“I’m sorry,” I say after several moments of strained silence. “That was an asshole thing to say.”
She glances at her feet before crossing her arms. “It’s okay. I know you hate me now.”
My chest tightens. “No. No.”
This time when my hands reach for her, she doesn’t move away, and I gently press my fingers into her upper arms as I shake her, just slightly. “I’m mad, yes, but I don’t hate you, Parks. I could never.”
She still won’t look at me. “You basically told me our friendship was over. All because we had one little fight. That’s not what real friendship is, Ben. You don’t just get to end it because you’re mad at someone.”
You hurt me, I want to say. You’re my best friend. The one who’s supposed to tell me I’d be the best boyfriend in the world and that any girl would be lucky to have me, not the one who laughs outright at the thought that I might need someone to love.
“I’m sorry,” I say again, because I can’t say any of the other stuff.
But it’s not enough. I know the quiet apology isn’t enough to repair the rift between us.
Mostly because I don’t even fully understand what the rift is, and I suspect Parker doesn’t, either.
“You should get out before someone comes and finds us in here together,” she says quietly.
“Yeah.” But I don’t move.
Neither does she.
And then I’m pulling her closer, my hands sliding up her arms.
I cup her face, tilting it up to mine, bringing her lips closer—
Parker turns her head.
“Don’t do this,” she says with a harsh gasp.
My blood feels like it’s turning to ice water in my veins.
Except…
I know she wants it. It’s written all over her face. I know it because I know her. She wants me, and the thought gives me a flare of hope like I’ve never—
“Please, Ben,” she says, her voice small, her eyes pleading. “Please don’t make a cheater out of me.”
Right. Right.
Because she’s with Lance now. Again.
And I’m sort of with Lori.
And then, because I’ve never been able to deny Parker Blanton anything that she wanted, and what she wants is Lance, I release her.
Slowly, though, my fingers
savoring the familiar soft skin.
And then I let her go.
I let her go all the way then, because she’s my best friend.
And because I care way too much to hurt her any more than I already have by keeping her close.
Chapter 27