to admit the idea of only driving five minutes versus thirty was appealing.
“Ok, I’m heading your way now.”
Parker was waiting outside his door when I pulled in the parking lot. He was in sweats and a t-shirt and I could tell he hadn’t shaved yet this morning. He took my bag out of my hands when I walked up and pulled me in for a hug. I hugged him back, but he still seemed disappointed.
“Is Randy here?” I asked when I realized his apartment was empty.
“No, he’s gone until Sunday. He didn’t want to come back until right before classes started again.” I looked up at him, remembering that class started in only a couple of days. That meant the syllabi were already posted and I was probably already getting behind again.
“Don’t look so panicked. We’ll pull up your classes tonight and make sure you’re on track.”
He was always taking care of me and I felt my heart warm to him again. “You’re too good to me,” I stated, knowing more than he did how true those words were.
He responded with a satisfied smile and led me back to his room. I had never been in there before, but wasn’t surprised when I walked in. It reminded me of his parent’s house, with rich browns and creams, and I could feel him all around me as his scent tickled my nose. His bed was made neatly and his desk was covered in papers and books as if he had been studying all morning.
“Still working your system?” I asked playfully, nodding towards his messy desk before I leaned down to take off my tennis shoes.
“Still a hater, I see,” he bantered back, pulling back the covers for me so I could get in his bed. While our conversation was light, I knew something was off. The natural comfort that we always had was missing and everything this morning felt forced. I pushed the thought out of my head, chalking it up to fatigue and stress, and laid my head on his soft pillow.
He started to leave, but I looked up at him and asked if he would lay with me for just a little while. He sat on the bed, staying above the covers and ran his fingers through my hair as I closed my eyes.
“I noticed you weren’t wearing your necklace,” he said softly after we sat a moment in silence.
“Oh, yeah, I took it off to shower, and was in such a rush I just forgot to put it back on.” It was a bold faced lie, the first I had ever told him, and while he seemed to believe me, I knew something was changing. I was doing it again, pushing away the one person who knew my secret.
He continued to rub my head, making me relax as I felt my eyes start to get heavy. Parker telling me I wasn’t alone and that he was here for me were the last words I heard before I let sleep fully encompass me.
A buzz from my phone woke me out of my slumber and I answered it groggily as I tried to get my eyes to focus. “Hello?”
“Hey babe, it’s Jake. I just wanted to give you an update on Issy.” His voice was soft, but he sounded a little excited, which immediately got me to focus.
“Did she wake up?” I asked sitting upright in bed.
“No, not yet, but the doctor thinks she will soon. They were able to take her off the respirator and she even moved her fingers a little.”
“Oh Jake, that’s wonderful! I’m going to head back there now.”
“Great. I’ll see you when you get here.”
I hung up the phone and felt my heart skip a beat. Issy might be ok. My body immediately relaxed, as I felt the best I had since we’d found her. It was two in the afternoon, and I had slept for four hours, further adding to my renewed vigor. I made Parker’s bed and grabbed my bag. I didn’t see him when I walked out of the room, but then noticed his feet on the edge of the couch.
He was lying on his back with a book on his chest, indicating he fell asleep while reading. I walked up to him and knelt down, watching him as he slept. He looked so strong and handsome, and he exhibited a peace I’m sure I’ve never experienced. Feeling more drawn to him than I had since the ball, I leaned up and