded, and we were standing at the back of it, saying goodbye.

“It’s okay. I get it.” I shoved my hands in my pockets to resist touching her. “Besides, my parents would be upset with me if I didn’t come home." I hadn’t gone back for Thanksgiving, either. And spring would be busy enough that I probably wouldn’t see them unless they came down for one of my games.

Given how upset my Dad still was with me about the situation at my last school, I didn’t see that happening. I hadn’t run away, exactly, but sometimes it felt like I had.

My mom was excited to have me home.

“I’ll text you,” I promised. One I wouldn’t break.

She raised an eyebrow. “You said that before.”

I clutched my heart. “I was thirteen and an idiot. Believe me, I regret losing those years of our friendship. But you’re stuck with me now. Besides, who else would I get dinner with?” I cracked a smile.

“True.” She sighed, and then wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tight.

We didn’t touch. Not like this. But I let us have this. I curled my arms around her back, buried my nose in her hair, and inhaled deeply. Strawberries . The smell of her shampoo was addicting.

I stepped back, running my hands through my hair. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Yeah.”

She turned, walking towards the house where I knew Ella was still inside. “Hey, Parker?”

“Hm?”

“Thanks for finding me again.” Her smile was bright. Radiant. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her violet-hued blue eyes bright.

I chuckled, dipping my head. “Anything for you, Rosie Girl.”

It might have been a coincidence that I’d transferred to her school, but I meant those words. I’d do anything for her. She just didn’t know it yet.

But she would.

Best friend or not, I was going to keep Audrey Rose Ashford’s heart safe. No matter what it took.