Page 66 of Turn
“Guess I’ll see you in class,” I finally said to him because our food had arrived and I was more interested in eating than in talking to him.
“See you in class,” Parker said and he drifted back to the bar.
The server set our food on the table and Debra waited until she left before asking, “Okay, what in the hell was that about?”
I shook some parmesan cheese over my fettuccine. “That was an unfortunate interruption to an otherwise pleasant evening.”
“You know what I mean. Nobody would expect anything better from Tanya but what’s this business about you seeing Parker in class?”
“It’s not a big deal. We’re taking the same summer session statistics class.”
Debra was aghast. “I can’t believe you never mentioned seeing him. What did you do? I hoped you kicked him where it counts.”
“Cami said basically the same thing. I did not kick him. Parker was surprisingly nice. And remorseful, apologizing over and over again.”
Debra frowned. “I’m surprised he’s living here. I knew he went to college in Nebraska but maybe he’s done now and moved back.”
I thought about what Parker had told me. “No, he moved to Nebraska but he was working on his uncle’s cattle ranch, not going to college.”
Debra shrugged. “Maybe I have it wrong then. But I could have sworn I heard he was studying engineering or something at the University of Nebraska.”
“I doubt it. Not if he’s currently taking introductory statistics at a community college.”
“Probably.” She started cutting up her chicken while eyeing the people at the bar. “I hope the rest of them don’t decide to visit us.”
“They won’t,” I said. “Parker will keep them away.”
Debra raised an eyebrow but chose to fork a mouthful of food rather than argue with me.
I managed to forget about the occupants of the bar and enjoy the meal. Debra wanted to hear all about Cami’s new adventures as a star reporter and I loved bragging about my sister. I wished she’d been here tonight but she texted earlier that she needed to work late.
At some point my old classmates finished their drinks and move on somewhere else. Debra convinced me to order a giant brownie concoction with two spoons and we devoured the entire thing. When she excused herself to use the restroom I thought about the joy of a simple evening with a real friend. When I was younger I had a ton of friends and yet I never thought much about much friendship. These days I had very few friends. And yet the ones I did have I appreciated so much more.
“Cassie?” Parker Neely interrupted my thoughts, having crept up to the table without me noticing.
I realized I’d been licking residual chocolate off the spoon and hastily wiped my face with a napkin. “I thought you guys left.”
Parker looked toward the exit. “They did. There’s some club up in Scottsdale they were headed to and I’m supposed to meet them there.” He remained standing and lightly drummed his knuckles against the tabletop. “I just wanted to tell you again that I’m sorry about that little run in with Tanya. I hope it didn’t ruin your evening.”
I released the napkin that I’d crumpled up in my fist. “Ruining my evening would take more than an appearance by Tanya Rowley. Don’t sweat it.”
Parker still looked worried. He had a way of knitting his eyebrows together that made him appear innocent and boyish. “I still feel responsible.”
“You’re the only one that does.” I sighed and sat back, crossing my arms. “You apologized, Parker. I mean, I know you had more to apologize for in the first place, but I give you some credit for that. It’s more than the rest of them will ever do.”
Parker drummed his knuckles again. I got the feeling he was nervous. “To tell the truth, I’d much rather hang out with you tonight than meet those guys at some tedious club.”
I was a little surprised, still not used to this new, slightly vulnerable version of Parker Neely.
“Sorry,” I said. “I’ve got plans to go see a movie with Debra.”
“Maybe another night?” he said with such hopeful sincerity it was almost endearing. The truth was I felt no physical attraction to Parker. It seemed my tastes had migrated to heavily tattooed boys with bad attitudes and there was probably no reversing that trend.
But then it occurred to me that Parker might be looking for something else. Friendship, a kindred spirit, someone he could be honest with. Maybe Parker Neely had changed so much since high school that he was still figuring out where he fit in.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to come to my house,” I told him gently. “But text me sometime and maybe we can meet up to pig out on half price happy hour appetizers or something.”
“Yeah?” His smile was immediate and sincere.