PARKER

The night time began off higher than I had hoped. Really, it began off fucking implausible. There was one thing totally different about Abbey tonight. It’s like a wall lifted, or a minimum of she’d begun to decrease a drawbridge for me to cross. It’s why I felt I may inform her that we wanted to speak. It additionally made me really feel snug sufficient to the touch her, pulling her near me, even with my household round.

“Dude, simply make sure you understand what you’re doing,” Drew pleads with me, his eyes over my shoulder in clear view of the dance flooring the place we left the remainder of the group.

Putting my hand on his shoulder, I reassure him, “Drew, I promise. I believe Abbey is able to admit there simply is likely to be one thing between us.”

“However it’s essential make sure,” he continues in a heartfelt plea. His eyes appear unsettled as they shift between me and the dance flooring. “Don’t get me flawed, Abbey shouldn’t be a recreation participant. She is who she is. . .” He tries explaining earlier than I interrupt.

“I promise. One thing is totally different along with her tonight. We talked a bit and agreed to determine issues out quickly,” I inform him as I flip my physique within the path of his focus. My gaze first lands on Rosie and Kelsea, their grins extensive as they bounce across the dance flooring with their arms raised above their heads. My eyes seek for Abbey’s face till they discover her. She’s grinning as she twirls in a circle, and a smile tugs on the corners of my mouth. Man, she is gorgeous. I take a step towards her and instantly cease midstride as I see an arm attain round her waist and pull Abbey’s physique towards his personal. It’s that Sebastian man. He leans ahead and whispers one thing in Abbey’s ear that causes her to throw her head again in laughter.

An audible “What the fuck?” slips previous my lips, and I start to step towards them, however a agency grip relaxation on my shoulder. “Don’t Parks, you’re about to make a mistake.” Drew’s voice is stern but sympathetic. After I look again at him, his eyes convey pity, and it solely pisses me off much more.

“It’s Seb, Parks. I can assure it’s nothing. Plus, you’ve had completely an excessive amount of to drink to do that tonight,” he continues.

Shaking my head, I shrug him off. I can solely hear the tiny voice in my thoughts whispering, “You’re a idiot,” and that’s what pushes me ahead. I don’t care what Drew says. I solely know that seeing Abbey with one other man’s arms on her makes me need to inflict the identical ache I’m feeling. To have somebody really feel the identical harm I really feel in the course of my chest. This tight ball of emotion blended with worry, self-doubt, and an uncontrollable anger.

“Parks! Don’t!” I hear Drew shout from behind me, however I don’t even look again.

As I wind my method towards the dance flooring, I go Jasper and Tyler. Each shout my title, smiling and lifting their fists for a fast bump. I go away them hanging with shocked seems on their faces. I do know they’re in all probability watching me, attempting to find out why the sudden shift in my temper. They do not know what’s going on, and albeit, I do know I’m an ass for leaving them confused. However my thoughts is barely on Abbey and the jealous sensation that’s burning by means of me. I watch as Rosie and Kelsea snigger their method off the dance flooring in direction of the women’ room.

Abbey’s again is to me, and she or he is swaying to the music. The best way her hips transfer brings me again to the night time I met her. The waves crashed towards the shore, her eyes shined from the bonfire glow. I needed her then, and I haven’t stopped wanting her since that night time.

The change of music brings me again to the current. I flinch when Abbey reaches for Sebastian and pulls him in direction of her. That is the exact second my eyes meet Sebastian’s gaze. His eyes shine with familiarity, at first, then widen when he realizes my method is something however pleasant.

Squaring his shoulders and releasing Abbey’s hand, he steps towards me. “Parker, how’s it goin’, man?” He questions, and I do know he’s attempting to warn Abbey. Her again isn’t to me for lengthy earlier than she whips round, a large smile throughout her face. When our eyes meet, her grin falls flat, and her gaze fills with a mix of confusion and apprehension. I look in Sebastian’s path then shortly again to Abbey.

Abbey steps nearer to me, reaching out to put her hand on my arm. “Parker, did one thing occur? Are you okay?” She sounds genuinely involved, however I can’t belief it. My delight feels too bruised for the time being to take heed to anybody or something apart from that little voice whispering, “I’m a idiot as soon as once more.”

I shortly lash out, “This isn’t some recreation anymore. No matter was occurring between us meant one thing to me. You warned me. My brother warned me. And I didn’t pay attention as a result of I let my emotions get clouded by my feelings and the chances I noticed for us.”

The phrases fly out of my mouth as if the dam holding all of it in simply broke. As I converse, I see Abbey’s expression change from confusion to harm to one thing I can’t fairly pinpoint, and I proceed with out care. “I believed you felt it, too.” Abbey’s entire physique stiffens.

“I used to be flawed. I don’t suppose you even know the way to let somebody love you…not to mention love another person.” She stares at me and flinches as if my phrases had been a slap within the face. I hear myself, and I do know I’m going too far. My abdomen is in knots. And the issue is, I fell in love along with her, and she or he didn’t fall in love with me, so who am I actually mad at right here…Abbey or myself?

Abbey lastly finds her phrases, her voice trembles as she shouts angrily, “You—Parker Nallen—are an asshole!” She takes a step again. “I…I…” she stammers, then instantly activates her heels and hurries by means of the group.

My physique is shaking as I watch her retreat. God, I’m an ass.

I nearly forgot Seb was standing there till he says, “You’re so flawed,” earlier than he turns and makes his method in the identical path as Abbey.

I discover the crowded dance flooring for the primary time since I stormed my method onto it. After I cease and have a look round, I discover all three of my brothers, together with Rosie and Kelsea, taking a look at me. Every of them with a mixture of totally different expressions, however the commonest one is disappointment.

In typical style, Ty speaks first, “Dude, I do not know what simply occurred precisely, however you’re a dick. I want one other drink.” He pushes his method by means of the group towards the bar. Jasper’s eyes meet mine, however he doesn’t converse. He follows Tyler towards the bar.

Drew is whispering one thing in Rosie’s ear. Her gaze by no means leaves mine, shock and disappointment flit throughout her options. Her voice is so mushy when she speaks that I barely hear her over the loud music, “I want to search out Abbey.”

“I’ll include you,” Kelsea tells her. She by no means seems in my path.

Instantly, I really feel a hand on my shoulder. It’s Drew. “You okay?”

I’m unhappy. It’s like all my feelings left me, and the one factor lingering is disappointment. “Ya know, Drew, I don’t suppose I’m. I don’t actually know what I’m proper now, however I have to get out of right here. I’m sorry I ruined your celebration.” He squeezes and releases me with a nod of understanding.

I start to stroll away, heading towards the exit of the bar, however earlier than I take various steps, Drew’s voice stops me. “Parks, I don’t know the way Abbey’s feeling about what’s occurred between the 2 of you. However I can say you dealt with that flawed, and also you’re flawed about Abbey. She loves fiercely.”

I don’t look again at him. I pause a minute, letting his phrases sink in, then I preserve transferring. I simply want quiet and house to suppose. To not point out, I have to sober up.

Nineteen

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