“Shut up!” I whine, throwing a punch at his chest and immediately shaking my hand out after. “Ow,” I say, cupping it with the other. “What, are you Iron Man, now?”
“Pure steel, baby.” He puffs his chest. “Had a lot of time to work on myself, you know?” His lips curve into a mischievous grin, but my own smile fades and tears prick my eyes as guilt begins to blanket me.
“Oh, come on.” He nudges my shoulder gently. “Don’t be like that. It’s just a joke.”
“Well, it’s not funny.” I swipe at the corners of my eyes before a tear escapes. He chews on his cheek a moment.
“It’s a little funny,” he says, and I scowl at him. “Tiny bit?” He squints at me while holding up his thumb and forefinger to show a small amount of space. I scowl harder, and he lessens the space between his fingers. “Itty bitty amount?”
I almost laugh at the high-pitched tone he uses, but I purse my lips together to hide it.
He accepts it as enough of a victory. “Alright, come on.” He spins me around and props me under his arm. “Let’s go get a beer. Youdodrink beer, right? You’re, like, tall enough or whatever?”
“Yes,” I sigh with a smile.
“Oh, good, because I’m parched. Haven’t had a drink in five, almost six, years! Whew!” He teases, and I elbow him in the ribs. He grabs at his side.
“Ow!” He winces, and I chuckle. “You got stronger, that’s for sure.”
“Strong enough to defeat you?” I smile mockingly, looking up at him.
“In your dreams, Lana Lane.” He grins. Then he pushes the exit door open and leads us out into the warm Austin air where we walk the whole way arm in arm.
We spent the afternoon grabbing a quick lunch and a celebratory beer before I gave him the mini tour of my UT life.
I showed him my apartment, the building where I used to dorm, and the library I spent nearly every free moment at—until recently, that is—but I left that part out.
We made it to dinner with Lia and her family, who were all so pleased to meet Parker, though I barely knew them myself. It was refreshing in a way that made me almost feel normal.
Parker and I went home then, and I filled him in on everything he missed—what my last year of high school looked like. Who I went to prom with. How Jamie helped me find a dress and get ready. The air became heavy at the mention of her name, and he grew deeply silent.
“You haven’t seen her yet, have you?”
He shakes his head. “No, I haven’t seen anyone. I got out two days ago, bought a suit and a plane ticket, and here I am.”
My heart falls like a wilted flower. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I thought you had two weeks left.”
“I did. Got out early on good behavior.” His lips pull into a grin, and I give him a questioning glare. “Nah. Over populationandgood behavior. But it was more the first one.”
I nod. “Well, I’m still sorry I wasn't there. I planned on heading home next week.”
“Yeah, I gathered that from all the boxes.” He looks around the room and sighs. “Why are you going back?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean…” He shifts from his spot on the living room floor. “What are you going back for? You did it. You got out. There’s nothing left for you there.”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t gonna leave you there alone. I wasn’t gonna let you come home to, I don’t know, whatever’sleft. Not after…” I trail off, my throat tightening around the words. “Not after what you did for me.”
P walks over to the couch and sits beside me. “Alana, I did what I had to do. It was my job to keep you safe, and I failed. There are consequences to that.”
“What are you talking about? It wasn’t your fault, it was mine. I’m the one who made the mistake. I’m the one who put you there.”
“Lana, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Yes, it was!” My throat ripples around a swallow, that prickly sensation I’m all too familiar with pinching at my eyes.
“No,” he says, taking my hand in his. “It wasn’t. Jesus, have you thought it was all this time?”
