Page 22

CHAPTER 22

FEARLESS (TAYLOR’S VERSION) BY TAYLOR SWIFT

Brianne Archer:

My laugh sounds more like a cackle as I sit with Dakota at brunch, the two of us having perfectly cleaned up from when he picked me up this morning. I woke up when the sun was shining into Parker’s room. He was really peaceful when he was asleep even though he was angled in such an uncomfortable position. He was very obviously trying to make sure he stayed on his side of the bed which was very cute. I wrote Parker a small note and left it on the pillow next to him then I blew Dakota up until he came and got me so he could bring me back to my place. I got myself ready when I got back home, avoiding every single question that Dak asked which brings us to now, hours later at the cutest brunch spot Valerie recommended.

We’ve been at the bar drinking mimosas for the past 30 minutes and I can’t stop laughing because of him. He’s giving every guy who passes by a new nickname. The last one was Silver Dick. I asked why. He proceeded to say that he looks great clothed but he’s sure his dick would be as old as he is. My phone buzzes and I continue to chuckle to myself as I look down and check the notification. Parker…

I open the text, sip my mimosa, and promptly choke on it once I view the text. Orange juice and champagne partially come from my nostrils. I grab my napkin and wipe my face, ignoring the abhorrent look on Dakota’s face as he stares at me.

“What the hell did you just look at? Did Parker send an unsolicited dick pic? Let me see,” Dak leans over and I click my phone off and turn it face down on the bar top.

“Dakota, I have to tell you all about my date and you have to be super super honest with me okay?” I ask.

“Thank God you’re going to tell me. I thought I was going to have to beat it out of you.” He sips his mimosa and I shake my head.

“I knew you’d be all… Dakota about it.

“That’s hurtful, but beside the point, tell me about all the dirty, sexy fun you had.”

“We had no such thing. Not even a single kiss,” I tell him.

“Oh, so he’s a gentleman? Well now, he wasn’t a gentleman when he took you back to his place the first time and—”

“SHHHHHHH. That never happened,” I lie.

“It definitely happened,” he smirks.

“Yes, but we’re pretending that it didn’t so we can start over. Clean slate and all that jazz,” I tell him.

“I don’t care about jazz. I care about Parker’s dick,” he informs me and I roll my eyes.

“Okay, well, I care about both. Well, no. I care about jazz and I’m going to care about Parker’s dick… One day? Maybe? If we ever get there again. Ugh! Dakota, you’re confusing me.” I sip my drink and Dakota takes a bite out of his waffle.

“Talk! Talk! Tell me what kind of magic Parker has, spill,” he jokes.

“He took me on a date and I usually feel one of two ways on a date. I either feel like they’re trying way too hard or they’re not trying at all. It didn’t feel like Parker was trying at all. It felt so natural and common but also, he’s not the dating type. I mean, he’s just not really experienced so I wonder what was going on in his head the whole time. Does he think I’m annoying? Obviously not because he invited me back to his place and—”

“Pause. That’s what I want to know. How the hell did he propose inviting you back to his apartment and then also proceeded to not kiss you or touch you at all?” he asks me.

“Well… We talked. Literally all night. Like I said, it all felt easy. It was just amazing. Basically, he did everything the right way. He said all the right things. He bought me not one but two bouquets of freaking flowers. He got a car so he could take me on a date and he also made sure they put a stereo in the old car so I could feel comfortable and listen to music. That’s insane, right?” I ask him.

“What’s insane is the fact that the picture-perfect dude just walked into your life and is metaphorically sweeping you off of your feet—”

“Well, he did that too. We danced in the rain and he swept me up off of my feet and then carried me into his apartment,” I interrupt and Dakota groans, then gags.

“Oh my god, barf. You guys are so cute, it’s gross. There’s no reason to be complaining right now. Why are you complaining and being ungrateful that the boyfriend gods blessed you?” Dak asks me, flipping his palms to the ceiling, begging for an answer.

“I’m not complaining, I’m explaining. I told him this story about my mom a while ago. I told him about how when my mom was away on business trips, she would send me whatever song she was listening to or music that she knew I would like because she was thinking of me. It was just really special because my mom was the only person who loved music like I do. Basically, she just understood. Better than Bellamy, better than anyone,” I tell him.

“That’s such a sweet story, but what does that have to do with Parker?” Dak asks, turning his body completely to me now.

“Well, he hasn’t texted me this morning. I was wondering if maybe he was waiting for me to text him first but he just texted me. Look…” I open my phone again and show him the text from Parker.

The song is Fearless by Taylor Swift. The correct version of the song too, Taylor’s Version.

“Aww, Baby.” Dakota puts his hand over his heart and pouts his lip. “That’s the cutest thing. Cuter than bunnies and babies.,” he tells me and I just stare at the text.

“But what does it mean? Did he hear it and think of me or did he just think about what I told him about my mom and… And maybe he was just thinking of me so he sent me the song he was listening to. Well, he doesn’t like music so probably not but… I don’t know. I think navigating this is going to be so weird because I know this is wrong, but it feels right,” I explain.

“Backtrack, what the hell do you mean he doesn’t like music?” Dak takes a bite of his waffle and raises his eyebrows at me, waiting for my reply.

“I mean, he prefers things quiet, so he doesn’t choose to listen to music. I get it. If you’ve been surrounded by noise your whole life, you want peace…” I tell him.

“So wait,” Dakota starts chuckling to himself. “You’re telling me that the loudest, most talkative person I know is bonding with the broody, ‘I prefer silence’ kind of guy? This has to be some joke,” he smirks and I shove a middle finger in his face.

“No, opposites attract. Hence me and you, I’m perfect and you’re a loser therefore we’re the ideal combo.” He rolls his eyes at me and I sigh, looking at the text.

“What are you going to say? Flirt with him,” he tells me. I type back a quick message.

Thinking of me?

I set the phone between Dakota and me on the bartop. We watch as the three dots appear, then disappear. The action happens at least four times before I smirk.

“Damn, he’s got to think long and hard, doesn’t he?” Dakota asks. I bite my thumbnail and his reply appears.

Parker: Always

I stare at it, ignoring the burning in my chest.

Always? I don’t know if I can believe that.

I’m trying to pull something from him—flirting, a conversation, anything—but he doesn't reply. He doesn’t even start to type a message.

“So, are you fully on board the SS Parker?” Dakota asks.

“No. I’m still on the dock and the ship has not sailed. We’ve been on one date, and—”

“Screwed each other's brains out,” Dakota smirks, downing the last of his mimosa.

“Beside the point, Dak. We’ve been on a date and had sex once, that’s not a marriage proposal. It’s a mix of lapsed judgment and hormones. I don’t know what this is or what it could be. I had fun, but tying myself to it, putting a label on it, feels dangerous. I don’t want to tread those waters yet so I’m not going to,” I explain.

“Whatever you say, Baby,” Dakota shrugs. “I think you’re playing your cards right. Pretend like he doesn’t flood your basement and have him on his knees for you before the week is up.”

“My basement is not flooded,” I argue.

“Your insurance company just dropped you from their service because your basement flooded so bad the second you met Parker Thompson. There’s no use lying to me. Now, drink your champagne so we can get to practice on time.” He waves me on.

“Was it a smart decision to drink our weight in champagne before cheer practice?” I ask, drinking the rest of my glass.

“No, but what Leah doesn’t know won't kill her,” he tells me and I smirk, taking out my card to pay for everything.