I See You, Blue Book 4: Family Sorrow

Chapter 38: Wedding Woes

December 2023

Astrid glances over at Parker in the passenger seat, their eyes glued to their phone.

"So, how is everyone?" she questions, breaking the silence.

"Good for the most part," they reply as they look up in her direction. "Amber's good. Graham and Cy are doing well in school. Oh, and Graham got engaged recently."

Astrid nods. "Oh, nice. Congrats."

"Yeah, I'm really happy for them and Mia, their fiancée. She's always been really good for them," they add with a grateful smile.

"That's great," she responds, tightening her grip on the wheel before she continues. "How's your mom doing?"

"Fine," they sigh. "She doesn't have much energy, but I just have to remind myself it could be worse, you know?"

Astrid hums, followed by a nod of understanding. "Yeah. I get that."

"And Harry's been really helpful. That was a pleasant surprise," they scoff. "And ever since thanksgiving, Selena's been staying close by, so that's been nice."

"Oh, I miss her," Astrid sighs, leaning her head against the back of her seat. "It's been too long."

"Yeah," they nod. "Yeah, it has."

There's a moment of silence hanging in the air before Parker speaks up again.

"Can I ask you a weird question?"

Astrid raises an eyebrow curiously. "Sure. Go for it."

"It's just- Every time I come over, like the night of the whole Bronze Brew thing. I've noticed that Jasper always gives me this death stare. I didn't think anything of it the first time, but I thought he was gonna burn a hole through my head today. Do you know what that's about?"

Astrid taps her fingers on the steering wheel, silent in thought before laughing to herself. "God, he's been really weird recently. I don't know. But it's not just you. He questions me about everyone."

Parker's eyebrows draw together. "What did he ask about me?"

"Oh, nothing crazy. Although it does feel a little interrogational sometimes. I think he's just trying to figure out what kind of person you are. I haven't noticed the staring though. I'll talk to him about it. Sorry if he made you feel uncomfortable."

"It's fine. I just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything to make him hate me."

Astrid scoffs. "What could you have done?"

"I don't really know," Parker shrugs. Their eyes shift between their own hands laying across their lap and the window next to them. "That's kinda what I was wondering."

"Well, I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about. Actually, I think he's starting to warm up to you. In his own way, of course."

"Good," they laugh glance around in an attempt to get a sense of their surroundings. "Where is this wedding anyway?

Astrid shrugs. "You'll see."

Parker starts brushing the tips of their fingers over the base of their neck before giving her a curious look. "This wasn't some elaborate plan to abduct me and bury me in the woods, was it?"

Astrid bursts into laughter. "Jesus, Rivera. No. I would never bury you in the woods. That's the first place people would look."

Parker scoffs. "Should've known you weren't an amateur."

Astrid gives them a proud smile as she turns towards a tall, beige building.

"Is this it?" Parker questions. "I don't remember this place. It's nice."