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I’m not sure how much I want to say. Hunter can be a tough crowd. Besides, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to get Livy to talk to me.
“It was good to see her and that’s all you’re getting from me on this subject.” I take a long sip of the cold, oaky liquid, leaving my mouth feeling dry after it’s gone.
“Fuck, Parker. You really want to go down that road again? I remember the aftermath she left in her wake. You were fucked up for months,” Hunter says.
“Yeah Parker, I had to binge drink with you for a solid week after she dumped you. Wait, maybe it’s not such a bad idea, going back down that road,” Miles teases. “I’m always up for drinks.”
“You boys are complete tools. I can’t take another second. Since when did being loved by someone become such torture? You guys need to grow up.” Jules turns and walks away, but not before rolling her eyes so hard I’m thinking it must have hurt.
“What’s got Jules running away from you three fuck nuts?” Liam interjects, arriving at the bar.
“It’s nothing. But what isn’t nothing are our plans for tomorrow night. Where are we going? It’s Parker’s last night in town so let’s make it a good one,” Hunter announces.
“Why don’t we hit up Catch 21? I can text Jonathan now and ask him to reserve us a table,” Miles offers.
Catch 21 is one of Reed Point’s newest hot spots, right on the beach. Our buddy Jonathan is the night manager, which helps because it’s typically pretty busy. You can’t beat the view of the ocean from the expansive patio covered in string lights.
We agree to meet for drinks, but in the back of my mind I know that might change depending on what happens with Livy tomorrow. I have one more day here before I head back to New York and it feels like the clock is ticking.
I take my seat at the table to finish the lemon thing that was served for desert when my dad catches my eye. He appears distracted, his mind somewhere else, and from the way he is looking in my direction. It may have something to do with me. My mother has left the table to mingle with guests, so he takes the opportunity to check in with me. He does that with each of us kids every so often, reminding us that he is always there with an ear and a shoulder.
“How’s New York, son?” he asks, taking the empty seat next to me. “You know the hours you spend at the office are going to catch up with you. Life is short, Parker, you don’t want to work it away.”
“With all due respect, Dad, I think I learned about hard work from the best. You are the hardest working man that I know. Even Liam takes second place to you.”
“You’re right, son, I have worked very hard for everything I have in life, but you are forgetting one very important thing. I have your mother.”
I wait for him to elaborate because I know more is coming. My father is a man of many words when he wants to be, and I can tell by his tone that on this occasion he wants to be.
“Parker, I do work very hard, but I come home every day to someone who loves and supports me and that makes it all worth it. Your mother and I worry about you. We just want what is best for you, we want you to be happy and fulfilled in your life. And we know how much happier you can be sharing your life with someone who loves you and cares about you.”
“I am happy, Dad. I love my job and I’m happy doing what I do.” I am trying hard to convince one of the only people on the planet who can see right through me.
“Think about what I said, Parker. Life is better with balance. You will find your work so much more fulfilling if you have someone to share in your successes.” My father stands and places his strong hand on my shoulder. “I love you, son.”
“I love you too, Dad.”
I watch him make his way to my mother, who is busy mingling with her guests. He rests his hand on her lower back and kisses her temple. I think about the truth bomb he just dropped in my lap and wonder if I’m ready to settle down.
Six
Olivia
I’m forty-five minutes late when I finally arrive at Bloom. I was tossing and turning all night and slept right through my alarm. I have been replaying the conversation with Kate and Ellie over and over in my mind.
Were they right? Should I meet him and see what he has to say?
Even if I did decide to see him, I don’t have his number. What was I going to do? Show up on his parents’ doorstep like a desperate teenager? I wish Parker was all I had to worry about.
The timing could not have been worse, or more bizarre, seeing Parker after all of these years just as I was about to see my dad for the first time in ages as well. If this is the universe’s idea of a joke, I’m definitely not laughing.
Seeing my dad feels bittersweet. I’m conflicted about it. Some days I am happy at the thought of having him back with our family and others I feel like I will never get past the grudge that I’ve been holding onto all of these years. Tight.
Watching my father dragged through a lengthy trial for months in a courtroom and on the six o’clock news every night, and then sentenced and taken away in handcuffs is not something you forget about.
“Look what the cat dragged in! You look rough.” Ellie eyes me as I make my way to the back office to drop my purse and coat.
“Thanks Ells, so sweet of you to say. I blame you and the wine last night. Mostly you, though.” I hang my jean jacket on the hook and take my cell phone from my purse, sliding it into my back pocket. Blaming my appearance on the wine I drank last night is a lot easier than telling her I was up all-night thinking of Parker.
