the cheating kind of way. The empathetic look she gave me just before she left might’ve been a hint that nothing really happened between them.
“My daughter claims you can vouch for her testimony about an unknown assailant,” my dad states matter-of-factly, sounding annoyingly by the book.
I dodge Parker’s gaze when he looks over at me for support. He lets out a small laugh while shaking his head. “What she says is true, and you’re probably wondering how I know this,” he says. I look in his direction, fearing what will happen if he goes any further with that statement. “This Unknown person used our relationship against us.”
“Your relationship?” my father asks, and I see the sparks igniting within his eyes. I become more worried when I notice his hands ball up into fists by his side. I see the veins pop to the surface.
Parker takes in a deep breath after seeing my dad’s reaction. “I really like your daughter, sir. Have for quite some time now. And truthfully, it may be more than ‘like.’ That’s why I wouldn’t lie to you about this, or us. What happens to her really matters to me.” He smiles in my direction.
Okay, so it wasn’t the “L” word I’ve been hoping for, but that doesn’t mean I’m not happy to hear him confess his feelings to my father.
My dad’s eyes move to rest on the twin bed in the corner of the room. Then my heart sinks when he looks at me. “Is this the guy whose bed you woke up in after the party?” he asks through clenched teeth.
My surprised eyes dart from my father’s over to Parker’s, and worry sets in. I fear my father’s about to lose it.
“Yeah, I’m the guy,” Parker pipes up, drawing my father’s attention to him like a shark to blood.
My dad rears back and throws a punch right at Parker’s face. The sound of his fist connecting with Parker’s jaw causes me to flinch, and I instantly feel guilty. Parker whips his head back around to face my father, seeming unfazed by the hit. He wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth, all the while still staring back at my dad.
“Dad!” I yell at him from behind my cupped hand. He storms out of the room with Samson right behind him.
“We’re leaving, Dani,” he calls out to me from the doorway, implying that I should follow.
I stand there looking at Parker, not really knowing what to do or say. I move in front of him, his eyes never leaving mine. Reaching up, I wipe away the little trickle of blood running down his chin, which I feel completely responsible for.
“I’m so sorry. That’s so unlike him,” I whisper, causing a smirk to sprout on Parker’s face.
“I want you to know I meant everything I said,” he replies as his smirk changes into a full-blown smile.
“I know you do, but I’m not sure how faithful you can be to me, even with having those feelings. You’re too much of a gamble, Parker. It pains me to say that, but it’s how I feel,” I explain and kiss him on the cheek. He tries to turn it into more, but I pull away. “I better get going.”
He exhales heavily. “Yeah, maybe you should.”
As I reach the open door, I turn back around and see Parker’s gaze on me. It breaks my heart to leave him like this, but maybe our perfect opportunity to be together was ruined the moment he left the first time.
Chapter Thirty
By Monday morning, I’ve been awake for almost two full days. I find that every time I close my eyes in an attempt to sleep, all I see is Janice’s body, causing me to wake up.
My eyes are heavy and strained as I stare out my window at the early morning rain falling outside. Not only haven’t I slept, but eating is becoming an issue as well. I can’t keep anything down. My system is totally out of whack, and the tremendous stress I’m under definitely isn’t helping.
My dad and his deputies are still searching for Kevin, but I know they won’t find him until Unknown wants him found. I’ve completely given up on convincing my father to listen to me. Even after he talked with Parker, things didn’t get any better. In fact, things managed to get worse, which could be directly related to my stubbornness over the whole Parker situation.
I groan as I stare down at the cheap little flip