“You guys ready to go?” he asked, walking into the living room. He grabbed the Ramcharger keys off the peg on the way by. “Is there a movie out you want to see? We can grab some pizza after or something?” he asked, following them down the stairs. Parker slid to a sudden stop when his brothers spun around to stare at him.
“Who are you and what have you done with our brother?” Liam asked in feigned terror.
“I think he’s running a fever as well. We’d better get him to the ER,” Ronan added and laid the back of his hand on Parker’s forehead.
“It could be an acute case of niceties brought on by an infusion of feminine wiles,” Liam responded.
“Fuck off,” Parker mumbled. He laughed as he shoved both of them out the back door.
Their visit with their dad went well. He was in really good spirits. The twins were impressed with how well he was getting around using his walker. Parker was positive he could hear a slight improvement in his speech. He even attempted a few slurred words.
With any luck, Finn could come home this fall. The idea both excited and terrified Parker. It would be amazing to have his father at home again, but he knew there were some major renovations needed on the apartment before that could happen.
Liam and Ronan were arguing over which movie to see in front of the theater when he finally heard back from Astrid.
Astrid: Sorry, fell asleep. How is your day going?
Parker: Good. We’re trying to decide what movie to see if you want to come.
Astrid: Rain check. I’m still pretty tired. I need to work on a paper tonight.
Parker: Okay. Do you want us to bring you some pizza later?
Astrid: No, I’m fine. Thanks.
“Is everything good?” Liam asked him.
“Yeah, here,” he said, fishing money out of his wallet. “I’ll see whatever you want. Get me a large ICEE and popcorn. With butter. Don’t forget the fucking butter.” He stared back down at his phone when his brothers wandered over to buy their tickets.
Parker: Are we okay? Have I done something irreparable this time?
Astrid: We’re fine, Parker. I just have some things I need to do.
Parker: That doesn’t sound like we’re fine. Can we talk about it?
Astrid: Later. I’ll call you.
Parker: That sounds like no.
Astrid: It’s not a no. It's a later.
Parker: Okay. Let me know if there’s anything you need.
Parker: Please.
He slid his phone into his back pocket when a giant ICEE was held out to him. With a sigh, he motioned for them to head into the movie. He would have to crawl on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness later. Tonight, he had promised his brothers a rare night out for the three of them.
He was still having a hard time grasping what he had done to make her this angry at him. Was it telling her she was the most beautiful woman he knew? Was it telling her exactly what he would like to do to her? Was it the ass slap? It didn’t matter, he would just have to do better in the future.
ChapterNine
Parker waiteduntil Tuesday evening for Astrid to call before caving. When his call went straight to voice mail, he turned to text messages. Every message he sent her was answered with the text equivalent of a grunt until it almost drove him out of his mind. He must have pissed her off worse than he thought.
By late afternoon he couldn’t stand it anymore. Her last text said she was sick.
Leaving Andrea in charge of the bar, he jumped in his SUV and headed to Astrid’s apartment. He pulled up outside shortly.
He pulled out his phone as he climbed the steps to the front door. As luck would have it, he met the guy from upstairs heading out for the evening. Recognizing Parker, he held the door for him.
