Parker Sibling Series Box Set

by Leigh Ann Lunsford

  Cambree pulls on the cord. “If you wouldn’t have forgotten to replace mine today I wouldn’t need it. You are going to watch cars turn left, why in the hell do you need it?”

  Addy snaps, “Cambree, I swear to God if you don’t stop cussing I am going to ground you for life. Take away every source of fun. Then I am going to beat Brielle’s ass for her mouth! Now give me the damn hair straightener and nobody gets hurt.”

  Cambree looks at her. “You suck all the fun out of my life anyway, big sister, so threaten away.” Sometimes I swear this girl has a death wish. I look back over at Brielle, and Dustin looks scared for Cambree. He is pushing Brielle out the door to intervene. Brielle steps in and takes the straightener and hands it to Addy.

  Before Cambree can say anything, Brielle puts her hand over her mouth and leads her towards her room. About five minutes later, Cambree comes out happy as a clam and just smirks towards Addy.

  Addy turns on Brielle, “What the hell did you do?”

  “Nothing. I just explained to her that her behavior was bordering on spoiled and disrespectful, and she should not act that way or we were going to rethink the way we handle things around here.”

  Addy gleams, and I cannot believe that Brielle just fed her that line of shit with a straight face, or that Addy believed it.

  I walk in to Brielle’s room and shut her door. “How much did that cost you?”

  She falls on the bed laughing. “$75.00 for a new straightener and an extra $100.00 for shopping on her trip if she keeps her mouth shut.”

  Then she looks at me realizing what she just admitted. “How do you do that? I swear, I need a lock and key for my mouth when I am around you.”

  I climb on the bed with her. “I never want that sassy mouth locked up. I have plans for it.” I proceed to show her exactly what my plans are.

  We are both breathing heavy, and our hands are roaming when her door slams open, and Dustin screams “Oh holy hell, I need bleach for my eyes.” He runs out of the room.

  Brielle looks shocked, and I just laugh. “You really need to watch your mouth. They are impressionable kids.” I am only teasing her because they are the best kids and Addy and Brielle do one hell of a job raising them. Sure, they cuss occasionally (the kids) but what kids don’t nowadays? Albeit it isn’t the end of the world.

  “I am not the only one who talks like this. I am their sister, not mother. I know I should be harder or stricter with them. Colby, I just want them to remember no matter what, I won’t try and change them and whatever they do, as long as it isn’t criminal, I will be okay with it. It is what my grandparents gave Addy and I. I want to do the same. I know you don’t understand, but I promise when we get back from Florida, I am ready to tell you everything.”

  I stare at her in awe. I was kidding at the mouth comment, I am extremely proud of her for the role she has had in raising them, that isn’t easy. I never want her to feel I am judging her. The fact she is ready to open up to me, and I didn’t have to push shocks me and scares me. It scares me because I have no idea what she will tell me or if my reaction to it will be what she needs. I will never stop trying to be what she needs. I love her, plain and simple. I have so many plans for next weekend, but first we have to get through my insecurity hurdles.

  “Brielle, I know you are independent and capable, but I want to put some things out there for you. First, I don’t like you driving with just you and Addy all the way to Florida. I would feel much better if you flew. Second, I know I have never pushed to define what this is, but I want to make it clear. You will not be exploring any other options down there.”

  “What else?”

  I look down embarrassed; I am going to say this. “I hate you cheering and competing. Just for fun every now and then is fine. I worry about your safety, and it kills me when I think of you out there flying in the air like that. What can happen? I swear I am getting an ulcer, and I am not even twenty-four. I hate other guy’s hands on you.” I look up to see her reaction, and for the first time in a while I can’t tell what she is thinking.

  She stands up and puts on music, and I know it will calm her when she talks. Thompson Square “Glass” starts. She starts singing the lyrics to herself. I realize this isn’t the first time I have heard her sing. I never realized it until this moment because her voice is golden. She sounds like the damn song. “You have the voice of an angel.”

  “I will explain it when we get back. Let’s talk about these bombshells you dropped on me. While I explain to you my views, listen to this song. First, and foremost, Colby Mason James, I don’t want to explore any other options. I like the option in front of me a hell of a lot, and I am fighting every demon inside of me to trust this, so I need you to do the same thing. Second, Addy and I have been driving for the past three years, and we are both competent adults and will be fine. I can’t promise you what will happen tomorrow, nobody is guaranteed that, but know we are safe. Third, please don’t start on my cheering until you listen to my reasons and understand where I am coming from when I explain everything to you next weekend. Please Colby, trust in me and trust in this.”

  I don’t answer her, but instead pull her down to my chest and hold her. I swear I don’t ever want to let go. She immediately relaxes against my chest and listens to my heartbeat as I fall asleep holding her. My last thought is that I want this every single night. I love this girl. All her shattered pieces, together we are whole. I hope that when she finally tells me her fears and secrets I will be enough to hold her together. She is stronger than she thinks, and is one of the most put together people I have met. If she needs to break down for a while and she needs me to hold her together, I will.

  Chapter 19

  Tyler

  Damn it. Why did I ask for that break our last year of college? Addy was everything to me. I let the guys on the football team give me a hard time about being tied down. It isn’t like Addy ever told me what I could and couldn’t do. She was secure in our relationship and trusted me. It was me that wanted to be with her all the time, and I figured that if we broke up I wouldn’t miss her as much. That was not true, and now that year apart is coming back to bite me in the ass.

  The one chick I hooked up with is sending me texts calling me “Daddy.” What the hell? I am pretty sure I used a condom, but I was so drunk, I don’t remember. Addy cannot find out, it will break her heart, and in turn it will break me when I see her hurt. I don’t want a kid with anyone else but Addy. This chick is really laying it on thick. She is asking to meet me and talk and for child support. She even offered for a paternity test. Why didn’t I just stay with Addy that last year? I have nobody to blame but myself.

  Amy, that is her name, is going to be in Knoxville tomorrow. That works out well because Addy and Brielle are leaving for that damn NASCAR trip tomorrow. I don’t have a good feeling about this trip and just want her to stay home. She will know something is wrong if I act all clingy and weird about this trip. It isn’t like it is the first time she has gone. So I agree to meet Amy at the lab and get the paternity test and meet the kid she says is mine. She won’t even tell me if it’s a girl or boy. It is like she is giving me enough to keep me baited. I can’t tell Addy until I know for sure. If this kid isn’t mine, then there is no reason to tell Addison. I have never asked her what she did in that year away from me, because I don’t want to know. It was my choice, and I just have to live knowing that she didn’t make the choice, I forced it on her. God, Addy is my life, and I am so scared she will leave me over this. I know we weren’t together, but I don’t know if she could ever get over me having a kid with someone else. I don’t know if I could either, if the roles were reversed. I just need to go inside and act normal, and then give my girl a sendoff she won’t forget.

  I walk in and head right to Addy’s room and grab her and throw her on the bed. She giggles and wraps her arms around me and gives me the most sensual kiss. “I am going to miss you, Ty. I love you so much.”

  I look down at her beautiful face an
d see the sincerity in her eyes, and it is like a kick to the nuts. I know I could be breaking her heart in the next weeks. I don’t want to think about that. “Are you packed, baby?”

  “Yes sir, just finished.”

  I take her mouth in mine, and whisper, “Then hang on, Little Bit. I am going to rock your world tonight.” Then I show her in every way possible how much I love her.

  Chapter 20

  Colby

  The girls only left six hours ago, but I am going crazy. I text Brielle at least twice an hour, because I know Addy is driving the first half of the trip. According to my research, it should take them about twelve hours, but Brielle and Tyler just laughed at me when I told them that. There seems to be some kind of joke about Addy’s driving that I am not privy to, and by the sounds of the lines they were shooting back and forth like, “You are now cleared for take-off,” it doesn’t sound like I want to know. They left at six this morning, and I figured around six this evening they should be in their hotel rooms. Again they all just snickered at me, and Brielle assured me that it would be closer to three or four this afternoon, but that just can’t be right. She must not have had enough caffeine. They have plans to go to the smaller race tomorrow night and then the Sprint Cup race on Saturday night, then come home Sunday. Brielle wasn’t thrilled about a trip home hung over, but I am secretly hoping she won’t be that hung over. After spending last night with her wrapped in my arms, I don’t know if I can wait until next weekend. My last text was to see if she would take next week off with me, and to my surprise she said yes. I am the luckiest bastard in the world.

  I call Tyler and see what time we are meeting tonight, but it goes to voicemail. That’s odd. I pass the parts house and his truck isn’t there so I know he isn’t busy. Addy isn’t around, and neither are Cambree and Dustin. I decide to head to the gym and beat on the bag for a bit and wait to hear from Tyler. Around 2:30 PM he calls me back, and he doesn’t sound right, a little apprehensive. “Where have you been today, dude?”

  “I had to go to Knoxville and take care of some paperwork.” That is odd. Centerville isn’t a one-horse town, and we don’t have to go into Knoxville for anything.

  I start to question him when he says, “I really miss the girls, and I know this is a girls only trip, but how about we fly down tonight and surprise them?”

  I wish I could say yes, but I know Brielle would kill me. “I would love to, man, but I don’t have six years of history to smooth over the pissed-offness I will get, and so, I am going to say no. I have to work tomorrow at the hospital.”

  He sighs. “Sure man. I don’t really feel like going out tonight, so I will catch you tomorrow.”

  This doesn’t sound like him, so I wonder if he misses Addy that much already. I hang up with him and head home from the gym and figure I will clean and grocery shop for my week with Brielle. The younger kids won’t be back until next weekend, so we will be totally alone and I can’t wait. I know she isn’t that experienced people talk around this town, and that is okay with me. I just want her all to myself, so I haven’t pushed her for sex. I never would. Although, the last few nights she has been hard to turn down. My phone starts ringing and Brielle’s ringtone “Dayum Baby” by Florida Georgia Line is echoing through the grocery store. I look at the time, and see it is only 3:30, and she should be driving. Maybe they stopped. I answer it with, “Everything okay?”

  She just laughs. “Yes. We just got here. I wanted to let you know so you would quit having a heart attack.”

  Before I think I say, “Brielle, it hasn’t been long enough. I swear you better be joking.”

  She laughs even harder. “We are all in one piece and I am serious as the heart attack you are about to have.”

  I don’t like this crap, and I don’t like all the noise in the background. “What is that noise?”

  “Oh that is normal. The whole hotel turns into party town, and plus, it is 4th of July, so it will be bigger than normal.” Damn, how did I forget that it is 4th of July?

  “I miss you, pretty girl.”

  She sighs. “I miss you too, cowboy. I hope you and Tyler have fun this evening and behave.”

  I tell her Tyler didn’t want to go out and he was in Knoxville all day, so he must be tired. Then I tell her I am grocery shopping for next week with her, and I am loading up on lots of proteins and carbs because she will need it. She responds with her sassy mouth, “Promises, promises big guy,” and I just laugh. We chat for a few minutes, but I don’t want to be that guy that keeps his girlfriend from having a fun time, so I let her go and tell her to call me tomorrow.

  I finish up at the grocery store and try and put the uneasy feeling I have about Tyler and this whole trip away. I need to get my house cleaned and try and fill up the next 48 hours so I don’t lose my mind. As I am loading up the groceries I feel a hand on my ass and turn around so fast I drop the milk. “What the hell?”

  I look up to see Felicity. Shit damn hell! Brielle will kill her and then me. So I sidestep out of her way and make my way to the door to leave, and she follows me. She runs her fingernail down my chest and says, “I know Brie is away this weekend. So if you want to have fun, I am available. It isn’t like I haven’t had to please her boyfriends before.”

  I think I just vomited in my mouth. “No, thanks. I am plenty happy, but Brielle won’t be if you don’t step away from me.” I jump in my truck like a pussy and drive away as fast as I can. Holy shit, doesn’t that girl have any couth? Unfuckingbelievable.

  Chapter 21

  Brielle

  Addy and I are exhausted. That is a long ass drive. We decide to go get something to eat and then head to bed early. We have our traditions to keep up, and we need plenty of rest. We always go to the mall here in Daytona Beach, and then we have to make our Jell-O shots for the race. We have a method to our madness. Jell-O shots are great bribery tools for the track workers, they get really picky about you leaning against the fence. With some short shorts and alcohol, you can get away with anything. Don’t judge. I really need to talk to Addy about having sex with Colby and opening up to him. She doesn’t know all of it, but I have to tell him about that, and my singing. He is going to find out and I want to be the one tell him.

  We grab something to eat the next morning and then head out for our girl time. It is a great day, and we really needed it. I make the big announcement. “Addy, I want to have sex with Colby.”

  That bitch spits her sweet tea all over the table and my new shirt. “You cannot just blurt that out at a restaurant with no warning.”

  “Umm, I am pretty sure I just did. Just roll with it sister.” I laugh. “That’s not all of it, Addy. I really want to tell him everything, my music, the reason why I hate your parents, all of it.”

  I can tell she gets what I am saying because her eyes glisten with tears. “You love him?”

  I just stare at her. “I think I really do.”

  “Sex is a big deal, but it is something you have to want, and not be pressured into. It solidifies some relationships and ruins others. Just be prepared for the emotions that come along with it. And B, if you ever need to tell me what happened I am always on your side. I always have been.” I just nod at her. “Okay bitch, let’s go to Victoria’s Secret because my sister is not giving it up in non-sexy and non-matching lingerie. We have our good name to keep up.”

  I just laugh. There she is, my sister, the one I look up to, the one I defend, and the one I will give my own life for.

  I ask her what the big deal is when it just comes off anyway. She replies, “Honey, the big deal is you just put on any of these little numbers when you are feeling frisky or you want something, and I guarantee you Colby would do whatever you asked of him. How do you think I get Tyler to come to my way of thinking after every argument?” Okay, now I am thinking this shopping spree will be a good thing.

  We get back to the hotel, and the party is already going on. We make our Jell-O shots and go visit all the regulars we see every year. This is
the best vacation every year. Everyone is so friendly. I haven’t figured out if it is the alcohol or just the fact that everyone classifies race fans as rednecks. Which is fine. I will wear that badge with honor. There is nothing offensive about being a redneck. We have the most fun, and usually it is legal. It is time to start getting ready to go to the track so we go back to our room and change and pack our coolers. Another bonus about NASCAR is that you can bring your own alcohol in. My phone is lit up on my nightstand, and I realize I forgot it in the room while we were out socializing. I see several missed texts, and I pull up Colby’s right away. All it says is ‘thinking of you and missing you.’ Gosh, how did I get so lucky?

  I have two from an unknown caller, I click them. I swear all the air just left my body. The first is a picture and the date on it reads yesterday about 3:30. It is Felicity with her hand on Colby’s ass. The next one is of them standing by the front of his truck and her hand is on his chest.

  “Son of a bitch!” I scream.

  Addy runs to me. “What is wrong, Brielle?”

  I just hand her my phone. She looks up at me with sympathy, and I cannot take that. I already knew it, but now for her to confirm to me that I am not enough just hurts too bad.

  I grab my phone back. “Whatever.”

  I walk to the refrigerator and grab the vodka. Screw the Jell-O. I need something to work fast to numb this pain in my chest. I cannot believe this. I told him I couldn’t do this relationship crap, and that he would realize I am not who he wants, but he promised me. Yeah, thanks a lot douche bag. I take a couple more long pulls off the bottle before Addy pulls it away. “Do you still want to go tonight? We could stay here.”

  I look at her. “Screw him. He is not ruining my fun. If that is what he wants, then he and the whole fucking town can have her. Just give me a minute.” She nods and walks out of the room.

  I need to remind myself to breath because, damn, it is hard to breath around this pain in my chest. Think Brielle, just think. How am I going to handle this? Then the idea pops into my mind. Probably not the best idea considering I have a temper, an attitude, and alcohol in my system.