Overcome (27 page)

“I know.” Parker spoke quickly waiting on his dad to dismiss him for the call.

But he didn’t. He reached down, touched the screen. It quit buzzing and he looked back up at Parker.  “So what about your year off then?”

“Well,” Parker’s hands were on the arms of the chair again. His knee continued to bounce. He didn’t know why he was scared to talk to his dad about this. “I kind of want to spend it in Cambrooke. Get an apartment there or something.” He waited for a reaction, but nothing came. He couldn’t even read his dad’s flat expression.  “I can still do business from there. On my computer and the dairy business has accounts there and I can commute if you need me up here for something.”

“You have valid points, but don’t you think moving a couple hours away for a girl, you haven’t known very long, extreme?” His words were slow and he made a teepee with his hands in front of his face.

“I love Carly and want to be closer to her, but that’s not the only reason I want to move. I want to be closer to my little brother, and help my sister.”

“Yes, but then you’d be closer to Mindy too.”

“I know. I thought about that, but I can ignore her.” Parker shrugged. “It’s not like she cares to have any of her kids around anyway. To her I’m just a convenient babysitter.”

The wheels on the chair squealed as Kurt pushed out of his seat. The phone buzzed and again he ignored the call. He grabbed the big orange stress ball off the edge of his desk and began kneading it while he paced. “You are 18. You don’t need my permission.”

“Yeah, but you’re my dad and I want your support.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean I don’t want you to be mad if I go.”

Kurt sat the ball back down and leaned against his desk. “Sorry.” He crossed his arms and stared at Parker like he was examining him. The phone buzzed, but he didn’t even turn to look at the caller this time. He cupped the bottom of his chin and continued with the staring. Parker looked down at his own hands. “You think you can get us some more accounts while you’re living there?”

“Yeah,” Parker whipped his face back up and nodded without hesitation.

“With the clients we lost because of that Haley drama, we could use some.”

“So, you’re going to help me?”

Kurt held his hand out, his palm facing Parker. “Now, only if you are working. I’m not going to allow you to slack off. But I will help you find a place and pay your deposits and first month on everything, after that, you’re going to have to manage the money you make. Math was your best subject, so I expect you’re more than capable.”

“I am. You know I am.” Parker rose to his feet.

His dad’s phone buzzed again and this time he turned away from Parker to glance at it. “I’ll schedule a time for us to go look at apartments next week.” He said reaching for his phone.

“Okay.” Parker rushed out before he could change his mind.

Chapter 55

Carly

“Carly, may I see you after class?” Those words filled her with immediate dread. She thought she’d been doing well despite the few weeks she had to spend in bed. Though she’d been slightly distracted by her tutor, he was very good at explaining things to her. She was so excited about her last test that the spit wad girl and the pervert with the body odor hadn’t even bothered her this week.

“Ooh,” the class jeered, almost in unison.

She curled her hands around the edges of her papers and tensed her shoulders. The days had only been getting warmer. In her science class, they built a portable air conditioner out of a Styrofoam cooler, a small fan and a frozen pack of water bottles. But it was the only room there was relief in.

Every minute that passed in class was comparable to twenty. Carly didn’t retain anything the teacher spoke. She paid more attention to the clock above his head. Being told by someone that they need to talk to you was the worst. She hated the time she had to wait until she could find out what it was. She’d rather they surprise her than let her go on replaying every possible situation in her mind. Did she fail that last test? Maybe she thought she understood but really didn’t. Was she not going to make up those credits and summer school was just a waste of her time?

Maybe spitball girl told a lie about her. She couldn’t remember doing anything wrong to her, though it took everything in her not to retaliate against her enemy.  Or did BO boy get her in trouble somehow? Certainly Mr. Green could tell she couldn’t stand the guy.

Then after what felt like an eternity, the class was dismissed, and with the ball of nerves bouncing around on the walls of her stomach she approached the desk where Mr. Green sat.

When he smiled up at her, she relaxed some. A smile meant she wasn’t in trouble, right?

He lifted a test up. The paper waved in the air.

A test, a teacher,
and
a smile, it had to be good news.

“I’m proud of you,” he said in time for her to get a glance of the red A at the top of the page. It was a test. That meant she hadn’t even had Parker’s help on it and she still earned an A. “Out of all the students this summer, you were my most determined and you succeeded. This is why I became a teacher to begin with, to see a young person grow into who they are meant to be.”

Carly was speechless as he placed the paper in her hand.

“Your work has definitely paid off, even with all the obstacles you’ve had to come through while working toward this goal. You’re strong. Keep this hard work and determination up, and I know you’ll do great things with your life.”

Air left Carly’s lungs and tears stung her eyes. No one had ever said anything like that to her before.

“You think?” Her words were thick in her throat and only came out a whisper. She pushed her hair out of her face as she tilted her head up from the paper, she still couldn’t get over—her an A—in a math class.

“Well, as long as you continue to work at it. If you slack off again then …”

“Thank you,” she gushed.

Mr. Green’s mouth twitched into another smile. “You’re welcome.”

She gazed back down at her A paper. She never knew how good it would feel to accomplish something she strived for, worked at.

The sun was bright and she dug her shades out of her purse while she crossed the scorching black top parking lot. Still in her good-grade daze. She stepped up to her car and reached for her door handle.

“Hey gorgeous.” She heard that deep raspy voice that made her stomach flutter. Jumping, only startled for a second she turned around. There sat Parker’s Jeep right beside her car. She couldn’t even believe she missed it. But she didn’t give herself time to think as she squealed and tossed her arms around his neck, bouncing on the balls of her feet.

“I thought you weren’t going to be here until this weekend,” she said, suddenly aware how sweaty she was from the sweltering school building. But she hadn’t seen him in over a week and she wasn’t letting go now.

His chest rumbled against her and he tilted his head down. His grin in his usual sideways smile. “I came to surprise you.”

She lifted her eyebrows, “I’m surprised. Oh, and guess what?” She let go of him long enough to dig out her test paper, thankful, though his hand stayed firmly planted on her side. The test was crumbled from being crammed in her purse, but it was still intact. “I got an A on a test!”  She waved it in front of Parker’s face.

“That’s awesome!” He snatched the paper from her and smiled at it, making her feel even better that he was proud of her. His arm tightened around her waist and he pressed a kiss to her cheek.

“I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Sure you could. You just needed a little nudge in the right direction.” He glanced over her shoulder toward her car. “I have another surprise; wanna leave your car here for the evening?”

“Um …” she turned toward her vehicle, and bit her bottom lip. “I kinda need a shower.”

He pulled her closer and sniffed, “You still smell fruity to me.” He nuzzled his nose into her neck. She giggled and gently nudged at his chest.

“Ugh, slut’s at it again.” Carly heard the grumbled voice of the dreaded spitball girl. She tensed.

“Ignore her,” Parker whispered in her ear before teasing her with another soft kiss just below it. “C’mon,” He turned and opened his Jeep door for her. Carly climbed in, whether she smelled like a locker room or not, he wasn’t going to change his mind.

Once Parker was positioned in the driver’s seat and driving down the road, he reached over, threaded his fingers through hers and brought the back of her hand to his mouth. 

The chicken picture, still on his dash, was beginning to ravel at the ends.

He didn’t speak much as he drove on, away from any of their usual spots. “What are we doing?” Carly glanced behind her as they passed the lake parking lot. If they were headed to the lake, why didn’t he park there? The only thing beyond this point were condo’s and apartment buildings.

“You’ll see,” he smirked toward her. His reflective shades now covered his eyes.

And then finally he pulled into the large parking lot of one of the tall apartments with a lake side view.

“Okay. Can you tell me what’s going on now?” She asked glancing up at it.

“Carly, you’re looking at my new home.” He said holding his hand palm up toward the building.

“What?”

“C’mon.” He climbed out of his Jeep, without giving her enough time to respond.

Carly wasn’t as quick as the wheels in her mind went around. His new home—just ten minutes from her—she could see him every day. Not just a couple days every few weeks.

“My dad and Kammie are helping me unpack.” He was on her side now, taking her hand in his.

“So this is for real? You’re not joking?” She bounced on her toes.

“Why would I joke about this?”

“Wait.” Carly stopped, jerking him into a halt. His lips and eyebrow raised on one side of his face when he looked back at her. “You didn’t do this just for me. Did you?”

He smiled again. “As awesome as it will be seeing you all the time, you aren’t the only reason I’m moving here.” He leaned closer to her, his lips hovering just above hers. His woodsy scent blew toward her in the breeze.

“Step away from the girl or die,” a rattely little voice spoke before letting out an evil laugh. Carly smirked and turned her head toward the speaker. Bryson stood in a pair of bright swim shorts and flip-flops. He had on reflective shades, just like his brother’s, and he held a water gun, aimed right at Parker.

“Looks like you have a little competition,” Carly giggled.

Parker smirked and opened his mouth to say something then Kurt’s voice bellowed across the parking lot. “Parker, get over here and help me move this furniture.”

Parker let go of Carly and turned toward Bryson, “You’re lucky this time.”

“No you’re the lucky one, buster.” Bryson waved the end of the weapon in a circle, with one hand. The other hand lifted his sunglasses and he gave Carly a wink. She couldn’t help but laugh.

“We need your muscles too,” Parker waved Bryson to follow as he jogged toward his apartment.

Carly took in a deep breath. She knew this day would come. She just hoped it would be a little bit longer. She took her time crossing the pavement, taking in the light breeze pushing off the lake. The way things were left between her and Kamberlee made her feel horrible. She hadn’t meant to come across the way she did. Really, it wasn’t that she was jealous of Kamberlee. She was jealous of Bree’s life without her.

The apartment was on the second floor. Parker, his dad and Bryson carried a wooden bed frame up the iron stairs. Carly stayed a few steps behind. She couldn’t help but notice how much more of the lake could be seen as she rose higher. He truly had an awesome view. She could imagine it this fall when the leaves changed and the air chilled. She’d wear her favorite sweater and they could drink warm apple cider while he helped her with her homework.

“Carly, you still back there?” She heard Parker call out. She felt her face immediately flush. She couldn’t believe she was thinking that far ahead with him, though she couldn’t imagine her future with him not in it now.  His face was obscured from her view by the giant furniture.

“Yes,” Carly said, “I’m right behind you.”             

“Move it, Parker, I’m not young anymore, you know.” Kurt grunted from the back.

Bryson meandered in the middle his hands supporting the bottom of the load.

Parker and Kurt had to lift it too high for Bryson to touch when they turned the corner of the stairs onto the cement path.

The first apartment door was open and they maneuvered in. Bryson had to move from his position to fit the frame through.

It was bright white and the apartment smelled like fresh paint. He didn’t have a lot of furniture, but cardboard boxes sat everywhere.

“Hey Parker, where do you want the cups again?” Kammie asked from the behind the counter separating the kitchen from the living area.  Her hair was a mess on the top of her head. She held a glass in each hand. Below her was the package they’d just been pulled out of.

“Just load everything new in the dishwasher.” Parker said as they traveled down the hall with their load, leaving Carly standing just across the bar from Kamberlee.

Kammie reached into the package to retrieve another cup. “Hi Carly.”

“Hey Kammie,” she responded and began to make her way into the tiny kitchen. “I’m sorry about before.”

Kamberlee didn’t look at her as she pulled another glass out.

Carly bent down to a large shopping bag and retrieved a box of bowls. She sat back on her heels and opened the package, removing the cardboard in between each bowl and setting them aside. “I didn’t mean anything. I was in a bad place and I know that’s not an excuse, because it was a rough time for you, but I want us to be friends.” Kammie didn’t say anything. Carly opened the dishwasher. She began to place the bowls between the white prongs.

“I don’t have many friends.” Kammie turned and placed the glasses on the top rack and Carly moved onto a box of silverware.

“I don’t either,” Carly said removing the packaging.

“Being your friend would be okay as long as you aren’t mean to me,” she spoke to the shopping bag as she pulled out the box of plates.

“That won’t happen again, I promise,” Carly said.

Kammie looked up and gave her a smile that nearly took up her whole face. “Okay, we’re friends then?”

Carly nodded, “Friends.” Then they were hugging and even though Carly was dreading it, she was happy to have it out of the way.

“I got it, dad.” Parker’s voice called from the hall bringing Kammie and Carly’s attention to him. “Hey, I’m glad you two are getting along again,” he smirked then placed his hands on his hips and scanned the room. “Now if I could only remember where I put that screwdriver.” He scratched the back of his head.

“Over there on the window sill.” Kammie shouted like it was a contest to see who could spot it the fastest.

His face brightened and he thanked Kamberlee before making his way back down the hall where his dad’s grumbling voice rambled on.

“Why didn’t your dad just hire movers to do all this?” Carly asked as she shoved the silverware into the dishwasher.

“He says it takes away from the experience and bonding time.” Kammie rolled her eyes as her dad shouted from the bedroom.

“Doesn’t sound like he’s enjoying this much.”

“Uh, probably not, but Parker’s probably getting a laugh out of it.”

*****

Carly sat on the small sofa, wedged in between Bree and Parker in the crammed room full of her peers. Nate stood upfront talking his normal chatter she’d heard at every youth function Bree dragged her to. She couldn’t believe that she talked her into this. If it wasn’t for Parker agreeing to come, she probably wouldn’t have. Her hand was intertwined with Parker’s on his knee. She only felt slightly awkward. It was church, sure, but it wasn’t like they were making out or anything, just holding hands.