The Hudson Boys

Chapter thirteen

When I wake up Saturday morning, the first thing I notice is that someone else is lying with me in my bed. Panic starts to sink in. I didn't drink last night so I know for a fact that nothing happened romantically with me and anyone last night.

Counting to three in my head, I rip back the covers to hear a groan come from Peyton.

Thank god.

"Peyton" I say, nudging her. "What are you doing in my bed? When did you even come in here?"

"Around four" she grumbles, pulling the covers back around her.

Chuckling, I get up and head downstairs for some breakfast. I don't really know when it happened, but I'm finally able to make it downstairs to the kitchen without getting lost.

I walk into the kitchen to see Jason sitting at the table, eating breakfast.

"Hey bud, how was staying at your friend's house" I ask while getting myself some cereal.

"Probably a lot better than staying here with a bunch of drunk people" Jason muses.

"You got a point there" I laugh.

The boys and I spend the rest of the day cleaning up from last night's festivities. The backyard was completely trashed last night. Red cups and garbage covered the Hudson's pristine lawn. On the ground, there are various articles of clothing; I don't even wanna know how they got there.

Dylan and David spend most of the time goofing around instead of cleaning. Vince is a little grumpier than normal due to the fact that he's hungover. Mark and I are the only ones really cleaning the yard. Parker is also somewhat helping us, glaring at me whenever we make eye contact and acting as though being near me is physically painful.

I guess nice Parker was too good to last.

Once we finish cleaning up from the party, we all eat some dinner, no one really talking because we're all too tired and then head up to our rooms.

I spend Sunday morning rehearsing my lines for Into the Woods. Around 11:30, Peyton calls me, telling me that she's on her way over and we're going to go downtown for lunch. Before I can even object, she hangs up.

I head downstairs and tell Mark and Vince where I'm going in case they want to know where I am. As I see Peyton's car pull into the driveway. I say goodbye to them and head out.

At lunch I ask Peyton about her and Trevor. We spend the rest of our lunch talking about how they met and everything that's ever happened in their relationship. Around 4:30 we head back so I can be back in time for mandatory dinner.

At dinner Claire and Steve tell us all about their business trip and how they stayed at some very lavish hotel and wished they could have stayed longer.

A little while into dinner Claire turns to face all of us, a serious expression taking over her face. "So, what did you do this weekend?"

Mark quickly speaks up. "You know, the usual. Played some video games, showered occasionally."

"Yeah, nothing exciting" Vince adds. Claire seems to believe their answers because she doesn't question us any further. All throughout dinner, I can feel Parker's eyes on me, but everytime I look up, trying to meet his gaze, he quickly averts his eyes and looks at something else.

After dinner, I head upstairs and start to get ready for bed when someone knocks on my door.

"Come in" I say, keeping my back to the door.

The door creaks open and I hear the person enter my room. Turning around I see Parker staring at me, fiddling with his hands.

"I just wanted to thank you for getting me to my room yesterday morning" Parker says, his tone sounding strangely sincere. "I appreciate it."

I stare at Parker, shock written all over my face. After a few seconds, I compose myself and finally say "anytime."

Parker nods his head and then leaves just as quickly as he came.

I don't think I will ever understand Parker Hudson.