My Forbidden Guy (My Guy series, Book 3)

by Liz Lovelock

  “Yeah, I’m sure all five feet of me is going to make a difference,” I mock, leaning back in my seat to allow my overly full stomach some room.

  “Come on. Dane will be there.” She dangles the carrot in front of me. How am I supposed to say no to that?

  “Fine then, since you gave me a good enough reason. I can easily say that you invited me. Is Elsie going to come?”

  Addison shakes her head vigorously. “Hell no. She can’t play. For the last couple of weeks, we’ve tried to include her, but she is hopeless at sports.” She waves her hands around dramatically. I can’t help but laugh at her dramatics. She’s such a clown. She could easily pass for one of those mimes.

  “Well, if she does, I don’t want her on my team,” I respond.

  “Trust me, none of us do. Aiden is supposed to be teaching her, but they have more arguments over the rules of the game than they do actual playing time. Aiden loses his cool and then has to walk away. It’s pretty hilarious to watch, because five minutes after the heated argument, Aiden is back and then it starts all over again.”

  I smirk. She is getting her kicks over watching her friend and boyfriend argue over basketball. “You have something seriously wrong with you if you’re laughing at your friend’s boy troubles.”

  “Just wait until you see them tomorrow night.” Her look is one that says, just you wait and see. “How are you going to tell Parker about you and Dane?”

  I point my finger at her. “Now that’s the million-dollar question. What do you suggest, Oh Keeper of the Happy Parker?” I raise my hands above my head and bow down to her.

  She smacks my hand. “What has gotten into you?” she asks incredulously.

  “I am floating on cloud nine. Things are going my way, finally. I just have to get over this last hurdle: Parker.”

  “Be honest with him. He may want to hit Dane.”

  “Funny you should say that. Dane said he’ll take what Parker dishes out to him.”

  “This is going to be fun.”

  “Mm-hmm. It is,” I say with a grin.

  All the guys are shirtless and sweaty. I don’t want to rub up against my brother or Aiden, but give me Dane’s sweaty body any day. My pink singlet is only slightly damp.

  Thankfully, Elsie had to work tonight. Although, I would have liked to have seen how she plays.

  “Yep, I’m open,” I yell out to Parker as he makes his way down the court. His bright red face glances my way.

  Addison moves around him, trying to block his play. I catch the massive grin on her face. She’s obviously going to do something, but before she can, Parker tosses the ball at me. It slips into my hands easily, and I continue.

  I get the ball closer to the hoop. Dane comes out of nowhere. I’m not prepared for him. He moves closer. I shift tactics, turning my back to him and bringing the ball around with my back and butt toward him. He slips in closer and tries to reach around me. His body presses against me. I laugh at his maneuver. “Nice try, buddy.” This has been going on our entire game. I catch a glimpse of Parker. I toss him the ball, and he throws it up, sinking it through the hoop.

  “Oh, yeah! Who are the champions? We are!” I yell. My hands are in the air, and I do a little dance. “You suck.” I point at Dane with a teasing grin.

  He shakes his head, giving me a sly grin. “Yeah, yeah. Good game, guys,” Dane says as he strides over to where our towels and water bottles sit. I follow. I wish I could attack him—in an affectionate way, of course.

  “We totally smashed you guys,” Parker says as he walks toward Dane. Addison beams as she trails beside him. Picking up his towel and bottle, he continues, “I’m starving. Let’s go cook some food.”

  We all chime in with our agreement.

  Outside, the night air brushes over my damp skin, kissing it with coolness.

  “I’m going to get some clothes from my car.”

  Dane glances my way. I get the feeling he wants to come with me. I shake my head. As much as I’d love for him to, I don’t think it’s a good idea. We still have to talk to Parker about us.

  “I’ll come with you.” Addison releases her grip on Parker’s waist and moves toward me. Her hair is a matted mess, which I’m sure mirrors my own.

  “We’ll see you guys there,” I say.

  We go our separate ways.

  Addison bumps me in the hip. “I totally saw what was going on with you two. Parker may be blind to it, but I’m not.” Her words are playful. She even does a little dance.

  “I think we’re going to talk to Parker tonight. Are you ready to intervene if needed?”

  Earlier today, we’d spoken about Parker, and I’d told Dane that I didn’t want to wait forever. I’d already waited well over two months for this.

  Addison holds her hand up like she is about to swear in on a court case. “I swear to have your back. He’ll probably be angry at first, then he’ll eventually let it go. It could take some time.”

  We make it to my car. I grab my bag of clothes from the trunk.

  Lifting my head, that’s when I see a dark figure standing in the shadows under the trees of the fence line. A shiver crawls up my spine slowly and then shoots right down to my feet. “Is that a person?” I whisper to Addison, unable to hide the slight panic in my throat.

  She turns and looks in the same direction I’m staring. Her body shifts closer to mine. “Is he facing toward us?”

  “I think so.” I have the urge to run. Scrambling into my car and driving off would be the smart thing to do. “Get in the car. We’re going to move closer to the house.” The dark shadow doesn’t budge.

  “What if he’s some kind of killer? Shouldn’t we report this?” Addison’s voice rises with each word. I push the key in and turn the engine over. I press the lock button on the car. At least we’re safe in here. I drive out, and as I turn around, I try to shine my headlights where the figure was standing. He is gone.

  We both stare at the now-empty spot. “There was someone there. I wasn’t dreaming, was I?” I need reassurance that I’m not going crazy. My heart pounds in my chest, and my hands tremble.

  “No, you’re not dreaming. I saw someone there as well. I’m going to email campus and let them know there was a strange person on the grounds. That freaked me the hell out.”

  “Me too,” I say breathlessly.

  I drive off through the gates and pull into Parker’s driveway. This is going to be my designated spot from now on. There’s no way I want to run into that figure.

  We both jump out of the car and run for the front door.

  “Whoa, where’s the fire?” Parker spots my car keys. Then, he must notice our panicked faces. “What wrong?”

  Dane rushes out from the living room, the struggle evident in his concerned eyes as he fights to hold himself back.

  Addison is in Parker’s arms. “There was some person standing in the shadows of the campus. It felt like he was looking at us. We couldn’t see his face, though.” Addison sounds on the verge of tears. I want to cry but manage to pull myself together.

  “You need to let the campus security know. I’ll ring them.” Parker stalks off with Addison tucked safely under his arm.

  Dane moves closer. His warm hand clasps my bare arm. I flinch.

  “It’s okay. It’s me.” His voice is soothing. I desperately want to bury myself in his chest, inhale his scent, and feel safe. My dark eyes meet his light ones. There’s pain in his. He’s worried. “It’s okay. It’s probably some person who lost their way. I’m going to go have a shower.” His grip slips to my hand. He squeezes. It’s like he’s pushing safety and security into me, assuring me that everything is going to be alright.

  Things don’t feel alright. I don’t feel secure or safe. I’m standing in the hallway of my brother’s place. I’m running from a shadow, and I’m keeping secrets about the man I love. Secrets, lies, and deception. That’s what I’m apparently good at. I’ve had enough of it. I want to be wrapped in Dane’s arms. I want him to restore co
nfidence, like a boyfriend would, that everything will be alright.

  Instead of heading to the bathroom, I go straight for Parker, who’s in the kitchen with Addison standing close by. Just as I stop in the middle of the area between the kitchen and living area, he says, “I’ve made security aware. Hopefully, that’s the end of it.”

  I swallow the anxiety clawing its way up my throat. “Dane and I are dating,” I blurt. There’s no sugarcoating. Nothing.

  Parker’s eyes widen. Addison’s face is shocked. A small smile touches her lips.

  “What?” Parker says as though he can’t believe what he’s hearing.

  “Dane and I are seeing each other,” I repeat slower. I sense Dane’s large frame behind me. “We’ve been seeing each other for a while now. For the last couple of weeks, we haven’t, though, because he ended it because of his friendship with you.” My chest vibrates, which makes my words shake.

  Parker laughs. “Is this some kind of joke?” He cocks an eyebrow and comes toward Dane and me.

  Addison rushes to his side and takes his hand. “I’m happy for you both,” she says quietly.

  Parker whirls her way, a flash of anger on his face. “Did you know?” he growls.

  “I had my suspicions,” she lies, and I’m okay with that. I don’t want to get her in trouble. “You’re not one who takes notice of things like I do.”

  “Are you kidding me?” he roars. “How could you, Dane? I told you to keep away from my sister. What about the other girl you came back here with the other day? What about Jase?” His red face moves between us. I swallow again.

  It’s Dane who answers first. “She was nothing. We’d only met that night, and nothing happened. I’ve spoken to Paislee about it all.” He places a hand on my shoulder. It’s the strength I didn’t realize I needed. Parker’s eyes blaze.

  I quickly interject. “Jase and I were only ever friends. We both agreed on that pretty early, and I was going on dates with him because Dane ended things between us.”

  A deathly silence fills the room, a fog of tension seeping in through every crack.

  When I can’t handle it anymore, I slice through it. “Please don’t be mad, Parker. I love him; he makes me happy.” I smile. Dane’s grip slips off my shoulder. He takes my hand as he moves beside me.

  Parker rakes his fingers through his hair and swipes over his face. He releases a low, frustrated growl. “You love him?” he mocks. “You’re okay lying to your brother and your friends?” He becomes louder and louder.

  “Parker, settle down. Can’t you see this as a good thing?”

  He turns his incredulous stare on Addison.

  “It’s okay, Addison. Parker, you need to pull your head out of your ass and accept that I’m eighteen and don’t need your fatherly consent. So you can rein in the temper.” I step toward him, releasing Dane’s hand.

  Parker pushes me aside and goes straight for his friend. Thwack… Parker’s fist hits Dane.

  “Parker!” Addison and I scream and rush toward him. Both guys roll around on the ground. Dane tries to keep Parker’s hands off him, and Parker is attempting to land another punch. That’s when I notice the red seeping from Dane’s mouth. His face is bright red as he strains against Parker. But Parker is fueled by anger and I’m guessing some hurt because we kept this from him.

  “Parker! Get off him now!” I roar. He’s not the only one with a loud voice.

  “What the hell?” Aiden yells.

  I whip around. “Can you come help?”

  Aiden leaps into action and pulls Parker off Dane.

  Parker’s huffing. He does appear to be hurt.

  I bend over and take Dane’s hand to help him up. Addison steps forward, offering him a tissue for his lip. It’s red, swollen, and weeping with blood.

  “Calm down, man,” Aiden tries to console Parker.

  Red blinds my vision. I turn on my heels, stalk up to Parker, and push Aiden aside. I shove him so hard in the chest it appears to wind him slightly. “How dare you? What kind of brother are you? Tell me this—is Dane a bad person?” I wave in Dane’s direction.

  Parker hangs his head then shakes it.

  I continue, “Do you think he would hurt me?” Again, he shakes his head. “There you have it. Pull yourself together and apologize to him.”

  “It’s okay, Pais. I deserve it,” Dane says from behind me.

  “No, he owes you an apology. He shouldn’t be acting like a damn brute. Say sorry.” I push him again.

  Parker raises his head. His hard eyes focus on me. “I’m not saying sorry. You both went behind my back.”

  “What were we supposed to do? You were warning him off me, but even then, it was too late. I watched you walk off and comfort Addison tonight after our little incident, and I realized that Dane couldn’t do that for me until we told you. I want him to be my comfort and support like you are for Addison. Is that such a bad thing?”

  Parker purses his lips. He might go charging at Dane like a bull again if I’m not careful. I should have thought this through better, but stupid me just went ahead and didn’t think about the consequences.

  “Paislee, it’s not a bad thing. He’s my friend. I’m not sure how I feel about you two dating each other. I’m not saying sorry. He deserves what he got for lying to me when he flat out told me he’d keep away from you.”

  I fold my arms over my chest, releasing a huff. Even a stomp of my foot follows. “Well, you’ve said your piece now. You’re not allowed to have an opinion when it comes to who I date. You got that?” I use the stern voice Mom used to use on us when we were in trouble.

  “Fine.” He stalks past Dane and me and down the hall.

  His bedroom door slams against its frame. I flinch.

  Elsie’s bewildered gaze shifts between Dane, Addison, and me. “You told him?”

  I nod.

  She rocks back on her heels, blowing out a low whistle. “Wow,” she breathes.

  I face Dane, who’s cradling a busted lip and a dark bruise that’s forming on his right cheek. “I’m so sorry. I did the wrong thing.”

  Dane laughs, then his face screws up. “Ow.” He reaches up and gently touches his face. “No, it’s fine. At least now it’s out there.”

  “Sorry.” I lean on my tiptoes and press my lips into his soft, warm, unbruised cheek. “At least now I can do this whenever I want,” I whisper into his ear. “And I get to stay with you tonight.”

  “Oh my goodness, is this what we have to put up with now?” Aiden sighs like a little child who has seen his parents kissing.

  “Shut up.” Dane punches him in the arm.

  Addison stands to the side, a small smile on her face, but she can’t hide the worry lines that crease her forehead. I walk over to her. “Are you all right?” I open my arms, and she steps into them. “I’m so sorry about this.”

  “I’ve only ever seen Parker that angry once before. I’m a little shaken.”

  I nod. I’ve heard about her ex-boyfriend, Hayden. He wasn’t a great guy.

  I release her, step back, and stare her right in the worried eyes. “He is hurt. This is all on me. He would never harm you. Parker is a protector. Go to him. You’ll be the one he wants to see.”

  Her head moves up and down. Guilt spreads through me; this is all my fault. I put that fear in her. “Okay.”

  I take her hand and walk her down to his door and give it three hard knocks. Seconds later, the door flies open, and grumpy-faced Parker stands there. I tilt my head toward Addison, who I hold against me.

  His face softens as he takes her in. His mood shifts. “Little mouse, I’m sorry.” He pulls her against his chest. Her near-silent sobs tear me apart.

  His eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry,” I mouth.

  “It’s okay,” he whispers. I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or Addison. I’d rather he soothe her than me.

  Things settle down. Parker and Addison don’t come out of the room, except to get some plates of the food Aiden has cooked up.
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  I shove a carrot in my mouth. The flavor tickles my taste buds. “Who taught you to cook?”

  “It’s called packet mix.” He chuckles.

  “I should have guessed,” I reply dryly then place some noodles in my mouth. This stir-fry is delicious.

  My phone starts ringing from my bag that I’d dropped at the front door. After jumping up, I collect it from the pocket. “Hello?” I say without looking at the screen.

  “Paislee? It’s William,” a deep voice announces on the other end of the call.

  I go and take my seat back with Dane and the others. “Oh, hey. What’s up?” I try to act casual, but damn, the nerves are back. I’m still not sure how to act around him. What if he doesn’t like who I’ve become? Hell, I haven’t even decided what it is I want to do when I finish college. I need to make a decision soon so I can pick the right classes.

  Papers shuffle from his end. “Nothing. I was calling to see if you wanted to catch up for dinner tomorrow night?”

  Even he sounds nervous. I can’t begin to imagine what this must feel like for him. When he left, we were in diapers, needing so much care, and now he’s trying to fix the wrong decision he made all those years ago.

  I think he needs to forgive himself. Even if I forgive him, he’s still going to have that guilt over walking away. And I’m not sure Parker will so easily forgive him for what he’s done.

  “Tomorrow night?” I question, wanting to make sure I’ve heard correctly.

  “Yes. How does seven-thirty sound?”

  A tiny part of me wants to say no, but then I’d be just as bad as him. I said I’d give him a chance. “Yeah, okay, seven-thirty sounds good. I’ll text you where to pick me up from.”

  “Oh, you won’t be at home?” He sounds shocked and a little let down.

  Could he still have feelings for Mom? I’ll save those questions for dinner. It’ll give us something to talk about. “No, I’ll probably be at Parker’s place. I’ll send you the address.” Everyone in the room has gone silent, and all their eyes are on me with questioning looks on their faces.