Leave the Lights On Read online

  “Shit, no. Chrissie’s fucking great. Except for her taste in guys.”

  “She had enough good sense to avoid you.”

  “Much to the delight of every other woman on the planet.”

  “You haven’t been with every other woman.”

  “Yet. Working on it.” And he was. An endless stream of women paraded in and out of their dorm.

  Parker couldn’t even imagine it. In his mind he might as well have already been married. Not that he didn’t look at other women, but he knew he loved Chrissie and wasn’t about to risk what he had with her for a night of fun.

  “She’d never find out.” Joey would tell him.

  “Wouldn’t matter. I’d know.” Lying wasn’t something Parker was good at and that wasn’t a characteristic he was looking to change.

  “You don’t know what you’re missing, buddy.”

  That part was true. Truer than Joey even knew. But Parker stayed loyal.

  By the end of their junior year in college, he was getting anxious to get on with his life. Scouts were coming to all the big spring games, and he knew he’d caught the eye of several. He and Joey were on the short list for several recruiters, and it was just a matter of time. Everything he wanted was so close he could taste it.

  He’d come back to his dorm after three weekends in a row of away games, anxious as hell to finally spend some time with Chrissie. Seeing her sitting on his bed, waiting for him, he’d been so happy to be in the same room with her again it had taken him a minute to notice the look on her face. He pulled her into a kiss, surprised when he realized her face was damp with tears.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, wiping beneath her eyes.

  More tears spilled out of her, and Parker felt a pit growing in his stomach.

  “Sweetie, what is it? Talk to me.”

  Chrissie bit her lip, unable to look at him.

  Parker’s heart beat faster as he rubbed her hand.

  “I’m so sorry. I never meant for it to happen.” She looked up at him, her big blue eyes still streaming tears. He saw sorrow and pity and fear. Tension knotted its way through him.

  “Meant for what to happen?” He held still, not sure he wanted to hear the answer.

  She dropped her gaze and her voice became a mere whisper. “There’s someone else.”

  The words hit him like a punch, knocking the air out of him, but he was sure he must have misunderstood.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, his throat so tight he could barely swallow.

  “I met him in class a few months ago. I didn’t mean for it to be anything but a friendship, but you’ve been away so much and…” She bit her lip again and took a deep shuddering breath. “It just happened.”

  “What did?” Maybe they just went out on a date. Maybe she means she made out with him once, I could live with…

  “Parker, I’m marrying him. I’m pregnant.”

  Although a million thoughts jumbled around in his brain, not one could find its way past his lips. All he could do was stare at her.

  She looked the same as always. Blonde curls tumbling over her shoulders, satiny cheeks rosy and flushed, tiny hands resting innocently in her lap. Perfect as a porcelain doll. Then she looked at him again, eyes rimmed with red and filled with the now-nauseating mix of pity and sorrow.

  “Pregnant?” The word sounded so foreign coming out of Parker’s mouth that he wasn’t sure he’d pronounced it right. “With his kid?”

  “I’m sorry.”

  The tingling numbness of shock ebbed, replaced by the searing heat of anger. Parker backed away from her on the bed, not wanting to be close to her but unsure if he could stand. Acid that had been pooling in his stomach surged up his throat high enough that he could taste the bitterness.

  “Sorry? You’re sorry?” His hands clenched so tightly his arms ached.

  “I am.” She reached for him, her hand grazing his shoulder before he could pull away. Her touch, familiar for so long, felt foreign. An unpleasant reminder rather than a caress. “I didn’t mean…”

  “To fuck someone?”

  Chrissie flinched as if he’d slapped her. “It wasn’t like that…”

  “So you didn’t fuck him? This was an immaculate conception?”

  “I mean, I just—”

  Parker found the strength to stand and paced the length of the room, his hand raking through his hair as he tried to contain his thoughts. “And you’re marrying him?” He stared at her, still not believing that her answer could possibly be yes.

  She held his gaze for what seemed like an eternity. He watched in awe as she nodded. “I love him.”

  That did it. Every bit of self-control drained out of him, and all he felt was anger. “Get out.” He strode to his door and held it open, gripping the knob so hard it occurred to him it might snap off in his hand.

  Chrissie appeared to be moving in slow motion as she gathered her purse and keys. She paused in front of him. “I wish there was something I could say—”

  “Yeah, well, there’s not. Just go.”

  He watched as she walked out the door, wanting nothing more than to slam it, but the damned spring hinge made that impossible. He closed his eyes, waiting for the sound of the latch clicking shut. Then reality hit him. He barely made it to the bathroom before he threw up.

  Parker was still washing his face when Joey came in singing in an annoying falsetto voice and leaving a trail of shoes, backpack and soda cans like it was any other day.

  “Getting ready for your hot weekend with Chrissie?”

  Acid threatened to spew out of Parker again, but he managed to keep it together. Breathe. He glanced at the mirror, wondering how much of what he was struggling with showed on his face.

  “Not going out with Chrissie.” He walked into their room to find Joey sprawled on his bed, tossing a baseball against the wall.

  “Finally came to her senses and dumped you, eh?”

  Parker had the urge to pummel him. “She’s getting married. To some guy who knocked her up.”

  It was the first time Parker had seen Joey drop a ball since they were six. Joey stared at him. “You’re shitting me, right?”

  Parker simply stared back. It hurt too much to say it again.

  Joey shook his head. “Oh dude—”

  There it was again. Pity. Fuck. Parker thumped down onto his bed.

  “You all right?”

  He knew this was Joey’s idea of being compassionate. “Great.”

  “Sorry. Shit.” Joey rummaged under the bed and came up with the ball. He bounced it off the wall again and the sound was comforting. “Well, you know what this means…”

  “What, genius? What does this mean?”

  “It means tonight you get to see how the other half lives. We’re going out and we’re gonna get you laid.”

  For the first time, Parker put up no argument. “Name the place. I’ll be there.”

  Joey was working an early shift at MacDougal’s so Parker agreed to meet him there. Driving down the street toward the pub, Parker tried to wrap his head around what had happened. Pregnant. Married. How could she have done this? He gripped the steering wheel so hard his knuckles shone white in the glow of the dashboard. The truck came out of nowhere. Parker saw light filling his Civic, heard the screech of tires, then metal crushing, glass shattering. Then nothing.

  Chapter Three

  Sophie had to keep herself from skipping all the way back to her house. Every last thing she’d remembered about Parker was still there—handsome, sweet, charming—but better. The last time she’d spent any real time with him, he’d still been teetering on the edge between adolescence and adulthood. That was no longer an issue. Parker was, without question, all man.

  She shuddered, remembering the way the warmth of his laughter washed over her. The way he’d smiled when he realized it was her at the door. Maybe now that we’re older things will be different. Hope filled her with a giddiness she hadn’t felt since she’d found out Nate was cheati
ng on her and wanted to end their two-month-old marriage. Has Parker heard about that?

  For months she’d been unable to stop wondering who knew and who didn’t. Finding out her husband had been cheating had been humiliating enough, but discovering that half the town knew before her had been even worse.

  Sophie settled into her desk chair and turned on her laptop, watching as a dozen emails downloaded. Flower crisis. Cake decision. Wedding song. Being a party planner was her dream job. She loved making people’s special days into dreams come true. But planning showers and weddings and engagement parties while going through a publically gossiped about divorce was another matter. Her clients had been great, for the most part. Only one had panicked and pulled out after hearing about her problems. The rest had stuck with her, and she’d worked extra hard to prove to herself and the rest of the world that her personal life hadn’t broken her. It wasn’t easy.

  She answered every email, attaching photos and pasting in links, making sure each bride-to-be had everything she needed. As she hit send on the last one, she heard a tapping sound coming from the kitchen. No one ever knocked on the back door, especially past nine p.m. She peered around the doorway of her office. Through the French doors she could see the silhouette of a tall man. With a flutter that ran straight through her, she realized it was Parker.

  Sophie combed her fingers through her hair, cursing the fact that she’d changed into a T-shirt and yoga pants when she’d gotten home. Shit. She wiped her fingers over her nose, hoping her face wasn’t too shiny.

  The rapping came again, and she realized if she didn’t get to the door soon, he was going to leave. She turned the lock, still not believing Parker stood on her deck.

  “Hey,” he said. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything.” His hair swept low over his eyes, and he looked sweet and shy. He looked like the boy she’d fallen in love with.

  “Not at all. I just finished up some work.”

  A smile spread across Parker’s face. “Well, in that case, you wanna have a beer?” He held up two bottles.

  Grinning, Sophie nodded. “By the pool?”

  “Sure.” Parker stepped aside so she could join him on the deck.

  The night air was warm and humid for early summer, the sky a deep blue from the last remnants of the sunset. “The water’s not too cold. We could put our feet in.”

  “Okay.” Parker kicked off his shoes and pulled off his socks then went to work cuffing up his jeans.

  Sophie was already barefoot so she settled herself on the edge of the pool, dipping her feet into the cool water as she tugged her black yoga pants up above her knees. Parker lowered himself next to her, and she noticed another scar, this one running up the side of his muscular calf. Again he caught her staring. Her cheeks prickled, but Parker didn’t do anything more than hold up one of the beers.

  He twisted the cap off and handed it to her then opened his with a smirk. “You know half of me feels like we should be drinking these over in the shadows so your folks don’t catch us.”

  Laughter tumbled out of Sophie. “I can’t believe they never caught us.”

  “Do you think they knew and just didn’t say anything?”

  “My dad? Not say anything? No way. He thought I was a good girl.”

  Parker smiled. “You were a good girl. A good girl who could out drink her guy friends, but still a good girl.”

  She smacked him on the arm, stunned by how solid he felt beneath her hand. Her stomach flip-flopped.

  “Sitting out here is my favorite thing about moving back to my parents’ house.”

  “I can see why. Peaceful. And your landscaping looks great.”

  “Yeah,” Sophie said. “I’ve been using this awesome company, Wood something or another… I’ve heard the owner’s kinda cute.” The minute the words left her mouth, she held her breath. What’s the matter with you?

  “Oh you’ve heard that, have you? He’s probably a total ass.”

  “I don’t think so.” Sophie’s heart beat irregularly. She sipped her beer, trying to keep from doing something stupid like going in for a kiss and inadvertently falling into the pool.

  Parker took a long swallow of beer. Sitting by the pool with Sophie felt more normal—more enjoyable—than anything he’d done in the past two years. He’d never imagined it could feel so good to just sit and talk to someone. Not that he didn’t have other things on his mind. Watching her, with her dainty feet trailing across the water, her breasts straining against the soft fabric of her T-shirt, which brushed against his arm whenever she leaned toward him, it was as if he were sixteen again. Awkward and horny and wondering if she’d smack him if he tried to kiss her.

  “Are you back at work already?” Sophie asked.

  “Pretty much. I’ve been doing all the scheduling and books and stuff for the past six months while my dad was really sick.”

  Sadness filled Sophie’s eyes, and he wanted to talk about anything else.

  “I can’t even imagine doing all that while you were still at the rehab center,” she said.

  “They were pretty great about it. I was there so long I knew damn near everyone. They’d even let me use their offices sometimes.”

  “I’m sure you charmed your way into whatever you needed.”

  She thinks I’m charming. A rush of heat coursed through him, settling in his groin. He wanted to reach out, to touch her, but he remained perfectly still. Christ, I’m out of practice. He took another swallow of beer.

  Sophie bit her lip, drawing his full attention to the tempting swell of her mouth. Parker was about to speak when her cell phone interrupted with a loud buzzing that startled them both.

  “Crap,” Sophie said. “I have to get this. Work.”

  She hopped up, sending a delicate spray of water onto Parker’s legs. He tried not to eavesdrop, but the sound of her voice was too alluring. “I promise, Kelsey, I’ll get it all taken care of this weekend. I’ll find you something perfect. No worries, okay?”

  She paced back and forth while she talked, throwing Parker an eye roll and mouthing the word “Sorry”.

  He didn’t mind. He’d wait all night to keep talking to her.

  “Okay, Kels. I’ll email you all the details, just enjoy your weekend.” She hung up, slid the phone back into her pocket then seated herself alongside Parker again. A shiver ran through him when her leg brushed his as she slipped her feet back into the water.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, trying to ignore the humming sensation that vibrated through him.

  “Nervous bride. I’m going to a big trade show on Saturday, and she’s dying to know if I find anything new and noteworthy.” Sophie paused, running her fingers through the water. “Actually, I have an extra pass. You could come with…if you want.”

  “To a wedding show?” Wait, did she just ask me out?

  “It’s a gourmet food show—caterers, bakeries, importers—samples of everything. You basically eat your way through it. But you don’t have to come. I mean, I know you don’t really have any food at your house yet, I just thought…”

  He loved the fact that she was rambling. She was nervous he’d say no. “Sounds great. I’d love to go.”

  Her eyes lit up. “Really?”

  “Sure. What time?”

  “It runs all day, but I like to go late morning so everyone’s all set up but no one’s run out of anything yet.”

  “Perfect. I just have to be back by four. Weekly date.”

  Her face fell. “Oh, okay. Sure. I can try to get an extra pass if you want to bring your girlfriend.”

  Girlfriend? It took him a second to realize that she’d assumed he meant he had a romantic date. “That won’t be necessary. I just need to be on time. She gets pretty pissed if I’m late.”

  “If you can’t come with me, that’s okay. I mean, I don’t want her to get mad or anything…”

  Parker tried to keep as straight a face as possible. “Well, she is pretty controlling. We’ve been seeing each other about a
year now, and she’s adamant that we stick to our schedule. She’s damn near impossible to please. Works me over so hard it hurts. And I pay her for it.”

  Sophie’s eyes bugged. “You what?”

  Parker let out a chuckle. “She’s not my girlfriend. I see my physical therapist on Saturday afternoons. She’s old enough to be my mom and she’d probably smack me in the head for giving you a hard time, but I couldn’t help myself.”

  The scowl on Sophie’s face made it impossible for him to keep from laughing. Somehow even with her lips pursed and her brow furrowed, she managed to look even more beautiful.

  “You don’t need your therapist to smack you. I’ll take care of that.” She swatted the back of his head the same way she used to when they were kids and one of his jokes pissed her off. And just like then, he liked the fact that she had any reason to put her hands on him.

  He couldn’t keep the grin off his face. “I told you the landscaping guy was an ass.”

  Chapter Four

  “I’d better let you get some sleep,” Parker said, though he didn’t really want to leave.

  Sophie glanced at her watch. “Oh my God, it’s past midnight. I can’t believe it’s so late.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I enjoyed the company.” She glanced at her lap, and her hair fell across her face. Parker wanted to sweep it behind her shoulder, feel its silkiness beneath his fingers, draw her in for a slow, sweet kiss. Unsure if the moment was right, he resisted. He stood, extending a hand to help her up. Her warm, soft skin felt so inviting he rethought the kiss, but once again she looked down. Shy? Or afraid I’m going to do something stupid like make a move when she doesn’t want me to? He felt sixteen again. Jesus.

  “I should probably call the next time instead of just popping over.”

  Sophie’s smile warmed him from head to toe. “You can call any time you want. Do you have your phone? I’ll give you my number.”

  Parker patted his pockets. “Shit. I left it charging in the kitchen.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment colored her lovely features.

  “Here, I’ll give you my number, and you can text me yours.”