He gave her a firm hug back. “You may not need me as much, but I’ll always be here.”
“Are you kidding? I’ll always need you. I love you.”
“I love you too.” It was nice to see her smiling again. But there was still some unfinished business. Now that he was onboard the Aubrey-Theo train, he still had to do his brotherly duty.
“I have to say this.” Riley turned to the young man and gripped Theo’s shoulders. “She’s my little sister. If you hurt her, I will take you to the Tomcats Stadium and punt you over the goal post.”
“Fair enough.” Theo cleared his throat.
Just then, Bridgette came over. “Riley. Can you give me a hand with the boxes? Teri-Lyn is about to make the announcement.”
“Sure thing,” Riley replied.
“I can help,” Theo chimed in.
“Thanks,” he said as they followed Bridgette outside. It was time for Parker’s surprise.
* * *
The ladies were still fawning over Derek Jr. when Teri-Lyn moved to the middle of the living room and called for everyone’s attention. Parker searched the crowd for Riley. The last time she’d seen him, he was walking with Aubrey and Theo. She hoped he was making progress.
“Everyone, can I have your attention?” Teri-Lyn tapped her glass with a fork. “This is indeed a joyous occasion. My babies Wyatt and Avery are getting married. I knew it the day they met that they were meant to be, despite what every man in this family thought.”
The ladies laughed. The men did not.
“But like every other special occasion when this huge family gathers, there’s always room for more good news. As many of you may already know, Parker has become a television star.”
The crowd clapped.
“It’s not a big deal,” Parker said.
Teri-Lyn waved her over. “Sure it is. Come on over here.”
“Not a big deal?” J.J. called out. “Are you kidding? You’re a superstar.”
Sam nodded. “Yes, it’s time this family had a female superstar athlete in the spotlight.”
“It’s just a silly show,” Parker blurted out, not knowing what else to say. She was in a room filled with professional athletes. It was hard to compare herself to their amazing accomplishments. “I tried it on a lark.”
“Don’t be so modest,” John Jacob said. “It takes just as much mental strength as physical stamina to take on those obstacle courses. We’re so proud of you.”
“And to show you how much we support you, we have a little surprise for you.” Teri-Lyn gave a signal to someone. “Bridgette, you’re up.”
Parker turned to see Bridgette leading Riley and Theo into the living room with big boxes. “What did you do?”
“Marketing 101.” Bridgette set the box down and opened it. She then pulled out a black T-shirt with neon letters that said Team Bruiser and held it up. “I had a shirt made for everyone. We can wear them when we go to the next competition to cheer for you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve also been hashtagging your posts the same way.”
“Wow. Whose idea was Team Bruiser?” She looked at Riley.
“Guilty as charged.” He grinned.
“It’s catchy, and people post about how cute it is that he calls you that.” Bridgette beamed. “I’m also going to put them up for sale on your web page. I thought maybe we could have the proceeds go to a charity like for lupus or multiple sclerosis.”
“Thanks, Bridgette.” She gave the young lady a hug. “You’ve done an awesome job.”
“You’re welcome.” Bridgette nodded, then called for everyone to be quiet. “Everyone, we’d like to get as much in-person support as possible. So I’d like to coordinate with anyone who can make it. Teri-Lyn says we can use the minibuses that take the kids to school to get everyone to the event.”
Parker and Bridgette began passing out T-shirts as Riley and Theo brought in more boxes. It was nice that the family would come together to support her. But Bridgette had totally gone above and beyond for her. It was awfully sweet for her to go through the trouble to launch a full-blown media campaign. She wouldn’t have thought of any of these things because she was still on the fence about being in the spotlight. But Bridgette had run with it and produced some amazing results. Giving her responsibility had given the college student a reason to focus. Maybe Bridgette wasn’t quite the wild child everyone thought she was. Maybe she was just bored and trying to find her way. Just like Parker had been not so long ago.
Parker opened another box Wyatt had brought into the room that was marked Special. The first T-shirt on top, a small one for a child, had the logo Team Bruiser but underneath it said Little Bruiser. That could have only been for Kenzie. Riley had given her that nickname. She picked up the next one; it said The Boyfriend. She had to smile at that one. She continued to pass out the T-shirts and answer questions about the show. A little while later, she suddenly looked around, realizing Riley was nowhere in sight. Where had he gone so fast? She felt a tug on her sleeve. It was Mackenzie.
Parker held up the shirt for Kenzie. “I think this T-shirt is for you, missy.”
“Cool.” Mackenzie smiled. “I’ll wear it every time you’re on TV.”
“Good to know.”
Mackenzie took the T-shirt, then held up a note. “This is for you from Riley.”
Parker bit back a smile and took the note. By the mischievous smile on Mackenzie’s face, she’d read the note. “Did you read it?”
Mackenzie’s eyes widened. “Um.”
“I have to teach how to have a better poker face.” Parker tapped Kenzie’s nose.
“What’s a poker face?”
“I’ll explain it to you the next time we have a girls’ weekend.”
“OK.” Mackenzie trotted off in the direction of her parents, waving the T-shirt in the air.
Parker opened the note and saw Riley’s familiar slanted writing.
Meet me by the tree house.
Bridgette seemed to have things under control here, so Parker went into the kitchen and opened the door that led to the veranda. She carefully walked down the steps in her heels as she made her way to the tree house. Riley was standing by the ladder.
“Hey.” Parker smiled. “I was wondering where you went. I saw The Boyfriend T-shirt. It’s really cute.”
“I was aiming for sexy, but I’ll take cute.” He held up a bottle and glasses. “I thought we could both use a little downtime.”
“I was thinking the same thing. We have been missing each other the past few weeks.” She put her arms around his neck.
They shared a kiss. “Maybe we should check out that tree house,” she suggested.
He looked at it critically. “Hmm. Looks stable enough. Let’s do it.”
“I need to take these off.” She removed her heels and started to carefully climb up the ladder. It had been a while since she’d been up there. It had been officially sanctioned an adult-free zone by the kids, unless of course they needed snacks. She was almost at the top step when she realized Riley wasn’t behind her. He was still on the ground. “Aren’t you coming up?”
“I like the view from here.”
She squinted at him. “Perv. Stop looking up my dress and get up here.”
There was a blanket spread on the outer deck. Riley finally made the climb and sat down next to her.
“This is so sweet.” She sighed as she sat down on the blanket and set her shoes down next to her. “The dumbwaiter is new.”
“The kids finally figured out a way to get the dogs up. It takes like eight of them to pull up Rowdy, who howls the entire time until he gets a treat.” Riley poured them each a glass of champagne. “For you.”
“Thank you.”
“Let’s toast to an awesome engagement and our good friends, Wyatt and Avery, who are taking the journey to wedded bliss.” They clinked glasses and sipped.
“How are things going with Theo?”
“We hashed things out.” He set aside the glass and s
lipped his arms around her waist. “Derek and I had a nice long talk, in which he reminded me how not so long ago I was Theo but ten times worse.”
“You weren’t.” She tried to look sincere. “OK. You were just as bad, if not worse. But look at how much you’ve grown.”
“He also reminded me that you’re the reason for that.” He kissed her.
“You changed me too.”
“How so?”
“I didn’t trust men. There were so many out there who lied and cheated. Some guys had an aversion to dating a police officer. Then there were the weirdoes who thought it was cool that I was a police officer and saw handcuffs as some kind of symbol for sex games. Those are the ones who think every female cop is a dominatrix in her spare time.”
“I like the strength you have. It drives me crazy sometimes when you take risks, but I love that you’re true to yourself.”
“It helps to know you support me. I worried for the longest time that you would feel intimidated by that.” She sipped her champagne.
“Are you kidding? I get to sleep with my bodyguard. There’s no one I’d rather have with me in a bar fight or if there’s a there’s a whacko stalker chasing me.”
“You don’t ever think sometimes that I’m too much trouble?”
“Never.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Why do you think I got The Boyfriend shirt? I’m the loving, caring, deeply committed boyfriend.”
“Yes, you are.” Parker ran her hand through his hair and pulled him closer.
“Why am I not surprised to find you two out here?” a deep voice said.
Parker and Riley broke apart and looked down at the base of the tree house. It was Rafe.
“Making out in the tree house? Seth and Morgan are regular culprits. Don’t get me started on J.J. and Sam.” Rafe pressed his fingers on his eyelids.
“We were just taking a break.”
Riley laughed. “Believe me. It was only PG fun.”
“Avery sent me to find you. It’s time to open presents and eat cake.”
“Great.” Parker grabbed her shoes.
“I expect better from you two,” Rafe said.
Parker folded her arms across her chest. “You do know Leigh and I are friends.”
“Yes.” Rafe shrugged.
“And we confide in each other.”
Rafe raised an eyebrow. “Go on.”
“So I don’t have to remind you about that time you helped her close up the Bright Star and you thought it would be fun to—”
Rafe’s cheeks turned a bright pink. “Stop right there.”
Riley laughed. “Finish. I’d like you to know what happened.”
“Let’s just call it a draw. It’s cake time.”
Parker laughed as she and Riley collected their items and climbed back down the ladder. When they eased back into the party, Avery was waiting for them.
“Sorry, we were outside star-gazing,” Parker said.
“Uh huh,” Avery replied.
“Come on. Let’s eat some cake. It’s your favorite filling.” Parker put her arm around her and headed for the cake table.
An hour later, everyone had received a piece of cake and oohed and aahed at the neat gifts they received. Wyatt and Avery had set a wedding date. Riley’s demeanor had relaxed, like a load had been lifted now that he and Aubrey had cleared the air. She was proud of him for working through it. He was talking to Theo and Alex and seemed at ease.
They’d shared a moment sitting in the tree house. They had passion in spades, but it was in those quieter times when they were relaxing, barely saying a word, when they connected the best. He’d had that look in his eyes again. He’d wanted to say something but opted to keep quiet. She didn’t want to push because she knew that, in his own way and at the right time, he’d share it with her like he’d done before. But in the meantime, their hearts were connected and speaking to each other, even if they were hesitant to say the words. They’d have to have a talk soon. She was bursting to tell him that she was in it for the long haul.
Chapter Eight
Parker stood on her mark and surveyed the obstacles again. She’d been studying them since she’d arrived and watched as fellow contestants took to the course when the show began. This obstacle run would determine if she’d be going to the finals. There were five slots left to fill, and she was pretty sure she had a good chance of advancing. Melissa had run the course a few minutes ago and had qualified. It appeared Jax and two others would be going as well. All Parker had to do was perform well and she’d be taking the fifth slot.
She would’ve preferred going earlier, but by now she was familiar with the show’s tactics. Having her run last was good for ratings, but it did little for her nerves. The family had come out in full force to support her donning their Team Bruiser T-shirts. Riley’s teammates and their families had come out to support her too. Her combined fan club had taken up a good chunk of the spectator seats.
She scanned the crowd and found Riley front and center. She locked eyes with him, and he gave her the thumbs-up signal. She smiled, thinking about the pep talk he’d given her a half hour ago. He believed in her. He’d told her she had it in her to win because she was just as strong and intelligent as she was beautiful.
Byron started his introduction. “Next up is Parker Carson, who has blown everyone away with a stellar performance this season. If she can get through the labyrinth tonight, she’s on her way to the finals. A big feat for a first-time walk-on. She and Melissa Renner are UC legends in the making and an inspiration to women everywhere. Just listen to the crowd screaming her name! There’s a large group of people wearing Team Bruiser shirts. In addition to her boyfriend, quarterback Riley Sloane and his teammates from the Tomcats on the sidelines, she also has some pretty famous family members here too.”
She was only half-listening to the words. She was focusing her concentration on the first few obstacles, controlling her breathing and trying to keep herself loose and ready.
The horn sounded, and she was off. The crowd went wild as she blazed past the first obstacle and nailed the landing to set up for the second, which resembled a wall-climbing rock but with a few extra twists in it. She scaled the wall, mindful of not to use her arms too much and rely on her strong leg muscles. Once she reached the end mark, she did a small somersault onto the landing. Next up were a series of hanging ropes. She quickly assessed her plan of attack, then jumped on the trampoline that propelled her upward. Each rope got progressively shorter, so she used both timing and strength to advance. As she grabbed at the third rope, she heard a bristling sound and looked up. She could see into the hole where the rope was attached. The rope was frayed and broke as she grabbed it. She felt herself falling, so she quickly recovered by grasping for the next rope in line. When the rope fell into the net below, the net collapsed. There were safety mats below the nets on the ground but hitting the net created a bounce effect that softened a hard fall directly onto the mats.
“Uh-oh! The rope gave way! But she made a quick recovery!” one of the commentators shouted. “This is a true athlete. She didn’t let it throw her off her game, and she’s on to the next phase!”
“Come on, Bruiser! You can do it!” Riley screamed and clapped. “Focus and breathe.”
Parker took a deep breath as she looked at the next target. She had to run a short distance and propel herself up in a pole vault-like fashion and land on her feet to avoid splashing into a pool of water. She picked up the pole and sprinted down the short runway. Once she reached the end, she planted the pole, and with all her might, she thrust her body weight up over the crossbar enough to go over without disturbing it. She landed on her back on the large foam mat, but she had no time to waste. She tumbled off the mat and continued. Now all she had to do was climb the lattice rope and ding the bell. She took a minute to assess how not to get her foot caught up in the nets as she moved. The way to handle it was to keep a fast but even speed as she moved upward.
There was no time to dawdle,
but this was one of the roughest challenges. She’d seen the first ten people before her struggle, and they’d bitched about it backstage. She ran forward and then jettisoned off the platform onto the rope lattice. She lightly put her hands and feet on the material but was mindful not to put all her weight on it. Just like the rock wall in the beginning, it was all about maneuvering quickly and not looking down. She reached the top rung and hoisted herself up to the platform. She stood and claimed the flag. The celebration cannon sounded, and the crowd went wild.
She jumped down onto the stacked, padded mats on the back of the obstacle until she reached the bottom.
Byron was waiting for her. “Parker, you did it and in record time. How do you feel?”
“Tired,” she panted. “But happy to complete the course.”
“I know how you feel. I’ve been there. It’s a pressure-cooker situation.” Byron smiled. “What happened on the rope lair? Did you lose your grip on that third hanging rope?”
No. As a matter of fact she hadn’t. Someone had manipulated that rope.
“I’m not really sure what happened, but I focused on the recovery. Any athlete knows you just have to do a quick work around when the plan changes on you.”
“Is that advice you got from Riley?”
Good grief. What the hell. She’d throw them a bone.
“Yes, of course. He’s my well of motivational wisdom.” She smiled. That was true. He’d coached her into a mindset that helped her remain focused and thinking quickly on her feet.
“Well, you did and in awesome, record time! You made it to the finals! You will be going to paradise to compete for one million dollars! And look! Here comes Riley Sloane, and he brought backup with him!”
She turned to see Riley sprinting over with the kids. They swarmed her with hugs and grabs at her knees.
“Parker, you have quite a posse.” Byron moved out of the way so the kids could get to her.
“This is my entourage. I never go anywhere without them,” she said as she gave Mackenzie a high five. Riley was barely able to get to in there. When he did, he picked her up and swung her around in his arms, careful not to knock anyone over.
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