When We Fall

by Madeleine Labitan

  But he made me a sandwich, didn't he? I don't understand this guy sometimes.

  Tentatively, I pick up the sandwich and take a bite. It's a chicken sandwich, and it admittedly tastes good.

  Amusement dances in his eyes as he watches me take one bite after another. And it's all I can do not to stick my tongue out like a little girl.

  "Aren't you going to make one for yourself?" I ask in between bites.

  "I just ate."

  So he's just going to watch me eat? Great.

  "Parker?"

  Parker freezes, mirth leaving his eyes as they drift over my shoulders.

  I turn around to see a frail-looking woman standing at the kitchen archway. She's wrapped in a gray silk robe that seems to swallow her thin frame. Her hair is messy and looks like it hasn't been washed in days.

  Wait. She looks familiar.

  "Mrs. Holloway?" I blurt just as the realization hits, my eyes flaring wide.

  It's been years since the last time I saw Parker's mom. And this woman standing in front of me is nothing like the regal and sophisticated Dianne Holloway I've always known. What the hell happened to her?

  "I didn't know we had a visitor," Mrs. Holloway murmurs, smoothing her hair with a trembling hand. She gives me a tight smile. "You're Emmett Dunn's daughter, right?"

  "Yes, Mrs. Holloway. I'm Sawyer."

  "Well, Sawyer, don't mind me. And please call me Dianne. There's certainly no reason to call me Mrs. Holloway anymore," she laughs, which ends as a hiccup. Is she drunk? "I just came down to get my medicine. Parker said he was going to bring it up to my room but he never came back. Now, I know why. He has a pretty visitor."

  I glance over at Parker, but his eyes are averted, his jaw clenched tight.

  Is this the reason why he was gone for an hour? He was with his mom the whole time?

  Dianne walks over to the galley and starts opening the drawers. "Parker, sweetie, where's my prescription bottle?"

  Parker grits his teeth. "You don't need it anymore, Mom. You already took some a while ago, remember?"

  She shakes her head, not letting up from opening the drawers. "No. That was yesterday. I need it today." Her movements start getting frantic as her voice rises. "Where are my pills? Where did you hide them? Give them to me!"

  He approaches her, grabbing hold of her arm. "Come on, I'll find it later. Let me take you back to your room."

  Dianne resists. "No. I'm not leaving without my medicine. Please, son. Give it to me." Tears are now falling down her cheeks.

  My chest tightens at the sight. Is this what Parker has been dealing with at home?

  "Get her out of here," Parker barks.

  Who is he talking to?

  I get my answer when a hand grabs my arm. Looking up, I realize it's Jamie's.

  "Come on, Pretty Girl. Let's go back to the gaming room. You still owe Bennett another round."

  I glance toward Parker, but his attention is solely focused on his mother, who's struggling to free her arm from his grip.

  He whispers something in her ear in an effort to calm her. And when he finally looks at me, a mix of anger and shame shines in his eyes. "Leave. Now."

  He doesn't want me witnessing this.

  Wordlessly, I let Jamie usher me back to the gaming room.

  "Don't tell anyone what you just saw," he says in a hard tone, pulling me to a halt just outside the door.

  "You don't have to threaten me. I'm not an asshole," I bite out, pulling my hand back harshly, stepping inside the room without waiting for his response.

  I play another few rounds with Bennett to calm my frayed nerves, and he manages to beat me the whole time. It may have something to do with the fact that my mind is currently preoccupied. It's still replaying the scene back in the kitchen.

  What the hell happened to the woman I used to know? It seems like she went on a downward spiral.

  If I remember correctly, Richard Holloway—Parker's dad—left town with his secretary a couple years ago. It was quite the scandal all over Holy Oaks.

  I guess I don't have to wonder anymore.

  As much as I'm tempted to get confirmation from the guys, I know they will never say a thing. They've probably been aware the whole time and just decided to keep quiet about it. Jamie's reaction proved that.

  I probably shouldn't think about it, anyway. Whatever is going on in his home is his business, not mine. And I should respect that.

  CHAPTER 11

  Sawyer

  After paying for gas inside the store, I step outside and head back to my car to fill my tank.

  While the gas pumps, a red sports car pulls up in front of the gas station. Then a girl steps out, slamming the door then kicking it before the car peels away.

  "Screw you, asshole! We're done! Do you hear me? We're done!" she screams after it before whirling around and running a hand through her short dark hair.

  That's when I finally recognize her. It's Aria, Parker's sister.

  Is the driver of the red car the same guy I saw her with at the party?

  Putting the nozzle back on the pump, I approach her.

  "Great. Now, I have no ride home," she grumbles then takes her phone out of her pocket.

  "Aria."

  Startled, she glances my way and gives a tight smile. "Sawyer, hey."

  "Do you need a ride?" I ask. "I can drive you home."

  I have nowhere else to go, anyway. I'm already on my way home from school.

  She breathes a sigh of relief. "That'll be great, thank you."

  "What happened there?" I can't help asking on the drive over to her house.

  "Michael was being a complete jerk. I've had it with him so we broke up," she huffs. "I'm just not entirely sure he's aware of that. Boys suck, but you probably already know that, huh?"

  My hands tighten around the steering wheel. Yes, I know that well enough.

  "Not my brothers though, especially Parker. They're the best. And I say that without any bias."

  The best? Perhaps Ethan. I'm not so sure about Parker. That guy runs hot and cold. One moment he's being nice, the next he's acting like a jerk. Like the last time I was in his house, he made me a sandwich only to order me to leave the kitchen five minutes later. I never know what I'll get with him.

  I can't tell his sister that though. So I simply nod and smile.

  "But can you do me a favor?"

  "Sure," I tell her. "What is it?"

  "Can you not tell Parker about what happened at the gas station? Michael is already on his shit list."

  I give her a sideways glance. "What does it matter though? You're already broken up. But don't worry, I won't tell him anything."

  "I just don't want any trouble. That's all." Aria averts her gaze and looks out the window. Because the truth is, she doesn't want him getting hurt despite their breakup.

  I can relate to that, too.

  "Your secret is safe with me," I assure her.

  She gives me a grateful smile before returning her gaze outside the car.

  A few minutes later, I pull up in front of her driveway.

  Aria starts to unbuckle her seatbelt. "Thank you for the ride, Sawyer."

  "Sure," I say distractedly, my eyes drifting over to the front door. "Um, Aria? Is that your mom?"

  Dianne—who looks just as bedraggled as the last time I saw her—is standing on their front porch, glancing around as if searching for something.

  Aria freezes. "What is she doing outside?" Then she scrambles out of the car in the next second.

  Turning off the engine, I climb out and follow her.

  "Mom, you're not sneaking out again, are you?"

  Dianne blinks in confusion before smiling at her daughter. "Oh Aria, sweetie, there you are. Can you drive me to the store? I ran out of wine." Registering my presence, she turns her loopy smile at me. "Emmett's daughter. You're here again. Samantha, right?"

  "Sawyer," I correct her.

  "Right. Sawyer," she slurs, nodding. "My apologies, dear. I'm a
little forgetful these days."

  "Come on, Mom. Let's get you back inside," Aria says, putting a hand at the small of Dianne's back.

  "But, sweetie, I need a drink." She sways, causing her and Aria to stumble.

  I’m quick to grab her other arm before they fall over.

  Aria gives me a grateful look and, together we usher Dianne inside the house.

  "Aria? What happened?" Parker is heading for us, his brows creased with concern.

  "We just saw her standing outside," Aria says.

  That’s when he turns to me, the look on his face telling me he didn't realize until now that I was here. "What are you doing here?"

  "I saw your sister walking home so I gave her a ride," I lie.

  He narrows his eyes at Aria. "Why were you walking home?"

  She sighs impatiently. "It doesn't matter. Just help us with Mom."

  Wordlessly, he takes Dianne from her. "Go on ahead and run her bath. She needs to—"

  "Mom!" We all glance up to see Ethan on top of the grand staircase. He practically runs down to go to us. "What happened to her? Mom, are you okay?"

  Dianne gives her youngest son the same smile she flashes at me outside. "Mommy's great, sweetie. She just needs to buy some wine." Whipping her head to her first born, she slurs," Parker, be a darling and take me to the store."

  "Is she drunk again?" There’s deep accusation in his voice as he stares at Parker. Like he’s blaming his older brother for their mother's current state. Like it’s Parker's fault somehow.

  I should leave. I have no business staying and witnessing this. It’s too personal for anyone outside their family to see. But my feet won't cooperate, as though they’re rooted to the spot.

  "She's fine," Parker tells his brother. "Go back to your room and do your homework."

  "No. I want to help take care of Mom."

  "Parker can handle it, Ethan," Aria assures him, forcing a smile on her face. "She'll be fine. Want some snacks? I can make us tacos. You love that, right?" Ignoring his protests, she pulls him away, presumably to the kitchen, leaving me and Parker behind.

  I keep from fidgeting awkwardly. Is he going to order me to leave again?

  "You don't have to stay." That’s not exactly a command, right?

  "I can run a bath for her," I find myself offering.

  He hesitates for a moment before saying, "Follow us."

  "What about my wine?" Dianne whines as we climb up the staircase.

  "I'll get some for you later. Right now, you need to take a bath."

  She grabs at his shirt. "Is that a promise, son?"

  He doesn't respond. It's probably not the first time she's asked that of him.

  When we reach her room, Parker tucks his mom into her bed while I go straight to her bathroom to run her bath.

  "Want me to assist her bath?" I ask him when I step back into her room and catch him staring down at Dianne with a deep frown.

  "No. Aria will do it. We have someone taking care of her during the day, but she called in sick today."

  Well, that answers the million-dollar question of who’s taking care of their mom whenever they’re in school. Still, the situation can't be easy for the three of them. Now, at least, I understand why Parker is the way he is. He was left with big responsibilities at such a young age.

  When Aria enters Dianne's room a few minutes later, Parker and I step out.

  "I should go."

  "Want to hang out a little while?"

  We talk at the same time, then stare at each other in surprise.

  Well, that’s awkward.

  I clear my throat. "Are you asking me to stay?"

  "Yes." There isn't any hesitation in his voice.

  I give him a small smile. "Then I guess I'm staying."

  *******

  "She's not always like that," Parker murmurs while we eat tacos in the kitchen, where he brought me after we left Dianne's room.

  "I know. I'd seen her around town plenty of times when your dad was still..." I catch myself a little too late.

  How insensitive of me to mention his dad. It’s already bad enough that he and his siblings are dealing with the consequences of Richard Holloway's actions, I had to remind him of them, too.

  "Sorry," I say apologetically. "I shouldn't have said that."

  It takes him a long moment to speak that, for a second, I thought I'd pissed him off. "When he was on his way to his car, where his secretary was waiting for him, Mom ran after him and downright begged him to stay. She clung to his legs like he was her lifeline. He didn't listen to her cries. Didn't even stop the car when she tried to chase after it. I knew this because I was there. I witnessed the whole thing." His voice is devoid of any emotion, but his eyes are brimming with hurt and anger.

  I don't even think twice. I reach out across the island countertop and put my hand on top of his, offering comfort in the only way I can at the moment.

  How could Richard Holloway stomach hurting his wife and son at the same time? How could he leave his family behind like it was nothing? My heart aches for all of them. Especially Parker.

  What he’s doing for his family is nothing short of amazing. I don’t think I’d know how to handle it if it ever happens to me. It makes me feel grateful and lucky that Dad had been strong enough to keep everything together after Mom died. He could've been in the same state as Dianne, but the loss didn't break him.

  Parker blinks at our hands but doesn't bother pulling away. "That's why she took it the hardest. We couldn't talk to her for weeks after that. She locked herself up in her room and only came out when she ran out of alcohol and pills."

  "Have you ever tried putting her in rehab?"

  He lets out a hollow chuckle. "Tried? We already took her thrice. All those times she didn't even last a month before relapsing and going back to her old habits."

  The ache in my chest burns harder, and it’s all I can do to stop myself from flinging my arms around him to give as much comfort as I can.

  My emotions are probably showing on my face because he visibly bristles. "I don't need your pity."

  "Who says I feel sorry for you?" I shoot back. "You're holding your family together. You're acting like the pillar that you're Dad should have been when you're basically just a kid. Instead of enjoying your teenage years, you're already playing adult. Honestly, I can't even comprehend how you manage to do it. So, no, Parker. Your situation isn't pitiful, it's admirable."

  "Admirable?" A bitter smile forms on his lips. "I don't even know what I'm doing half the time. I feel like I'm not doing the right thing. That I'm just making it worse. And I'm just enabling my mom's addiction. Every day I fear that I'll walk in on her..." He swallows hard, unable to finish the words.

  Chills crawl up my spine at the mental image. That would be the worst thing a son could see. I wouldn't even wish it on my worst enemy.

  "If there's any consolation, I don't have to worry about where we'll get money from. That's one thing I don't have to deal with."

  That’s because both of his parents are loaded. Hell, Dianne is even wealthier than Richard. While he’s a self-made businessman, she’s the daughter of an oil magnate whose business—even when he already passed away—spans across the world. Parker and his siblings don't have to work a day in their lives. They’re already covered financially. Each of them probably has a hefty trust fund waiting to be claimed.

  "Why am I even telling you all these?" Parker mutters under his breath.

  "Because it's healthy to talk to someone with your issues. Unloading helps."

  He shakes his head. "When I asked you to hang out with me, Peaches, bumming you out with my problems was the last thing I wanted to do."

  "Well, I'm not bummed out in any way," I assure him. "But if you really want to make up for it, we can watch a movie or something."

  After this depressing talk, Parker needs some form of distraction. He needs some cheering up. And in my experience, movie marathons help.

  The corners of his lips
twitch. "I'm cool with that."

  CHAPTER 12

  Sawyer

  Eyes still closed, I snuggle deeper into my bed, not wanting to get up yet. But instead of the familiar scent of my sheets, the smell of leather hits my nose.

  There’s no leather in my room.

  That has my eyes snapping open, and my body sitting up in a heartbeat. The blanket I didn't notice covering me falls to my waist. "Oh, no," I groan as the surroundings register.

  I’m still in Parker's gaming room.

  Panicking, I search for my phone. Seeing it on top of the coffee table, I quickly grab it. Please let it be night time. Please, please, please.

  But my body sags dreadfully when I check the time. It’s six in the morning.

  Well, shit. I spent the night at Parker's. But what did I expect? That he'd drive me home and put me in my room like last time?

  He could've at least woken me up.

  Biting my lip, I glance around to see if he’s in the room with me. He’s not—I’m all alone.

  Just as well. I can sneak out without any awkward conversation. I'll just deal with the awkward the next time I see him.

  I’m already in my car and on my way home when I call Quinn via Bluetooth. "I need a favor," I say without preamble.

  "Good morning to you, too, S."

  "Did Dad call you last night or this morning?"

  "No. Why?"

  There’s some rustling in the background, which tells me she’s already preparing for school. That or she’s already there for early morning cheer practice.

  Good. I let out a relieved breath. "If he ever asks you where I slept last night, tell him I stayed with you, okay?"

  "Wait. You didn't sleep at home? Where were you? Please don't say you were with Liam."

  "What?" I sputter. "I wasn't with him."

  "Well, thank God." I hear her sigh of relief. "But if you weren't with him, who did you spend the night with?"

  I grimace but don't respond.

  "Sawyer? Who were you with?"

  "I was with Parker," I say after a long moment.