Page 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

SCOUT

T here’s something to be said about starting a day with morning sex.

The hottest guy on earth worshipping you, whispering enough dirty words that you shatter into a million little pieces as he cries your name out like it’s the answer to all his questions.

It’s exhilarating. Addicting. Ego boosting.

And entirely nerve wracking. Because then you have to come to terms with the fact you could quite easily be falling for this guy. You’re beginning to forget what life was like before he bulldozed into your life, taking over every spare second of every day, and pushing out any other thought in your brain until there’s no space for anything else.

Now, you’re getting dressed in his apartment-sized bathroom while he makes you coffee. It was the reason I was currently running on a high, while also being extra careful not to become overwhelmed, because that was a better word to describe how I was feeling.

Or trying not to feel.

Dropping the toothbrush back into my toiletry bag, I gave up attempting to flatten my hair out and pushed it back with a headband, reminding myself I should never go to bed with it wet. It was still kind of sticking up at all angles, but it would have to do.

Tugging on the sweater Parker had been wearing last night and taking one last look in the mirror, I followed the smell of coffee, but not before allowing myself a small smile at the soaking wet Lions shirt still on the floor of Parker’s shower.

I wasn’t sure what I’d expected turning up to Parker’s in his shirt, but I hadn’t expected that.

Opening his bedroom door, the sound of several voices provided the sober reminder we weren’t alone. I might have briefly seen Tanner last night, but after he’d disappeared to bed, and Parker and I had spent the next hour steaming up the shower, I’d all but forgotten that Parker lived with three other guys.

Which came to the second reason my belly had started somersaulting.

These were guys I saw on a daily basis, at my work. I mean, I knew they knew about mine and Parker’s secret, but it’s one thing having knowledge and quite another having it paraded in front of your face. Not to mention between the all-night sex marathon, and again this morning, I’d yet to find a good moment to tell Parker about us needing to stay on the DL for one more week…or however long this job was going to take.

I stepped out in the corridor and stopped.

Unless Tanner had become a ventriloquist overnight, there were at least two other people standing in the kitchen, having a high-stakes discussion over what sounded like breakfast.

“Bacon and maple syrup.”

“Bacon isn’t a topping.”

“It is if I put it on top.”

“No, bacon goes on the side.”

“But I have it on top.”

“That doesn’t make it a topping.”

“You can have fruit, yogurt, syrup, chocolate chips.”

The mention of bacon plus the smell of coffee was too much for my stomach to hold in the rumble. I really wanted breakfast, but I also really didn’t want to be surrounded by a bunch of people who might question me about work and things I didn’t want to answer. Standing in the corridor while everyone ate wasn’t an option either, and Parker would only come out to get me.

My stomach rumbled again, kind of making my decision for me.

Peering around the corner, I immediately caught the eye of the girl standing next to Lux.

Though I’d never met her, she was instantly recognizable, given she was the president’s daughter, and therefore a regular feature in gossip magazines, especially since she started dating Lux. But, mostly, from the amount of home games she’d attended, where she’d inevitably appear on the Jumbotron any time Lux scored.

“Hey, Scout’s here.”

Parker spun so quickly he only narrowly missed Lux and the spatula he was holding. He hurried over, skidding to stop right in front of me with a broad grin curving his lips. I don’t know what it was about Parker’s smile, but immediately all worry and thoughts about my job quietened.

“Good morning.” He breathed in, pressing his lips to mine. “I was just about to come and get you. I’m making you coffee. Happy first date day.”

“First date day?”

“Yeah, I said we were going to have a first date this weekend, and here we are.” His grin turned sheepish. “Sorry we’re not alone and I’m kind of throwing you to the wolves, too, but it’ll be fun, I promise.”

He looked so pleased with himself, I could do nothing but smile back. “Can’t wait. And coffee sounds great. What else is that I smell?”

He slung one of his thick biceps around my shoulder. “ That is breakfast Casa Grayskull style. C’mon, it’s waiting for you.”

“What?”

“Casa Grayskull.” He shrugged, guiding me toward the kitchen. “It’s what we named this place when we moved in. It’s from He-Man , we’re Masters of the Baseball Universe.”

I don’t know what expression I was wearing because I didn’t get any more of an explanation from Parker, only a loud laugh as he pulled out a stool for me to sit on. Immediately a plate was placed in front of me—a stack of pancakes with little smiley faces of chocolate chips.

“There’s bacon, fruit, and yogurt too. Plus maple syrup,” Parker added, placing the largest bottle I’d ever seen in front of me, next to a glass of orange juice.

My mouth still hadn’t closed when Tanner turned around from the stove to watch me, Lux flipped another pancake onto another stack big enough to feed the entire starting nine and waited, eyes on me. Both of them. Guess breakfast also came with an audience.

“Eat, Davison. Don’t let them go cold.”

I didn’t need to be told twice, even though it felt like I was putting on a show, and forked in a mouthful. My entire body melted as I chewed down on the fluffiest pancakes I’d ever tasted.

“OMGawd.”

“Good, right?” said Radley, pulling out the stool next to me and piling up her own plate. “Lux is great at cooking anything, but breakfast is his specialty.”

I nodded and forked in another mouthful. I never wanted to stop eating these pancakes.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t speak to you while you’re eating. I’m Radley, by the way, and I’ve been very excited to meet you finally. Parker’s told us lots about you.”

Her smile was so warm and genuine, it took a second for the last part of her sentence to register. The bit about being excited to meet me.

“Radley…” Parker groaned, making her laugh.

“What?” She shrugged, her face a mask of innocence. “You have.”

“Yeah, but I’m still trying to play it cool.” He turned and winked at me.

I swallowed my mouthful and washed it down with a sip of juice. “I think that ship sailed a long time ago.”

“No way,” Parker replied, his long fingers digging into my side, making me squeal with a little laughter, but mostly embarrassment. “I know you still think I’m cool.”

“You’re all right.” I shrugged.

Radley picked up her coffee cup, trying and failing to hide a wide smirk. “I think you’ll fit in here just fine, Scout. And I’m glad you’re here, we need more girls.”

“Thank you.” My eyes flicked over to Parker, who was watching me with an expression that I felt deep in my chest. Without saying another word, he turned around to join in with whatever conversation Lux and Tanner were having—from the sounds of it, still bacon as a viable topping.

I glanced at Radley. “Does Lux do all the cooking here?”

She picked up the orange juice and poured herself a glass. “Yup. He enjoys it—plus, the boys would probably live on cereal if he didn’t.”

“I’m impressed,” I replied, staring at the growing pancake stack, even though it seemed the boys were eating as fast as he was making them.

“Yeah, he’s great. I don’t know if Parker told you, but he also gives the boys cooking lessons.”

“That’s awesome. Is that why there’s so much food? They’ve been helping?”

“Oh, no, that’s normally how much they make when everyone’s here. It’ll all get eaten.” Radley giggled, leaning across the counter to fork up a fat strawberry from a bowl of fruit and swipe it through the maple syrup. “So, what exactly do you do at the Lions? Parker’s not gone into that much detail.”

Sitting back, I eased a hand over my stomach, congratulating myself for pulling on sweatpants and forgoing jeans, because there’s no way I wouldn’t be unbuttoning right now. “I’m part of the social media team, I mostly run TikTok, but we all work together on the overall strategy for how the social channels present.”

“That’s cool. I try not to go on social media because…you know, there’s always someone saying something nasty about my mom, or I’ll see some video someone’s taken of me walking down the street, or coming out of class, or eating. It creeps me out.”

“I can’t imagine what that’s like.” I nodded, because it was bad enough just having Pablo and Alice gossiping at work. The thought of having every move monitored and uploaded to socials gave me hives.

But Radley shrugged it off. “You get used to it, Lux has been so amazing at building my confidence enough to ignore it.”

“Your coffee, Davison.”

I glanced down at the steaming mug placed in front of me. The one with the whip and sprinkles. It looked exactly like the coffee I ordered from the shop. I sniffed it. It smelled exactly like the coffee I ordered from the shop. And it was making my mouth water exactly like the one from the shop.

My gaze darted to Parker, wearing an incredibly smug expression. “You made my coffee?”

“I did.”

“My exact coffee?”

He nodded, his smile widening with each bob of his head. “I don’t know if it tastes the same, but I followed your instructions.”

I picked it up and took a sip. It was exactly my coffee, but even if it hadn’t been I’d have told him it was the best I’d ever tasted, because seriously, this guy.

“It’s perfect. Thank you.”

He leaned over and dropped a kiss on my head. “You’re welcome. We’re a full-service breakfast apartment here.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”

“But you only get smiley face pancakes on date days.”

“I’ll remember that too,” I replied, hiding my grin behind my coffee. “And do you plan to fill me in on what else is happening on our date today and what I need to wear for it?”

He moved closer, close enough for his lips to brush my cheek. “Lots of things, all of which involve staying in and wearing exactly what you’re wearing right now.” His head dropped; to anyone else it would look like he was resting on my shoulder, but in reality, he was bringing his lips closer to my ear. “Except for regularly scheduled breaks where I’ll be getting you naked.”

My core clenched. After last night, I should be waving the white flag of surrender, at least for twenty-four hours, but it appeared that I was far from having enough of Parker’s dick.

“We’re all going to have a cozy day today,” added Radley, totally oblivious of the somersaults my belly was doing. “Lux is baking, and we have movies and popcorn. Perfect for a day of crappy weather.”

I was just about to reply when a movement caught the corner of my eye and I turned to find another girl walking down the opposite corridor into the living room.

Even if she wasn’t wearing sweats with her blonde hair tied back in a pony and no makeup, and even if I hadn’t seen her on billboards plastered all over the city for the latest Gucci campaign, you’d still know she was the type of girl who turned heads wherever she went.

The all-American girl next door, as she was very often referred to.

I just couldn’t figure out what she was doing here.

Maybe I was hallucinating her from all the sugar I just consumed. That would explain why no one seemed to notice that a Hollywood A-list actress was now standing in the middle of the living room wearing headphones, holding her phone out as she finished a call.

Parker was still close enough to me that I could whisper without drawing attention.

“Is that Holiday Simpson?”

Parker’s eyes flicked up, and he nodded. “Oh yeah. She must have stayed over. She does sometimes,” he added with a shrug.

“Stayed over? As in…”

“…as in Hol is Tanner’s twin sister.”

My eyes widened so much they watered. “Holiday Simpson is Tanner’s sister ? They’re twins?”

Even as I said it, I knew it was a stupid question.

Or sounded stupid.

But I never thought of Tanner as Tanner Simpson, as in Holiday. I never really thought of Tanner at all. Simpson was a fairly common last name. And I swear I’d never heard anyone mention it at work. This was the sort of shit people thrived on gossiping about.

“Yup. Didn’t you know?”

“No,” I replied. “No, I did not. Is it common knowledge? How did I not know this?”

Parker shrugged again but didn’t offer any useful response. “She’s cool. I’ll introduce you.”

Oh god. No.

I wasn’t a die-hard fan of hers or anything, but I’d seen the last couple of movies she’d done and really enjoyed them. Maybe even watched them more than once when Mark cheated—they were those types of movies.

And I loved her style, she always looked so chic and cute, and effortless. Even now, in her sweats.

Never in a million years had I ever envisaged meeting her—if I had, it wouldn’t have been while I was wearing sweats four sizes too big, with last night’s wet hair sticking out every which way, and maple syrup likely around my mouth.

I was making a poor attempt to smooth my hair, wipe my face, and simultaneously straighten Parker’s sweater I’d thrown on, when Holiday removed her headphones and walked toward the kitchen. Or rather toward me.

I found myself enveloped in a hug, and I breathed in the scent of spices and vanilla, and the goodness that came with knowing what scent to buy. It was probably Gucci.

“Hi, I’m Holiday. You must be Scout. I’ve heard so much about you, I’m kinda relieved you actually exist, to be honest. I was beginning to doubt that you did.”

Ohmygod.

Holiday Simpson knew who I was. This was more confusing than when Radley said she was excited to meet me, though it did beg the question how much Parker had been talking about me.

Radley snorted, Parker groaned, Tanner and Lux laughed loudly.

“Holiday, jeez . Ease her in, will you? I’m trying to make sure she comes back.”

“Sorry.” Her big blue eyes rolled dramatically, before pinning them straight on me. “The boys are all a little sensitive before they’ve had their coffee.”

“I’ve had coffee, it’s not about that.”

“Parker’s always a little sensitive when it comes to Scout.” Tanner grinned as Holiday opened the fridge, removed a bottle of dark green juice, and shook it.

“Well, we’re all friends here.” Holiday smiled, genuinely smiled, at me . “Nothing to be sensitive about. And I take it everyone knows about you two now?”

“Nope, they’re still keeping it secret,” Tanner answered before either Parker or I could. I wasn’t certain, but I swore I could detect a slight tension in his voice.

“It was only for a week, Tan. I told you,” Parker snapped, turning to me. “You hear about the job tomorrow, right, Davison? Then we can tell HR.”

I’d left my phone in the bedroom, but even from the distance, and a couple of thick walls between us, I could feel that email burning me. Parker was looking at me so hopefully, I couldn’t do anything more than smile and nod, replying, “That’s what they said.”

Holiday took such a big swig of her green juice, even I winced. “Why’d you need to tell HR?”

“They have to sign a relationship form. Coach has been riding Parker’s ass about it since the beginning of the season, otherwise he’ll get benched or something.”

“Tanner! What the fuck? ”

“What? You will.” He shrugged. “That’s not a secret. It was in the letter. And we kind of need to make sure you don’t get benched.”

“Benched?” I blurted.

“Yeah, or suspended,” replied Tanner with more seriousness than I’d thought he was capable of.

“What?” My head snapped around to Parker. “You never told me you’d get benched.”

“I’m not getting benched, because no one officially knows about us. And it doesn’t matter anyway, we’re signing it this week and we can all go back to minding our own business,” Parker added, with a pointed glare directed at Tanner.

“God, if they ever asked actors to sign a relationship form before a movie, the industry would collapse,” went on Holiday, turning back to me. “You work on the social team, is that right? I think I remember Parker saying that…assuming we’re not still pretending he doesn’t talk about you all the time .”

I tried to laugh at Parker huffing, and focus on what Holiday was saying, clearly oblivious to the fact that most of the blood had drained from my face. If I looked down, my stomach would be on the floor.

Why had I never asked Parker what would happen if management found out we hadn’t signed the form?

For some reason I assumed it would be nothing more than a slap on the wrist, that Coach was giving him a hard time just because he was Coach, and it was a big year for the team. Never in a million years did I think Parker would get into serious trouble.

I couldn’t be the reason Parker got benched. With any luck I’d get to work tomorrow and Ava would have made a decision. Either that or I’d have to suck it up and confess. But there was no way I’d be responsible for damaging his career.

I focused back on Holiday, trying to channel as much of her acting ability as I could so that no one noticed my internal meltdown, and nodded. “Yes, TikTok mostly.”

She let out a loud sigh. “God, I need someone to help me with TikTok. I had a team, but they weren’t very good, and I’m too nervous to manage it on my own. It would take up all my time, and I don’t have much as it is.”

“It’s not that hard, Hol. Just set your phone up and do something, then post it.”

Tanner was succinct, I’d give him that. Holiday turned to her brother, shooting him a withering glare. “Well done, Tanny, you’ve just managed to insult both me and Scout.”

“What? No I didn’t, you know what I mean.”

“No, please explain how easy it is to be a content creator. Can’t be any harder than catching a ball, right?” she shot back at him, throwing me a wink.

“Ugh. You’re so annoying,” he griped, and turned to me. “Sorry, Scout, I didn’t mean to insult you.”

“You didn’t, it’s okay.” I smiled, and Tanner went back to finishing his pancakes, much to the dismay of his twin.

“Um, excuse me. What about my apology?”

Tanner turned to his sister. Identical pairs of eyes narrowed at each other; I could see it now—same mouth, same high cheekbones and smooth brow. Only Tanner’s hair was dark, where Holiday’s was light. And he had to be nearly a foot taller.

His lip curved up in a smirk. “I don’t care if I insult you .”

Quick as a flash, Holiday kicked her leg out. It would have made contact with Tanner’s thigh, but instead he caught it and twisted her around, until she let out a loud yelp. “Tanner!”

The roll of Parker’s eyes, and the fact that Lux and Radley were just watching them fight while they finished their breakfast, told me this bickering was a regular occurrence.

“God, you’re annoying.” Holiday rubbed her ankle as she took a seat at the countertop, next to me. “Anyway, where were we? Scout, maybe this afternoon you can give me a crash course in social media.”

“Sure, I’d be happy to,” I replied with a smile, trying as hard as I could to push away the niggling anxiety, at least until I got to work tomorrow, and glanced out of the window where it was still raining heavily. “What are the plans for today?”

“Lux is teaching me how to make cinnamon buns, and then we’re watching a movie,” answered Radley. “You want to learn too?”

“Oh…sure, why not. I’ve never made them before.”

Tanner clapped his hands together. “Okay, if you guys are baking before movie time, I’m setting up the PlayStation. Parker, you in?”

Parker’s eyes flicked from Tanner to me, like he was about to say yes, then thought better of it. “Um…”

“Hey, I’m good here, I’m learning to bake.”

“Thank you.” He rounded the counter and wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me in. “I’m so happy you’re here, Davison. Promise you’ll shout over to me if you need anything.”

“She’ll be fine, Parker.”

He ignored Radley and held my gaze. “Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Good.” He smacked his lips against mine, before going back in for a softer kiss, lingering an extra few seconds. “And I’ve already shotgunned my lap for you to sit in when we watch the movie.”

“I appreciate that.” I grinned at him. “Now go and play video games.”

He didn’t need to be told twice, running off and vaulting over the back of the couch.

Turning back to the kitchen, Lux had almost finished cleaning breakfast away, Holiday was still drinking her juice while scrolling on her phone, and Radley was in the pantry loading her arms up with flour, sugar, and everything you needed for baking.

A buzzing started up on the counter, I glanced down to find Radley’s phone ringing. I assumed it was hers anyway, given the cover was pink and the screen saver was of Lux.

“Um…Radley, I think someone’s calling you.”

She hurried out of the pantry, dumped everything on the counter, and swiped the Answer key. The sound of traffic, rain, and people shouting blared through the speaker.

“Millie?”

“Rad? Radley?”

“Where are you? I thought you were coming this morning, Lux saved you pancakes.”

“I’m at Grand Central, can you come and get me? It’s so wet, and impossible to get a cab.”

“What’re you doing at Grand Central?”

“It’s a long story. But I have a huge case, and a box and I can’t carry it.”

“Yeah, sure, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver. I’ll wait by 42 nd Street.”

“Cool.”

The phone cut out just as Tanner walked back into the living room holding a remote control. “Was that Millie? Is she here? Did I hear her voice?”

“No.” Radley shook her head. “She was calling.”

“She’s still coming over, right? She was supposed to be here for breakfast.”

“Yes, she’s still coming. I’m going to go get her in a second.”

Tanner’s eyes widened. “Get her, where from?”

Tanner had launched the remote onto the couch next to Parker and was tugging on a pair of sneakers before Radley had time to say, “Grand Central.”

“I’ll do it, you look busy…and you also come with Secret Service. Don’t worry, I got it. I’ll save everyone the trip.” He snatched up his keys and hit the elevator button as fast as he could, crying, “Be back soon,” as the doors closed.

It felt like we’d all just been stuck inside a tornado, or the drum of a dryer, the calm returning only now that Tanner had disappeared.

Parker got up and walked back over to the kitchen. “What just happened? Where’d Tanner go?”

“Um…he went to get Millie.”

“Millie?”

Radley nodded.

“Where from?”

“Grand Central.”

Given his PlayStation buddy had just sprinted for the door, Parker pulled out a stool and sat down. “Oh man.”

I’d heard Tanner mention Millie in passing once or twice, but based on how quickly he’d sprinted out, and the look Parker and Lux were currently sharing, plus Holiday shaking her head, I’d say whatever happened was much bigger than a passing mention. I just wasn’t sure what.

“Is Millie going to be happy about Tanner picking her up?”

Lux shrugged, scooping out a cup of sugar and passed it to Radley. “I guess we’ll find out.”

W e didn’t find out.

Even through baking two batches of cinnamon buns—one of which went to Radley’s security—a movie, a game of Twister, then another movie, this time with pizza, Tanner and Millie never came back.

According to Radley, Millie had decided to go back to her dorm to deposit whatever she’d been carrying, and the boys figured that was a good enough explanation to not bother asking where Tanner was too. Holiday left before we’d started the movies, and everyone kind of forgot about it.

As Parker and I crawled into bed, and his arms wrapped around me, I couldn’t remember when I’d last had a day as fun and as unexpected as this one.

“Today was the perfect first date, Davison,” Parker whispered, turning me in his arms until I was facing him enough that I could make out his features in the dim light. His lips were so close to mine that I could smell the mint of his toothpaste. “I can’t even explain to you how happy it makes me that you’re here. For so long I thought being with you was going to have to live in my fantasies, but now you’re really here and I have to pinch myself every morning to remind myself I’m not living a dream. But I am…you’re my dream. And I know that we’re only just beginning.”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. For the first time ever, the feeling of dread was beginning to set in at the thought of going to work in the morning.

The very stark reminder of Parker getting benched catapulted back into my brain. Benched because of me. I managed to stem the prickle of tears inching up from my belly, scratching at my throat, my chest, my nose, until he drifted into sleep.