Overcome (18 page)

Chapter 38

Parker

“I’ll get your things and show you to my room, okay?” Parker said as they walked into the kitchen.

Carly’s face turned pink and she looked at the floor, tucking her hair behind her ear. Parker turned around. His dad, grandma, and Amy were all staring at him.

“Carly’s not staying in your room.” His dad’s voice was low.

Parker looked at Amy, who was glaring at her daughter behind him. Why didn’t he think? He wanted Carly to sleep in his bed. He hadn’t even thought about it. While he was eighteen, it wasn’t that big of a deal for him, but he almost forgot she was only sixteen. It didn’t seem like there were any years between them.

“Amy, that was just my stupidity.” Parker said as Carly slipped her hand out of his. “I … I wasn’t … going …”

“That’s fine, but don’t even think about …” she lowered her chin and her eyebrows rose.

Parker felt his face heat up. This was not a normal conversation to have in front of parents but especially not in front of grandparents.

“She can stay in Kammie’s room. She has that extra daybed, and you can show Amy to the spare room while you’re at it,” Kurt said.

Parker nodded and looked at Amy. “Are your bags still in the car?”

“Owen brought them in,” Carly said.

Parker turned to look at her, her head was down and she pointed toward the door.

He stepped around her and pulled the bags over his shoulder before making his way toward the stairs.

“Parker, this place is amazing,” Amy said in awe as they went up the open wooden staircase.

He smiled and glanced back at her.  “My mom designed it.”

“I’m sure she was a wonderful woman.”

“She was.” A weight sunk in the pit of his gut.

He pointed to the first door on the right when they turned down the hallway. “That’s the guest room. You have your own bathroom complete with a Jacuzzi tub.” Parker laughed and ran his hand across his neck. “Guess we kind of reversed roles here.”

Amy chuckled at this, “You’d make a great hotel manager.”

He smiled at her. When she placed her hand on his cheek, he saw her younger again, like he did the night he brought Carly home.

“If you need anything, I’m here, okay?” her voice was barely above a whisper and she stared into his eyes.

He looked down at the carpet. “Okay, uh, I’m assuming yours is the black one?” He slid the strap off his shoulder. Since almost everything of Carly’s was purple, it was a safe assumption that the purple cheetah print belonged to her.

Amy grinned and took her bag from him, “Yes, thank you.”

Parker turned around and shouldn’t have been surprised when Carly was standing right behind him. She did follow them up the stairs. He placed his hand on her back, “Kammie’s room is just over here on the right …” he dipped his head down and whispered in her ear, “and I’m just across the hall.”

“And so are our parents.” She giggled and bumped him with her hip.

“No, my dad will be downstairs.” Parker pushed on Kamberlee’s door and it swung open. He tried to hold back the laugh when Carly gaped at the bright yellow and white walls.

“Whoa.”

“Bright isn’t it?” he chuckled.

“How am I going to sleep in here?”

“I know it may seem like it, but it’s not glow in the dark. It fits Kam’s personality.” He shrugged as he carried Carly’s bag into her room. He sat it in the middle of the spare bed.  The comforter was yellow and white checked and filled with sunshiny pillows of all shapes and sizes.

Parker placed his hands on her hips and turned her toward him. He pressed his lips to hers. Carly slipped her hands around his neck, her hand found his hair again.  He loved feeling her hands in his hair.

“Ew, Parker … not in my room.” They broke at Kamberlee’s voice.

Carly licked her lips and smiled at him. He returned the teasing stare as Kamberlee stalked in her room, sitting on her bed with a bounce and crossing her arms and staring at him like some sort of chaperone.

Parker chuckled at his sister’s gaze. “So … I’ll be back.” He winked at Carly before he left the room.

Chapter 39

Carly

“How did you and Parker meet?” Kamberlee propped her hand under her chin her dark pony tail swayed as she tilted her head.

Carly felt horrible for her about her mom, but she was acting like this was a sleepover. “I work at the hotel he stayed at.”

“How romantic,” she giggled as Carly shoved her cosmetic bag into her duffle.

“I guess.” Carly lowered herself onto the bed across from Kamberlee. “We actually knew each other before he was adopted, but we don’t remember.”

“No way!” Kamberlee flopped on to her stomach, her feet swaying in the air behind her. “That is so cool.”

Carly curled her feet up under her and nodded. “His sister is my best friend.”

“What’s she like?” She propped her chin on her hands.

Talking about Bree reminded her how much she missed her this summer. “She likes to read.” Carly nodded her head toward Kamberlee’s book shelf.

“Really, that’s cool,”  she said.  “Do you like to read?”

“Not really. I mean I do some.” Carly smoothed her hand over the fluffy comforter under her.  “I bet you’re tired.”

“I’m okay.”

The thought made Carly’s heart ache. She couldn’t imagine what Kammie was going through.

“Um … I’m kinda tired,” Carly whispered.

“Oh, yeah … right,” Kammie said quickly, her smile faded.  “Go ahead and switch the light off.” She pointed to the wall behind Carly.

Carly leaned forward, stretching her arm, she shut out the light. She felt horrible telling Kammie she was tired.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” Carly slid under the soft covers.

“No, I have three older brothers.”

“Good point.” Carly snorted a laugh. She was glad Parker wasn’t around to hear it. “I have one. I can’t even imagine having three.”

“Yeah, boys won’t talk to me and girls only pretend to be my friends so they can come over and flirt with my brothers,” Kamberlee’s voice lost its pep.

“I’m sorry.” Carly whispered those two little words she hated to hear herself, but there wasn’t anything better to say and she had to say something.

“Yeah, but I have a great family,” she sighed. “I’m lucky they care so much about me.”

“Yes you are.” Carly couldn’t agree more. She knew how much Parker cared about his little sister and if her other brothers were just as protective then she
was
lucky.

“Has Parker cooked for you yet?” Her voice came out sing-songy.

“What?’ She laughed. “Is that like, his thing, cooking for girls?”

Kammie giggled, “No, he’s an awesome cook. He kept us fed when mom was going through her chemo.”  Kamberlee’s voice began to slow down.

Carly felt warmth thinking about it.

Parker was as sweet as he let on at times, though it was apparent he didn’t want anyone thinking that about him. It only made her like him that much more.

Though Kamberlee had stated she wasn’t tired, Carly heard her breathing slow. As tired as she was she couldn’t believe Kammie fell asleep before her. She stared at the bookshelf where the moon shone and began counting the books. She was up to a hundred and not a quarter of the way through them. She wondered if Kamberlee had actually read them all.

Carly’s heart jumped when the door slid open. A shadowy figured sauntered in. It took her a second to make out the outline of his floppy hair in the faint light.

“Parker?” Carly whispered as the shuffling of feet on the carpet filled the air.

“Shhh, you’ll wake Kam,” he whispered lifting Carly’s covers up. Her heart fluttered smelling his spicy soap.

“My mom’s down the hall,” she whispered back, not that she didn’t want him there, she did.

Parker’s warm body slid beside hers. His silky basketball shorts rubbed against her bare leg.

“I set the alarm on my phone.” Heat radiated from his hand as he slid it across her hip, planting it in the middle of her back. “I just couldn’t sleep thinking of you in this bed all alone.” His voice was soft and raspy right before he pressed his minty mouth on hers.

She couldn’t hold back the giggles as she slipped her hands up his thin tee shirt and wrapped them around his neck.

He moaned before placing his forehead against hers. His lips curved up just enough for his dimples to appear.  

Carly giggled again.

“Parker, you’re gross.” Kammie’s voice erupted in the darkness as a pillow hit Parker in the back of the head.

“Parker’s not here. It’s only a dream,” he said in an announcer tone as his hand left Carly’s side to toss the pillow across the room.

“Go back to your room, Parker, mine’s a virgin,” Kammie whined.

Carly stifled a laugh into Parkers chest. His hand returned to her hip.

Parker tilted his head back just enough to give Carly his knee-weakening smile with the dimples.  His mouth came down on hers as he made exaggerated sloppy sounds.

“I’m serious. I’ll tell dad.”

Carly couldn’t believe how much Kamberlee sounded like her with Hudson.

“All right, we’ll keep it down,” Parker said, his grin not leaving Carly. He ran his hand up and down her side and slid his foot in between her feet.

“Parker.” Kamberlee sounded like a little mom when she warned him.

“Kam, we’re not going to take your room’s virginity.” He spoke over his shoulder.  “I just want to see my girl.” His voice was soft and it made Carly’s heart race. His hand was planted flat on her back as he pulled her closer.  His heart beat fast against her chest.

Parker kissed Carly’s cheek, the little bit of stubble on his face grazed over her skin. He let out a much quieter moan. “You smell so good,” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath sent goose bumps all over her.

“I was thinking the same about you,” she whispered playfully right back into his before sucking on his earlobe.

He let out what sounded like a growl before rolling her on her back. His mouth devoured hers.

“Parker,” Kamberlee groaned. “Control yourself or go back to your room.” 

Parker and Carly both erupted into a fit of giggles as Carly pressed her face into his soft shirt.

“All right, all right.” He slid off Carly leaving her body cold. He slipped one arm under her head and twisted her curls around his finger while he wrapped his other arm around her waist. He held her in a tight embrace against him, Carly’s arms pinned between them.

“Parker, I can’t move,” she whispered.

He let out that laugh sending more electricity to her already humming nerves. 

He moved away just enough for Carly to reach around him. Her ear pressed to his chest as he lay on his back embracing her like a cocoon.

Chapter 40

Parker

Parker felt honored to have Bree, Garrett, Nate, and Lexi all show up for the funeral. They shuffled in with warm smiles and greetings. Not only did they come up for the funeral, but they were at his house hours before it started.

After he introduced everyone, Bree turned to him, in her puffy black dress that floated when she walked and her hair in big giant curls. “Where’s Carly?”

Parker looked toward the staircase.

Bree rolled her eyes and tilted her head. “Duh … it’s Carly I’m talking about. It’s not noon.”

“She’s up,” Kammie chimed in, gaining everyone’s attention. Kammie smiled at Bree like she was her best friend. “She was getting in the shower when I came down.”

“I’ll go see if she’s done.” Kammie bounced toward the stairs.

“I’ll get her.” Parker strode past Kammie.

“Of course you will,” Kammie sing-songed then let out a giggle. Thankfully, the rest of the company had resumed their own conversations, because it probably didn’t sound good Parker was going to go check on Carly in the shower. She’d had to be done by now.

He could hear Bree and Kammie talking it up like they’d known each other all their lives.

It didn’t take him long to get to the bedroom and before he could even knock he heard Carly’s irritated voice. “I said I’m done. If you don’t leave me alone, I’ll tell Khloe everything.”

Parker fisted his hands at his sides.

“I told you I don’t want to talk to you anymore,” she clipped.

Parker’s heart bounced in his chest. He was ready to punch the guy. He started to knock on the door, it swung open on its own. She growled again, sitting on the bed, her hair was damp and she had on a sexy black dress. Parker’s heart sped up.

“I don’t have time for this.” Carly threw her phone across the room.

“What’d your phone do?” He forced a laugh but all he could think about was her and that dress … and that dress lying beside the bed.  The neckline came to a v between her breasts, making his blood pump even harder.

Carly shook her head up at him, crossing her legs.  Now he couldn’t stop staring at those legs … in that dress as it slid up her thigh.

“Jake … he won’t leave me alone.”

Okay maybe Jake wasn’t a bad subject to bring up, cause that helped Parker calm down.

“Do I need to beat the crap out of him for you?”

She giggled and shook her head. “No, I can do that myself.”

“You don’t know how hot that makes you right now.”

Carly’s smile tipped up more and her eyes narrowed. “Oh really?” She swayed her dangling foot back and forth and leaned back on her hands.

Parker looked at the door, then back at Carly.

“Snarly, you can’t do this to me right now. Our families are downstairs …”

She let out her giggle again that didn’t help the situation any. “What am I doing?” then her fingers ran across neckline of her dress.

Parker looked at Kammie’s bookshelf. He shouldn’t have those thoughts in his little sister’s room. He scratched the back of his head.

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop.” She stood to her feet and advanced toward him. She wrapped her arms around his neck.  “Thanks.”

“For what?” Parker’s voice was rough as his heart thundered. He placed his hands on the sides of her soft dress.

“For volunteering to stick up for me.” She stood on her tips toes. Her lips came close to his.

“You’re my girl, why wouldn’t I?”

She smiled before kissing him.

“Awe.” Two voices said in unison.  Parker removed his lips from Carly’s reluctantly and saw his sisters standing in the doorway with two giant smiles.

“That was so romantic,” Kammie gushed, all wide-eyed and metal-mouthed.

“What a sweetheart.” Bree dabbed the corner of her eye with her finger tip. Was she crying? Parker tilted his head and narrowed his eyes trying to decipher.

“I’ve already told my girlfriend, I’m not sweet or cute … we can add romantic to the list. If you need to describe me, I prefer manly and sexy.”

Kammie snorted. Parker glared.

“We aren’t talking about Garrett.” Bree lifted her eyebrows as she smiled.  Parker winced at the thought.

“Bree!” Carly let go of Parker. He hated she left him and headed toward Bree.

“Oh yeah, before I was distracted ... I was supposed to tell you Bree’s here.” Parker said as Carly and Bree hugged like it’d been months and not days since they’d seen each other. They squealed and did the girly-talk thing.

“I’m just going to … go downstairs where there’s a little more testosterone.”

“Oh my gosh, Parker, give it a rest. You’re sweet and romantic, it’s what girls want anyway,” Kammie huffed as she followed him to the door.

Parker didn’t really care what
girls
wanted. He only cared what Carly wanted.

Parker made it down the stairs and the minute he spotted his brother, he remembered Carly’s dress. If he loved it, he knew Spencer would be gawking at her a lot. It was going to be a trying day all around for Parker.

Spencer and Owen sat at the end of the dining room table entertaining Nate and Garrett. Parker could only imagine the conversation. Spencer and Owen—girls and booze, Nate and Garrett—bibles and Jesus.

Amy and Lexi seemed to be in a deep conversation with his grandma outside on the porch. Parker stared back up the stairs. Which conversation to join? He wasn’t sure he wanted in the middle of the Spencer-Owen versus Nate-Garrett conversation, but his brothers were sure to give him a hard time if he went outside amongst the women. He decided for the safety of everyone involved, and because he didn’t want Spencer looking at Carly when she came downstairs … which yes he realized was impossible … he stayed at the bar and snacked on the fruit bowl one of his father’s clients sent.