word “bitch,” but sometimes she makes me want to use it.
After collecting the basket, the two drinks, and my phone, I attempt to make my way back to the bonfire without spilling a drop of beer. Easier said than done.
I finally emerge from the trail back to the party. I shut off my phone’s light and carefully place it in my dress’s front pocket. The first thing I notice is that Janice and Phoebe are no longer where they were when I left. My eyes survey the crowd, but can’t find them anywhere.
“I told them I’d be right back. Where the hell did they go?” I murmur.
I set the two drinks down onto one of the empty kegs resting on the ground. With my back to the crowd of people, I feel someone’s presence right behind me. I can’t tell if the heat I’m feeling is from the bonfire or from the person’s body. I stiffen, but don’t turn around.
“Whatcha got in your basket?” A deep and raspy voice asks behind me.
It almost sounds familiar, so I spin around and am confronted with the face of a wolf. Well, a wolf mask. The irony is seriously starting to kill me. I can tell the person is smiling because the mouth of the mask is strained and curled up.
“Can I help you?” I ask, looking the person up and down. He just stands there, which is kind of creepy. “Gunnar, is that you?” There’s still no answer. Well, I definitely know it’s a guy, not only because of the person’s height, but also because his red flannel shirt is shredded, revealing the most ripped set of abs I’ve ever seen…and I should know ripped because I attend all the swim meets at school. Those guys are freakin’ chiseled like crazy, but not like this guy.
I go to step past him, but he moves to stand in front of me again. “Ha-ha, I get it. I’m Little Red and you’re the Big Bad Wolf. Very funny. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a party to get back to.”
“So why didn’t you answer my friend request, huh?” the wolf asks in a normal voice as he removes his mask.
“Parker!” I exclaim.
I instinctively throw my arms around his neck and hug him since I haven’t seen him in years. His arms wrap around me too, and I relish the moment, but only for a second. Reality hits me like a sack of potatoes to the jaw, and all the negative feelings come pouring in from when he left without saying goodbye. Backing away slowly, the happiness leaves my face and I just stand there staring at him.
“Well, that was short-lived,” he jokes, but I don’t laugh.
“Sorry, that’s pretty much all the happy I had for you,” I state, but secretly, all I want to do is kiss him. Why does this have to be so complicated? Oh, yeah, that’s right. Because I’m so freaking stubborn.
“Wow, that was a little harsh, but I probably deserve it.”
“Damn right, you deserve it. What did you expect? Me to be all, ‘I forgive you, Parker?’”
Oh, and for the record, it’s really hard acting like this when all I want is another hug from him. His arms felt so nice wrapped around me, but what he did to me was a dick move and shouldn’t be rewarded.
“I’m sorry things ended the way they did, but—”
“Ended? Is that what you call what happened? Because all I remember is having one of the best nights of my life at your graduation party and then waking up the next morning to find you gone. There were no phone calls, no texts, nothing.” He tries to talk, but I cut him off. “Then Phoebe tells me you’ve left to stay with your grandparents in California before starting school in the fall at UCLA. You were supposed to stay here and go to Blackburn, but I guess that didn’t happen.” Jamming my finger into his chest, I say, “I even dealt with Phoebe hating me to go to your prom, and then you just up and leave?”
Wow, I’m really getting heated now. I grab my drink that’s resting on the keg and take a swig while Parker mulls over everything I just said.
“I can explain,” he begins.
Phoebe and Janice walk up, both laughing. If this isn’t perfect timing, I don’t know what is. I flash them both a smile, trying to cover up my true emotions.
“Oh, I see you found, Parker,” Phoebe says