Everyone knows Parrish is back, that he’s on campus.
I’m starting to wonder if that wasn’t why Monday’s attack was so escalated. Parrish had been found, but he wasn’t at the school. There was one, last chance to make a move.
“Good,” Tess says, her smile getting a little realer. “I’ll get you up early and we can go after we drop Parrish off. Anywhere you want this time. If you have a store in mind, I’d be happy to take you there.”
I blink in surprise, sharing a shocked look with Parrish. He smiles softly, and I can see that he’s pleased at the prospect of me and Tess getting along better.
“Thanks. That sounds … pretty awesome actually.”
“We can even pick Parrish up after his exam and have lunch together as a family.” Tess reaches out to stroke a thumb down Parrish’s cheek, and he slits his eyes at her. “Me and my lost babies.” Her eyes water briefly, and she blinks back tears as I struggle not to feel cringe as fuck.
Is it wrong, what Parrish and I are doing?
At this point, I’m not even sure if I care anymore.
I love him too much to let this relationship go on a technicality.
“We might need the extra time to get ready,” Parrish offers up, trying to gently ease Tess away from the whole ‘me and my babies’ bit. He definitely doesn’t want her to think of us like siblings. “But maybe on Sunday or whatever?”
Tess’ face tightens up, and I get the feeling we’re about to hear something about good old daddy dearest.
“Justin has asked to take Dakota for the weekend. Unfortunately, until the hearing next week, I don’t have much say in the matter.” Tess eyes me, as if she’s waiting for me to bust in with stories of Justin’s abuse. I mean, I could start with the fact that he kidnapped Parrish and threatened to kill him as a reason why I might not want to go with my bio dad for a visit.
But, of course, I can’t do that and put Maxine at risk.
“Okay.” It’s the only word that I can manage to get out that doesn’t feel like a total lie. Knowledge received and accepted, for better or worse.
Tess lets out a small sigh, but then shakes her hands out, like she’s determined to make an effort here. I appreciate that, even if I’m not thrilled at being forced back into my own bed.
I wonder if Maxx couldn’t get away with sleeping in here …
But no, that’s a pipe dream. I knew these happy sleepovers couldn’t last forever, much as I wished they would.
“Alright, Parrish,” Tess says after a minute. “Off to bed.”
He gives her a scathing look that she returns with a carefully lifted eyebrow.
“You’re not going to carry this trend into summer, are you?” he asks as Tess laughs and reaches out to ruffle up his hair. He recoils from that one. “No, Mom. I can only take so much of that,” he tells her, but not unkindly. She gives an almost wistful sigh in response.
“I can still remember when you were little and always clinging to me; you couldn’t get enough. And now look at you.” She gestures at his tall, muscular form, and then frowns. “You’re practically a man.”
He most definitely is a man, I think to myself, and then flush all over. Parrish notices and smirks at me, making me wish I had another stepbrother romance novel to chuck at his head.
“A supremely gorgeous, highly desirable man, actually,” Parrish corrects, running his palm down the flat, inked planes of his bandaged chest and bare belly. Goose bumps break out across my entire body as Tess gives him a reprimanding look in response.
“Don’t be inappropriate around your sister,” she remarks, and then points back at his room. “Out. Off to bed. You wanted to do these exams, so take them seriously.”
Parrish looks at me with a pained expression that he blinks away just in time for Tess to turn back to him.
“Good night, Gamer Girl,” he says, his voice thick with reluctance. It’s almost painful when he walks away from me, and I have to wonder how the hell I’m going to survive a whole night in here by myself.
You got him back; you saved him. Justin promised to leave him alone. Worry about Maxine and about yourself, but not Parrish.
The thoughts are logical, but that doesn’t mean my heart wants to listen to any of them.
“Good night, honey,” Tess tells me, pausing awkwardly near my door, like she wants to give me a good night kiss or a hug or something, but isn’t sure how to go about doing it. “I love you, and I’m proud of you for finishing your exams.”
“Thank you.” I smile, and it isn’t entirely forced this time. When she tries, it gets a little easier. I imagine that if she keeps trying, and I keep trying, it’ll get a lot easier. “Good night.”
