“Okay, let me give this a try.” Parker bobbed his head. “How about the part where you’ve earned many millions of dollars every year for almost a decade? Or the part where you’re not special because you pissed off the media. You’re just another dickhead player and if you wait five minutes, they’ll be back to licking your asshole.”
“Parker,” I gasped.
“No, he’s right about that,” Dex said.
“And I’m sorry you’re in pain,” Parker went on, “but you have access to the best healthcare in the world. If there’s anyone who has the resources to be well, it’s you. As far as your wife goes, I don’t know what to say, but there’s gotta be a reason you still call her your wife after all these years apart.”
“But what do Idowith myself now?” Dex asked, bitterness ringing through his words. “This is the only thing I’ve ever been good at.”
“How does anyone know what they’re supposed to do with themselves?” he replied. “How am I supposed to know? I hate the idea of going to college right after I graduate high school but what are my options? What else can I do? I know I’lldieif I stay in Friendship, shucking oysters and waiting tables. But college is expensive as hell and I don’t want to go into debt for a degree I might not use.”
“You don’t need to worry about that,” I said to him. “Don’t let money concern you.”
To that, Parker threw a handful of grass at me. “I’m not lettingyoudo that.”
“You should. I can easily afford it and—”
“No,” Parker yelled. “It has to end somewhere, Beck, and I guess it’s going to end with me. You’ve rescued us and bailed us out too many times. Just look at everything you’re doing right now for Mom and Dad. It’s too much and I’m not going to be another person who takes from you, who expects everything from you.” He shook his head, ripped up more grass. “No, that’s not how it’s going to be. If I decide to go to college, I’ll figure out how to pay for it.”
Dex jabbed a finger toward Parker. “The kid makes a good point.”
“Does he?” I asked, dropping down beside them.
Dex nodded, saying, “Yeah, but I’m going to need you to bail out my whole life. I didn’t really mean what I said before. If you don’t mind, I’ll end the cycle when we’re finished sorting out my shit.”
“Well,” I said with a sigh. “Mom is still a fugitive and there’s a good chance Dad will spend decades in prison.” I tossed a gnome carcass into the bushes. “It’s not like I’m getting out of this town anytime soon.”
Even as I said this, it tasted like a half-truth. But the other half wasn’t a lie, it was a betrayal—though I wasn’t sure who I was betraying, me or Sunny.
“You say that as if you’re not nauseatingly in love with Sunny and looking for any reason in the world to stay here past the summer,” Parker said. “Just work remotely, man. Everyone does it.”
“Is that how it is with them?” Dex asked him.
Parker bobbed his head, saying, “You know that’s Lance Du Jardin’s little sister, right?”
Dex turned to me, his eyes wide and his smile consuming his entire face. “The golden boy turns cradle robber,” he said. “And she’s your best friend’s baby sister? Shit. How are you still alive?”
“Well, he’s not talking to me.”
Dex glanced down at the grass stains on his shirt. “My life seems a lot less fucked up knowing that.”
I glared at Parker. “Thanks.”
“Hey, I’m just getting everyone up to speed on you and the child bride,” he replied.
“That’s it.” I pushed to my feet. “I’m getting the hose.”
“Settle down, settle down. No one is getting the hose,” Dex said. “I guess I should apologize for hitting on your girlfriend. I probably wouldn’t have done that if not for—”
“The drugs and alcohol?” Parker asked.
“Yeah.” Dex seemed to consider this. “And, you know, that people only like me because I can throw a ball, but I can’t do that anymore.” He waved that away, asking, “So, you’re gonna marry this one? Seal the deal this time?”
I rubbed at a tender spot on my jaw. There was going to be a bruise there soon. “Shut the fuck up.”
“Nah, I’m not so good at that game,” Dex said. “What’s the deal with your munchkin?”
“I don’t know where it’s going. Okay? We’re together right now. That’s all we know.” I glowered at him. “And don’t call her a munchkin. She doesn’t like people picking on her size.”
