by M L Sparrow
Stepping out of the bathroom, Chloe closed the door quietly behind her, then just stood there for a moment, twisting a strand of hair nervously around one finger.
“Fancy a day out?” he asked, handing over her cup of coffee.
Instantly, a smile spread across her face. “Yeah, where are we going?”
“I was thinkin’, you’ve been here a month and you’ve barely stepped off campus yet. San Antonio ain’t too far if you want to take a drive.”
Something flickered across her face, but she masked it before he could figure out what and the excitement in her eyes was real.
“That would be great. I did a bit of research about San Antonio when I was looking at the Uni. The Alamo’s there and the Mission San Jose, the Botanical gardens…” She trailed off, lifting a hand to her face as she blushed, “Sorry, I’m talking your ear off. What did you have planned?”
Gesturing for her to follow him out of the door, he replied honestly, “I hadn’t got that far. We’ll do whatever you want.”
“Well, I’m sure we’ll find something.”
Closing the door, they headed off along the hall and down the stairs. It was kind of awkward to begin with, neither of them really knew how to act, but once he realized that being in a relationship was pretty much the same as being friends, except more physical, it was easy. He was good at being her friend, it was something he could do.
Watching her from the corner of his eye, he saw her take a sip out of her cup and grimace. His head fell back on a groan, “You don’t like coffee, do you?”
“Sorry.”
“How did I not know that?”
She shrugged, “I prefer tea.”
Unable to hold in his burst of laughter, he shook his head. “Shoulda guessed.” She was British, after all.
When they reached the street where their ride was parked, he pointed out the blue Chevy and she glanced over at him with a smirk, “That’s not the kind of car I would have pictured you in.”
“It’s Jet’s,” he explained, “I can’t afford a car. What would you have pictured me driving?”
“Some big-arse truck. Probably red. Wheels caked in mud. Maybe a few dents, depending on how good a driver you are.”
That made him laugh. “Don’t tell Jet that, he won’t let me borrow his car again.” Which reminded him… Grabbing his phone, he quickly texted his roommate: I’ve got your car.
Putting it back into his pocket, he clicked the key fob to unlock the car, fighting back a smile as she circled around to the left. “You planning on drivin’, sugar?”
Realizing her mistake, Chloe rolled her eyes at him. “I forgot you drive on the wrong side of the road.”
“Nah-ah,” he shook his head with a smirk, “we drive on the right side, the clue’s in the name.”
Again, she rolled her eyes, laughing up at him as she rounded the car and he held the correct door open for her, closing it once she was seated inside. Getting in himself, he adjusted the seat and then started the engine, pulling out onto the empty road and heading towards the highway.
“Can you drive?” he asked out of curiosity.
“I have a license,” she said after a pause, “but I don’t feel comfortable driving.” Her strained tone clearly said end of conversation.
Chloe watched him closely as he drove, he felt her eyes on him as he turned onto the main road leading out of town. When he stopped at a set of traffic light, to let a group of girls pass, he turned to look at her.
“What’s up?”
“What?” She jumped as if he’d caught her doing something scandalous – he wished.
“I’ve never seen you so on edge, what’s going on?”
Instead of answering, she turned her head to look out of the window as the light turned green and they started moving again. He was beginning to realize that was how she got around questions she didn’t want to answer, she just pretended they hadn’t been asked and hoped they went away.
Returning his eyes to the road, he reached over and pulled open the glove compartment, saying, “Choose a CD, music helps.”
After a moment, he heard her rifling through Jet’s music collection and a minute later some jazz band started playing. When they’d first become roommates freshman year, Parker hadn’t been able to bear Jet’s favorite brand of music, but he was slowly getting used to it… he still thought it was a load of shit, but it no longer made his ears bleed.
“Jet has crap taste in music and he’s the only person I know who still has CDs.”
That made her laugh, turning the music up a couple of notches as she said firmly, “I like it.” Humor suddenly returning, he saw her grinning at him out of the corner of his eye. “Let me guess, you like country music?”
“‘Course, what Alabama boy doesn’t? Tim McGraw’s great.”
“Who’s that?”
“Seriously…?” He looked over at her with raised eyebrows. “I definitely need to educate you. You’re in Texas, you need to know who Tim McGraw is.”
“If you say so.”
From then on the conversation flowed easily. It took them two hours to reach San Antonio; it wouldn’t have taken that long except that they stopped for breakfast, since both their stomach were growling.
Once they got there and had parked up, they wondered around for a while, taking everything in while they decided how to spend their day. In the end, they wandered along the River Walk, beneath the colorful awnings of the restaurants and shops lining its banks. They didn’t hold hands, but they walked so close that their arms brushed, giving him little electric shocks every time. The trees provided shade and they stopped to sit on a bench, watching side-by-side as small, red river boats drifted past.
Unfolding the tourist map she’d picked up at a little stall, she spread it over both their knees like a blanket, her fingers tracing the roads as she searched, her face pinched with concentration, a small dent between her brows. Studying her face, he noticed a thin white scar down the left side of her face; it was partially hidden by her hair line, going from temple to ear, which was probably why he hadn’t noticed it before now.
Unable to help himself, he reached out and traced a finger over the old injury, gently as if it might still hurt her. “How’d you do that?”
Tensing, she tilted her head away and his hand fell back to his side. For a moment, he thought she’d refuse to answer, like she had earlier, but then she said quietly, “I was in a car crash.”
He winced. “Was it bad?”
Lifting a hand, Chloe smoothed her ponytail over one shoulder. “Bad enough.” There was a hitch in her voice and her lips pressed together, big brown eyes glistening.
“I’m sorry.” He didn’t know the whole story, but he could guess enough, the loss in her voice spoke volumes. Needing to comfort her, Parker stretched out an arm to wrap around her shoulders, only to have her push him away.
“Don’t,” she snapped.
Slowly drawing back, he watched her closely for a moment, before returning his gaze to the water flowing past and adjusting his cap. Two more boats sailed by, packed with sightseers, before he felt a light touch on his shoulder.
When he turned around, Chloe was biting her lip, guilt written all over her face. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, “I didn’t mean to snap, but if you hug me I’ll probably start crying and I don’t want to ruin today.” Hesitating, she slid her hand down his arm to grip his fingers, squeezing slightly as she asked, “I haven’t, have I?”
“No,” he shook his head, smiling to reassure her as he squeezed her hand back, “but you are going to have to tell me what happened some time; even I know secrets aren’t good for a relationship.”
Glancing away, her gaze landed on their twined fingers as she answered, “It’s not a secret, I just don’t like talking about it.”
“I get that, but talking might help.”
Her laugh was more of a derisive snort and he mentally kicked himself; if the accident had been as serious as he suspected, if she had l
ost someone close to her, surely she would have had some sort of counselling, she didn’t need his untrained ass telling her what to do. What the hell did he know?
Squeezing his hand, Chloe jumped up, looking down at him with determined brown eyes as she announced, “Come on, let’s go have fun.”
And for the rest of the day they did have fun, exploring the city and avoiding sensitive subjects. They found a grungy old music shop, where he educated her on Tim McGraw, holding the massive headphones on her ears because her head was too small. In the afternoon, they found the car and headed towards the Alamo, since it was only a short detour from their route back to campus.
At this time of day, there weren’t many people at the historical site and they managed to snag places on the last guided tour. As we walked around, Parker watched the fascination on Chloe’s face, only half listening to the guide. History wasn’t really his thing, to him this was just an old building that had once meant something, but he loved that she was enjoying it. He looked at the crumbling walls and wondered what she saw.
When the tour was over, they walked out hand in hand and he asked, “So, what now?”
“It’s getting late.”
“Do you want to head back?”
Biting her lip, Chloe hesitated, then shook her head. “No, I don’t want today to end yet.”
“I saw signs for a fair on our way here,” he suggested, “wanna check it out? We can eat junk and you can pretend to be scared on the Big Wheel so that I can hold you.” Smirking, he wiggled his eyebrows at her, liking the image he’d painted.
Grinning big, she nodded as they reached the car. Once more she headed to the left and he waited patiently until she turned back around, holding her door open for her. She ducked under his arm to get in and he shut it behind her, crossing around the front of the car and getting in beside her. As he was reaching for the gearstick, Chloe’s hand wrapped around his wrist, small and warm, making him look up into her deep brown eyes.
“Today really has been amazing, thank you.”
His smile widened – he’d been smiling all day and his cheeks were aching, but it was a good ache. “Not bad for a first date, eh?”
“Not bad at all,” she agreed.
As he started driving, she watched the Alamo growing smaller in their rear-view mirror but her fingers remained curled around his wrist.
Chapter Eleven
Today had been amazing; Parker had been amazing. She’d never had a first date that even came close. Being in a car with him had been a bit scary at first – she hadn’t know if he was a decent driver – but after a while she’d become more interested in watching him than watching how he drove. He really was quite beautiful in a masculine kind of way, with the sun streaming through the open window to make his blond hair shine. It was too long, his hair, and there was several days’ worth of stubble on his jaw, but that just added to his rugged, casual charm.
One hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the window, he drove with an easy confidence, his sleeves rolled up over his elbows so that she could see the veins in his forearms. When he turned, he leant slightly, as if he were used to riding a motorbike, which brought a small smile to her lips. There was just something about him that made her happy.
God only knew the last time she’d been properly happy. Whenever the emotion began to surface guilt mercilessly stomped it down; how could she be happy when Jack was dead? But the happiness Parker made her feel refused to be doused, it was a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach, a lightness to her movements, a teasing note on the tip of her tongue.
After seeing the Alamo, which had been fascinating – all that history! – they were heading towards a fair Parker had seen on the way to San Antonio and as he drove through the fading colours of dusk, Chloe snuck glances over at him.
When they reached their destination, Parker made a beeline for the Big Wheel and they joined the queue of excited children, parents and several loved-up couples. Standing behind a pair of teens several years younger than them, Parker draped his arm over her shoulders and tucked her into his side, resting his chin on top of her head. It was too warm to cuddle, the heat of the day having yet to wear off, but Chloe couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
As they waited, she looked around at the heaving mass of people. Everyone around her spoke with an American accent. It was strange how countries could speak the same language, she thought, yet sound so different. Honestly, she’d never been a big fan of the accent, but Parker had a deep, Alabama drawl, which was perhaps the sexiest thing on earth. Was there anything about him she didn’t find sexy? Turning her head to look up at him, she considered that thought and decided to wait before answering it until she knew him better.
Eventually, they reached the front of the line and the man on duty ushered them into the next available chair and brought down the bar. Their seat swayed as they circled upwards, the crowds growing smaller and smaller the higher they went.
“I know you were joking earlier when you said I’d pretend to be scared on the Big Wheel, but I have a confession; I’m a little scared of heights.”
Without a word, Parker slid his arm around her, however, she saw the little smirk at the corner of his mouth.
The Wheel stopped at the top and they both leant forward to see the lights of the fair spread out below them, the noise drifting up to them along with the scents of the nearby food stalls. In the chair below them, some kids were messing around, making everyone rock back and forth.
“Oh God,” Chloe whimpered, turning her face into his neck and gripping his knee, squeezing convulsively.
Laughing, Parker used his free hand to lift her face up to his, kissing her lips. When she kissed him back, leaning in close, everything else just drifted away. He returned her enthusiasm, his fingers sinking into her hair, pressing against her skull as he urged her on. Desire kindled in her stomach and shivers ran down her spine, the tiny hairs on her arms rising. Kissing him was like being in the middle of a storm with winds buffeting you from all sides, at once both exciting and terrifying, because she’d never felt anything like it before. Their teeth knocked together as he used his grip on her hair to tilt her head back further, tongue delving deep.
They kissed as if they’d never get enough of each other, but before they knew it they were at the bottom and were forced to part as the man stepped forward to lift the bar, a knowing smirk on his face.
Yanking his wallet out of his pocket, Parker said gruffly, “One more time round.”
“Sorry, mate, there’s a whole line waitin’.”
Silently, he held out a twenty.
Quirking one eyebrow, the man took the money and shrugged, before glancing at her and grinning. “Good kisser?”
Chloe’s cheeks burned bright red, but Parker just laughed as they started moving once more, replying, “The best.”
They returned to campus later that night, after Parker had devoured both a burger and a hotdog and she had stuffed her face with cotton-candy, which didn’t really count as actual food because it was mostly just air. Parking outside Willow, they made out in the car for long, breath-taking minutes like a couple of teenagers, before Chloe forced herself to pull away.
“I have an early class,” she murmured regretfully.
Sighing, he leant his forehead against hers for a moment, the position awkward because of his cap, before sitting back and reaching for his door handle. “Come on, I’ll walk you up.”
Halfway up the stairs, they ran into Derek. Immediately, her heart dropped into her stomach, as she realized she was supposed to go out with him tonight. It was well past eight though, so what was he doing here at this time?
“Hi, Derek,” she managed to say, swallowing tightly, “what are you doing here?”
“Came to find you,” he shoved his hands into his pockets, frowning, “but Riley said you were out, so I went to hang with some friends.”
She felt so bad; she’d completely forgotten. And the worst thing was, since Parker had
stood her up when they first met, she knew exactly how Derek must be feeling. Luckily though, he didn’t look too angry, just a little disheartened.
Glancing over her shoulder at Parker, he returned his gaze to hers, “I guess a date’s outa the question now?”
Though he was looking at her, it was Parker who answered, “You guessed right.”
Normally, she’d hate him speaking for her, as if she didn’t have a mind of her own, but right now she didn’t mind; let him be the bearer of bad news.
Nodding absently, Derek said, “Okay, well, I’ll see you around.” At least he took it well; there were no tears, or punches thrown.
Turning to watch him walk away, she glanced up at Parker and narrowed her eyes at him. “Get that smug look off your face.”
The next day it was back to work. Having gotten back so late, Chloe’s body protested getting up in the morning. Stretching her arms up over her head, she yawned, glancing over at Riley’s bed to find that her roommate hadn’t returned home that night. Sitting up, she frowned and reached over for her phone, sending off a quick text just to check that she was okay, before going for a shower.
Refreshed, she got dressed and jammed her books into her bag, slinging it over her shoulder and heading out, only to stop dead at the sight of Parker in the hallway, leaning against the wall opposite her door, two take-away cups in his hands. A sense of déjà vu assailed her, as a smile immediately lit up her face.
Stepping forward, he kissed her, tasting like strong coffee and toothpaste, his skin damp from his shower after training and his jaw still unshaven, scratching slightly. Moving back far too soon, he held out a cup.
“Tea,” he announced, using his now free hand to fish several packets of sugar and a small pot of milk from his rucksack, explaining, “I didn’t know how you liked it.”
“Sugar, no milk,” she answered, taking off the plastic lid so that he could tip in the sugar.
