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He grins when I hesitate. "It's just one question, Lana. How bad could the truth be?"
I lean back against the seat. "If I agree, what do I get in return?"
Parker laughs. "What do you want?"
"Stop hooking up with Nina," I tell him without thinking. And I'm not sure why this is my demand. I don't want him, and I'm not jealous of them. But it's something that's always bothered me. Perhaps because I know how toxic they are together, and I want better for Nina. And maybe for Parker too.
"Done," he answers immediately. "I'd actually already decided that earlier tonight, so your wish was kind of a waste. So that means I get to ask you anything, and you have to tell me the truth."
I exhale in resignation. "What do you want to know?"
Parker flashes me a wily grin. "I didn't say I was going to ask you now. I think I'll save it."
I roll my eyes. "You're so dramatic."
Parker laughs. "Always."
The streetlights of Sherling fill the darkness. Cars and buses pass on either side of us. Exhausted, I half-focus on the closed storefronts hidden by graffiti-tagged gates and the people loitering outside of the few bars that are still open.
Parker pulls into Stella's pocked dirt parking lot. I scan the cars in search of Joey's Jeep.
"He's not here," Parker assures me. "I texted him to go."
"Thanks," I say softly, unclicking the seat belt. "Well, I'd say it was fun, but it
wasn't."
Parker gives me a sympathetic smile. "I was serious earlier when I said I got you, Lana. I do. Anytime you need me, I'm here." He opens up his console and pulls out my phone. "You have my number now. Use it anytime."
"You hacked into my phone?" I narrow my eyes. He smiles wickedly. "You're trouble."
Parker smiles wider, not denying it. I realize a second too late that I'm staring at him, lost in his seductive smile. His hand brushes against my cheek, tucking loose strands of hair behind my ear. I pull away when his thumb caresses my lower lip.
He grins. "We will happen, you know."
I release an exasperated sigh. "Really, Parker?"
I shove open the passenger door with an annoyed grunt and slam it behind me. It's not until my bare feet make contact with the rocky ground that I remember my shoes are in his car. But he's already pulling away. I hold my hand up to stop him just as a truck pulls out and blocks me from view.
I tap on my screen to call him; it's dead. "Of course."
I delicately navigate the terrain on the balls of my feet, grimacing in pain with each stone-ridden step. I squeeze past the drunks waiting in line to get in and pop out on the other side with a heavy breath.
Tori and Nina are easy to find halfway down in a booth, giggling uncontrollably. Nina has her wet hair braided to the side while Tori's is pulled back in a knot at the nape of her neck. They look like they've had the best night. Their table is littered with a half-dozen plates of pie slices in various stages of consumption and a large red plastic cup of Coke in front of each of them. I consider leaving, not wanting to ruin it.
Tori stops laughing when I come to a stop next to their table.
"Lana! Holy shit, where the fuck have you been?" she exclaims, jumping out of the booth and wrapping me in a quick, tight embrace.
I hug her back, inhaling the sharp chlorine scent on her skin.
She steps back and scans me. "You look ... horrible!"
I blink.
"Omigod," Nina gasps. "What happened to you? Did you get in a fight?"
I stare at her, confused. She's staring at my chest.
