“Undecided.”
“Typical freshman answer.”
I sighed in dramatic fashion. “I guess I just blew my chances at being exceptional.”
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I noticed you the first day of class. What are you doing in Calculus Three as a freshman?”
I smiled and twisted my hair around my finger. “Math is sort of easy for me. I packed on the classes in high school, and took two summer courses at Wichita State.”
“Now that’s impressive,” he said.
We stood on the balcony for over an hour, talking about everything from local eateries to how I became such good friends with Travis.
“I wouldn’t mention it, but the two of you seem to be the topic of conversation.”
“Great,” I murmured.
“It’s just unusual for Travis. He doesn’t befriend women. He tends to make enemies of them more often than not.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve seen more than a few that either have short term memory loss or are all too forgiving when it comes to him.”
Parker laughed. His white teeth gleamed against his golden tan. “People just don’t understand your relationship. You have to admit it’s a bit ambiguous.”
“Are you asking if I’m sleeping with him?”
He smiled. “You wouldn’t be here with him if you were. I’ve known him since I was fourteen, and I’m well aware of how he operates. I’m curious about your friendship, though.”
“It is what it is,” I shrugged. “We hang out, eat, watch T.V., study and argue. That’s about it.”
Parker laughed out loud, shaking his head at my honesty. “I’ve heard you’re the only person who’s allowed to put Travis in his place. That’s an honorable title.”
“Whatever that means. He’s not as bad as everyone makes him out to be.”
The sky turned purple and then pink as the sun broke above the horizon. Parker looked at his watch, glancing over the railing to the thinning crowd on the lawn. “Looks like the party’s over.”
“I better track down Shep and Mare.”
“Would you mind if I drove you home?” he asked.
I tried to subdue my excitement. “Not at all. I’ll let America know.” I walked through the door, and then cringed before turning around. “Do you know where Travis lives?”
Parker’s thick, brown eyebrows pulled in. “Yes, why?”
“That’s where I’m staying,” I said, bracing for his reaction.
“You’re staying with Travis?”
“I sort of lost a bet, so I’m there for a month.”
“A month?”
“It’s a long story,” I shrugged sheepishly.
“But you two are just friends?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take you to Travis’,” he smiled.
I trotted down the stairs to find America, and passed a sullen Travis, who seemed annoyed with the drunken girl speaking to him. He followed me into the hall as I tugged on America’s dress.
“You guys can go ahead. Parker offered me a ride home.”
“What?” America said with excitement in her eyes.
“What?” Travis asked, angry.
“Is there a problem?” America asked him.
He glared at America, and then pulled me around the corner, his jaw flitting under his skin. “You don’t even know the guy.”
I pulled my arm from his grip. “This is none of your business, Travis.”
“The hell if it’s not. I’m not letting you ride home with a complete stranger. What if he tries something on you?”
“Good! He’s cute!”
Travis’ expression contorted from surprise to anger, and I braced myself for what he might say next. “Parker Hayes, Pidge? Really? Parker Hayes,” he repeated with disdain. “What kind of name is that, anyway?”
I crossed my arms. “Stop it, Trav. You’re being a jerk.”
He leaned in, seeming flustered. “I’ll kill him if he touches you.”
“I like him,” I said, emphasizing every word.