Her Marine Next Door - Aliyah Burke Page 0,76

was that man who could pull it from her. No one else.

He was the one who made shit matter again. The one who made it so coasting through life was not as appetizing as it once had been to her.

“I’ll talk to him,” she said. “I have to go. Thanks Nicolette, I’m sorry for the hassle.”

“It’s not a hassle, but if he could tone it back…”

She smiled despite the pain in her heart. “I’ll let him know.”

Nicolette disconnected, and Skylar got back to work. She didn’t take a break until her watch beeped, reminding her she needed to eat something.

…

Parker opened his locker and pulled out his things, late for heading home. He was hoping he would have gotten out earlier to catch Skylar. Hell, he was debating asking her to teach an evasion tactic class to his men.

He glanced at his phone and frowned at the sight of a missed call. Hoping it wasn’t from his parents about Cullen, he reached to swipe and see who it was from, when Ioan popped up beside him.

“What’s up, man?”

“I’m out for a bit. Taking time. Call me if you need me to go after your woman for you, or if you decide to grow a set and get her back.”

He scowled. “You touch her and I’ll rip your head off your neck.”

Ioan pushed a hand through his blond hair, his smile not the least bit apologetic. “She likes me. I’ll make sure I tell her you said ‘hi’ when I see her later.” He pivoted on his heels.

“Ioan.” His growl was more feral than anything.

His friend held up his hands. “She called.” The smirk begged to be punched away.

Red filled his vision. “Why the fuck is she calling you?”

Ioan dodged the hand rocketing to his throat. “I’m taking something home to my great-aunt. I asked her to do it a long time ago. You know, before you completely fucked up the best thing in your life.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No.”

Parker crossed his arms. “Yes.” No way he was not taking the opportunity to see her. “Let’s go.”

“Not going with me, Parker.”

“Do you want whatever she made for you?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s fucking go, because if I’m not with you, you sure as fuck aren’t going.” He stepped to him. “I need her back, Ioan.”

His friend didn’t seem all that concerned. “Why? So she can take care of Cullen and make him happy?”

There was anger lacing his tone, and Parker frowned. He hadn’t thought about that. Could that be what she was still thinking? Why he was chasing her so hard? To watch his son?

There was no limit to his stupidity, apparently.

“No. I love her. Plain and simple.”

Ioan snorted. “Simple? Please. Ain’t a damn thing simple between you and her. Tell me the fucking truth.”

He swallowed. “I did. I love her.”

“Don’t start quoting old movies and telling me how she completes you.” Ioan rolled his eyes. “Fuck. You were so going to say that.”

He bit his tongue and shrugged. “I’m going.”

“Your ass stays in the car, and you can look at her. I won’t ruin my friendship with her by setting her up. Your word or I ditch you now.”

He hopped into Ioan’s green-and-white ’96 Bronco and waited for his friend to start the engine. Seconds later, the powerful motor roared to life as Nickelback poured from the speakers. The jacked-up vehicle rolled easily as Ioan shifted into gear and got them on their way.

They didn’t talk as he drove, and that was fine. Nerves had set up in his gut, and he found himself getting light-headed when they pulled into a parking lot away from his home and hers. His gaze latched onto her truck, and he sat forward.

Around the front walked Skylar, and his hand was on the door when “You gave your word” filled the cab.

Need licked at him like sparks of electricity. Goddammit he’d missed her. Even from the distance, he could imagine her scent.

After leveling a stare at him, Ioan parked beside her vehicle and hopped out. Parker knew she’d seen him, but dammit, she carried on as if it didn’t matter how many pieces his heart and soul were in. When she tipped her head back and laughed, he fell deeper in love with her and made a vow to go even harder, not letting her go.

When Ioan carried a beautiful end table to the back of the Bronco, he touched the door handle. His friend opened the back and placed it down. “Go get the other one.”

Parker bolted