Chapter Thirty-One

Leo

Parker was going to be okay. They didn't have any broken bones or internal bleeding or anything that would keep them from racing tomorrow. Of course, they were shaken up; anyone would be after they were attacked. Parker seemed more embarrassed than anything else. Maybe they hid their fear better than I did. Once we got back to their RV, I forced them to into the bathroom to shower and freshen up.

"Could you stay?" Parker tugged their ripped shirt up over their head, revealing a lean torso. "I'd rather not be alone, and I, uh... wanted to thank you." They gave me a shy smile.

I hoisted myself up onto the countertop. "I'll sit right here."

Parker turned on the water. "Do you mind just closing your eyes for second so I can...." They pointed to the shower.

"Sure, yeah, no problem." I clamped my eyes shut and pressed my lips together until I heard the sound of the shower door shut and then the loud sob that followed it.

"Parker?" I jumped to my feet. I could make out their blurry figure behind the glass. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

They slapped their hand against the door. "What if Lucas hadn't shown up? What if he hadn't been outside walking around, and they... I could have..." They cried harder.

"I'm coming in," I announced.

I yanked the door open to step inside, then wrapped my arms around them as the water cascaded over my head, gluing my hair to my face. I didn't care that my clothes were currently sticking to me or that Parker was naked. This was about making them feel better. Comforting them, assuring them that they were safe, and no one would try to hurt them again.

Parker didn't fight me, but instead accepted my embrace and returned one of their own. It wasn't a full-on body hug like Ezra and Seth liked to give, but it was nice. Like maybe all those thoughts that they didn't like me were just in my head. Or maybe I had come on a little strong trying to be their friend. We stood there, like we were friends, for what felt like hours, but it was probably more like a couple of minutes.

"Baby, everything okay in there?" Andy knocked lightly on the door. "It's kind of quiet."

Parker giggled, something I had never heard them do before. It was soft, almost delicate, and sounded like bells on Christmas. "This is a little weird, right? Your boyfriend is literally in the next room, right outside that door, and you're hugging me. While I'm naked."

"It's only weird if we make it weird," I assured them before I called out to Andy. "Hon, we'll be out in a few minutes. We're just talking."

Parker snorted. "My dick is pressed against your leg, Leo."

"Oh my God!" I yanked out of their arms, making sure not to look down. "I guess that means we're besties now." What was wrong with me? Parker's brows dipped. "I mean, not really, just like, your dick has touched my body, and I've touched you naked so... Fuck."

Parker gave me a shy smile. "I think I'd like that. Being besties with you."

"Really? You would?"

"You're kind. You took care of me today when all I've done in the past is be a jerk to you. You're friendly, and funny, and prettier than I am. What's not to like?"

I blinked in confusion. "You think I'm pretty?"

"Sweetpea, you have to know that you're gorgeous." Parker patted my cheek. "I don't know about you, but I'm freezing. Could you be a dear and turn off the water?"

I did as they asked, and they stepped from the shower, grabbed two towels, and handed one to me. "Thanks."

"I should be the one thanking you," they said. Parker wrapped the towel around their waist and reached for another to dry out their hair.

I shrugged. "You did that already."

"No, Leo, I..." Their chin quivered. "Lucas saved me. And then you and Andy just dropped everything to make sure I was okay. And then you climbed into the shower fully dressed to console me. No one—Well, my parents would have, but I couldn't tell them about this. They're busy with my siblings, and I don't want them to worry. Mom worries so much already, and if she knew...I.... Shit."

Parker turned away from me and stared into the mirror. Chestnut brown hair flopped into their dark eyes. One of them was almost completely swollen shut. "I'm going to have to come up with some sort of lie about this." They waved their hands in front of their face.

"Makeup can fix some if that. I can help you if you want," I suggested. Maybe I should ask Ezra to help. He was the master at coverup and had taught me so much.

Parker stared at me through the mirror. I thought they weren't going to answer, but then they gave a short nod. "I'd like that." They turned around to face me. "Leo—"

I closed the distance between us and hugged them again. "I know, boo, I know. I'm here for you, no matter what you need."

***

Andy and I ended up staying at Parker's RV for a while after they let me borrow some dry clothes.. Lucas doted on them, getting them a plate of food after I cooked up some of Maverick's famous taco casserole. It was cute, but I was curious—okay, more than curious—about what was going on between the two of them, but right now was not the time to ask questions. Even if Parker's cheeks flushed pink when Lucas tucked a blanket around them.,

"Are you seeing this?" Andy asked, his hands on my waist. "I'm not imagining things, right?"

I hummed softly. "I'm seeing it."

Parker gazed up at Lucas, their eyes growing darker at the sight of him.

"Should we leave? Let them have some time alone?" Andy nuzzled my neck.

"You don't have to stay," Parker interrupted my thoughts. They smiled. "Go on. I'm fine, and I'll continue to be fine."

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, I'll be here in case those dicks try to finish something they shouldn't have started." He squared his broad shoulders, his biceps testing the fabric of his shirt. Lucas wasn't a kid anymore. He had grown up over the past few years into a handsome, giant young man. Emphasis on the giant.

"Wait, you want to stay?" Parker dark eyes went wide. "That's very knight-in-shining-armor of you, sweetpea, but don't feel obligated. I can take care of myself."

Hurt flashed across Lucas's face. "Obviously, I'm not wanted here, so I'll just go." He started to climb from the couch, but Parker reached out and grabbed his wrist.

"Stay," they murmured, then dropped their hand.

Lucas nodded. "Okay, yeah, I can do that."

"Leo, do you think you could come by before the driver's meeting tomorrow?" Parker chewed nervously on their lip. "To help with the makeup thing you mentioned?"

I tried not to get overly excited. I was helping a friend because Parker and I were friends now. "Yes, of course. Anything you need. You can count on me."

Their lips curved into a smile. "Thank you."

I moved to hug them, and they hugged me back.

I held my hand up to my face like I was making a telephone call. "Call me if you need anything. I know Lucas is going to be your bodyguard tonight, but if you need to talk or whatever. It doesn't matter. I'm here for you."

Andy and Lucas said their goodbyes to one another and then we left the RV, Andy's arm around my shoulders so I was tucked against him. Back at my place, he stripped me out of my clothes and then I did the same for him, before we climbed into my bed. Andy hadn't said much. He didn't talk on the way back from Parker's, and I wondered if maybe he was upset. He flipped off the light and, once again, tucked me against his side.

"Are you mad?" I whispered, my fingers once again combing through his chest hair.

He tightened his grip on me. "Why would I be mad? You were amazing today with Parker. Helping them and making sure they were okay. You're the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful person I have ever met in my life."

"Yeah, but Parker's dick was on my leg."

"Parker's dick was what?"

I tried to suppress the laughter that bubbled up inside me. "They started crying and I couldn't not hug them. So, I did."

"You were naked? With Parker?" Andy growled deep in his chest.

This time, my giggle burst from my mouth, and then I climbed up over his big body, grabbed his hands, and placed them on my hips.

"I wasn't naked. They were naked. And they needed me. Parker was crying. What was I supposed to do?" I gently rubbed our noses together. "I didn't look."

"I should fucking hope not." Andy flipped us so I was beneath him. "You're perfect."

I preened. "I know, but it's nice to hear someone else admit it."

Andy tickled my ribs, and I squealed with laughter, but it quickly turned into a moan when he kissed me, his lips soft and warm against mine. It was so easy for me to get lost in the taste of him.

"Parker's dick touched you where?" he asked.

I smiled in the dark. "Here." I took his hand and placed it against my thigh.

"Mm." Andy slid down my body and pressed his mouth to my leg, leaving hot, wet marks over my skin. "This is mine. All of it. You belong to me."

I combed my fingers through his hair. "Yes, I do."

"No more dicks pressed against you unless it's mine," Andy teased and then kissed me again, spearing his tongue inside my mouth, said dick rubbing over mine.

My eyes rolled back as euphoria rolled through my body.

I whimpered as the kiss grew messier. Our teeth clashed, and we got louder. I gripped Andy's shoulders as I came, his cock gliding over mine, his release mixing with mine against my belly. It smeared over my skin and his.

"I love you, Ricky," Andy whispered, his hands roaming over my body. "I love you so much."

I wrapped my arms and legs around him. "I love you, too."

"I'm sor—"

I stopped him with my mouth. "I know, hon, and I forgive you."