Page 135 of Twisted Needs

“Oh, holy shit.” He crosses the room so fast I barely get another breath in before his hands are on me. One arm hooks beneath my thighs while the other wraps around my back, lifting me clean off the ground like I weigh nothing. I yelp out a startled laugh, grabbing onto his shoulders automatically.

Parker kisses me hard. “Incredible,” he murmurs against my mouth. “Christ, angel.” His hand slides up the back of my neck, fingertips threading into my hair while he kisses me again. “They wanna steal my baby’s brain.”

I snort helplessly. “I think they really do.”

“You know how insane that is?” he asks, pulling back just enough to look at me. His eyes are bright in a way I don’t see often. “Full tuition and a GTA position? That’s like being first pick in the draft.”

I shrug even though my chest feels like it’s about to explode. “Guess I’m kind of a big deal.”

“Kind of?” I laugh again when he kisses the corner of my mouth. “Mm. Holy shit, sweetheart. You’re such—” Kiss. “A big.” Another kiss. “Deal.”

Parker still hasn’t put me down. Honestly, I don’t think he realizes it. He carries me out of the office absentmindedly, one large hand spread securely across my back while he keeps talking. “I’m serious, Anderson. That’s huge.”

The living room windows glow gold with late afternoon light, throwing soft streaks across the hardwood floors. Parker finally settles onto the couch with me still halfway in his lap. His palm smooths slowly up and down my spine. “That’s my smart boy,” he says quietly. “I’m so proud of you, baby.”

Warmth blooms low in my chest. I think I could live inside this moment forever.

He brushes his thumb beneath my eye before asking, “Where else did you apply again?”

“I don’t care,” I answer immediately. “I’m staying in D.C.”

“What?” Parker huffs out a laugh. “No chance.”

My smile falters a little.

“D.C. is boring,” he continues, nudging his nose against mine. “Go somewhere cool.”

“I like D.C.”

“Yeah?”

“D.C. has you.”

“Okay, but…” Parker’s expression softens instantly. “It’s not like we’d never see each other.”

My stomach drops. “You would leave D.C.?” I ask before I can stop myself.

“When the season’s over, I can visit all the time,” he says gently. “I’ll be retired. I’m gonna have so much more time for you.”

Visit. The word lands insanely wrong, hitting me too sharp and too sudden. My ears start ringing, the piercing sound filling my head. “What do you mean you’ll visit me?” I ask carefully, lowering my voice.

His expression shifts, his brows pulling together. “You wouldn’t want me to come visit you if you went to school somewhere else?”

The knot in my chest tightens.

“What’s wrong?” Parker quickly asks. “You’re upset.” I immediately look away toward the windows, unable to look at that fucking look of fragility I know he’s giving me. “Anders,” he presses. “Gotta talk to me here so I can help you.”

“I’m okay.” My voice cracks immediately.

“No you’re not.” Parker goes completely still. “I know what it looks like when my boy is upset.”

I laugh weakly and rub at my face. “Sorry.”

“Stop.” His hand tightens at my waist. “Talk to me,” he says again, whispering it softly. “You’ve lost the right to shut me out.”

I stare at the fading light outside and sigh. “You’re gonna think it’s stupid,” I mutter. Parker’s expression softens immediately as he shakes his head. “Okay.” I swallow hard, trying to bite back the embarrassing rush of hesitation. “I don’t want you to just visit me if I end up leaving D.C.”

Immediate understanding flashes across his face. “You want me to come with you.”