Basketball is Not Life

Chapter Forty

When we got home, Parker was ecstatic to see Spartan was there. He may have tried taking us down at our feet. We were both exhausted, but I knew I would be leaving a couple hours later.

"I need to pack," I said.

Parker stopped petting Spartan and looked up at me. "What do you mean?"

"My father booked a trip for my mom and me. I will be gone for a week." I smiled at him.

"And you are just telling me now?" He looked worried.

"Yes. I didn't want to ruin last week for you." I stepped over and kissed him on the lips. "You were amazing, Parker. You are," I corrected myself. "I do not know what I would do without you." He kissed me back. "What am I going to do for a week without you?" He hugged me closer to him.

"I think you will think of something."

My mother and dad were at the house a couple hours later. They wanted to fly on the plane with me to the island even though it meant more traveling for them.

"Hell of a season," My father said to Parker.

"Thank you, sir," Parker said, and I blushed, knowing he was still trying to impress my dad. 

"Keep her out of trouble," Parker said to him. He was still down in the dumps, and I felt bad I was leaving him.

"I'll try," my father laughed at him. He turned to my mom and then said, "we will see you outside."

Parker engulfed me in one of his hugs. I was getting so used to him that a week away from him was going to feel forever. I kept telling myself the time apart would be good for both of us. We were becoming too wrapped up in each other.

"You'll text me when you land?"

I nodded my head against his chest.

"I'm going to miss you, Ren."

"I'm going to miss you, Parker. You have no clue." I said into his chest. "It's just a week," I said to him. "My dad needs this."

He looked down at me.

"I need this. It will be good for us."

He kissed my lips, pulling away slowly. "Text me. And leave now, or I" m not going to let you go." I nodded. Kissing him on the cheek quickly and walking out the door. When I got to my parent's car, I looked up at the house, and he was standing there in the cold watching us drive away. My heart already ached from missing him. My mind kept saying: this is good for you.

"That boy has it bad." My mother commented as we drove to the airport. "He is going to be heartbroken when we get back."

I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm just moving out," I said. "And I would rather not talk about it during the trip. Let me just enjoy my time, and then we can figure it out from there."

Parker texted me every day. Every morning and every night. He sent me little fun tidbits of Michigan. The last one on the previous day made me smile.

Parker: Michigan State Missing Renee Renner Parker: Renee Renner should be landing in a couple of hours; all will be right in the World

He was such a goof when he wanted to be. I had one afternoon to move out, and I knew it was not going to go well.