Parker starts to rock me back and forth. “Babe you are the least selfish person I know. I can guarantee that Nora would never blame you, just as you should never blame yourself. She’s alright, that’s what you need to hold on to. She’s strong just like you. She will be alright, I promise you,” he says sweetly.
I don’t say anything, just allow Parker to rock me and comfort me.
The next morning, rather hours later, I wake up to a cell phone ringing non-stop.
“Someone answer that,” Nora mumbles through her sleep dazed state.
“Shit, that’s me,” Parker says as he quickly moves to get his phone.
All I can hear is his side of the conversation, but it sounds like they know who the guy is.
A few minutes later he hangs up and comes back to resume his spot on the love seat beside me.
“What did you find out?” I ask anxiously.
He hesitates before responding, “We got his name and where he lives.”
“What else? You’re hiding something.”
“Shit,” he says shaking his head then finally making eye contact with me, “Apparently this wasn’t his first attempt.”
“I figured that,” I say truthfully.
“No Nat, his parents are pretty prestigious people, he seems to always get out of the charges.”
“Not this time. I don’t care if I kill him myself,” I deadpan.
“Babe, you can’t do that. You need to be here for her,” he says as he nods in Nora’s direction.
“I know and I will be, but I will make that asshole pay.”
He starts to laugh, “Such a feisty one. Don’t worry about it, I’ll handle it.”
“No Parker, this isn’t your problem. Shit, we have you missing a show when you shouldn’t even be here.”
“Hey,” he says as he lifts my chin so I have no choice but to stare at his gorgeous face, “I said I’d take care of it. Trust me. I would do anything for her and you. I will make sure that son of a bitch pays.”
“You can’t do anything to mess with your career. No Parker, I can’t let you do something stupid,” knowing damn well he would go in and bust that kid’s face in, so would the rest of his band.
“I won’t touch him; well no, I will have at least one swing. Don’t worry Nat; I’ll make sure my hands are clean.”
“Maybe we should just let the cops handle it,” I tell him.
“Go to the cops today, but we’re just gonna pay him a little visit. Don’t worry, we won’t do anything stupid.”
“Yeah sure.”
“Can you two shut up? I’m trying to sleep,” Nora complains.
We both start to laugh. “Sorry sleeping beauty, you may now get your rest,” I assure her.
I stand up and head to the kitchen to start making some tea. I need something to help wake me up.
It’s already going on 10:00 a.m. I’ll let her sleep a little more before getting her up to head to the police station.
“Do you want me to come along to the police station?” Parker asks from behind me in the kitchen.
“You don’t have to do that. You should get the guys and head back to your tour.”
“That’s not what I asked you,” he says with his piercing green eyes.
“I’ll tell you what, ask Nora that question. It’s her who has to go through this shit at the station, if she wants you there then come. If not, then head back to your tour.”
“You’ve got a deal,” he says with a devilish smile.
“Do you want any coffee or tea?”
“Tea works.”
I nod my head and turn back around to grab two cups out of the cupboard while I wait for the water to boil on the stove.
“You taking off work this weekend?” Parker asks me out of nowhere.
“Yeah, I need to call Eddie to let him know.”
“I’ll handle it,” he says.
“No Parker, you won’t. You have your own stuff to deal with; you don’t need to try to take care of mine. I can handle it,” I snap.
“Okay,” is all he says.
“You two suck, you know that?” Nora says as she gets up and heads toward the bathroom.
A few minutes later she joins us in the living room.
“I’m going to let you two talk while I get a shower,” I tell them as I stand and head toward the bathroom.
This way it will give Parker time to talk to Nora without her looking at me to see what I think. This is her decision whether she wants him to go to the police station or not.
After I get showered and dressed, I head out to the living room, hearing Nora laughing hysterically.
I haven’t heard her laugh like that in a really long time. Knowing Parker is the one who’s making her laugh makes my heart flutter.
“So, what’s the consensus?” I ask, as I enter the living room.
“Parker’s coming with us,” Nora says. I look over to Parker who’s smiling happily.
“Okay, well why don’t you go get ready and we can head out.”
Nora heads to her bedroom to change.
“Do you want to use the shower or bathroom or anything?” I ask feeling a little awkward.
“Yeah, do you mind if I grab a quick shower?”
“No, not at all. You know where all the stuff is.”
“Yeah, let me just go grab some clothes out of the car,” he says as he heads out the front door.
He comes in a few minutes later and heads to the bathroom to shower.
Should I be thinking about Parker naked in my shower? No, absolutely not. Am I….Hell Yes!
All sexy and muscular, the water running down over his sexy tattoos and perfect…
“You alright?” Nora asks, pulling me out of my dreamworld.
“Oh yeah, sorry, just lost in thought,” I lie.
“Sure.”
“How do you feel today?” I ask her.
“Like shit. I look like a train wreck, which is exactly how my body feels.”
“I didn’t mean it like that Nora.”
“I know. I’m just grouchy. I can’t believe I put myself in a situation like that. I’m not stupid, I just messed up.”
“No, you trusted someone you shouldn’t have. There’s a difference. No more Liz. I will be calling to speak to her mother; you better believe I will have words with her.”
“She doesn’t care. Why do you think Liz is the way she is? It’s a freaking cry for help. I felt sorry for her because she’s known as a slut at school and because of that, she doesn’t have many friends. But I learned she will only try to bring everyone else around her down.”
“Wow, look at you talking years ahead of yourself,” I say smiling.
“I do want to punch her in the face though,” she says all serious.
“Not in school and not on school grounds, anywhere away from that go for it. If she were 18, I’d kick the shit out of her.”
Nora starts to laugh, “I can’t believe you’re telling me it is okay to fight, and usually you say the complete opposite.”
“Well it’s not every day that a stupid twit puts my little sister in danger. She deserves what she gets.”
“But she doesn’t. She needs help,” Nora says solemnly.
“For Liz to get help, she has to want to change. Based on what she said to you, she doesn’t want to change and until she does, there’s nothing anyone can do for her.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“I’ll be out in a minute,” Parker yells from down the hall.
“Okay,” I holler back.
Nora sighs.
“What’s that for?” I ask surprised.
“Don’t you miss him?”
“Of course, but we’re on different paths. You know this.”
“I know, I just wish things were different.”
I start to laugh, “Do you have a crush on Parker?”
“Umm, duh. What red blooded girl wouldn’t?”
“Oh my gosh. That’s just wrong. I dated him Nora,” I
snap.
“Yeah and you let him get away. Stupid stupid girl,” she says shaking her head.
“Hey now. Watch how you talk to me,” I say defending myself.
“I’m kidding. I know why you left because he messed up, but he’s as close to perfect as they come.”
“If he was, then he wouldn’t be having a baby to someone else,” I remind her.
“You’re right. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. We’re friends and we will continue to be friends.”
“It’s not the same,” she says.
“I know, but it’s all I can do,” I admit.
Luckily, our conversation is cut off because Parker walks into the living room. He’s looking hot, like sex on a freaking stick hot.
“Don’t drool,” Nora whispers in my ear.
“Oh stop,” I say as I start to laugh. I stand up and walk to the kitchen trying to hide the redness that’s creeping up on my face.
“Everything alright?” Parker asks, confused.
“Yeah, we were just having a moment,” Nora tells him.
“I’m ready, let’s go.”
We head out the door to head to the police station. Parker insists on driving, so we load into his car and he gets us there in no time.
We park and head inside. I can feel Nora shaking beside me. I thread my arm with hers, causing her to look at me. “You’re not alone. We’re doing this together.”
“Thanks,” she says with a half-smile.
“Go ahead and take a seat, I’ll go talk to the Sergeant,” Parker tells us.
We do as he says and take a seat.
“Why the Sergeant, why not just a regular officer?” she asks nervously.
“I’m guessing he probably knows him. Relax,” I tell her, putting my hand on her knee to stop if from shaking.
“I just want to forget about it and move on.”
“You will. This is the first step.”
A few minutes later Parker comes out and escorts us to a room with no windows. We meet with the Sergeant, whose name is Rodney. He basically asks Nora to take him step by step through her night, explaining what happened.
She does and she has to stop a few times due to crying, but other than that she does great. I couldn’t be more proud of her.
Rodney takes notes the entire time Nora’s talking. When she’s done, she asks a few questions and then he has her complete her statement and sign it.
We leave the police station about two hours later.
“I can’t stop shaking,” she says, as we head towards the car.
“I’m so proud of you.”
“So am I, you did great Nora,” Parker says.
“Thanks. Can we just go home though? I don’t want people to see me like this.”
“Sure,” I say as we get in the car.
We end up spending the rest of the day hanging out watching silly comedy movies. Parker ended up leaving after the first movie to meet up with the guys to figure out a time to head back to their tour.
I thanked him numerous times for coming to help, though he didn’t need to.
Chapter Eighteen
After a week, life’s starting to get back to normal for Nora and me. Her bruising went down and we were able to cover it up with make-up, so she only ended up missing a few days of school. Her nightmares are still happening, but they’re not every night.
Brad has been arrested and is out on bail. I know who he is now and I’m determined to get my revenge. I won’t tell Nora that though.
I head inside the house and find her sitting on the couch eating ice cream.
“Hey, you could use a bowl you know,” I say nodding to the carton she’s eating out of.
“You know I don’t need a babysitter right?” she says as she eyes me curiously.
“As long as that asshole is out on bail, you better believe I’m not letting you alone.”
“Aww you do care,” she says sarcastically.
“Oh hush,” I tell her as I throw a pillow at her head.
She starts to laugh immediately.
“So, what would you like for dinner tonight?”
“Spaghetti please,” Nora says quickly.
“Alright, I’ll start dinner.”
As I start to pull out the things I need for dinner, Nora sits at on the chair at the table, “Parker called to check up on me today.”
“Oh, well that was nice.”
“I don’t like his girlfriend or whatever the heck she is,” Nora says bitterly.
“They’re going to be a family.”
“I know, but it’s stupid. I wish she was lying.”
“Yeah well that’s not usually the case.”
“It should be. He deserves so much better than her. You know he still loves you right?” she says surprising me.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m going to start seeing other people, moving on, ya know.”
“I guess.”
“What?”
“When I fall in love, I want Earth shattering, world tilting, butterflies swirling, kind of passion. I won’t settle for anything less,” she declares.
“Where the hell did you hear that before?” I ask shocked.
“I read some of your books. Now those men know how to treat women. I want one of them,” she says with a determined look.
I start to laugh, I can’t help it. “Nor, those aren’t real. Majority of men aren’t like that.”
“Well I will find one that is,” she deadpans.
“Good luck and while you search you can look for one for me too,” I tell her, still laughing.
“You had one,” she snaps.
“Not again. No Parker talk.”
“Fine.”
We end the conversation and turn the television on to watch the Family Feud, until dinner is ready.
After dinner, the rest of the evening consists of us hanging out until Nora decides to head to bed.
The next morning I wake up to hear my sister yelling at the television. I walk out into the living room to see tears streaming down her face.
“What’s wrong?” I ask panicked.
She points to the television, it shows picture of Brad, stating he was in an accident and was life-lined to the nearest hospital.
“Why are you crying?”
“I’m sorry, he…he freaks me out. It takes hours sometimes days to get his picture out of my head.”
“Don’t apologize for that. He tried to do the unthinkable to you. It will be alright. Did it say what kind of accident?”
“Yeah, he was beat up.”
“Do they know who did it?”
“No, there were no witnesses; at least that’s what the news lady said.”
“Huh.”
“You don’t think Parker did that, do you?” she asks worriedly.
“No, he’s on tour. It’s not him, don’t worry.”
“Who do you think did it?”
“I’m not sure. I know I wish it was me.”
“Stop, I need you here with me. You can’t leave me too,” she says with tear filled eyes.
“Nor, I’m not going anywhere. It’s me and you remember,” I tell her as I pull her in for a hug.
“You do know what’s coming up right?” she asks out of nowhere.
“Of course I know. I would never forget,” I say still hugging her.
“Do you want to do anything special?”
“We’ll keep our tradition,” I tell her with a smile.
“Good.”
“Why are you up so early watching the morning news anyway?” I ask as I eye the clock and see it’s already 6:30 a.m.
“Couldn’t sleep,” she says as she shrugs her shoulders, “Guess I’ll get ready for school.”
“Okay,” I say as she heads into the bathroom.
I watch the television still in shock by what happened to Brad. Not one bit of me is remorseful, that asshat deserves everything he gets. I’m just curious as to who did it.
The rest of the day
goes by uneventful and before I know it, I’m home waiting for Nora to get home from school.
She gets in around 3:30 p.m. and looks angry.
“What happened?” I ask from the couch.
“Fucking Liz, I hate her,” she spats.
“What did she do now?”
“She’s telling everyone I paid someone to beat him up and put him in the hospital. That’s not true, I didn’t I swear.”
“I know you didn’t. So what did you do?” I ask, eyeing her hand that has an ice pack on it.
“I bitched her out.”
“And?”
“She pushed me first, so I punched her.”
“You hurt your hand from a punch?” I ask curiously.
“NO, I punched her like ten times, a bunch to her stupid face,” she says harshly.
“Didn’t I tell you not at school or on school grounds?”
“Don’t worry it wasn’t. A friend gave me a ride home and she needed to stop at Brother’s Pizza. I ran into her there.”
“Okay. Did she hurt you?” I ask noticing she doesn’t have a bruise or scratch on her.
“Please. She couldn’t land shit. I’m pretty sure I broke her nose though and maybe a few teeth. She was bleeding pretty bad.”
“Now you know I don’t condone fighting but in this case, good job,” I tell her with a smile.
Liz deserves what she got.
“Thanks,” she says as she sits beside me for me to check her hand out.
“Just keep the ice on it for a bit. It’s swollen but it doesn’t look broken,” I tell her.
“I can move it. It’ll be fine.”
We spend the rest of the afternoon discussing what our plans are for next Sunday and spending quality sister time with one another.
During the next few weeks nothing exciting happens other than Brad, the asshat, hasn’t improved and is still in the intensive care unit.
“Do you work tonight?” Nora asks.
“Yeah, from 8 p.m. to close; are you going to be okay?”
“I’m not a baby. I was fine the times you worked this week, I’ll be fine tonight too,” she snaps.
“Alright, alright, I just want to make sure,” I say, holding my hands in the air surrendering.
“If you need me you know you can call. I’ll have my phone on me,” I remind her.
“Yes I know. Oh by the way…Parker may be in town this weekend.”
“Oh,” is my only response.
“He still calls and texts to check up on me,” she says smiling big.
Needing You #2 - Wanting Him Page 18