God bless hot coffee.
Opening the book toPersuasion,I flip to where Captain Wentworth’s letter is penned across the page. I breathe through a sharp twinge in my pelvis and continue the story—one that promises the happy ending I’m beginning to fear my life will never have.
How could it without them?
ChapterFour
Jack Parker
Play:Fat Lip by Sum 41
Whoever said that there’s nothing more beautiful than Boston in the fall has never actually been to Boston in the fall. They probably saw a postcard of the George Washington statue in Boston Common with a bright blue sky and yellow trees behind it and considered it idyllic. But that postcard is a damn lie because all it does in September and early October is fucking rain.
Headlights streak down the winding paved cow paths we call streets and spray the puddles on the poor bastards who are still out at this ungodly hour.
With a decided wobble, I stumble on the sidewalk, eliciting a groan from Captain Party-Killer, Grady O’Callaghan.
He levels a stare at me, and I snicker at the role reversal. Good. After all the times I hauled his humongous frame around campus, he owes me a few more nights of being the frustrated, responsible one. Probably not too many more at this rate, but a few, anyway.
Drinking my feelings for Aulie Desfleurs away didn’t work out as well I hoped tonight.
Fuck. They’re still growing stronger, like she’s a goddamn sorceress who stole my heart for her collection a long time ago.
Maybe she did. Maybe the sweet, innocent persona that I eat up every time I’m around her like a man starved for scraps is all a ruse. Maybe when I’m gone she whispers incantations over my long-lost organ and that’s why nothing I ever try will release me from her grip.
There was a time when drinking her gone actually worked and giving into other vices and impulses made it possible for me to stay away from my ultimate vice—her.
But now, after a month of her taking care of me and having the audacity to be lung-grippingly gorgeous the entire time—I’m officially done for.
Of course, I’ll never act on it. My friendship with Gus, and honestly, with Aulie, is too important for me to risk on something I’m bound to screw up anyway.
“Come on, Parker. Stand up straight.” Grady sighs, wrapping my arm over his shoulders and saving me from toppling to the ground.
Water beads down his face, flattening his curly mess of long-blond hair. Some strands stick to his forehead and cover the scar that’s a relic of the first time we got drunk together. Apparently, Grady needs someone whispering “maybe you shouldn’t” or he does things like smash a glass bottle to his forehead.
Between that and when he tried to cowboy a Swedish defenseman during the Olympics, barreled headfirst into the cot and dislocated his shoulder, he’s had to learn to become responsible or stop playing hockey.
Giving up the sport isn’t an option for either of us. It’s in our blood. As much as being the serious fuddy-duddy goes against all of his DNA and impulses as well.
“Seriously,” he grunts. “I only looked away for two seconds. How did you get like this?”
“I don’t know. Some women wanted to take shots with the star forward of the Brawling Badgers andIron Inspiration’scenterfold. How could I say no?” I say, hopefully presenting evidence that will appeal to the sliver of Grady that’s still fun.
“Uh-huh, and how many times did that happen?”
“Mmm. Six or seven…maybe ten times? I don’t know. But have you seen the picture?”
“Yeah, totally fuckable. I get it,” he says in a disinterested tone. So only boring Grady is going to exist tonight. Got it.
A group of women passes us, huddling under an umbrella and giggling.
I straighten slightly and wink at them.
“We loved the photo shoot, Parker. My friend needs a stripper for her bachelorette party if you want to join us!” one woman shouts.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you said that!” A blonde woman with a sash playfully swats at her emboldened friend as they walk further away. “You’re so bad.”
Huddled laughter continues as their heels splash along the cobblestoned sidewalk.
