The appointment went great, and we have one more month and we will be done. Not that it won’t be terrifying and heart stopping to go in for this challenge, but compared to where we were two years ago, it is a major hurdle. I pull into Academy Sports; we hop out to go get our shopping on.
We emerge forty minutes later with three shopping bags, and God knows what is in them, but whatever, you only live once. We don’t have to worry about money; my parents are well-off. My father was a high-end attorney in Florida where we lived until we moved with my grandparents, and now he is on the political scene in the Senate. I just can’t bring myself to give a rat’s ass. My mother was an OB-GYN before she left the practice. She had Dustin and decided to go off with my father so they could live their lives. We get an allowance from them, but we don’t touch it. Addison puts hers in a money market account; Dustin’s and Cambree’s goes into their account for college; and I split mine between the two of them. My grandparents had more money than they could spend. My grandfather was in the Navy, a pilot, and when he retired he worked for the city as an aerial photographer and then opened his own business. He was a very smart businessman and investor. They bought a little over two hundred acres in Tennessee and retired there. Addison and I inherited all that, with a trust for Dustin and Cambree. On top of that, my grandparents opened a bar, restaurant, and bakery in town. We also have the gym to run for dance and cheer.
Addy markets our businesses, mainly the bakery and restaurant, and we hold functions at the bar, except during the summer. Summer is all about spending time with our friends and partying at the bar. It is our home away from home. Every year we have a big “start of summer” party at the bar. I am not legal to drink, and although I am not a big drinker, I will sip a cocktail or chug a beer. I guess those are the perks of being the owner and living in a small town where everyone knows your family.
I jump in the car, and D follows with a shit-eating grin. I cringe wondering what he is going to ask me. I look at him and say, “Hit me with it, D.” He looks shocked that I can read him so well.
He explains, “Since it is the opening of the summer season and you and Addison will be at the bar tonight, Cambree and I want to have some friends over. Amelia will be there.” I don’t think it is an issue. They are twelve and thirteen, and our housekeeper and nanny Amelia is solid.
I say, “Sure, want to go to store with me and pick up snacks?”
He gives me his sweet smile, while pulling out his phone and says, “Is it okay if you go after you drop me off, so I can get this moneymaker ready?” as he points to his face. What the hell is happening here? I have to get to the bottom of this with Cambree. I just glare at him and head home, but not before turning on my favorite song of the moment. “Boys Round Here” by Blake Shelton, at full blast. I am the one who has a shit-eating grin now when I see Dustin cringe.
We pull out of the parking lot and head home and pass the parts shop where I see Tyler and some guy standing in front of the shop. I wave to Tyler as Blake is still blaring, and I am singing. Dustin is shrinking in the seat; paybacks are a bitch, aren’t they? I turn to see the guy Tyler is talking to; I swear my heart skips a beat. This guy is delicious, and I have never seen him, but I don’t ever want to stop looking. Who in the holy hell is that? I have to play this right. If I ask Addy she will be all giddy and happy thinking I am interested in a guy. I cannot let that happen. He is just eye candy. I don’t do relationships at all.
I ask D, “Who is that with Tyler?” D glances up and waves to them.
“That is Colby. He is Tyler’s cousin from North Carolina. He moved here about a month ago. He was over at the house today riding with me on the track.”
“Oh, I didn’t know anything about it,” I replied trying to sound nonchalant. Thank God that twelve-year-old boys are clueless with the attention spans of gnats. Dustin says, “Yeah, he is a physical therapist at the hospital, I guess, but he and Tyler just bought the parts shop and are expanding it.”
Wow, eyefuckingdelicious and ambitious. DAMN.
Chapter 3
Colby
Holy hell, who is that girl with Dustin? My jaw must have dropped because Tyler was staring at me and asked what the hell caught my attention. I nodded towards the light in front of the parts house where the object of my affection was jamming out to “Boys Round Here.” I mean jamming out to Blake Shelton.
Tyler turns to look and turns back towards me and says, “That is Brielle, Addy’s younger sister, and so out of your league dude. She is sassy, smart, stubborn, a smart ass . . .”
I chuckled and asked, “Is your vocabulary stuck on S today, Tyler?”
He looks at me with a smirk and says, “Screw you Sasquatch,” and we both lost it. Tyler is more like my brother than my cousin. He is a few colors short of the rainbow, if you get what I am saying. He has no filter. I am not sure he even understands half of what comes out of his mouth, so I don’t know how in the hell anyone around him is expected to. We just go with it though, because he is the most loyal person I have ever known. When I decided to move from North Carolina to open this business with him, I knew it was the best decision I could have made. I wasn’t running from anything; I have great parents and had a blessed childhood, but there was nothing keeping me there. Tyler has a business degree from the University of Alabama and has such ideas for the expansion of the parts shop. I really think we can make a name for ourselves. I have my degree in physical therapy, and I got a job at the hospital and at this new elite gym in town where I start tomorrow. I think it is for elite athletes or gymnasts; I am not really sure, but Addy asked me, and I love that girl like my sister, so I couldn’t say no. The fact that she told me there were lots of girls in little shorts and tops didn’t help sway my decision at all.
Brielle intrigues me though. I couldn’t see much, just tan shoulders with blonde hair in a baseball cap, but that smile just captivated me. Tyler is still staring me and says, “Really dude; Brielle is a firecracker. She and Dustin are thick as thieves. Hell, all of those Parker siblings are, but Brielle, she is one of a kind. After six years with Addy, I still can’t tell if she loves me or hates me.”
I just chuckle at him because the general consensus of the population of Centerville is that he is truly one of a kind.
“Seriously though, she just got home today from college, and Addy is upset because she only lasted a year. Addy can’t get her to open up as to why she came home early. She only dated one guy in high school, Trey, and she kept her comings and goings this past year really quiet. Everyone loves Brielle, or hates her a little, but any guy in Centerville would do anything for her.”
What? No other guy in this town will be doing shit for her; that will be my job. Hell no, that thought did not just come from my mind. I don’t even know this girl. I don’t want to do anything for her. Well, except have her scream my name over and over while she is underneath me. Whoa, brain STOP IT! I shake my head and clear my mind.
“I get it Ty, she is off limits, and she is a spit fire, hot piece of ass, but lots of work, not my thing.”
Tyler looks at me, clearly agitated, and says, “That is not what I said, asshole. She isn’t off limits, and if Addison ever hears you call either of her sisters a ‘hot piece of ass,’ she will KILL you dude. You know she has the land to hide your body.”
I have to get my head on right. What is up with my thoughts and speech since seeing her? I believe in relationships and love, but not at first sight. I am not opposed to marriage, I am still young at twenty-three and I need to at least meet the person first. See, what the hell. Marriage and kids, and I haven’t even kissed the girl yet. I think I need to hit the gym to clear my mind. “We still on for the bar tonight? I need to let loose and relax after I hit the gym?”
“Yeah man, about eight?” Tyler responds. I fist bump him to acknowledge my affirmative and head to my truck. Now this baby was love at first sight. She is a candy apple red Chevrolet Silverado. After I put a lift kit and tires on her, this baby is al
l I need. I hop in and start my girl up, and she blares “Something ‘Bout a Truck” by Kip Moore, and I just chuckle. We have that connection. I glance back at Tyler before I leave, and he is shaking his head and looking at his phone with a look that says, “Oh, shit.” He catches me watching him and holds up his hand for me to wait as he jogs over to me.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“Change of plans for tonight, something is happening at Parker Central and they aren’t going to the bar tonight. Addy said they are doing summer opener tomorrow, but doing spur of the moment bonfire and party at their place. You are more than welcome to come.”
I am all over that. “Sure, I will head over after the gym once I cleanup”
“Cool, man. Their bonfires are a blast. You never know what will happen.” Tyler smiles, lost in his memories.
“Do I need to bring anything?” I ask, and his grin gets bigger.
“Hell no, Brielle is back, and dude she can cook and bake, thank God”
I just nod and leave. Damn it. Now all I can think about is Brielle wearing an apron in my kitchen with kids running around. Throw in a dog, and I am so screwed. I am going to wear my body out at the gym so these thoughts leave me the hell alone. Then I am going to the Parker house, having a few beers, and not even thinking about Brielle.
Chapter 4
Brielle
I pull up into the driveway and see Cambree outside pacing with her phone in her hand. She looks pissed off. Dustin jumps out of the car, and as he reaches the steps, all hell breaks loose. Cambree jumps at him and punches him in the balls, HARD, as she is screaming at the top of her lungs. I can’t understand a word of what she is hurling at him. Then I notice the tears streaming down her face. All the while Dustin is just laughing. I run to her and grab her hand while I shoot D a look. “Shut up, monster! And stand still!” I yell at him. He complies, thank God, because I am in a freaking twilight zone here. What has happened in the year I have been away? These two have always bickered, being only eleven months apart, and best friends, but never has it become physical, and never has Cambree looked like she was possessed. I need a fucking drink. NOW.
I am not sure I really want to intervene, but I feel like I have to. “Cambree what is wrong, and what happened to your hand, baby girl?” She cries harder and hugs me, so I look to Dustin for some clarification. His response did not help the situation at all, I promise.
“She is a raging hormonal psycho who constantly punches me in the junk when she doesn’t get her spoiled ass way, so I have to wear a cup.”
I feel Cambree tense beside me and know this is going to get ugly fast, so I scream for my sister. “Addison, get the hell out here now and help.” I push Cambree behind me, and turn to Dustin and say in my best no nonsense voice. “Listen asshat, watch your language towards your sister, first, and stop egging this on. Then, please calmly explain to me what is going on with you two.” Thank God that at this moment Addison comes out.
With a glance between both of them, she just sighs and rolls her eyes and says, “Again? Cambree you cannot hit Dustin every time you are mad at him.” Then she reaches for Dustin and hugs him to her shaking her head. Again? What is going on around here? Why is she sucking up to Dustin? He is my little man, but he was being a douche.
I take a deep breath and turn to Addison and say, “Explain, please, how this is a normal occurrence, and you are okay with this?” Before she can speak, Cambree goes back to her screaming, it drops a few decibels, thank the Lord.
I can understand Cambree better since she calms down a little, “Dustin thinks he is freaking God’s gift to women and invited Carly and Kamryn over to our get together tonight knowing that I can’t stand them. Then, of course, queen bee sister over there always takes his side.”
Whoa, I am so confused. “Cam, I thought you, Carly, and Kamryn were the three musketeers? What has happened this past year?”
She takes a deep breath, clearly irritated with me. “D hooked up with Kamryn last month, and now Carly is going after him, and he likes her, but I won’t have my friends and my brother dating. That is gross”
I try extremely hard to stop the motherfucking thoughts that “hooking up” just brought to my mind. I turn to Dustin and say, “Explain ‘hooking up’ NOW!”
He just smirks at me and says, “She kissed me, and we dated for a few weeks, but I don’t want to be tied down.”
I tell him, not so calmly, “This is bullshit. You are twelve years old, and I swear to you if some skank’s lips come near you again, I will do time. I am not afraid! Now get your ass upstairs, take your cup off, and new plans. Addison and I will be here tonight for your little party, and all others from now on Rico Suave.” He looks at me like I have two heads and hugs Addison but goes inside like I asked him.
I turn to Cam, “Sweetie, you cannot just resort to violence. While I commend you for protecting your brother, you need to come to Addison or me for this stuff. We can handle it. We want you to be a kid. Don’t worry about skanks and your brother. I am home now. Go get some ice on your hand, then clean up your face.”
She looks at me, and before I know it, she says, “Don’t resort to violence, ‘little miss I will do time.’ I swear you and Addison are the most hypocritical people I know.” With that parting shot, ladies and gentlemen she slams the door.
At least she didn’t swear like Dustin. I fall into the swing on the porch and look at Addison, before I can speak she says, “This is normal teenage shit so don’t look like somebody kicked your puppy.” Wow, and people wonder where I get my stellar personality.
“First Addy, it isn’t normal for Cam to try and break her hand on D’s junk. It is not acceptable to hook up at twelve. Why didn’t you tell me what was going on?”
She sits down with me, “What Dustin considers ‘hooking up’ was a peck on the cheek, don’t let him fool you with his Casanova attitude. That boy has a lot to learn. Cam is fixing to start her period, and is a hormonal bitch all the time. Lastly, I didn’t tell you because it is normal; I wanted you to live your life for two damn years, like I did. You are almost twenty years old. I want you to be a twenty year old. Not responsible, not a mom, not a sister. Just be Brielle. Whoever that is. You give and give to us; we love you, and are thankful for that, but you have to find you. Something is going on with you. You won’t talk to me and that pisses me off, and hurts me at the same time. For fuck’s sake, figure it out. Oh and QUIT cussing at the kids, dear,” she laughs. “By the way, I texted Tyler when I heard the freak out session. We are doing a bonfire here with our friends and the demon spawns’ friends, so we need you to get your sexy ass to the grocery store. Then get in the kitchen and make me a pie, because I have missed some good cooking sis.” Then poof she is gone.
How the hell does she drop all that on me and then disappear? Sighing and replaying what she says, I get it, I really do. Without the safety of my family, and those that mean something to me, I don’t know who I am.
I will think about all this later. Right now it is time to go to the store and make my family some grub. After tonight they will be so damn happy to have my cooking again, I won’t have to worry about the sad eyes Addy gives me. It is like she is grieving for me, but for what she doesn’t know. The spawns will go back to their fun loving sweet personalities. Yes, that is exactly what will happen . . . when hell freezes over.
Chapter 5
Addison
Why won’t she open up to me? What the hell is going on with her? Ever since Granddad and Grandmother passed away two years ago, there is this barrier around her. She hasn’t said, “I love you,” since the day of the funeral. I know this; I have been keeping tabs on this. We know she loves us, but all we get now is, “Ditto,” in response or some stupid ass, “381,” bullshit. Three words, eight letters, one meaning. Whatever.
Brielle thinks I don’t realize there was a reason we all moved here almost eight years ago; I may not know what the reason is, but I do know it is big, and I don’t understand why she d
oesn’t tell me. We have always told each other everything. I know she is a virgin, and while not a lesbian, she doesn’t date. Trey doesn’t count as dating since that was so people would shut up.
I know Cooper Reed knows the truth, and you couldn’t pry it out of him for all the tea in china, or in his case, all the beer in a brewery. While he has always been her best friend, and another brother to us, Brielle and I have our own bond and memories. I am thankful he helps her with whatever happened eight years ago.
I know what happened back then has something to do with our parents and Brent, their political advisor. Deep down I think I really know what happened, but I don’t want to admit it. I know that my grandpa took Brielle that night by force, then the next day we all flew to Tennessee. This has been home sweet home ever since. I had no problems leaving Florida; my grandparents were the best. They were much better parents than our biological mother and father. They loved us and raised us right. We had every opportunity; we were showered with love. We could never disappoint them, as long as we got up and tried every day to make something of ourselves.
I was away at school when my granddad suffered his fatal heart attack. Brielle was with him. They always had a different kind of bond. He loved us all equally, but he was her hero. It all stems from whatever she is carrying around. I flew home immediately when I got the phone call about granddad. When we were at the funeral home making arrangements, my grandmother just leaned on the casket we had picked out for my grandfather, and died. She just looked like she was praying or reminiscing in memories, I think she literally died of a broken heart. While it tore our hearts out to lose both of them at the same time, we both know they would not want to live without each other. After sixty-two years of marriage, they truly had a connection only found in books.
Parker Sibling Series Box Set Page 2
