Parker Sibling Series Box Set

by Leigh Ann Lunsford

  I pick up my phone and pull up Colby’s name and forward the pictures to him. Then I find the perfect song and send the link for “Just Drop Dead” by Limp Bizkit. I take a deep breath and type my message:

  Glad to see your promises mean as much to you as I did. Forget my name, forget my number, and forget you.

  I put my phone back on the nightstand and walk out the door.

  Chapter 22

  Colby

  I am worried because I haven’t heard from Brielle in a little while. I know I am being an overprotective, worried asshole, but at least I can admit it. I am about to call Tyler and ask if he has heard from Addy, when my phone starts ringing in my hand. My favorite ringtone is playing, and it is in a series. Damn, my girl misses me, because at least three texts just came through. As I unlock my screen and look at them, my smile fades right off my face. Holy shit balls. What just happened? I see the pictures, and it makes my heart drop to my knees. Then, I see the link to the song, and I don’t want to listen because she communicates with songs so well I can only imagine what it will say. Her words come through, and my heart sinks the rest of the way to the floor. Forget her? Is she crazy? Well that is a rhetorical question because I know that is about 49% of her personality. I guess mine, too, because I love this girl. I open the song and as the lyrics scream at me, I know I am screwed. I dial her immediately, and it rings and rings. She is not picking up. She is in a God-forsaken party town, and I can’t get to her. I immediately pull up Addy’s contact and dial. Oh hell no, she sent my ass right to voicemail. I call Tyler, and he answers on the first ring “Dude, I am on my way, quit being a girl, the bar will wait for us.”

  I forgot we were going out tonight. “Tyler, when was the last time you talked to Addy?”

  “About two hours ago. Are they okay?”

  “Just get here dude. Something is fucked up, and I am going to get to the bottom of this.” About five minutes later he walks in my front door. I don’t say anything and just hand him my phone.

  He looks up at me, “Shit this is bad. This is as fucked up as a soup sandwich. Brielle hates this chick more than she hates anything. How the hell did she get these pictures? What the fuck were you thinking?”

  I just glare at him, and then explain to him what happened at the grocery store. “I have no clue how she got these pictures. It is bullshit. She isn’t answering her phone. Addy sends me straight to voicemail.”

  “Duh, those sisters stick together. You will not get to Brielle through Addy. Let me try and call her.” He walks into the kitchen. I can’t hear the conversation, but I know he isn’t really getting a word in because every time he opens his mouth he just shuts it right back. He walks back to me “Addy said some words I can’t repeat because I don’t know what they are or how to pronounce them. Bottom line is she isn’t giving either one of us access to Brielle tonight. Besides she says Brielle is trashed, and that is not a good combination.”

  Double damn, my girl is in another town with a whole bunch of drunk asses, and she is one of them. I grab my phone and tell Tyler, “Pack your shit, we are going to Daytona.” He just grins.

  I could only get a flight out tomorrow at noon, and that is fine. I have to work in the morning, but I don’t care, if there was a flight tonight I would have been on it. I tell Tyler I will pick him up tomorrow and go to pack. I pick up my phone and send a text to Brielle:

  Hey pretty girl, please listen to me and what really happened before you believe what was sent to you. Answer my calls Brielle . . . we need to talk. I promised you and I assure you I meant every last damn word.

  Damn stubborn woman. She makes my head spin, but makes my heart full at the same time. Shit, I need to open a Hallmark store if I don’t quit with this sappy shit.

  Chapter 23

  Brielle

  Oh wow, that hurts. My head. Oh damn! I shouldn’t turn because then everything hurts. I open my eyes and look towards Addy’s bed. She is on her phone probably playing Candy Crush; she is such a junkie. Oh, just remembering last night makes me want to cry. The only thing I am thankful for is that I left my phone in my room because drunk Brielle and Facebook is not pretty. Yes, I am speaking from experience. I reach over and grab my phone and see about eleven missed calls from Colby and a text. I open it, and it hurts to read it. I believed him, and I guess part of me still wants to. Why would he try with me if something happened with her? God, I hate Felicity, and I hate that I feel this way about myself, but he just proved me right.

  Addy says, “Glad you are up, want to talk about it?”

  “Not really but when has that ever stopped you?”

  “Funny sister you are. Seriously Brielle, did you even listen to him? Tyler called me last night after Colby tried, and I stuck up for you, and I have your back. I am wondering if you jumped to conclusions.”

  “What? You looked at me with pity, Addy. You saw the same shit I saw. Then you looked at me just like I look at myself every day. I know I am not enough for Colby, I know he can do so much better, and I tried to tell him that, but he just kept pushing and pushing until he broke me down. Now I see those pictures, the pity in your eyes, and you tell me I am rushing to judgment? No, sister dear, you don’t get to pass judgment on me like that.”

  She moves to my bed and grabs my hand and wipes the tears I didn’t realize I had shed. “Brielle, you are worth so much more than you realize. I wish I knew why you think like this. Yes, I admit I thought the worst, but I am just saying think about it. If he was caught and got what he wanted from Felicity, then why keep calling you and telling you to listen to him? That is all I am saying. If you don’t want to hear him out and never speak to him again, or if you want to jump back in his arms no matter what, then I am good with either, as long as you are happy. I would never judge you because nobody can decide what is best for you but you.”

  I don’t freaking know what I want to do. I do want a shower and caffeine. I get off the bed and go lock myself in the bathroom for a long hot shower and a good cry.

  I feel a bit human now after two cups of coffee and a shower. It is after 1:00 PM, and I decide to call Colby and hear him out. I am hurt and angry. I still want to give him the benefit of the doubt. I pull up my iPod first, and play “Broken” by Lifehouse. I dial Colby while the song plays in the background. It goes right to voicemail, and that crushes me. Did I finally push him away? Did he finally realize I am not worth the effort it takes to be with me and decided to just walk away? Either way, I am going out with my heart wide open and no regrets. I leave a message,

  “Colby, its Brielle. Sorry for my behavior last night. It was wrong. Those pictures sliced me open and made me realize how much you mean to me and how easily you could discard me. If you want to talk call me, if not I won’t disturb you again.”

  I hang up and put the song on repeat and drift off to sleep. I wake to Addy jumping on my bed and screaming. “C’mon bitch ass. We have a race to go to. I need to go see my hot cop that is here every year. We have Jell-O shots for bribery, and the best is seeing Dale Jr.’s fine ass. Plus, Luke is performing pre-race, and he is expecting you.”

  I just laugh at her silly self. I still have a heavy heart, but I will have fun regardless. My sister is truly my best friend and champion. Maybe I will tell her what happened that night soon. Right now, I get up and get ready. Crap, I forgot to pack my jean shorts, and that is our tradition every year; we dress alike. It may be so elementary of us, but who cares? It is our thing. I ask Addy “Did you bring any white or black shorts? I forgot my jean shorts?”

  She scowls at me. “Nope, you better cut a pair of jeans, because I know you have some in that bag.”

  “Addy, I have my favorite jeans in there. I don’t want to ruin them.”

  Her answer is to hand me a pair of scissors. “Suck it up buttercup.”

  We are finally ready, and our coolers are packed. She is still laughing at me. I am so mad at her. Not only did I ruin my favorite jeans to make shorts, I didn’t mark them ahead of time, and
now I swear half my ass is hanging out. I am one of the girls that I make fun of and think: desperate. My sister thinks it is funny. We both have on our green shirts in support of our favorite racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., jean shorts, although someone’s fit better than mine, and our brown cowboy boots. We are actually early and head to the stage for the pre-race concert. I hear cat-calls and wolf whistles in every direction and am getting seriously pissed off. Luke Bryan is playing tonight, and I am happy to see him. I did some song writing and backup vocals for his first album. My music has been held hostage because my parents tried to force me to pursue it. Now I don’t share it with anyone. We make it up to the stage and catch up with Luke and the band. I feel like everyone can see my coochie and ass in my shorts and nobody seems to try and camouflage the looks they are shooting me. Damn you, Addy.

  As we are walking to our seats my phone starts ringing. My heart stops because it is his ringtone. I grab my phone and look to see a text message. I open it immediately. ‘Pretty girl, I could never be mad at you. When you hurt I bleed.’ A link for a song appears, and I immediately open it. “Don’t Ya” by Brett Eldredge starts playing. I bust out laughing as the first line plays ‘Girl you cut those jeans just right . . . I know you didn’t buy ‘em like that so baby don’t even try that.’ My heart feels so much better and I feel like a ton has been lifted off my chest. Then it dawns on me . . . how in the hell does he know about the shorts? Is he here? I search the stands and the field for him, but don’t see him. I decide to text him.

  Brielle: Where are you?

  Colby: Missing you

  Brielle: What is up with the song?

  Colby: Just makes me think of you, not the games but that smile.

  Brielle: Thanks for understanding. Can I call you after the race so we can talk?

  Colby: Oh we will be talking later. I promise. And I DO keep my promises.

  Oh this night just got better. I was worried for a minute he was here, and I know how he feels about other guys looking at me. I don’t have the best body, you would have to be blind not to notice the shorts I have on. We get to our seats right as they start driver introductions, and we go to the fence.

  Right then the yellow shirts walk towards us and say, “Get off the fence.”

  I wink at Addy. We back up and say in unison, “Oh sorry.” Then I reach over and grab her and we start giggling and bend over to our coolers. “Can we offer y’all a Jell-O shot? I know it gets old being around all the drunken people and dealing with us.” Just like feeding a diabetic sugar, they are hooked. They smile and accept and we are golden.

  By the end of the night, we are up against the fence, and when other people try and stand against it the guys just wink and laugh at us when we holler. “Get off the fence.” The rules still apply to them. Addy’s hottie cop came over and saw her. I swear if it weren’t for Tyler, she would hit that. There is something there, but her heart is totally Tyler’s.

  Chapter 24

  Colby

  Oh thank God we got here. When I heard her message and heard that damn song playing in the background, I knew exactly how she felt. She may not be good at expressing her feelings, unless they are angry feelings, but she feels this connection as much as I do. She is afraid of giving in to it. That is exactly why after this race, and I have her with me again, we are going to have a serious conversation. I cannot have her doubting my intentions or feelings.

  I am not going to get to talk to Brielle after this race because I am going to end up in jail. If one more guy looks at her ass, or I hear one more comment about the blonde on the fence, I will fucking lose it. I had to stop Tyler from going apeshit when the cop came up and sat with Addy for a bit. What the hell were our girls doing? When I saw what she was wearing, the only thing that stopped me from going and buying her a sweat shirt and covering her ass up was the fact I could tell she was uncomfortable, and I would never draw attention to that. The smile she got when she read my message calmed me down. I would do anything for that smile. Then they start flirting with the security and feeding them alcohol. I will be damned if those girls don’t have them wrapped around their little fingers within five minutes. I know it is not the alcohol. They are definitely having fun. I am a lot happier since I am only about seven rows behind her and can get to her if I need to. That girl just doesn’t realize how truly special she is. Instead of going home tomorrow, I am kidnapping her and we are going to Wilmington for the week. We are going to get a few things settled between us. I am not dealing with that crap from last night where she shuts down on me. She will know I mean everything I tell her, and I have thought of ways I will show her over and over. Damn, how the hell can I be hard at a NASCAR race surrounded by dudes? Oh yeah, just look down by the fence.

  The race is almost over, and I nod my head to Tyler letting him know it is time to go surprise our girls. We checked into the hotel earlier, and we are in the room right below the girls. I am hoping I won’t be staying in there with Tyler. Although by the looks of it, my girl is feeling no pain, so I know I won’t be getting any loving from her tonight. That is fine as long as I have her in my arms. We make it down the rows, and I walk up to Brielle, and Tyler heads behind Addy. I scoop her up. She goes to swing and start yelling, and then she realizes it is me and stops. I can tell she is shocked, but more than that she is happy. She turns in my arms to where I am holding her ass. I am glad because I spread my hands out and cover it up the best I can, and I take her lips and pour all my emotions a kiss. I am apologizing in that kiss for her being hurt, whether it was my doing or not. She was hurt. I am telling her she is more than enough for me. Sometimes actually too much, but most of all I am promising her many more smiles, tears, and love.

  She breaks away. “I am not even going to ask why you are here, because I am so damn happy to be in your arms again.” I look over to Tyler. Addy is in his arms and just as happy as Brielle. The race ends, and we start making our way back to the hotel. Once we work out sleeping arrangements, Brielle and I make our way to the room after she has grabbed her bag. She doesn’t know it yet, but Tyler and Addy are flying out in the morning and I am taking her on our vacation. Tyler is filling Addy in on the plans, but I am going to wait to tell Brielle tomorrow.

  We get ready for bed, and I can tell she is so tired. She crawls in bed with me, and lays her head on my chest and I wrap my arms around her and just inhale her.

  She places a sweet kiss on my chest. “Thank you Colby, for knowing what I needed before I did. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  I tilt her chin up so I can look in her beautiful eyes. “Never, pretty girl, will I give up on us. I will always try and give you what you need. I will always be here.”

  She closes her eyes, and a tear escapes, and I bend to kiss it away. “Tomorrow, when we get home, I am going to tell you everything. I want you to know I went to Victoria’s Secret for you.” She snuggles back into my chest and goes to sleep. Will she ever quit surprising me? And I am thanking myself for renting the house in Wilmington because then there will be no distractions. Nothing between us and her Victoria’s Secrets. With that thought in my head, I fall asleep with her in my arms, where I hope to hell she stays.

  Chapter 25

  Brielle

  When I awoke in Colby’s arms this morning all my doubts, and worries faded away. He was here. He came after me. He really wants me. He held me close all night long and he told me after he made me coffee that we were not going back home, but he had rented us a beach house in Wilmington for the week. We would have no distractions and figure us out. That didn’t scare me as much as I thought it would. What scares me is will there still be an “us” when he hears everything I plan on telling him? I have a few hours to think about that because he doesn’t want to talk about anything serious on this road trip. He told me I could just relax and read my Kindle if I wanted.

  It is about an eight-hour trip, and I am sleeping for the first few hours to catch up because I have a feeling tonight will be a long night. Do I seduce hi
m before I tell him everything? Do I tell him I am a virgin or let him discover that fact? I heard guys love the fact nobody has been in their girl but them. They also like to make it all hearts and flowers, and I am not that girl. I want to give him enjoyment. For once, I want to be enough. I need to do some research so I turn on my Kindle and pull up the series I have been dying to read This Man Trilogy by Jodi Ellen Malpas. I have heard great things about the Lord of the Manor. I shoot Addy a text to let her know I am diving into this series because we always read the same books and dissect our love for our new found book boyfriends. We have such a revolving door. I am not ashamed to call myself a book whore, but that is the only kind of whore I am.

  I am so engrossed in this book and holy hotness himself, Mr. Ward, that I don’t even realize we have reached the house. I look up as Colby clears his throat and smirks at me.

  “Good book? Your cheeks are flushed: are you a little hot?” I know my face is bright red at the moment, and I pray he cannot tell what is running through my mind. These thoughts are making me blush. I turn from him and look at the house as he gets out and grabs our bags. The house is right on the beach on stilts, and I can just imagine us sitting on the porch watching the sunset every night for the next week. If all goes well tonight, maybe we can have some patio sex. I jump out of my car and join him. I try and take my bag from him, and he just raises his eyebrows at me. Okay, I get it; he is trying to be the gentleman. All I can think about right now is a punishment fuck, and I haven’t even had sex yet. We walk into the house; it is all light and done in neutral colors. I see the bedroom off to the side of the kitchen, and before Colby can make a move to drop our bags in there, I push him against the wall.