My Brother's Best Friend

Chap. 35

The first thing I realized when I woke up is that I had a pounding headache. Which wasn't surprising, seeing as though I'm pretty sure I got shitfaced last night.

I lied in bed for a few minutes, closing my eyes as I absorbed the headache.

Last night's events came tumbling in like a motion picture, one event after another.

And then I bolted upright, the memories of what I'd said to Parker flooding in.

Holy shit.

I'd told him everything. How I felt, how heartbroken I was, I'd fucking told him that I was in love with him.

I really need to get a grip on drunk Emily.

I ran my fingers through my hair, my head still pounding away.

But now my heart was pounding as well, because I remembered everything that Parker had told me last night. And I'm pretty sure he only told me all that stuff because he expected me to forget by the morning.

I slowly crept out of my bedroom, unsure of what to say or do.

I wasn't ready to face Parker yet.

Emmett's bedroom door was still closed, signaling that he was still asleep after last night's escapade. Which was odd, because he was usually the first one awake the next morning.

Parker's door was ajar, signaling that he was already awake. But I didn't hear any noise in the apartment.

I cautiously made my way out to the kitchen, which was empty.

Parker must've gone for a morning run.

Emmett usually already had the coffee going for me to help my hangover, and he usually had the Tylenol ready for me.

I really do take advantage of that boy.

So I started the coffee and located the Tylenol, taking a couple for myself and then setting a couple out for Emmett.

I got an ice pack from the freezer before lying out on the couch, pressing the ice pack to my forehead.

Hangovers and I do not get along.

It was only a couple of minutes before the apartment door opened, and my entire body tensed up.

I'd been mentally preparing myself for this, but in all honesty I still wasn't ready to see him.

Parker came into the kitchen, and into my line of sight. He unstrapped his running armband from his upper arm, tossing it on the counter along with his phone.

He was shirtless, his abs glistening with sweat. He ran his fingers through his sweaty hair as he opened the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of water.

Clearly he hadn't noticed me yet either.

His eyes traveled over to the coffee maker, which was currently brewing, and then his eyes did a sweep of the surrounding area.

And we made eye contact.

I sheepishly waved.

He opened his mouth to say something, but what I'll never know because his phone went off.

He glanced down at the Caller ID, rolling his eyes before answering it on speaker phone.

"Good morning," he answered.

"Why?" Lee whined.

"Because you skipped detention," Parker whined in return, mocking his younger brother.

"Anything else," Lee begged.

"I told you the consequences beforehand," Parker sang, before drinking some more water.