“Yes. We”—I wave a hand—“would hook up when he would come visit for the summers.”
Ivy’s jaw drops. “Summers? As in plural?”
“I knew you two had some kind of history.” Dakota places the carton back into the fridge. “Makes so much sense now.”
“So was this just a hookup or…?” Ivy trails off.
“No. I don’t know. I thought it was more.” My throat swells with emotion. “He made it clear it wasn’t.” I shrug. “You’ve seen the pictures withher.”
Dakota glances at Ivy. “Tori?”
“Yeah.” Just hearing her name makes my chest ache.
“I don’t think Parker is reallywithher,” Dakota adds.
I jerk my gaze to her. “Are you serious? He’s been with her for the last seven years. What do you mean he’s not with her?”
My voice rises, and Ivy’s eyes widen.
“Laiken, I think she means something seems off with them. I mean, you would think after this long, he would at least want to marry her or something. I’ve never seen a ring.”
“I know what it looks like.” Dakota reaches for my hand. “But even Cooper thinks there is more to the story. He doesn’t love her, Laiken. It’s plain as day.”
“He doesn’t look at her the way he looks at you,” Ivy adds.
“And how does he look at me?” I hiss. “With pity? Poor Laiken got dumped, then knocked up by the biggest lowlife in town.”
“No.” Dakota settles back in her chair. “He looks at you like he’d rope the moon if you asked him to. If you just said the word, he’d give you anything you ever wanted.”
“I see it too, Laik. Last night.” Ivy shakes her head. “He was devastated. I’ve never seen Parker like that. He always has his shit together. He was helpless watching you cry.”
Frustration roots deep. “If he wanted to give me everything, he wouldn’t have let me see his hard launch with his new girlfriend on live television instead of telling me to my face. He didn’t even end it. He just…left.”
Tears prick my eyes, but I blink them away.
“Maybe you should talk,” Ivy suggests.
“We did. Last night,” I deadpan.
“I wouldn’t consider that talking.” Dakota flinches slightly. “I’m not taking his side. I’m always team Red. But I think if you want to move on, you need closure.”
Closure. Is that what I really want? To close the door completely? If I let go of the anger, what’s left? Nothing. No remnants. No memories.
I’m not sure I’m ready for that.
“I don’t know if I can,” I croak.
A knock sounds on the cabin door. Three raps. The first hard, the following two softer. Somehow, I know it’s him. Even through the sheetrock, insulation, and wooden beams, I canfeelhim.
Ivy peers over my shoulder before she meets my eyes. “Looks like this is your chance.”
Chapter twenty-two
Parker
The door to Maddox and Ivy’s cabin opens, and my cousin meets me with an empathetic gaze.
“Hey, Ives.” I clear my throat.
