Chapter 8: Crying

I giggle as I watch Zootopia.

“I still don’t get why the bunny likes the fox.” Parker says from beside me as we eat chicken noodle soup.

“Because they are in love.” I smile.

“He’s going to betray her.”

“No he won’t.”

Parker pulls a judgy side-eyed look at me.

I smile and his look fades as he shakes his head looking back at the TV.

The sunlight slowly fades and I look at Parker. He’s so perfect.

His jawline is razor sharp, his hair messy but so perfectly placed. The stubble on his face adds to the whole scary effect.

But his eyes. His eyes tell me everything.

When he looks at me I can see how soft and gentle they are. Like there’s a boy in there who wasn’t always so cold and one that enjoyed life.

I place my bowl on the coffee table beside Parker’s and now I can feel his eyes on me.

The silence gets too much for me to handle.

“Do you get bored living alone?” I ask.

“Sometimes.”

“I wish I lived alone sometimes.”

“Do you not like living with your parents?”

“It’s okay.” I play with the end of Parker’s shirt I’m wearing.

“You can always come here if you need a break.”

“Thanks.” I yawn exhausted.

“You ready for bed?”

I nod and rub my eyes.

Parker stands up and I follow behind him as he goes down the hallway.

He opens the end door, “You can stay in the spare room,” He then opens another door which I assume is to his bedroom, “Or you can stay in my bed.”

My eyes widen.

“Have a look in each room, your pick.”

I smile and run and jump on his bed.

Holy guacamole.

I moan, “Oh my god your bed is so comfy,” I roll around, “It’s so big, and soft, and it smells so good.” I snuggle my way into his pillows.

I hear Parker’s footsteps get closer, “You want to sleep in here?”

“Do you come with it?” I gasp, “What, pffft, I don’t mean that.” I don’t dare look up and keep my face in the gray pillows.

I feel the bed move and I look to see a shirtless Parker come under the covers and lay down next to me.

“You’re going to get sick.” I sniffle rolling onto my back.

“I’ll be fine.”

I slowly get under the covers and I realise this is my first time even in a bed with a boy.

Anyone for that matter.

I’ve never had a sleepover before.

My phone begins vibrating and I grab it out of the T-shirt pocket.

It’s my dad.

I pick up and place my phone to my ear, “Hi dad.” I whisper.

“Where the fuck are you?” The anger in his voice is clear.

“Um, I’m at a friend’s house.” I sit up in the bed and I feel Parker rub the bottom of my back where I told him he could touch.

“What fucking friends? You should be home, you don’t deserve to go out.”

“It’s just one night,” I cough, “I’m not well.”

“I don’t see your mother going out and spending the night at her friends. So you don’t deserve to either.”

I sniffle, “I’ll come home tomorrow. I have a cold and I don’t want to get mama even more sick.”

“Whatever. I don’t fuckin’ care. Be home tomorrow. You know what’s coming.”

He hangs up and my hands tremble. Oh god.

I wipe my tear that rolls down my cheek and put my phone on the bedside table before laying back down.

“What’s wrong?” Parker asks as I curl into a ball facing him.

“Nothing, it’s okay.”

He doesn’t look like he believes me.

“Thank you for letting me stay.” I sniffle.

He reaches his hand to my face and wipes my cheeks.

“Why are you crying, sweetheart?”

“I’m just tired.” I smile before closing my eyes.

I feel Parker wrap his arms around me and pull me closer, “Get some rest.”

I put my hands on his chest and slowly fall asleep in his warmth.

~~

“I could rid you of a job in seconds… oh I would fucking dare… it wouldn’t do shit for my business if I lost you.”

I peek my eyes open and look around seeing I’m still in Parker’s bed. He isn’t here.

I yawn and rub my eyes before getting out of the bed. I walk into Parker’s ensuite bathroom and I wash my face, trying to not make it so puffy.

I slowly walk out into the living space where Parker is sitting at the kitchen table, paperwork everywhere as he’s on the phone.

“You’re a fucking shit of a human being.” He grits.

That’s not very nice.

I walk cautiously over. I hope he doesn’t get mad at me.

He looks at me for a moment before closing his eyes, “I’ve got to go, goodbye.” And he hangs up the phone putting his phone down and running his hands through his hair.

“Is everything okay?” I ask gently, I smile, “Hey my voice is back to normal.”

“Good,” He says gruffly.

He must be mad at me.

I stand awkwardly as my mind wonders to why.

Did I fart in my sleep?
Maybe I sweated?
Did I sleep talk?
Maybe I kicked him?

I shrug it off and sit in the chair in front of me, “What time did you wake up?”

“Four.”

I look at the clock and see it’s only six, which is my usual wake up time.

“I thought I get up early.” I laugh.

He nods.

My smile falters. I thought we were making progress. I thought we were becoming closer. I thought he was opening up to me.

I guess not.

“Are you working today?” I ask.

“Yeah, big day today, do you want me to take you home?”

“No.” I say sharply, “I mean no, thanks. My bike is still at your garage.”

He nods.

“Can I tell you a joke?”

He nods.

“What do you say to a frog who needs a ride? Hop in!” I giggle.

Parker smiles.

Big and beautiful. He’s got perfectly straight white teeth and small little eye crinkles.

“You smiled. You owe me a cookie now.”

“We never agreed on the pact, Pipsqueak.”

“Pipsqueak?”

He laughs to himself as he shakes his head.

“Holy guacamole.” I lean back in my chair. He smiled, and laughed.

I don’t think I’m ever recovering.

“PBJ, you should smile more.” I use his nickname.

“Make me smile again, then.” He says before getting up and getting ready for the day.