Neighbors

Neighbors XXV

Chapter 25

J I M  A N D  W E N D Y ' S

The crowd is alive with cheers, as I expertly pull up next to my beloved Bullet. I look back at Nash's amazing sky blue car, then rub my fingers along Bullets red paint.

"Whoa! You were amazing." Carol crashes into me as Nash and Sam stare at me in shock. I raise an eyebrow at them.

"Thanks Carol. But he was easy."

"I was not easy. You cheated." I look up to see a guy holding keys and wearing a leather jacket. I shrug and hold my hand out.

"Money please," I stare at him as he forks out some bills and shoves them in my hand before grasping my fingers. I hold in a gasp as he leans in to talk to me. "My boss would like to talk to you. Look for the Lambo, and he will be there. Tell him you're the girl." I stare at Allison as he walks away, deciding I will do that. I'll go up to that John Miller dude and talk to him like he wants. Although last time I told him I was going to race, he snorted and almost skipped me. Only me being me, forced him to technically give me the racing spot or I would probably throw a baseball through his precious cars window.

"So...you leave me and become the badass winner." I tense when I hear his voice and close my eyes. I feel like I knew he was going to be here, and there was no preventing a talk with him. I just know. That's the reason I said yes. Fate was making me come. Yeah right.

Slowly, I turn around to meet Parker looking like a hobo. I gasp and cover my mouth. When I saw him in the beginning of my race, I didn't think he looked this bad. He looks worse than bad. His face isn't shaved, and he has a black eye. His eyes are extremely puffy and he looks pale like a vampire. It's scary.

He has a hood up but his shadow is cast by the overhead buzzing street light. His hoodie sends shivers down my spine. It's the blue one I loved on him. I swallow and cross my arms.

"Yeah." His face morphs from the fake strong look he has, and turns into one of a sad and lost baby. I bite my lip, and his gaze darkens. I immediately release my lip, and watch him.

"I miss you," Parker looks crestfallen as his shoulders sag. I can feel my façade crumbling around me, and I close my eyes to gain my breath.

"I miss you too." Parkers head zips up and he takes two long strides before I'm in his warm arms. Something comes over me that makes me grab a hold of him, and bury my head in his familiar chest. The peppermint smell I've missed washes over me and I sigh. Parker sighs also as his head digs into my neck, and his fingers play with my hair. I close my eyes to savor the moment, and look up at him with wide eyes. His eyes are warm, yet frosty, as he leans down and gives me a whisper of a touch with his lips on mine. I sigh.

"Parker...I can't."

"Let me explain."

"I don't k--"

"Quinn, please. Let me tell you why."

"Why you did drugs? Or why you kept a secret from me?" I find my front falling into place after falling and I push away from him. Oh God. See what he does to me? My inner self is still drooling over him in a daze, while I stand staring at him with my arms curled. He watches me, and talks like he's walking on eggshells.

"Yes. I'll tell you. But not...here. Your house. Tonight?" I glare at him, but somehow my inner self makes me nod. She probably physically took ahold of my head, and made me nod yes. But somehow...I know I'm going to give in. And Parker and I will be together again.