“Hey, I want to try those fried pickles,” Harp says, causing us all to laugh.
“That’s just wrong,” Park says.
“Why?” she glares again.
“I love pickles, but I would be damn if I’m going to eat a fried one,” I state.
“There you are,” Declan says as he, Luke, and Nate walk up to us.
The guys do a manly shake while Harper and I hug each of the guys praising them on their show tonight. Rowan stands to the side talking to Parker and Tucker, basically staying as far away from Declan as possible.
“Where you guys headed?” Nate asks.
“Going to get the girls funnel cakes and fried pickles,” Parker says with a laugh.
“Damn those sound good, count me in,” Declan states excitedly.
I laugh and shake my head.
Then we start to make our way towards the delicious smelling goodies.
We place our orders while the guys are still looking at the menu to decide if or what they want.
I look around while we wait for our goodies and can’t believe how busy it is. It’s almost 10:30 p.m. and this place is crazy busy.
“So…what are you going to do about Cameron?” Harp asks quietly.
“Nothing. We’ve talked a few times, that’s it, and so it really doesn’t matter.” I tell her truthfully.
“Okay, I was just curious,” she says with a smile.
With the mention of his name I get chills. Not sure why. I look around and I swear I see him. I blink a few times, turn to look at Harp then back in the direction of where I thought I just saw him, but there’s no one there.
“What’s wrong?” Harp asks.
“I swear I just saw Cameron,” I tell her quietly, not wanting anyone else to overhear me.
“No way,” she says looking in the direction I point to.
“Why would he be here?”
“Are you sure it was him?”
“I don’t know, maybe it wasn’t him. It looked like him though.”
“What’s wrong babe?” Parker says as he wraps his arm around my shoulders.
“Nothing,” I say, giving him a fake smile.
Cameron wouldn’t be here would he? He would have said something if he was coming. Surely I must be confused.
Just then our numbers are called for our food. “I’ll get it, be right back,” Park says with a smile.
“You look really happy,” Declan says from behind me.
“I am,” I admit.
“Thinking of giving him another chance?” he asks.
“It’s not about second chances. This is our weekend to not think or worry about the past or the future, but to just enjoy the moment,” I tell him with a smile.
“Natalie, if you think it’s going to be done and over after this weekend you’re wrong. He’s in love with you, that doesn’t just go away,” he states, slightly frustrated.
“I know Dec. I love him, I do, I always will, but it’s not always enough. Too much has happened. He’s having a baby with someone else.”
“Look Nat, I’m not trying to be an ass or anything, but if you aren’t thinking of giving him another chance then let him go. Don’t mess with his head. He was a wreck when you first broke up with him. He’s just starting to get back to himself, don’t mess him up,” he says with a stern look.
“I won’t,” I say, not sure of how I feel or what to do now.
I thought Parker and I agreed that this was our last weekend, our weekend for closure, for goodbye.
Just then I hear a girl, “There you are baby,” she says as she approaches Parker.
I turn and watch in complete shock as she comes up and places a kiss on his lips. He looks angry and beyond pissed.
His hands are full so he can’t do much of anything to get away from her.
“Here I’ll take those,” Tuck says rushing over to grab our food.
“What are you doing here?” Parker grits out.
“To see you silly. The baby started kicking and I wanted you to feel it,” she says as she grabs his hand and places it on her belly for him to feel it.
I now notice the huge bump she’s sporting and realize who “she” is.
“How did you find us out here Claudia?” he asks angrily.
“Babe really, it’s not that hard,” she says acting like it’s no big deal.
Tuck hands me my funnel cake, which I now have no appetite for.
I keep it covered and turn to look anywhere, but what’s happening in front of me.
“Are you okay?” Declan whispers from beside me.
“I…ummm…I…I don’t know,” I stutter.
“Is this the first time you’re seeing her?” he asks surprised.
I just nod my head. I take a good look at her. She’s beautiful. She’s probably around 5’7” dark brown curly hair, very petite, well other than for the large bump she’s sporting. She looks like she’s glowing in her pregnant state.
I can’t blame Parker for sleeping with her. She’s absolutely stunning. Super-model stunning, if she were a few inches taller anyway.
What the hell was I thinking coming here, spending the weekend like we were? Hell he’s having a kid with her. I should just remove myself and let them have a chance at trying to be a family.
“Do you want to go?” Declan asks quietly.
“Yes, please,” I whisper to him.
I know Parker was looking at me numerous times as he spoke to Claudia. I could feel his eyes burning holes in me to look at him, but I couldn’t.
I glance at Parker and he’s now turned away from me arguing with Claudia which gives me time to escape with Declan.
Harper gives me a look, a sad look, but she knows why I’m leaving. She doesn’t have to ask, she just nods her head in understanding. Rowan looks confused.
Declan gets me back to the hotel. I inform him I can’t go to my room yet because Parker will come here first. Declan hides me out in another hotel room so Parker can’t find me and I wait in that room until Declan can come with my clothes so I can get out of here.
I text Harper, letting her know where I am. I didn’t drive here so I need to wait on her and Tucker to be able to go home. It’s only a twenty minute drive, so I consider just getting a cab to take me back.
“Hey,” Declan says as he comes in with all my stuff, “Sorry I just threw everything in and bolted.”
“No worries. Thanks Dec. I appreciate your help.”
“Not a problem. I think you should talk to him though,” he says kindly.
“What’s there to talk about? He’s having a baby with someone else. I shouldn’t have come here this weekend. He could try to be with her, that way they could be a family.”
“Nat…he loves you. He’s not going to be a family with her or anyone else,” he says.
“No, not as long as I’m in the picture. You said so yourself, he was doing better with me gone,” I say repeating some of the words he said to me earlier.
“He doesn’t love her,” he states.
“He could learn to,” I deadpan.
“You are a stubborn ass woman, you know that?” he says harshly.
“Yes I know, but I need to do what’s right. I need to walk away. I need to let Parker and Claudia have a chance at happiness. They’re going to be a family whether I like it or not,” I say on a sigh.
“You’re right they are. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be a part of that family,” he says staring at me.
“Seriously? Him being with me would be him missing out on first steps, first words, first everything’s with his child. I would never do that, not to him or that child,” I say feeling defeated.
“I get it, I do. I’m sorry Nat. I wish things would have worked out differently. You and Park…I thought you two would have that forever shit girls talk about,” he says with a solemn look.
“Me too,” I say sadly as I sit on the edge of the bed.
“You going to be okay?” he asks.
“I will be. Than
k you for helping me. I think I’m just gonna call a cab to come and get me,” I tell him as I stand up and look for the little phone books they usually have in hotel rooms.
“I’m sorry your weekend got ruined,” he says, apologizing again.
“Declan it’s not your fault. You don’t need to keep apologizing. Its life, shit happens.”
“I know, but you and Park don’t deserve it. You’re both good people,” he says sweetly.
“Thank you for being so sweet,” I tell him with a smile, “I’ll be okay, so will Parker.”
“If you need anything call me.”
“Thanks,” I tell him as I get up and give him a hug.
He leaves the room while I call for a cab. I know Parker’s going to be pissed off at him for helping me leave, which means I need to leave now.
I call the cab company and they inform me they will be here in about ten minutes. Now I just need to figure a way to sneak out without Parker seeing me.
“Hey,” I say to Harper, “I need a favor,” I tell her through the phone.
“What’s up?” she asks quietly.
“I’m taking a cab home. Can you distract Parker while I leave?” I ask with a pleading tone.
“He’s going nuts. He almost punched Declan in the face. I think you should talk to him before you leave. He talked to you when shit happened, don’t run away,” she says truthfully.
“I don’t know…I think it would be better if I just left.”
“Better for who?” she snaps.
With a huff, I give in, “You’re right. I can’t run away. Where’s he at?”
“In your hotel room pacing the floor,” she tells me.
“Where are you?”
“In the bathroom in your room,” she whispers.
I laugh, “Thanks Harp. I’ll be right there.”
“Good!” she says as she hangs up.
Here we go, I tell myself. I grab my suitcase and head back towards my hotel room.
The door is wide open and I hear people arguing.
I know Parker is arguing and it sounds like he’s arguing with Declan. Yep, he sure is.
“Hey,” I say softly from the door.
“Fuck, where the hell have you been?” Parker says as he comes and wraps me up in his arms. His gorgeous sexy tattooed arms.
“Can we talk, please?”
He looks at me worriedly; knowing what I’m going to say isn’t going to end well. But we knew this. That’s what this weekend was, closure. Yeah right, who the hell am I kidding?
“Can you all leave, we need to talk,” Park says to everyone in the room.
No one says anything; they just file out the door heading to their own rooms.
Declan gives me a small smile, probably thankful that I decided to talk to Parker before running away.
Once everyone is out the door, Parker shuts up and leads me to the bed for us to sit on.
“What’s going through that pretty head of yours?” he asks sweetly.
I chance a look at him and I shouldn’t. Those beautiful green eyes stare back at me looking sad.
“I don’t know where to start. I guess I’m sorry for running off like that.”
“Babe you don’t need to apologize. I’m just glad you didn’t leave.”
“Park…this weekend has been amazing. You’re amazing, you know I love you, I always will, but we knew this weekend was our last,” I start to tell him.
“No, no stop right there. It doesn’t have to be for good. I told you, I’m going to figure this shit out. We will make this work. Just don’t give up on us, not yet,” he says with pleading eyes.
“You’re having a baby, you need to try and make it work with Claudia. You need to try and be a family for your baby’s sake,” I tell him truthfully.
“No, I’m not giving you up. I can be a dad and have you in my life,” he says, as he stands and starts to pace.
“I can be in your life Parker, it just won’t be as your girlfriend. We can still be friends,” I try to tell him.
“I don’t want to be your fucking friend. Are you kidding me right now?” he stops pacing and yells.
“Look, I’m trying to be calm here. Is it what we want no, but Parker it doesn’t change the way things are or the way things are going to be moving forward.”
“So you don’t want to be with me, that’s what you’re saying?” he asks with hurt look.
“I’m saying I can’t be with you.”
“Why not?” he asks harshly.
“Parker you cheated on me and now you’re having a baby because of it.”
“Shit. I swear I don’t even remember it. I would never willingly cheat on you,” he defends.
“I hear you, but it doesn’t change the fact that you did.”
“Fuck. So that’s it. We’re done. You want me to try to have a relationship with a girl I don’t even fucking like. Yet, I love you and you only want to be my fucking friend. Do I got that fucking right?” he says angrily.
“It’s not that simple and you know it.”
“It sounds pretty fucking simple to me Nat.”
“No, pretty fucking simple would be you never cheating on me, us never breaking up, us spending our time together and working towards our future. That would be what would have been simple before YOU fucked it up. You changed us. You ripped us apart,” I scream back. I feel the tears start to run down my cheeks and I don’t even waste the time to wipe them away.
“Shit. I know it’s my fault and I’m sorry. I just…I just thought that maybe we could work through it and be alright,” he says frustrated as he runs his hands through his hair.
“Work through it? Parker you slept with someone else while you were with me. You broke us. As much as I would love for things to go back to the way they used to be, they can’t. Not now, not ever.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” he says with a serious look.
“I told you, we can still talk every once in a while and maybe even be friends down the line. I don’t know. I just know we aren’t “the us” we used to be, we can’t be; too much has happened.”
“Fine. I’ll take anything I can get with you; even if that means I have to be your damn friend,” he says as he comes and wraps me in his arms in a tight hug.
The tears continue to fall from my eyes, soaking his shirt, but he doesn’t say anything.
After a few minutes he pulls back from me. His eyes are slightly red, looking like he shed some tears too, though he never made a sound.
“Can I just hold you tonight?” he asks hopeful.
“Yeah, I’d like that,” I tell him with a smile.
I change into my tank top and shorts while he strips down to his boxer briefs and crawls into my bed.
He’s lying on his back so I crawl in and prop my head on his shoulder and snuggle into his side. His arm comes around my back and he pulls me even closer to him. I wrap my arms around him and my leg overtop his, trying to get as close as I can.
I know this is the last time I’ll get to sleep in his arms like this.
That’s how we fall asleep; me snuggled tightly to Parker’s body with our arms wrapped around one another.
Chapter Fifteen
Morning comes way too early and before I know it, we are up and getting ready to head home. Thankfully, it’s only a twenty minute drive.
“Come back to bed,” Parker moans.
“You need to wake up, your bus leaves in thirty minutes,” I remind him.
“They can leave without me, now come back to bed,” he says with one eye open.
“Tucker wants to leave early too, he has some things he needs to take care of today,” I tell him as I sit on the edge of the bed.
“Yeah I know, he told me. Just five more minutes,” he says as he pulls me over so I’m lying beside him.
I can’t help the giggle that comes out.
“Thank you for this weekend,” he says with glazed eyes.
“No problem,” I mumble. This weekend was great, bu
t I also know reality is going to set it in and suck ass, soon, real soon.
“So…I was thinking, since this is our last time together like this, I think we should make out until it’s time to go,” he says with an innocent look.
“Oh what the hell,” I say with a laugh.
It takes Parker two seconds before his lips mold to mine. I can’t help but fall more for this man even though this is our goodbye.
We end up making out until Harper, Tuck, and Rowan are pounding on my door yelling for us to let them in. I let them in, finish getting my things in order and we head out the door.
We all say our farewells. To say it was upsetting would be an understatement. Parker hugs me tightly, clearly not wanting to let go before we leave.
“I love you,” he says as he leans his forehead against mine, staring me in the eyes.
“I love you too. I wish you the best on the rest of your tour,” I tell him with a small smile.
We give each other one last small kiss before I get into Tuck’s car to head home.
I can’t help but look back as we pull away to watch Parker watching us drive away before he finally walks to the tour bus.
The drive home is fast, which is nice. I don’t want to cry in front of anyone. By the time we get to Tuck’s house, it’s only twenty-five minutes later. I grab my things and throw them in my car before saying goodbye to them and heading home.
It’s still early so I’m not surprised that Nora’s still sleeping when I walk in the door. I take my things to my bedroom and lie on the bed allowing myself to cry the tears I’ve been holding in since I said goodbye to Parker.
I know I’m doing the right thing. I’m allowing him the opportunity to raise his soon to be family together. They should have a chance to make it work, for the baby’s sake.
I spend the rest of the weekend telling Nora about the concert and I also broke down and told her about Parker. I could see by the look in her eyes that she misses him too and wishes things could have ended differently, though she doesn’t say it.
Monday is back to school and work like normal. Fun times I tell ya.
I get a text message from an unknown number and all the message says is “Be ready at 5:00 p.m.”
What the hell? I send a message back, “Who is this?”
Needing You #2 - Wanting Him Page 14