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With my bags packed I head down to the lobby, where I am greeted by the concierge.
“Hello Mr. Bennett, can I take your bags to the car for you? It is ready and waiting for you with cold bottles of water and your favorite clubhouse from Jimmy’s.”
“Thanks Charles, you’ve always got my back bud. How are the kids? And how’s that adorable new granddaughter of yours? Got any new pictures?” I ask as we walk together to the car.
“Not today, Mr. Bennett, but I’ll have some ready for you on your return. You be sure to drive safe now. We will miss you around here.” Charles places my bags in the trunk and rounds the back of the car to the passenger window with a smile.
“You bet, Charles. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, I’ll see you in a few days.” I jump in the car, shoot Miles a quick text letting him know that I am on my way, and head for the Southern State Parkway.
Miles and I have plans to go for a quick run and catch up before the house fills with guests. It will be good to see him and I know it will be a good workout. Miles never misses a day of running and we are both competitive by nature, always wanting to outdo each other.
I have been driving for four hours when I exit the highway to Reed Point. As I drive down First Street, I feel my pulse start to quicken. I know that if I take the next right, I will be at the beach house where we spent so many days and nights together. Just the two of us. The thought of that one familiar turn is all it takes to bring everything crashing right back.
Olivia Madden.
The one girl I gave my heart to. My everything. My once upon a time.
I shake the fog from my head and continue driving to my parent’s place. Focus, Parker and keep on driving, I tell myself.
I navigate my Audi up the long driveway and shift the gear into park. After taking my bag from the trunk, I make my way to the large front doors of the home I grew up in. Before I have the chance to knock, the door swings open.
“Hello, my sweetheart, I have missed you,” my mother exclaims, greeting me at the door. “My gosh, am I happy to see you!”
“Hi Mom, I’ve missed you too, you look great. Are you ready for your big night?” I give her a hug and follow her into the family room.
“I am now, I have all of my boys and my Jules here with me. What more could I ask for? Your siblings are around here somewhere. I think Miles has been waiting for you.” My mother beams, tidying the kitchen. “Oh, and Parker, make sure you are around for three o’clock, okay? Your dad and I miss you and I would like to spend some time with all of my children before the party starts.”
“You bet, Mom. I’ll see you then.” I promise, pulling my suitcase towards the staircase and my childhood bedroom where I will be staying.
At nearly 10,000 square feet, the home I grew up in is a lot larger than most but it’s still inviting with its warm hardwood floors, cream walls, large plush area rugs and pine wood beams in the ceiling. The walls are covered in family photos of every occasion and memory my mother can’t bear to let go of. I remember the home always being full of family and friends, with my mother in her glory waiting on them hand and foot.
The spacious kitchen is situated at the back of the house with accordion windows leading out to the pool and grounds. That’s where you can always count on finding my mother. Ever since I can remember she has loved to cook and bake and there was usually a fresh batch of cookies or brownies waiting for us after school. The scent would hit us as soon as we walked through the front door.
On my way up the stairs, I glance out the window at the back yard, which has been set up for the party. There are two long tables draped with white tablecloths adjacent to the pool. Party planners are busy setting the tables and arranging the chairs. There are tall round bar tables on the opposite side of the large rectangular pool in front of a bar where two bartenders are busy unloading mixes and spirits.
“Hello, son.” I feel my father’s strong hand on my shoulder. I turn around and give him a hug. My dad is just slightly shorter than my six-foot-two frame. He is trim and in good shape and the lines around his eyes are not so much signs of age as they are of his open heart. It is the aspect of my father’s character I most admire. There is no doubt we are related. I inherited his dark features, his love of business and the Bennett charm.
“Hey Dad, it’s good to see you. How are you? Has Mom spent all of your money with this party?” I tease, knowing full well my dad could never say no to my mother.
“It’s good to see you too, Parker, and in answer to your question, I hope one day you too will know the pleasure of wanting to give a woman whatever she deserves.” He winks and turns to see my two brothers heading in our direction. “That goes for these two knuckle heads as well.”
“Parker, you made it!” Miles grabs me around the neck, pulling me into an affectionate choke hold. It is our standard greeting. “You still up for a run or do you think you can’t handle me?” Miles laughs as I push him off of me and adjust the neck of my shirt.
“Handle you? I will own you. Let’s go, asshole. Are you coming, Liam?”
“You guys go have your fun. Someone needs to work around here. It’s good to see you, Parks.” Liam, always the workaholic, turns to the den, where I’d noticed his makeshift office already set up for the weekend.
I run upstairs and change into a pair of athletic shorts and an old t-shirt and then meet Miles on the driveway. We decide to do our usual five-mile loop, which will take us along the beach.
I take notice how the weather is perfect today. Getting outside is just what I need to clear my cluttered mind. I had left my phone at home, knowing it would be too tempting to check it. I am making an effort to be present this weekend and leave work at the door.
“Tell me the latest, Miles, how’s the movie going? Where are you at with it?”
“Just wrapped up filming last week and I think it’s going to be a game changer for me. It’s a different side to me than my fans have seen. And the chemistry with Natalie is off the charts. It’s good, Parks, really good. I’ve got two months off and then I’m working on my next project.”
“So, tell me, just how good was that chemistry with Natalie? She is fucking hot.”
“She is more than fucking hot, but possibly the only girl I know who is totally out of my league.” Miles chuckles. “She’s the girl you would bring home to mom.”
