Overcome (21 page)

“Mom.” Bree didn’t hide the disdain in her voice when she spoke.

Mindy coughed again then yelled over her shoulder. “Bryson, I’m not going to tell you again to turn that down!” She whipped her head back around. Parker didn’t know why it shocked him she was more interested in him than in her granddaughter in Bree’s arms. She smiled at Parker, “You and the baby daddy break up?” She brought the cigarette to her mouth.

“Garrett and I are still together.” Bree said through a gritted smile. “This is Parker.”

More lines formed around Mindy’s eyes as she stared at him. Placing her cigarette hand on her hip, she tilted her head.

“Your firstborn,” Bree’s voice was flat when she spoke.

“Well, no way.” Mindy’s eyes widened. “It is you!” she reached her hand to his cheek.

“Mom, can you put the cigarette out? I don’t want Bailey-”

Mindy rolled her eyes and frowned at Bree. “Always the drama queen.” She stubbed her cigarette on the door jam and flicked it in the desolate flower bed.

When neither Parker nor Bree spoke again or made another sound, Mindy waved her hand toward her. “Come in.”

Parker took his cue from Bree, waiting on her to walk in first. She followed Mindy, who screamed at Bryson for having the television too loud again. “You all wanna beer or something?”

“No,” Bree looked up at Parker with an eye-roll.

“What about you, son?” Mindy looked over her shoulder as Bree and Parker made their way around the sofa.

“No thanks.” Parker sat the pink bag beside him when he took a seat by Bree on the sagging couch.

“Oh, where did I go wrong?” Mindy let out a raspy cough. Her beer hissed as she cracked it open.

“Mom,” Bryson whined as he turned around from his place in front of the television. He was in a pair of stained athletic shorts and no shirt. “Bree!” his eyes lit up and he darted to her.

“So now that the witch is dead, you’re allowed to see me?” Mindy waved a silver beer can at him, and sat in the worn recliner.

Parker looked at Bree before replying. “My mom has nothing to do with my visit.”

Mindy let out her raspy smoker’s cough again with a chuckle. “So she
was
delusional enough to think you belonged to
her
.”

“Mom,” Bree shook her head. “Whatever problems you had with Linda, now isn’t the time for it.”

Parker tried to get comfortable as springs poked him through the cushion.

“What’s her name?” Bryson climbed beside Bree.

“This is Bailey.”

Bailey was cradled in Bree’s arms, her hands in fists under her chin and her little pink lips moved like she was suckling.

“Why’s she doing that with her mouth?” Bryson sat on his knees beside Bree and leaned over her lap.

“She’s dreaming that she’s eating.” Bree smiled down at Bailey. This made Bryson laugh.

He was different than the last time Parker saw him. He was still filthy, but he seemed more his age with Bree.

Mindy tipped her beer back. “Just to get the record straight, I’m way too young to be called grandma.”

When Bryson noticed Parker sitting beside Bree, he tilted his head.  “Hey, I know you, you’re Carly’s boyfriend.”

“You’re dating Carly Ley?” Mindy let out a slow laugh as she grabbed a cigarette from her pack.

“Mom, please don’t smoke,” Bree said.

“We broke up.” Parker bounced his knee.

Mindy laughed again, replacing her cigarette back in the smashed pack it’d come out of. “I figure ol’ Scotty Ley would be chasing you off. He didn’t like me much, always thought his wife was cheatin’ on him if she was with me.”

Bree let out a groan that Parker was sure Mindy didn’t hear. “Mom, do you want to hold Bailey?”

Parker was thankful for the subject change, but he wasn’t sure he’d let Mindy hold his baby if he had one.

Mindy sat her beer on the coffee table piled with magazines and junk mail and a few overflowing ashtrays. She held out her hands.

“Bry, you met Parker?” Bree placed Bailey into Mindy’s arms. Bailey made a squeak.

“She’s a cutie,” Mindy said, surprising Parker. “Of course, all my babies are cute.”

“Yeah, he hooked me up with some grub.” Bryson leaned back into the couch.

“Yep, grilled ham and cheese,” Parker said.

Bree eased back down between them and put her arm around Bryson. He leaned into her and placed his cheek against her shoulder more like he was her child than her brother.

“Did you know Parker’s your brother?” Bree whispered.

Bryson lifted his head and studied Parker for a minute, lifting one eyebrow like Parker always does. Bailey let out a wail.

“All right, time to go back to mama.” Mindy held her grandbaby out at arm’s length.  Bailey’s legs dangled and her face turned pink as she cried.

Bree shot up and collected her from Mindy.

“Well, it’s been great catching up with you all,” Mindy rose to her feet, like she’d just been visiting with old friends not her children she never sees. “I’ve got plans tonight, so …” she tilted her head for a second. Her hand was planted her hip. “Hey, I know, why don’t you take Bryson and have some brother bonding time or whatever?” She smiled at Parker.

Parker’s gut twisted. He’d take Bryson forever if he could. Bree looked at Parker and rolled her eyes again. Bailey still cried in her arms and she had her back turned toward Mindy.

“Sure, he can hang with me tonight,” Parker said.

“Really?” Bryson bounced on the couch.

“Perfect.” Mindy placed another cigarette in her mouth. Bree glared at her. “I know, I know. I’m going outside, little miss perfect mommy,” Mindy huffed as she headed to the door.

“What’re we going to do?” Bryson bounced some more.

“First, if you’re going with me, you need to put on a shirt, cause you’re going to make me look bad with those guns.” Parker ruffled Bryson’s greasy hair.  First thing he needed to do was get the kid a bath and some new clothes. Though Parker was a little concerned that Mindy would just let anyone take off with him. She definitely hadn’t changed.

Chapter 45

Carly

“Carly!” Her mother’s voice was in that scolding tone. Carly brought her head up from the algebra work that was making her head spin. Amy’s heels clicked as she made her way down the hall. Her lips pinched like she’d just eaten something sour. “You double booked us.” She waved a paper in the air.

Carly’s eyes widened when she realized what her mother was talking about. It was the night Parker came back.

Amy slammed the papers down on top of Carly’s homework. “I really thought you were finally growing up.”

“Mom, I’m-”

“I don’t want to hear it. I asked you if you could handle this. These are very important clients and I don’t have time to …” Amy pushed hair that had fallen out of her bun to reveal her hardened face.

“Mom …” Carly’s heart raced. “I … I didn’t mean …”

“Just go home.” Amy shook her head and placed her palm flat on her forehead. “I have to figure out how to fix this.”

“But …” Any other time Carly would have been thrilled to go home early. But things changed this summer and she
was
trying.  Why couldn’t anyone see that?

“I knew I shouldn’t have put you on the front desk.”

Amy pushed Carly aside with her hip. “Get your stuff out of my way. Go home and work on your homework, where you should be working on it anyway.”

Carly didn’t attempt to speak again. If she did, tears might start up. She closed her book, and turned to the cabinet where her backpack hung.

“Of all things I have to deal with today …” Her mother grumbled under her breath as she typed wildly into the computer.

It seemed like the only talent Carly had was screwing things up. Why should anyone expect anything else from her?

She flipped the purple backpack over her shoulder, slipped her feet back into her shoes and stalked out of the hotel, not even looking back to tell her mother bye.  

The overcast sky did little to help her blurred, teary vision as she hurried out. She stared at the blacktop. The way to her car wasn’t fast enough.

“Carly!” she ignored the familiar voice behind her, taking long, quick strides. Why was he back? She thought she’d made it clear to him she didn’t want what he wanted.

“Carly wait!” Despite her legs moving as fast as they could, the voice was getting closer.

His large hand clamped around her shoulder, stopping her from going any further. She wiped the tears from under her eyes.

“You’re not even going to talk to me now?” His voice was low and scratchy.

Carly shook her head, it wasn’t that she wouldn’t, but she couldn’t. Not now.

“Are you all right?” He spoke a little softer and stepped around her. She watched his feet, in fraying brown flip-flops as he stood parallel to her. His hands were on her arms like they were the day she left him.

Parker whispered something she couldn’t understand then she heard Bryson’s voice.

“Give me a minute, bud,” Parker said.

Carly blinked and her shoulders tensed. She hated the butterflies that danced in her stomach with Parker near.

“No.” She finally looked. Her heart jumped when her eyes met his. The first thing that she noticed was she could actually see them. His hair had been trimmed, the back was short stubble and the top was a little longer, but his bangs were cut close enough she could see his face.

“Are you crying?” Bryson asked from beside Parker. Carly looked down at him staring up at her with big brown eyes that matched Parker’s. He had a similar haircut and he was cleaner than Carly had ever remembered. He was dressed like Parker too, in plaid shorts and a light blue tee shirt.

“No,” she knelt down beside him, forcing out a smile. “You’re looking good.”

He puffed out his chest as if he was making himself bigger. “I know.” He grinned up at Parker, who winked back at him and ruffled the top of Bryson’s head.

“Why don’t you go hang out in the lobby for a minute. I’ll be in soon.” Parker’s voice was still scratchy.

Bryson lifted an eyebrow and twisted his lips sideways. “Are you sure you’re not crying?” He glared up at Parker.

Carly giggled. “I’m not crying.”

“He may be my brother, but I can still whoop him.”

“Dude.” Parker turned toward him with a chuckle, “You’re supposed to be my wingman.”

“Parker didn’t make me cry.” Carly pressed her lips to Bryson’s cheek, which made him smile wide. “My mom’s in there. Maybe she’ll hook you up with a sucker or something.”

“Really?” He perked up and ran for the big hotel doors.

Carly stood, but avoided Parker’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I should be asking you that,” she shrugged.

“I’m fine. I’m not the one stalking through the parking lot in tears.”

“I wasn’t.” Carly swallowed the lump in her throat.
I’m a horrible person.
“I have homework to get to and you have … Bryson …” she stared back at the hotel. “How did that happen anyway?”

“Reuniting with Mindy.” He ran his hand over his head. “She needed a sitter.”

“Bryson needs someone like you in his life.”

“That’s why I’m here.” He held his arms out. She didn’t know why that made her heart ache. She’d given him no reason to come back for her. Why would she think that he would? She didn’t even know if she wanted him to.

“Yeah, um …” she pointed behind her. “I need to go.”

He scratched the back of his head and one half of his mouth tilted up in a smile. Her traitorous stomach twirled and warmed. “I plan on staying a couple days … if …you still need help with your homework.”

“Thanks, but I,” she gripped her back pack strap. “I think I got it. I’ll see you around?”

He glanced over her shoulder to her waiting car. “Yeah.” His voice didn’t hide his disappointment.

Just add some salt to that wound, would ya?
She side-stepped around him and he moved out of her way. She climbed into her car, though she knew her hopes for concentrating on her homework were useless.

Chapter 46

Parker

Parker wasn’t sure what to expect when he saw Carly. He knew it was going to happen. He thought about trying another hotel, but most don’t let those under twenty-one check in. The only reason he was able to at Carly’s hotel was because he knew Judd.

Bryson was sitting on the old fashioned maroon sofa in the lobby. A sucker stick poked out of his mouth, his feet were propped under him as he stared up at the blaring television.

Carly’s mom and Judd stood huddled around the computer at the front desk. Parker stepped toward them.

“Amy,” Judd’s voice pleaded softly. Parker wished he would have missed the concerned tone in his voice.

“Not now, Judd, I have to deal with this double booking before I can deal with anything else,” she said in a rush as her fingers attacked the keyboard.

Judd reached his hand toward her when his eyes connected with Parker, he lowered it. “Parker.” He nodded.

Amy glared at Judd before she faced Parker. “Did you need a room again?” He didn’t miss the forced smile on her face. The same smile Carly was wearing just a minute ago.

“Uh … yeah.”

“Hold on just one second.” She held her pointer finger up. She punched into the keyboard then looked up at Judd and moved aside. “I’ll finish fixing this in my office.”

Judd wore a frown and his brow was wrinkled as he watched her shuffle off.

“Carly’s mom!” Parker leaned across the counter and whisper shouted. “Carly’s mom is the gir … um … woman you’ve been seeing.”

Judd’s eyes were the size of golf balls when he turned back around.

“She’s married … and she’s a … she’s a mom,” Parker wrinkled his nose, “and
your
boss.”

“Shut up,” Judd spoke through gritted teeth. “Mind your own business.” Judd looked over Parker’s shoulder like even if someone was there they would hear over the loud television. “How long are you staying this time?”

Parker glanced at his little brother. He wasn’t sure how long he was staying. He’d only planned on visiting for the day until … “Just tonight, for now.”

As Judd typed into the computer, Parker’s gut twisted. Did Carly know? Was that what she was upset about?

Judd didn’t look up, nor did he say anymore than he needed to as he checked Parker in. But when he handed Parker the key cards he stared at him with a clenched jaw, holding onto the cards. “Don’t say anything,” Judd’s voice clipped in a raspy warning.

“I won’t.”

“Not even to your girlfriend, Carly.
Especially
not to Carly.”

Parker’s heart rose to his throat. Carly wasn’t his girlfriend, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak it.

“Okay,” Parker nodded. This seemed to appease Judd because he finally let go of the cards.

“Bry, let’s go.” Parker nudged his head toward the hall. Not only had he bought Bryson better clothes that actually fit, he also got him a pair of swim shorts to hang out in the hotel pool. He wasn’t sure the last time Bryson went swimming. He wasn’t going to let something stupid like Judd and Amy spoil the night … he couldn’t stop thinking about what that would do to Carly. Sure it wasn’t a secret her parents didn’t get along or anything, but for her to have an affair with a guy that was her employee and wasn’t much older than her own son.

*****

Bryson grew quiet when they headed toward his home. Parker didn’t want to drop him off again. He thought Bryson was going to cry when he dropped him off the night before, but Parker hadn’t planned on staying another night and he wanted to get headed back home before it was late.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” Parker pulled the Jeep up to the curb.

Bryson didn’t say anything, only nodded. His feet made a thump as he hopped out of the vehicle, and Parker couldn’t leave him like this. He climbed out and walked beside Bryson as he stalked down the sidewalk. They weren’t even halfway to the door when the shouting and cursing started to seep outside.

Bryson hesitated a step. Parker knelt down beside him. Bryson glanced at the ground. Before Parker could speak, the front door swung open, making the screaming even louder.

Parker glanced up. A short skinny red-head in a pair of pants way too tight, stalked out of the house.
Maggie.
Her face was toward the phone cradled in her hand. She kicked her leg back, slamming the door behind her. Her hair bounced when she descended the two small steps, nearly knocking into Bryson. “Watch it, snot-breath,” she sneered, her eyes still focused on her cell.

“Do you know we have a brother?” Bryson said.

She stopped, looked up and blinked rapidly. Her mouth made a smacking noise as she chomped on her gum.

“This is Parker.” Bryson smiled up at him.

“Hey.” Parker waved and cringed when she glanced his way. Thick black lines outlined her eyes. Her lashes were just as dark.

Her lips smacked again and she rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” Then she turned back to her phone and stalked off.

“Maggie’s not nice.” Bryson wrinkled his little nose. “Not like Bree.” Bryson’s voice got quieter and the shouts inside grew louder. “I wish Bree lived here.”

Parker’s heart clenched and Bryson blinked at him with teary eyes. There was no way he could leave him now. “Have you ever gone night fishing?”

“No.”

If he kept Bryson for a couple more hours he was sure Mindy wouldn’t miss him.