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 TV, 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 said, shrugging sheepishly.
“But you two are just friends?”
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take you to Travis’s,” 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’s 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.