On the Run: The Texas Files ✔

Chapter 20: The Whole Truth is Hard to Swallow

Parker has been nodding for about two minutes straight. He hasn't said anything. His face is almost blank, but there's something else there. I can't put my finger on it.

My family and I are silent as he processes this information.

Finally, he speaks. "You've been tortured?"

Not the first question I was expecting...

I nod. "Yeah, I didn't exactly know how to bring that up in casual conversation, so I didn't."

I mean, how would you?

His face lights up like he's had an epiphany. "That explains the scars then. They burned you with cigarettes?"

I nod again. I never told my brothers or Dad what those burns were. I'm sure they knew, but I couldn't bring myself to tell them. It's pure nightmare fuel.

"So, if these people knew who I was and what I can do, they would want me too?" Parker asks.

He knows the answer. I can tell by his voice. He's just having a hard time coming to terms with the danger he could be in. Before I can say anything, Dad speaks. "Yes, son, they'd take you in a heartbeat."

Parker puts his hands on the back of his head and walks in a small circle. "No wonder you guys move so much. Holy shit." Then, Parker looks right at Noah. "You want them, don't you? But you know it's too dangerous to drag her and your children into this. That's why you're pushing her away?"

Noah's eyes light up like fire and then soften. I could swear I see a tear in one of them.

I sit down on a stool at the bar. Watching him slowly realize all of this is making me weak at the knees. I've just put him in so much danger.

Parker walks over and stands in front of me. "No wonder you're so cold. You can't get attached to anyone because you'll just pick up and move. You don't know friendship, and you'll never know love if you keep this up."

I look down at my lap. My stomach is in knots. He knows... He knows we could never open that door. We can never go on a normal date or be together without that damn fear. I could have easily fallen in love with him. He understands me. He understands what loss is like. He doesn't make friends easily, like me. We'd be good together.

"You know the expression 'ignorance is bliss?'" he asks me.

I nod as my heart drops to my stomach.

"I thought you and I would get together, you know. Damn, even through all the lies you told me and the trust issues you definitely deserve to have, I thought you'd eventually open up to me, and things would be okay at some point. It may have taken years, but I was okay with that because you are the first person I wanted to talk to and be around for more than five minutes without wanting to walk away," he explains. "I wish you never said anything. At least, back before I knew any of this, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl. Now, that I know you are just going to have to leave me at some point, I can't do this. I can't. My sister, my parents, and my best friend all left me. I won't be left again."

"Parker-" I call to him.

I barely get his whole name out before our front door slams shut. He's gone. Andrew comes over to me and puts a comforting hand on my back. Dad's eyes say he's sorry for the trouble he caused. Noah looks puzzled.

"What?" I ask him.

"No, I felt some sexual tension in the room when we were all here before, and I just thought it was that kid with the creepy eyes, but it was you two. You could cut the tension with a dull pocket knife," he explains.