Stealing Parker (12 page)

“What do you want to eat, Parker?” Corndog calls out.

“Nothing,” I reply, and he gives me a look. “Fine, I’ll take a Diet Coke.” He grins and holds my gaze for a few seconds. Then my phone buzzes.

Brian’s text reads:
What are u doing?

Out at JB w/ guys.

Corndog?

Yeah, he’s here

….

Jealous?

….

He’s a friend

Good to know

Don’t go all stalker on me LOL :)

:) Can we talk?

Later—I’m out w/ friends

I slide my phone shut and put the ringer on silent. I’m still processing what happened this afternoon. I made out with a twenty-three-year-old guy! He kissed me and ran! He’s acting all jealous. All in one day! Normally, I’d just say to heck with him, but boy can he kiss. He makes my body crackle like a firework. We connect. And I like him. I really like him. My heart surges and I grin.

“What are you smiling at?”

I look up to find Tate standing there…with Aaron and Laura, fused at the hip. It’s not like I was into Aaron, but I hate that Laura’s here flaunting that she could get what I once had.

Seeing them together and being here with Corndog reminds me of the eighth grade homecoming dance. Laura and I went together. Corndog was pretty dorky back then—always pushing his glasses up on his nose, always hiking his jeans up because he was skinny. But I was a nice Christian girl, and when he asked me to be biology partners, I said okay.
We’ll make a good grade together
, I thought. At the dance, he was there hanging out with Drew, but Drew had plenty of girls to dance with, while Corndog stuck to sitting on a radiator on the side of the cafeteria. When Laura went to the bathroom, I leaned against the radiator and talked to Corndog about our science fair project. We wanted to know if different kinds of water affect the growth of plants, and so far my rainwater was making our dandelions grow faster than his Little Duck River water. We laughed about that, and he looked me in the eyes and asked me to dance.

“Sure,” I replied, and in the middle of the cafeteria, under dimmed lights, he set his trembling hands on my waist and I smiled up at him.

I remember JJ walking by, smacking his butt, and saying, “Corndog, you dog, you. Good for you, man.”

Corndog blushed, and smiled, and said to me, “Sorry about that.”

“No biggie.”

His hands kept shaking. “JJ said that ’cause you look really pretty tonight.”

“Thanks,” I said, grinning. The song ended, and Corndog wiped his palms on his jeans and rocked from foot to foot, and that’s when Laura stormed up and asked him to dance. He glanced at me, but said yes to her, and by the end of the dance, Laura had a major crush on Corndog. But he didn’t want to date her. Frankly, he seemed scared, shuffling away any time she came near.

Laura said it was my fault he didn’t like her, and that if I was a good friend, I’d hate him along with her. After that, I kept away from him, for Laura’s sake. I could never hate somebody, but we never partnered on projects again. We battled it out over grades. And now here we are tonight, together at Jiffy Burger.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask, fidgeting in my seat.

“Eating Monster burgers, obviously,” Tate says with a grin. He holds up a brown sack.

“I don’t know who your friend is,” Drew says, sliding past Tate into the seat across from me. He pops a fry in his mouth and speaks as he chews. “But I like him. Any friend of the Monster burger is a friend of mine.”

Tate raises his eyebrows at Drew and smiles.

Corndog slips into the booth next to me and starts pulling burgers and cartons of fries out of the greasy paper sack. Holy calories. My stomach grumbles.

Aaron throws Corndog the same look Brother John wears anytime someone mentions Satan. “Is this guy why you never answered my calls?” Aaron turns his glare to me.

Laura grasps his elbow, looking horrified. Her eyes dart back and forth between Aaron and Corndog.

“This is my friend, Corndog,” I say to Aaron and Tate. I introduce everyone, and Corndog shifts in the seat next to mine, glancing from me to Aaron.

Drew asks, “Do y’all want to join us?”

Tate replies, “I’d love to, but we already bought tickets to see
Fat
Momma’s House 6
…See you at church tomorrow?” He’s speaking to me, but his eyes shift back to Drew.

“See ya then,” I say with a wave, and they head for the exit. Laura slips an arm around Aaron’s waist, but he edges away. Tate points at them and then looks back at me and laughs, rolling his eyes. She’s never been very nice to Tate either. One time he attached a peace sign charm to his shoelace, and she went on and on about how the peace sign is a common devil worshipping sign. Hell, I bet the JB emblem is a devil worshipping sign. Thou shalt not eat Monster burgers!

I clear my throat. “I know those guys from church.”

After a long silence, Corndog unwraps a burger, then slides it in front of me. I stare down at the burger. Lift the bun. It has mayo and lettuce only. Just how I would’ve asked for it. Then he gives me a carton of fries with a little cup of mayo for dipping.

“Eat up,” he says.

“Thank you.” I kind of want to cry.

He grins. “Sure thing.”

I bite into my burger and wipe the juice from my lips. Chew. Right then, being here with these two guys, everything is perfect.

That’s when Drew decides to tell the truth.

Drew finishes swallowing a fry, takes a deep breath, then looks up at me. “Is your friend Tate dating anybody?”

I suck air in. “I don’t think so. He hasn’t mentioned anyone.”

“Why?” Corndog asks, crinkling his forehead.

Drew suddenly buries his eyes in the heels of his hands. I meet Corndog’s face as recognition sets in for him. Corndog grabs my fingers under the table and squeezes hard.

What do I say?!

I don’t want Drew to think I’m judging him. I don’t know why, but I know how to play this.

“Wait a minute. Tate’s gay?” I ask.

Drew pokes his face out from behind his hands. “I think.”

“I had no idea.” I eat a fry and talk as I chew. “How do you know?”

“I can just tell.”

Corndog smoothes his hair and glances at me sideways. I let go of his fingers and reach across the table and take Drew’s hand in mine, to show I love him. His eyes find mine, and I can tell he knows I knew.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Corndog asks.

“I just did.” With his free hand he stuffs fries in his mouth. That’s when Corndog reaches across the table and puts his hand on top of ours.

“I’m glad you said something,” I reply.

“Is this staying a secret?” Corndog asks. “Or are you going to tell other people?”

“I don’t know yet,” he croaks. His breathing quickens. “I’m not even sure…I mean, I like girls too. Sometimes, I mean. I—”

“It’s okay,” Corndog says. “Let us know if we can do anything.”

“Why are you guys huddling in Jiffy Burger?” Sam calls out, striding up to our table.

Drew quickly wiggles his hand out from under ours and takes a big bite of his burger, getting ketchup and mustard on his chin. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand and burps. Nice front. I guess this is staying a secret for now. What a relief.

“You pig,” I say. “Don’t choke on your Monster burger.”

“Did someone say Monster burger?” JJ says from behind Sam.

“Nasty,” Joe Carter says.

“Where’s Jordan tonight?” I ask Sam.

“She kicked me out,” he says with a laugh. “She’s with Carrie and Marie at some party. We’re going to crash it in a few. Y’all want to come?”

“I’m in,” Drew says, dusting salt off his hands.

After I watch the guys eat, like fifty thousand Monster burgers, we drive to Kristen Markum’s house, where lots of people are crowded in the dark living room, dancing to rap music and sipping beer. She’s a nasty piece of work and lots of people dislike her, but hey, a party’s a party, I guess.

“I’m here!” Sam yells and hurtles himself into the mix.

“Woo!” Drew hollers, following him into the throng of girls huddled near a beer pong table. I watch as he takes a shot directly out of a Smirnoff bottle and wipes his mouth, then does another shot. He passes the bottle to Sam, who takes a swig.

JJ and Carter meet up with their girlfriends, leaving me alone with Corndog. He slips a hand onto my lower back.

“Want a drink?” he asks.

“I don’t really drink.”

“Me neither.” He seems deep in thought and looks around the room. His hand doesn’t leave my back. It makes me feel safe.

Laura doesn’t come to parties—she’s a Christian, after all—so it doesn’t surprise me that she’s not here with Aaron and Tate, but Allie is here, checking me out. Hypocrite. Some guy has his arms around her and she’s grinding her butt against him.

“Don’t you know who I am?” I hear Drew yell. Some laughing sophomores—very popular sophomores—are backing him into a corner. One girl whips out a roll of duct tape. Another shoves him against the wall and French kisses him. “I’m the star of the football and baseball teams—you can’t do this to me!”

“This oughta be good,” Corndog says, crossing his arms and smiling. The warm spot on my back where his hand had been goes cool.

A minute later, the girls have gotten JJ to lift Drew off the ground, and they duct tape his wrists and ankles to the wall. He’s hanging there like a fly stuck in honey.

“Didn’t know that was possible,” I say, wide-eyed.

“Do you want to find someplace quiet?” Corndog asks over the music. “To talk?”

I’ve never felt comfortable at parties. “Can we leave?”

He grins, and we go tell Drew we’re taking off. He’s still hanging on the wall.

“I think I’ll head home,” I say, faking a yawn.

“Me too,” Corndog says, touching my back again. “I’ll make sure she gets home, okay?” he says to Drew, who looks from me to Corndog. Sadness washes over his face.

I get up on tiptoes and give Drew a hug—well, the best hug I can considering he’s totally spread eagle.

“Take care of him,” I tell Sam, who’s standing nearby with Jordan, nuzzling her neck. She’s smiling at Sam sideways.

“You got it,” he replies. I can trust him to peel Drew off the wall and get him home safely.

Then Corndog and I take off walking down the highway, passing the Franklin Public Library and Rose Jewelers.

“Well this was a stupid idea,” I say, once I realize it’s freezing outside. Must be in the fifties.

“I’d offer you my coat, but I don’t have one.”

“You could offer me your shirt.” I laugh, pointing at his long-sleeved tee.

“But then we’d look like total white trash. Me walking down the street all bare-chested.”

“I’ll still be your friend, even if you look like white trash.”

He laughs and stuffs his hands in his pockets. “Thanks, that means a lot. I think.” He pauses as a semi races past us, kicking up dust and gravel. He shields me from most of the debris. The dust makes me cough, and he pats my back. We continue on down the highway, and every time a car gets near us, I yell, “Ahhh, Corndog, save me!” and bury my face in his shoulder so I don’t get a mouthful of rocks.

“Why won’t you call me Will?” he asks.

“I dunno. You’ve always been Corndog. My archrival.”

He focuses on the pavement. “Not anymore. You won valedictorian.”

“I did.”

“But you’re still thinking of me as your archrival.”

“I’m Princess Peach, and you’re Bowser,” I say with a laugh.

“You think I’m an ugly dinosaur-dragon dude who kidnaps women for fun?”

“It’s better than being a plumber like Mario. At least Bowser has all those castles. He’s rich!”

“So it’s all about money for you?”

Right there on the side of the road, I do a little line dance. “Any man of mine’s gotta give me lots of presents.”

He pulls me into a waltz. “Oh yeah? Like what?”

“Nail polish? iTunes gift certificates?”

“A guy doesn’t have to be rich to manage that. I can definitely afford to buy nail polish.” Will twirls me.

“I can’t wait to tell all the guys you’re gonna buy me nail polish.”

“Don’t!” he blurts. We laugh so hard, dancing stupidly in a circle.

We mosey past Advanced Auto Parts. Will says, “Crazy what happened with Drew. I didn’t know.”

“I had a feeling. I’m surprised he finally told me.”

“Why?”

Will supported Drew tonight when he told us his secret, so I decide to tell the truth, even though it makes me feel a bit like I’m standing on a cliff with a strong wind at my back. “Because of everything with my mom.”

“What about your mom?”

I pause. “You don’t know about my mom?”

His face is blank. “Nope. Your parents are divorced, right?”

“You don’t remember what happened last year? You don’t remember all those rumors that Laura spread around?”

He musses his hair, looking confused. “Nope.”

He never knew about my mom? He and Drew never discussed it? If he doesn’t know, who else doesn’t know? That means Will doesn’t understand why I fool around with so many guys, that I want to show people I’m not like my mother. He probably thinks I’m just a slut. That day at baseball practice, he told me that I keep screwing with his friends. My reputation must be complete shit. And all for nothing.

This isn’t what I want for myself. I want a normal life, a life where I won’t be afraid of people letting me down. I squat by the side of the road and cover my face, letting a few tears trickle out. Will kneels next to me and rests his hands on my knees.

“What’s up, Parker?”

The story tumbles out. What happened with Mom and Dad. What happened with Laura. Why I quit softball. I squeeze Corndog’s hand, wanting him to pull me out of the wind.

“That sucks…Listen, I’m so sorry about what happened with Laura and softball and school, but your parents still love you, right?”

I wipe my nose with the heel of my hand and sniffle. “Um, I hardly ever talk to Mom. And Dad is like a zombie who thinks prayer solves everything. And my brother is all messed up on drugs.”

“Why don’t you talk to your mom?”

“Because she messed everything up,” I whisper. “She caused my church to turn on me.” I give him a rundown of what happened.

“Your church turning on you doesn’t sound very Christian-like to me,” he says, rubbing the side of his neck.

“I know…Church used to be so important to me…and after that, I didn’t know who I was anymore.”

A semi roars by, so I shut my eyes to shield them from dust. Will runs a hand over my head and then lifts my chin. “You’re a great girl.” He pulls me to my feet. “I’m sure your mom feels terrible about what happened. Is she okay?”

I pause, listening to the sound of cars rushing by. I don’t know if she’s okay. I’ve been so worried about myself and Dad and Drew and Ryan that I haven’t even considered Mom’s feelings. I’m a hypocrite. I worried about how Drew would feel, if he came out, but never thought about how it affected Mom. Does she feel bad for leaving Dad? Does she feel guilty?

Does she feel alone?

Does she hurt because she lost her family too? Because we left her like she left us? I was ready and willing to support Drew, but not my own mother. The memory of the day I found her cooking a roast while crying screams in my mind.

Tears trickle down my face, and Will wipes them away with his shirt sleeve. “I’m so mad at God. For doing this to my family.”

“It’s like you said,” Will whispers. “Shitty stuff happens sometimes. I’m angry at God right now too, because of Bo.”

We start trudging down the highway again, soon turning onto my street behind the KFC.

“Maybe you should come to my church sometime,” he says.

“Where do you go?”

“Westwood.”

“I’d be up for that.” I’m enjoying walking with him. Going slowly gives me time to think.

“Maybe tomorrow?” he asks softly, as we approach my house. The porch light splashes onto the grass and sidewalk.

“I’d like that.”

“What are you gonna do about your mom?”

I shake my head and yawn. “I can’t think anymore tonight.” I don’t even know what I’d say if I were to call Mom. I’m too embarrassed. Too ashamed. Too hurt. I can’t sort it out in my mind.

He drags a hand through his hair and studies my face. “Thanks for telling me that stuff.”

“You can pour your heart out to me next time,” I joke.

“Maybe I will tomorrow after church.” He laughs. “We can watch another chick flick.”

Part of me wonders if Brian will want to hang out tomorrow, while another part of me wants to spend time with Will.

“Sounds good.”

He squeezes my hand before hopping off the porch. “I’m picking the movie this time, though.”

•••

Before doing anything, I send Drew a text:
Are you off the wall?

Barely.

Drunk?

I drank sooo much. Will be sick for days. :(

:( Thx for telling me about u. Love u.

Love u too. Nice time w/Corndog?

Very nice. Good friend.

Only a friend?

Yeah…

I like him

Oh no, I think. Drew must be way drunk. I text back:
You
like
like Corndog?

For a long time. Pls don’t tell him! I just wanted to tell somebody!

I won’t tell. No worries.

Thx. Love u.

I slide my phone shut. Stare at it. Drew likes Will. After Drew broke up with Amy, he told Will he was interested in someone else. Shit.

I wash and moisturize my face and brush my teeth. All the while thinking of Will and how fun tonight was, and how now that I know how Drew feels, I’m like a balloon that’s been popped and the air is rushing out, leaving nothing but confusion.

Once I’m in bed, I think of Brian. He said he wanted to talk, so I take a deep breath and call him. He picks up on the first ring. “Hey.” He sounds tired and relieved. “I was worried about you.”

“I’m fine…so this afternoon…” I curl up under my covers while waiting for his response.

“It was…nice.”

“I thought so too—”

“It can’t happen again.”

“I don’t get that. We’ll keep it a secret.”

“You’re so young…” He pauses for a long moment. “It’s hard to keep away from you. My job’s on the line. My future. I could get in a hell of a lot of trouble for what happened today, Parker. Have you thought of that?”

“Sorta…”

“Just sorta? You have to take responsibility for stuff as an adult.”

“I thought you were living for today or whatever.”

“I’m trying. But I’d rather live for today and not lose my job for kissing a student.”

“I’m only going to be a student for another couple of months, you know.”

“I know, I know.” He takes a deep breath. “This is hard for me right now, okay? My mind’s messed up.”

“’Cause of baseball?”

“Yeah. I thought I’d make it to the big leagues and now I’m stuck—” He stops.

“You can talk to me.”

“I want to, but I need time to figure this out.”

“What’s there to figure out?”

“I like you, okay? I like you. But I don’t know how to deal. I don’t really want to sneak around. I’m not like that.”

“Who says we have to sneak around? Give it a month and it’ll be legal. I’ll be eighteen.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

Today’s kisses seemed right to me.

“I want to see you,” I tell him.

He exhales deeply. Hesitates. “Now?”