by M L Sparrow
It was easy to know when they’d reached the right house; even if Parker hadn’t been there a hundred times before, the swarms of students were a dead giveaway. Inside, it was just as crazy.
All parties were pretty much the same, Parker had found over the years: drunken people dancing, talking too loud and playing drinking games. This one was no different. Almost as soon as they went through the doors, Terri disappeared into the crowd and by the time they’d reached the kitchen, where all the drinks were laid out, Riley had seen someone she recognized and headed off to talk to them, leaving him and Chloe alone.
Remembering her preference, he got them both a drink, handing hers over as Trent Coleson ambled over, lifting a hand and bobbing his head in greeting. Trent was a big guy, tall and broad, but he had a way of walking with his shoulders hunched and hands in his pockets which always made him seem smaller. Younger too, somehow.
“Hey, Parker,” he greeted, doing that amiable, head bobbing thing again, “just wanted to ask how your ribs are now?” He could have asked him in practice throughout the week, but Parker got the sense that the rest of the team put him on edge and he wasn’t naturally a confidant person.
“All good,” he grinned, stretching his arms up over his head, feeling a slight twinge as his ribs pulled upwards, but it was more of a comfortable ache now, rather than real pain.
“Great,” the other guy beamed, flicking his head to get his shaggy brown hair out of his eyes, already backing off. “Well, gotta go, my girl’s waiting for a dance.” A huge, genuine smile suddenly lit his face as he nodded towards a tall blonde standing in the doorway. Smiling warmly, she gave a little wave, which Parker returned with a nod.
After watching his teammate go, he found them a quiet corner, so that they weren’t constantly being jogged by people trying to get to the bar. Taking a gulp of his beer, he licked the foam from his lips and leant his shoulder against the wall. For a few minutes they just stood in silence, sipping their drinks and watching the people around them.
It was strange, but Parker didn’t know how to talk to her, not as a friend anyway. He’d never had any female friends. Flirting was easy, but small talk was a whole other ball game.
“So, what’s your favorite book?” It sounded stupid coming from his lips – he’d never read an entire book in his life, not even for school – but he knew she liked reading and hoped it would be a subject she could get into.
“Jane Eyre,” she answered without hesitation, “have you ever read it?”
Now he wished he hadn’t brought it up. “Er, no,” he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Well, I guess it’s more of a girl’s book anyway. What’s your favorite?”
He was kicking himself, desperately trying to think of the title of a book so that he could bullshit his way through this conversation. “Er…” His brain had totally shut down and now he was stuttering like a fucking idiot. In the end, he said lamely, “I don’t really read.”
“Fair enough,” she shrugged, “I don’t suppose you get a lot of time, what with football.”
Jumping on that as a way out, he nodded, agreeing, “Yeah, football takes up a lot of my time. You ever seen a game?”
“No, we don’t really have American football in England. We have rugby, which is almost the same I think… I’m not really sure what the differences are. Either way, I’m not much of a sports fan.”
“Oh.”
As they talked it became more and more obvious that they had nothing in common, except for a mutual attraction. They didn’t even like the same types of music – she liked pop and he preferred country.
When it started to get awkward once more, Parker put down his empty cup and held out his hand. “Let’s dance.”
“Okay, just watch where you’re putting your hands.”
“I can’t promise that.”
Out on the makeshift dance floor, surrounded by flashing lights, he wrapped his arms around Chloe’s waist and drew her into his body, swaying to the music. Carefully, her hands slid up his back to grip his shoulders and he had to suppress a shudder. Just as he was starting to relax, someone appeared beside them.
“Hey,” the guy yelled loudly over the music, tapping Chloe’s shoulder. Stopping his movements, Parker turned to scowl down at the shorter guy, who seemed to only have eyes for Chloe. He could understand the feeling, but it still pissed him off.
“Hi, Derek,” Chloe greeted him with a small, seemingly forced smile. It made him feel better that she didn’t seem to be interested in the redhead.
“Do you wanna dance?” he asked her.
“She’s already dancing,” Parker forced the words out between his clenched teeth.
Derek seemed almost surprised to see Parker there, as if he hadn’t noticed him until that moment. “But she said you two aren’t dating, so…”
“She doesn’t want to dance with you.”
“Hey,” Chloe snapped angrily, hitting his side, “don’t speak for me. I’m not your girlfriend and, even if I were, I wouldn’t let you tell me what I can and can’t do.” Brown eyes hard and angry, she glowered at him for a second, before turning to Derek and forcing another smile. “I’d love to dance.”
The little twerps face lit up and Parker could do nothing but watch as they moved away from him, grinding his back teeth into dust.
“Dude,” a voice in his ear made him jump and he twisted around to see Dawson standing right behind him, a pretty blonde hanging off his arm, “I think you just got your girl poached.”
“She’s not my girl,” he snapped.
“In that case, you won’t mind if I have a shot. She’s damn hot.”
“Dawson,” the blonde whined, drawing out his name with a little pout of annoyance.
“You’re hot too, honey,” he appeased her distractedly, patting the hand on his bicep, “but look at those curves. And here I am with no brakes.”
Before he even knew what he was doing, Parker’s arm shot out. Grabbing the front of his friends’ shirt, he yanked him forward a step until they were face to face. “Don’t even think about it.”
Eyes wide, but more amused than surprised, Dawson reached up to pry Parker’s fingers away, stepping back and straightening his shirt. “All right, dude, no need to go psycho over it.”
“Seriously, Dawson, stay away from her.”
Holding up his hands, Dawson grinned at him. “It’s fine, I get it, you called dibs. I won’t violate the bro code.”
“I didn’t call dibs, we’re not five.” Sometimes his friend could be so fucking annoying.
“Whatever, she’s all yours, but I’d suggest you make your move before he makes his,” he called over his shoulder as he moved away with the blonde, gesturing over to where Derek and Chloe were dancing. Parker’s eyes narrowed as he watched them. Derek said something in her ear and she laughed up at him. Sullenly, he moved off the dance floor to lean against the wall, watching them from the safety of the shadows.
Snagging a beer from a passing freshman, he took a long swig, waving away a cheerleader who tried to approach him. If he remembered correctly, they’d actually slept together before and she’d been wild beneath the covers. Either way, she left with a disappointed pout, whilst his eyes remained fixed on Chloe’s hips swaying to the music.
Song after song went by, as did several more beers. Jet turned up at some point and tried to talk to him, but he didn’t remember any of the conversation and eventually Jet must have drifted off again. The next thing that broke through his haze of jealousy was Riley getting right up in his face.
“Hey!” she exclaimed drunkenly, pushing his shoulder with more force than necessary. “Have you seen Chloe?”
“She’s right there,” he replied distractedly, craning his neck to see around Riley’s head; he wanted to know the instant Derek stepped out of line.
She turned to see where he was indicating. “Oh yeah.” Again, she slapped his shoulder before staggering over to Chloe, almost falling despite the fact she was wearing fla
ts. Chloe stopped dancing to talk to her and a flash of relief went through him. However, a second later, her face screwed up in concern and she grabbed Riley’s arm.
Moving closer, Parker strained to hear what was being said, but it was impossible over the pounding music. Laughing, Riley pulled her arm free, waving away whatever Chloe was saying, before leaning forward to give her a smacking kiss on the cheek and leaving.
Instead of following her roommate, Chloe walked over to him with a frown. “Do you know that guy?” she asked, nodding her head towards where Riley had fallen into the arms of a tall, brown haired guy, giggling ridiculously. “His name’s Joey,” she added.
“I’ve seen him around,” Parker shrugged, “I think he’s a second year.”
Anxiously chewing her lip, Chloe’s big brown eyes flickered over the pair, indecision clear on her face.
Taking her elbow, Parker led her out of the main room and into the hall where it was quieter. “What’s the problem, sugar?”
“He just seems kind of sleazy and they’ve only really seen each other twice.” A glance over her shoulder at Riley draped over Joey as he tried to steer her out of the room. “Plus, she’s totally wasted.”
Sighing, he rubbed a hand down his face, watching the progress of the pair. He’d screwed girls who were drunk before, but he had to admit that all of those girls had been able to stand by themselves. “Do you want me to go get her?”
“Would you?”
Usually, he made it his business not to get involved, but for her… God, he was a soppy idiot. His brothers would beat the crap out of him if they ever got wind of this.
Nodding, he moved away to intercept Riley before they could reach the door. Placing himself in front of the other guy, Parker took Riley’s other arm as she wobbled. “Your sister wants you.”
Blowing a raspberry, she rolled her eyes. “She’s just tryin’ to ruin my fun, she’s such a kill-joy.”
“Yeah, well, don’t shoot the messenger.” Tightening his grip, he began to move her away, but Joey refused to be cut out of the picture so easily.
“Whatever it is can wait, she’s coming with me.”
Joey was tall, taller than Parker, but he was also lanky, without any real body mass and he backed down quickly when Parker squared up to him. “She’s off her face. What’s the matter, don’t think she’d fuck you sober?”
Instantly, the boy’s face burned red. “Come on, mate, you know how it is…”
“No, I don’t and I’m not your mate.” With that he pushed past, Riley in tow, and Joey let him go, swallowed by the crowd of people. Finding Chloe over by the stairs, he said in her ear, “We should go.”
With his arm wrapped around her waist, Riley went with them quietly, up until they passed through the door and out into the fresh night air. Pushing at his chest, she staggered away, glowering at him like an angry butterfly.
Stabbing a finger in his direction, she demanded, “Where’s my sister? You said we were seeing Terri.”
“She’s waiting for you in your room,” he lied easily.
“Oh, okay.” Placated, she slid back beneath his arm, tucking herself into his side with far too much familiarity as she let him hold her up.
“Get your hand out of my back pocket,” he ordered gruffly. She was not the girl he wanted groping his butt.
The startled look Chloe shot him did wonders for his ego. For a moment her eyes had flashed with jealousy. Walking beside him, she quickly averted her gaze, pretending not to care.
“You’re good at that,” she commented, a few minutes later as they walked along the street, the sound of the party fading away behind them.
“What, dealing with drunk people? I’ve had a lot of practice.” Try as he might, it was hard not to let bitterness seep into his voice; he’d learned his lessons early.
“You’re patient,” she added, “most people aren’t like that.” Once more, he noticed the shadows in her eyes. They looked like emotional bruises and he wondered what thoughts had put them there.
When she didn’t speak again, he fell silent too, concentrating on making sure Riley didn’t trip. It didn’t take long to get to the dorms, but it took twice the amount of time to climb the stairs. Somewhere along the way they lost a shoe and he had to run back down once he’d deposited them in their room. He finally found it on the second floor. How Riley hadn’t noticed she was missing a shoe until the sixth floor he didn’t know.
Back upstairs, he knocked on the girls’ door and Chloe poked her head out. God, she was fucking beautiful; hair damp at the roots from dancing for hours and eyes bright, despite the fact that he could hear Riley puking in the bathroom. Holding out the shoe, he kept hold of it even when she tugged.
“Three times and this is a habit, you know?” he smirked.
“I’m sorry,” she blushed slightly, “I’ll try not to let it happen again, I know you have better things to be doing.”
“No worries, sugar. Any time you need me…” he let the suggestion hang in the air, even as he let go of the shoe and watched her move back a step.
Tonight had been total crap, watching her dance with that asshole had set his blood to boiling, but all that was forgotten in a moment because she had asked for his help. When it counted she had chosen him.
Chapter Nine
Before she knew it, Chloe had been in Texas a month. For a while she’d been terribly homesick, but it hadn’t lasted long; she’d made good friends here and she spoke to her parents at least twice a week over Skype.
She and Parker continued to be friends, in a weird sort of way that didn’t feel like friendship at all. Classes were interesting and all her worries about not being able to keep up had abated – she’d always been academically minded and though she wasn’t at the top of the class, she defiantly wasn’t at the bottom. Since they were in different years, Chloe didn’t see Parker during the day, unless their paths crossed on the way to class, but they all hung out in the evenings and at the weekends.
Whenever they were together, Parker gave her all his attention, almost as if they were actually a couple. It was nice, flattering, but confusing at the same time. What did he want from her? Surely he was working too hard if all he wanted to do was get into her knickers?
Telling her thoughts to Riley once night at they both sat on their beds, Chloe with a text book in her lap and Riley painting her nails, she scowled at her friend began to laugh, demanding, “What is so funny?”
“What are knickers?” Riley asked, still cackling with laughter, “It sounds like something my Nana would wear.”
“Very funny.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “Come on, quit laughing and help me.”
“Sorry,” she said unrepentantly, holding up a hand, the other one still covering her mouth to hide her mirth.
Unimpressed, Chloe arched an eyebrow, which only made Riley laugh harder. “Do you need a minute?”
“Yes, please,” she sputtered. A few minutes later, she finally sobered. Moving to sit on the edge of the bed, she folded her hands in her lap, all demure, as if nothing had interrupted the conversation. “So, you and Parker have all the parts of a relationship, except the sex?”
“Pretty much, yeah.”
“Are either of you having sex with other people?”
“I’m definitely not, I don’t know about him.”
“It sounds like we need to do a bit of recon,” she exclaimed, her bright eyes gleaming as she all but bounced in place. “This is going to be so fun!”
“We are not spying on Parker. Anyway, what would be the point, he’s always with us when he’s not in class, or at practice. When does he have the chance to get down and dirty?”
“Oh, there is always time for sex,” Riley assured her, “and lots of covert places to do it.” Holding up a hand, she began to count on her fingers, “Storerooms, dark corners, unlocked bedrooms, toilets…”
“Really, toilets? That’s disgusting.”
Riley just shrugged, smirking. Not for the first time Chloe
wondered who the real Riley was, the innocent, over-excitable girl who’d never been to a party, or the flirty, sexually-experienced temptress.
Deciding to change the subject, Chloe asked, “Is Joey coming to the game with us tomorrow?” Over the past month Riley and Joey had grown close and she had been staying around his most nights – it didn’t take a genius to figure out what they were doing.
“He’s going with his friends, so we might cross paths,” she shrugged, not looking particularly bothered by the fact that her boyfriend wasn’t hanging out with them, which was good because Terri, Jet and even Parker had made it obvious that he wasn’t welcome.
It wasn’t that he was outright offensive, but there was just something about him that rubbed everyone up the wrong way. There was a cunningness beneath his amiable smile. Riley was the only one who didn’t see it, either that or she just didn’t care. Some girls liked bad boys after all – wasn’t that part of the reason she was attracted to Parker? – it just worried Chloe exactly how bad Joey might be.
The next day, Saturday, they both rose early and headed down to the canteen to get breakfast, before heading back up to their room to prepare for the game, which the whole school had been getting hyped up about all week. After showering, Chloe stepped out of the bathroom to find Riley wearing a football jersey and a seriously short denim skirt.
“I didn’t peg you as a football fan.”
“My dad played in the NFL,” she explained, “once he retired he became a sport commentator, so Terri and I pretty much grew up with it.” Suddenly something occurred to her and her head snapped up. “What are you going to wear?”
Gesturing vaguely at the wardrobe, she shrugged, “Shorts and a tank top I suppose.”
Riley wrinkled her nose. “It’s a shame I don’t have a spare jersey.”
“It’s fine,” Chloe waved her off, “I’m sure no one’s going to care if I’m not wearing the correct uniform.”
Luckily for her she was right; when they arrived at the pitch it was to see that many of the spectators were in normal clothes. With the bustle and noise, it seemed like a huge party. Pretty much the whole school had come to see the first game of the season and they were all chatting excitedly, bustling to find seats. Parents and staff had also turned out in force and were watching the cheerleaders who were already on the field, dutifully adding to the noise.