Needing You #2 - Wanting Him (12 page)

“Tell me what?” Harp asks surprised.

“The guys are playing two towns over next weekend and want us to come and hang out.  Do you think you could schedule off?” Tuck asks her.

She looks at me, giving me one of those looks.

“I’m pretty sure we could both schedule off,” she says with a smile, still giving me a look.

“So you decided to come?” Parker pipes up with a hopeful look.

“I’m not sure, I need to figure out what’s going on first,” I say stupidly.

“What do you need to figure out?” Harp says
, calling me out.

“Nora…my sister remember?” I say harsher than intended.

“She’s sixteen and she’s been really good.  I think she’d be fine by herself, plus it’s not like we’re far away,” she says making a valid point.

“I know, I just want to talk to her about it first,” I say
, feeling my face turn a shade darker.

“That’s fine.  I hope you can come,” Parker says
, thankfully ending that conversation.

“Hell yeah Nat, you can hang with me,” Declan says with a wink.

That gets him a punch in each arm by Parker and Nate.

I can’t help but laugh, “I see how well that would go.”  I watch as Declan earns another glare from Parker.  Oh boys…such funny creatures.

“I need to head home.  You guys have a good night,” I say as I get off the barstool and grab my purse to leave for the night.

“I’ll walk you out,” Parker says as he starts to head in my direction.

“You don’t have to.  I’m right around the corner anyway.”

“It’s okay,” he says as he follows me out the door.

We don’t say a word to each other as he walks me to my car. “Great show tonight,” I say speaking up first.

“Thanks,” is all he says as he opens my driver side door.  I slide into the seat and start the engine.

“Night Parker.”

“Night Nat,” he says as he shuts my car door and walks back inside.

What the hell just happened?  That was strange.

I no sooner get in my front door and my phone chimes, signaling a message.  I see a text
message from Parker.

Parker
- I just wanted to make sure you got home safely.

Me-
Yep, just walked through the door.

Parker-
Good.  It was great seeing you tonight. I hope you’ll consider coming next weekend.

Me- I’ll let you know.  It was good seeing you too.  You guys killed it tonight!

Parker- Thanks.  Sweet dreams Nat

Me-
Night Parker

Weird.  He could have said most of that to me when he walked me out, but instead he saves it for text messages?

Chapter Twelve

I speak to Nora the next day and she is all for me going next weekend. She has no problem staying at the house by herself for a night
or two.  I mean, technically I could come home at night to make sure she’s okay.  It’s not far, so I decide I’m going to go.  I could use a fun night out, even if it means that Parker will be there.

The beginning of the week goes by quickly.  Come Wednesday, I still haven’t seen Harper.  I need to make sure to run into her.  I know I could always text
, but I want to discuss details face to face.  I made sure to schedule off this weekend so I can go and I saw she’d taken off too.

Luckily, I see her after my class on Wednesday and head in her direction.

“Hey Harp,” I say as I approach her.

“Hey!” she says.

“I wanted to see if you were staying overnight this weekend?”

“Yeah, Tuck wants to hang out with the guys, so we’re staying.
  Oh and Rowan’s coming too.  Do you want to stay with us?” she asks excitedly.

“I don’t really want to hear you two screwing,” I say with a laugh.

“Please, we can control ourselves,” she says, like I should already know this.

“Ha, nah it’s cool, I’ll get my own room.”

“Why, expecting company?” she asks with a questioning look.

“No!”

“Please, you’re going to see him and you know it,” she says with a stern look.

“Parker and I are over.  I’m going for a weekend away to see some great bands,” I say proudly.

“You two are far from over.”

“Harp we’re over.  He cheated on me,” I state hastily.

“So, let’s say this chick lied and he didn’t cheat on you, would you be with him then?” she asks me out of nowhere.

“That’s not reality.”

“But if it was,” she says.

“Then yes, I love him
.”

“Good, I’m
glad you said that,” she says with a smile.

“Why?”

“Because now all we gotta do is prove that bitch is lying,” she says with a smug smile.

“Harp stop.  We aren’t doing anything like that
, so just stop.”

“The hell I’m not.  Rowan’s going to help too,
” she declares.

“We’ve been over for months.  There’s no reason to mess with shit now.  He’s moving on and starting a family and I’m…well I’m
going to start dating again.”

“Yeah
, I can see how well that’s going,” she says with a laugh.

“Stop it.  I told Cameron I would hang out with him.”

“Okay, but I don’t see it going anywhere.”

“Why not?
We’ve actually talked a few times on the phone and he seems like a decent guy.”

“
A decent guy doesn’t equal Parker Thomas.  I don’t know, something just seems strange, I think you should stop talking to him.”

“Because of Parker?
” I ask confused.

“No, it’s just the way he stares at you w
hen we’re at work. I don’t know, I just don’t trust him.”

“You drive me crazy.  First you’re saying give Park another chance then
its give Cameron one and now it’s back to Park and to stay away from Cameron.  What gives?”

“Nothing.  I just don’t like how he looks at you.”

“And how is that?”

“Like a jealous boyfriend,” she says worriedly.

“We never even went on a date yet,” I exclaim.

“That’s my point.”

“I’m sure it’s fine.  You’re probably just looking too far into this.”

“No, I’m not.  I don’t like him.  You need to stick with Parker.”

“Can we not get into this?” I mumble.

“You know it’s true.  I
gotta head to class, so I’ll see you for a fun weekend,” she says excitedly.

“
See you later,” I say as I head towards my car.  I’m done for the day.

The rest of the day goes by with me hanging out with Nora and discussing what’s going to happen this weekend.  She has decided she is going to stay home, so I had to go over strict instructions of no parties, no boys, no anyone.  I also gave the threat that I’m only twenty minutes away and can stop home at any time.

Friday comes before I know it and after class I head home to pack for the next two nights.  The guys don’t play until tomorrow, but we’re going to hang out tonight and tomorrow.

I say bye to Nora and head out the door to head over to Tuck’s frat house. 

“We aren’t taking that,” Tuck says as he comes out the front door.

“What? Why not?  My car will get us there,” I say
, defending my car.

“No, there’s no way I’m fitting in that tiny backseat,” he says pointing at my car.

“Ugh, yes you can. I need to drive in case I need to come home for Nora,” I say seriously.

“Then I will drive us back, get your stuff,” he says ending the conversation.

“Damn you.  Can I leave my car here then?” I ask worriedly.  He lives in a frat house after all.

“Yeah, it will be fine,” he says as Harp comes outside
with Rowan.

“Hey! We ready?” she asks excitedly.

“Yep,” Tuck and I say in unison.

We all get into Tuck’s car and head
toward the hotel we are staying in for the next two nights.  It takes twenty-five minutes for us to get to the hotel.

“Did you decide to stay in the room with us?” Harp asks.

“Haha NO!  I got my own room,” I state with a laugh.

“I got my own too,” Rowan says
quickly.

“Thinking of hooking up with Park
, huh?” Tuck teases from the driver’s seat.

“No, I just don’t want to hear you two go at it,” I deadpan.

“Good thinking, though you could always join,” Tuck says with a wink, earning him a slap from Harp.  “I’m only kidding baby,” he says as he turns and kisses his girlfriend.

“Wow,” Rowan says through laughter.

“You could too ya know,” Tuck teases so more, earning him another smack from Harper.

He starts laughing harder, “Babe I’m kidding
, I promise.”

We get to the hotel and park, grabbing our bags out of the trunk.

“Hey, there you are.  We were wondering when you guys were gonna get here,” Declan calls out from behind us.

“We had class today,” Harper says
, looking confused.

“Are you guys in the hotel or on the tour bus?” Tuck asks.

“Hotel, definitely hotel,” he says with a laugh.

“Good to see you,” I tell Declan as I give him a hug.

“You rooming with me?” he asks with a sexy smirk.

“You trying to get your ass kicked?” Tuck asks him.

“It’s all in good fun.  I gotta do something to get Park riled up.  What better way than with Nat?” he asks, with a mischievous look.

“Let’s go,” I say as I grab my bag and head towards the front doors of the hotel.

We check in and thankfully they put Harp, Rowan and I on the same floor.  The guys are on the floor above us.

“So what’s the plan for tonight?” Tuck asks.

“Just hanging out at the hotel, unless you guys wanna go somewhere,” he states.

“No, staying here sounds fine.  You guys will attract too much attention,” Harper pipes up quickly.

Declan gives us his room number and tells us to hurry up and drop our shit off and come hang out.

We head to our rooms to unload our stuff.  I enter my room and am impressed with the size.  I got a king size bed because it’s just me
, so no need for two double beds.  The view is beautiful.  You can see the sky lit up and changing to sunset.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

I jump on my king sized bed and lay on it getting myself comfortable.  Yeah
, I so need to get me one of these beds.

As I lie on the bed for about ten minutes
, I think about how this evenings going to go.  I hope it’s not awkward for Parker or for me.

While I’m reminiscing on good times between Parker and
me, someone starts pounding on my door.

“Get your ass up, let’s go,” Harp yells from the other side of the door.

“I’m coming,” I say as I drag my ass out of the comfortable bed to answer the door.

“You didn’t even change,” she says looking me up and down.

“Was I supposed to?” I ask curiously looking between her and Rowan.

“No, but you didn’t come to
either of our rooms so I figured you were trying to decide on what to wear,” she says as she eyes my outfit.

“We aren’t going anywhere.  Why would I need to change?” I ask confused.

“That’s what I said,” Rowan says, earning her a glare from Harp.

“No reason, let’s go,” she says as she grabs my arm to pull me out the door.

“Wait,” I tell her as I pull her to a stop, “I need to get my key card,” I tell her as I go to the nightstand to get my things.

Then follow
them out the door to an interesting night ahead.

We ma
ke our way up to Declan’s room and he lets us in.  All the guys are in the room laughing, playing video games and talking amongst themselves.  I can’t help but look for Parker.  As much as I know I shouldn’t, I can’t help but feel drawn to him.

When I look around
, it doesn’t take long for me to find him and see that he’s looking at me. I give a small wave and then follow Harp and Rowan to sit on one of the couches.

Tucker follows
us inside the room and then heads straight towards Park.  They get in a conversation and they both look slightly irritated, but we’re too far away to hear what they are discussing.

Yes
, I’m nosey.

“Hey, what’s Tucker talking to Park about?” I whisper to her on the couch.

“No idea, but Park looks pissed,” she says looking between the two of them.

“Yeah he does, but Tucker doesn’t look too happy either.”

“Great, and here I thought we were going to have a fun weekend away,” she says on a sigh.

“Hopefully what
ever it is won’t be a big deal,” Rowan says.

“Yeah right, look at them,” she says nodding her head in their direction.

I look and they both look angry and frustrated, but not necessarily at each other.

“I wonder what’s going on,” I say more to myself.

“Me too.  Maybe if you hang out with Parker you can find something out?” she says looking hopeful.

“I don’t foresee me and Park hanging out like that.  Sorry.”

“If you do, try to find out something,” she says then turns to look back at the rest of the guys playing video games who are completely clueless of Tucker and Park’s conversation.

“Who’s next?” Nate yells from the couch.

“I am,” Tuck says heading towards the couch. He grabs the controller from Luke and plops down on the couch next to Declan to start playing the game.

“Sorry, here you go,” Parker says as he hands
us drinks.

“Thanks,” we say in unison.

“Everything alright?” Harp asks him.

“Yeah,” he says with a shrug.  He doesn’t sound believable either.

“You can tell us you know,” Harp starts speaking in a whisper to him.

He looks at me and Harp, then Rowan
then back to me before speaking. “I know, but it’s nothing to worry about. Thanks though,” he says with a forced smile.

I just take sips of my
wine, not knowing what to say or do.  I feel awkward being this close to him and not being with him.

Park
er ends up sitting on the opposite side of the room from us on the couch.  He’s sitting beside Nate who is yelling back and forth with Tuck about who is killing more zombies in whatever game they’re playing.

“Holy shit, how is it possible that he gets hott
er and hotter every time we see him,” Harp says fanning herself.

“You better not let Tuck hear you say that,” I say with a knowing smile.

“Oh please.  How can you not want that sexy beast?” she asks with a stern look.

“I never said I didn’t want him.  You already know this.  I just c
an’t be with him,” I remind her.

“I still think that bitch is lying,” she states matter of fact.

“So do I,” Rowan says with a small smile.

“Well there’s nothing I can do about it.  He thinks it’s his
, which goes to say that he did in fact sleep with her.” I say softly. 

As much as I wish it weren’t true and that Parker and I were still together enjoying our possible future, I know that’s not my reality anymore.

I look over at him and can’t help but stare.  The man is so fucking edible it’s sickening.  I want to lick every inch of his body, starting with his tattoos.  I want to lick his chest and enjoy all the dips and curves of his chiseled chest.  I want to stare into those dark green gorgeous eyes of his.  I want to tug on his hair while he’s making me scream out his name.