Page 18 of Freak

“Inconsiderate!” Dana swatted Tommy with her leopard clutch for each word she started to list, “home wrecker, player, scum…”

“You forgot charming, funny, and hung like a horse.” Tommy smiled to himself, a young but debonaire expression that made Dana’s cheeks radiant pink.

It wasn’t surprising they were like this.

Dana—the essential star gazing, fortune-telling, matchmaker was incapable of tolerating the chaotic, sexcapade fueled reputation of Tommy Romero.

Having them meet at one of Dana’s matchmaking parties was a terrible idea, especially since Tommy solely went with the intention of grabbing as much free food and phone numbers as possible; not for love.

“Promise to never hit me as hard as Dana hits Tommy. No matter how badly I mess up,” Parker curled me up to his lips, whispering behind my ear. “ I think they like it, though… so maybe it’s not so bad,” he added, his words hitting my neck like a summer day in December.

“Just don’t drop me. And we’ll be good,” I answered.

“Like this?” Parker pretended to buckle, my auburn waves falling loose from my beret, and over his arms. I screamed so loud the entire block heard.

“Parker Jones, don’t you dare!” I exclaimed.

He paused.

And smiled.

“Dare what? Let you go? I’d never do that.” Heat blossomed below my breast as Parker’s fingers secured me further, firmly cupping the spot above my ribs, and upper thigh.

I stared speechless and drunk, admiring how his dimpled cheeks were the only soft feature on his strong face; a chin peppered with a five o’clock shadow, and a furrow that lightened up from the exorbitant amount of booze we had.

God, I could die in his arms and be happy.

Did I really just think that?

Wait, did I say that out loud?

No. But I kind of wanted to! I loved him, and I also loved his family, a family I spent a lifetime growing up with—people who gave me the only sense of security I strived for. He was everything I wanted, but also, everything I couldn’t risk losing.

“I’m thinking drinking as many Tequila Sunrises before the sun actually rises was a mistake,” I smiled into his chest. “Are you ok carrying me?”

“Of course. I can carry all four Gemma’s I’m seeing right now.

” Parker swiped his tongue over his lip, his eyes trying not to shut, way past the point of being buzzed.

He and David had far more drinks than the rest of us, and after a while their friendly first meeting began to feel competitive.

They pounded drinks back and forth until David began sweating through his work shirt, sopping his silk tie with the smell of booze.

At least Parker didn’t leave the bar smelling like one, his scent heady and warm, perfectly crisp like the center of a new leather billfold, but reminiscent of the mahogany wood that lined his fraternity’s chapter house.

“What are we voting on now?” Tommy rolled his eyes, finishing some argument he and Dana had along the snowy path.

“We’re asking how everyone felt about David tonight! I’ve met him before… but you two haven’t.” Dana pointed her clutch at both Parker and Tommy, directing them like a general of love and war.

“I like anyone who’ll pay for my drinks,” Tommy answered immediately. “Plus he gave me great financial advice. Has anyone heard of bitcoin?”

“Oh my god, stop. Stop. Stop.” Dana squished Tommy’s mouth shut. “Parker?” she asked, seeking some form of approval.

I wanted their meeting to go right, even if David and I had only been together a few months.

I was always hesitant for the day he’d meet Parker; the man I compared him to, not that I’d ever tell Dana that.

I guess them meeting was what made the idea of moving in with David feel real, and real was terrifying, because I cared so much about what Parker thought.

I wasn’t sure how he felt about David yet, but he looked happy, that was, before his face faltered.

Parker cleared his throat.

“To be fair, he seemed nice,” he said briskly, like the admission wasn’t his favorite.

“Nice?” Dana asked as we reached Parker and Tommy’s frat house, stepping up a stoop and entering inside. “Nice is Gemma, the girl who insisted on walking you both home instead of going back to David’s apartment right away.”

Parker carried me through the doorway, his fingers tucking my head gently into his chest so I wouldn’t hit the wood frame. It was like we were married, and believe me, the fantasy didn’t escape me as I pictured it perfectly—as if it were our wedding night.

“She wanted to take us home? She’s the one that fell!” Tommy made his way over to the makeshift bar cart, fishing out red solo cups and a bottle of cheap rum and soda.

“I. Am. Drunk,” I said slowly, pointing my finger in the air as Parker stood me back up.

He flopped right onto the couch, kicking off his boots. He lied down with his coat still on, his burgundy scarf loosened around his broad shoulders.

“We’re all drunk!” Tommy shooed away, pouring us fresh drinks.

Parker pushed his cup away. “God, no. I’ve had too much tequila at the bar. I’ll never let you talk me into drinking that again, Gemma. That’s the worst shit ever,” he teased and smiled.

Dana made her way to the fireplace, tossing in a few logs of wood, lighting them with a match. The whole room was set aglow, the ancient fraternity illuminated in all its glory; old leather furniture, hand carved banisters, and built-in bookshelves stacked with law texts that the fraternity shared.

I made my way around the coffee table to a tufted green chair, but Parker caught me by the wrist and pulled me towards him.

My face grew so hot as I squealed, my back landing right in the middle of his hard body, the nook of his thighs and pelvis the perfect spot to sit between.

“Come here! I’m cold, and I’m stealing your warmth,” Parker wrapped his hands around my stomach, softly squeezing me like a pillow.

This was normal.

We did this all the time in the Hamptons while vacationing with his family.

The sleepovers.

The movie nights.

DON’T look into this hug, Gemma, I told myself.

“Ok… so David is nice. Granted I think he’s all wrong for Gemma,” Dana began. “Did everyone know he’s asking her to move in with him?”

“Whoa!” Tommy raised his red cup, “That’s awesome, Gem! Guess that means we’re going to have a new drinking buddy around.”

Parker tensed against me, his fingers like possessive claws that secured me harder. His voice dropped. “Move in?” he asked.

“Yeah. Over to Brooklyn. As in past the bridge. He wants her to take the subway to school,” Dana noted.

“Lots of people take the subway. It’s New York,” I tried to play it down.

Parker hated the idea of me riding the subway, because—as he’s told me multiple times—people got mugged, pushed onto the tracks, or jerked off in front of while riding to their stop.

“He’s over in Brooklyn now. I’m taking the subway tonight over there?—”

“Absolutely not,” Parker jumped in, “There’s no way in hell you’re taking the subway alone. On New Year’s Eve?”

“David is expecting me. We have plans.”

“David bailed at the bar to go to a work gathering…”

“It was for business!” I defended.

Parker shook his head against me, “It was an office party. The guy should’ve invited you. No. He should’ve insisted on having you there—showing you off—bragging to others about how fucking great his New Year’s is going to be, simply because you’re by his side.”

“I know I would,” Tommy took a long sip. “Who is she supposed to kiss on New Year’s now…” Tommy didn’t even hide the fact that he winked right at Parker.

Did Tommy know something I didn’t, or was this just another one of his dumb jokes? I mean, Parker had never made a move in all our years of being friends, so why would he now?

Dana smacked him again with her clutch. “Gemma can’t move in with David! And he’s expecting an answer by tomorrow. His lease is up.”

“That’s fast,” Tommy nodded.

“Too fast,” Parker added, a tad anxious sounding.

My phone buzzed in my coat, and my heart dropped. I figured it was my mother, sending her godawful New Year’s message of doom.

But it wasn’t, it was David.

His message popped up on my screen, all in caps .

David Myers

U COMING? I’M SO FCKN HRNY!!

I pulled the phone into my chest, covering it with my fuzzy coat. Oh my god, I hope Parker didn’t see that.

Really, David?

And in all caps, too?

“I’d like to change my stance on David,” Parker announced sharply. “Him expecting you to come out in the middle of the night, alone on a train to his place in Brooklyn is insane.”

“I’m an adult,” I defended. “I can manage just fine.”

“This isn’t about being an adult. You’re Gemma.

My Gemma. The girl who was afraid of cats in the fifth grade after watching Pet Semetery.

And it doesn’t matter whether you think you’ll be safe or not, I’ve always been there to keep monsters away from you.

” He went to stand, but wobbled, clutching onto the back of the sofa to balance himself.

“You’re drunk!” I said.

“We’re all drunk,” Tommy repeated.

“Yes. Yes. Drunk, but not stupid… stupid as in asking Gemma to come over right now, across the entire city and the bridge. Would he even be waiting for you at the stop?” Parker looked at me for an answer.

I wasn’t sure.

I blinked. “He’s only a few blocks away from the station.”

Parker ran his hand down his chiseled face, his dirty blonde hair sprung into cute ducktails as he swopped it back in disbelief. “A few blocks away? Dressed as you are? No.”

“Dressed like what?” I asked, sitting up, holding Parker as he tried to get his balance.

“Like… like… you…” was all Parker could say.

“Like a hottie!” Tommy added, then scrunched his nose.

“Not that it matters. Most men are pigs and monsters, and it’s hardly safe to be out during the day, let alone late at night,” Parker said annoyed.

“Yup!” Tommy interrupted. “I’d like to change my mind on David, too. I heard he drinks milk with his steak.”

“First smart thing you’ve said tonight,” Dana agreed.

“You heard that?” I squeaked, mortified that Parker and Tommy overheard my conversation with Dana.

Parker massaged his temples, “We heard it all…” he took a few steps forward, “I’m calling us a cab, Mrs. Harrison-Jones. I’m taking you myself.”

Parker barely made it to the spiraling wood banister before I scolded him, “Would you wait! You’re too drunk to go upstairs.”

“My phone is up there. I’m fine.”

“If I can’t go to Brooklyn alone, then you can’t go upstairs alone. Don’t argue with me about that.” I wasn’t any better, stammering in his direction as we both leaned on each other like dying mountain climbers.

It was just us in the house, all the other brothers were out for the holidays, leaving the upstairs particularly dark and quiet.

“Why’d you drink so much more than the rest of us, anyways?” I asked, helping Parker to his bed.

“Because of David.” He collapsed onto his comforter, before searching the nightstand for his phone. “I couldn’t let him beat me at drinking.”

“That’s so dumb,” I laughed.

“Dumb people do dumb things.”

“Yeah, but you’re not dumb people . Scholarship-winning law students don’t need to win drinking contests with entry level tax accountants.”

“So you’re admitting I won,” he smiled fondly, and swiped at his phone. “I guess I get the prize…”

I sat next to him, getting cold upstairs away from the fire. His bed was filled with blankets, and the heater kicked on above us, blowing the first remnants of cold air that picked at my cheeks.

“What prize were you expecting?” I asked curiously, hypnotized by green haunting eyes, his breath sweet with tequila and spearmint.

Fireworks went off in the distance.

Popping.

Exploding into radiant sulfuric reds and greens just outside Parker’s window. The colors and sparkles caught the contours of his cheeks and gaze.

“I get to be the first to tell you Happy New Year,” he whispered, his greeting needy and hot.

His hand fell on mine, raising it up to his lips, then he combed back the sleeve of my fuzzy jacket. Hot fingertips teased the length of my arm, leaving trails of goosebumps that followed as he delicately kissed my hand.

A kiss I wondered about.

A kiss that felt innocent yet indulgent, tender, desperate.

“Happy New Year,” I whispered back, drawing near his face, my lip trembling.

I wanted to kiss him, and oh my god, I think he wanted to kiss me, too! It would be our first kiss. Real kiss. All to the orchestrated tone of Auld Lang Syne downstairs and outside. And as we grew closer my phone buzzed again in my pocket.

I felt it.

So did Parker, and he looked down at it.

“If you’re wondering if it’s your mom… it’s not,” he said quietly.

I shook my head. “I, uh… I was hoping she wouldn’t call… but every year it’s the same?—”

“I know,” he smiled, his large hand swallowing mine, squeezing it. “I used Tommy’s phone to call her at the bar. Told her Happy New Year… and that you forgot your phone. I know you dread it, and I just wanted to help.”

I was surprised by the tears in my eyes. If anyone listened to me, if anyone knew how to protect me from the world, it was Parker. It always was. I was sure David was texting me, but I didn’t want to see it—I didn’t want to see anything other than what the future held in Parker’s eyes.

“You did that for me?” I pouted.

“You’re a promise that I’ll never break.

I’ll keep you safe, Butterfly, no matter what it costs me…

” His forehead met mine, “Please, don’t let me go.

Don’t go to David’s. There’s so many of him out there…

but there’s only one of you. And I know that’s not fair for me to ask that of you, but keeping you safe isn’t just what I told your mother on the phone I’d do…

it’s what my heart begs me for every day.

” He shut his eyes, slowly leaning back, his hands cradling my shoulders, pulling me into his body.

He lied back in bed, and took me with him, and I never felt more safe.

“I drank too much… and I’ve said too little. ” I heard him smile.

“You’ve said enough.” My heart bloomed for this man. He held me so tight, I could fall asleep right here, knowing that in the end, we’d always be together. “You’re my best friend, Parker Jones.”

“You’re mine, too… Gemma Jones…” he said, giving me his last name again, his eyes shut, passing out into a tequila sunrise coma that warmed his body against mine.

Gemma Rose Jones.

I loved that.

I wanted that.

Which was why I needed to break up with David first thing in the morning.

This would be my year, and before graduation I’d finally tell Parker how I really felt.

I was in love. And nothing could stop me from getting my happily ever after.

…

Continue reading Gemma and Parker’s story in this spicy, friends to lovers, age gap love triangle that’ll leave you shocked with its twists and turns. Read today.