Parker’s eyebrows furrow. “Put it on you?”
“Yeah.”
“Can I touch you or…?”
I nod instead of answering with words, watching quietly as Parker gently takes the hoodie down from the hook and steps closer to me without touching. I lift my arms up and hold back a grin when Parker delicately tugs the sleeves down my arms, then grin like a lunatic when my head pops through the neck of the hoodie. A flush blooms across Parker’s high cheekbones as he stares at me, some emotion that I can’t parse now, but I hope maybe one day I’ll be able to.
“You’re adorable,” Parker says gruffly.
“It’s your hoodie,” I point out.
Parker sighs. “Yeah, that makes it even more adorable. Maybe tonight we can watchThe Gooniesagain. I kind of like it now, you know. Those kids are a bit like all of us.”
I snort as I follow Parker out to the garage. “Amazing. Maybe we should watch some other movies of that decade. I think you’dreallylikeThe Breakfast Club.”
“Why?” Parker asks as he uses his epic forearms to reach out to turn on the car.
“No reason.” He willloveJudd Nelson’s character. Pretty easy to call.
“If you say so, Mace.”
“I like that nickname because it’s cute, but also, isn’t that a pepper spray? I’m cute but also violent if I need to kill someone.”
“Very true,” Parker says amicably.
“You’re very agreeable today.”
“I’m preparing for Jacob’s wrath in ten minutes.”
“He won’t be mad at you,” I reassure Parker with a defeated sigh. “He’ll be mad atme.”
“It’s impossible to be mad at you.”
“Tell that to Reid,” I murmur under my breath.
The ride to the boys’ house is quiet except for the soft tones of the grunge music Parker prefers. I’ve never been much of a music guy, but his music is really starting to work for me. Mostly because it kind of reminds me of Parker, and I loveanythingthat reminds me of him. Sometimes when he’s gone to class or visiting Jacob, I’ll put on a playlist of the songs I’ve gathered over the past weeks and just think about Parker. What a lovely thing.
“Don’t let Jacob get to you,” Parker reminds me as we head into the house.
I hum absently and veer away from where Parker heads up the stairs, and instead head toward the perpetually warm living room, where it’s easy to spot Reid curled up in the chair by the fire. His sketchbook is in his hand like always, but he looks more tired than usual, his hair a little flatter.
“Still stressed out?” I ask while taking a seat on the sofa beside him.
Reid hums and scratches at the paper with his pinkie. “Would be easier if we were all under one roof.”
“Sorry, Reid, but it’s Parker’s decision.”
“I know,” Reid replies, which is a step in the right direction. No arguing means Reid’s not actually upset, perhaps he’s just sulking. “You’re here to grab the last of Parker’s stuff? Probably easier to live apart now that Robin has been MIA since Jacob got out of the slammer.”
“The slammer,” I guffaw.
Reid tosses a grin at me over his shoulder. “I’m the levity they need.”
“That you are.” I lean forward to peek at his sketchbook, but Reid hides it from me with a glare. “Just curious.”
“It’s not finished. Anyway, you know I never share my drawings.”
“You do with Dante.”
