Perfect by Design

27: Kiara James

Kiara

I smile over at Parker, and I'm not sure what takes over me as I reach up and run my fingers through his dirty blonde hair.

"How often do you do that?"

"Go out to parties?" He turns to smile at me.

"No, escape."

"My dad left shortly after I was born. Turns out being a family man wasn't quite what he wanted. Aaron, my brother, he's got a different dad. My dad, Gabe, he was so in love with my mom that her having a child wasn't a deal breaker... until it was. He's got a different family now. A wife and two daughters. I'll turn into somebody so amazing, it'll make him regret ever leaving us. At least that's what my mom says."

He never did answer my question.

I got an answer all the same.

"I just found out my parents went through something pretty heavy before I was ever even a thought. They fought through it and got a fresh start. Then came me. I don't know how to explain it, but knowing they found themselves in this healthy reborn space and then decided to have me. I just— I can't disappoint them. Nobody is placing this pressure on me except for me, and I still can't escape it."

"Yeah, Kiara. Or maybe we're just scared of being free."

We pull into the garage, and unless I'm crazy, someone is standing by my sister's car. Crap, I hope they aren't trying to break in.

As I get closer, I'm relieved and scared all at the same time. It's Trevor.

"Crap," I whisper.

"You know that guy? How did he even get in here."

"That's my brother-in-law." I groan.

Parker squints a little and then turns to me, flabbergasted.

"Is that Trevor Adams?"

"Mhm."

"As in NY Giants all star Trevor Adams."

"That's the one," I sigh.

"You should probably just let me out here, and then I'd recommend hiding."

Parker laughs a little and then reaches for my hand. "Let me talk to him. I'll tell him it's all my fault."

"I appreciate that, but right now, they don't even know who you are, and if you ever want to see me again in the future, we want to keep it that way."

"You want to see me again?" He smirks.

And I did. But I also didn't.

He lets me out before quickly turning the car around and heading back out of the garage. I gulp as I walk toward Trevor.

"You guys following me now?" I say as I get close enough.

"There's a tracker on the car." Trevor doesn't even look at me. He holds out his hand for the keys, and I grab them out of my bag before practically tossing them at him.