Page 277 of Untouchable

He glances at Harp, then back at Gil.

“If Harp has an issue with our relationship, that’s something that he and I talk about.”

Even as he’s saying it, his voice shakes slightly, and he can’t help wondering—is Gil just being an ass, or is this rooted in something Harp had said to him in confidence?

"You may have Harp fooled but I'm not an idiot," Gil says, cutting off Harp as he begins to say something. "He's never going to stand up for himself with you."

“Excuse me?” Parker says, frowning deeply. The corners of his vision seem to have narrowed and darkened, and all he can see is Gil’s face, his slim, severe features, his eyes that are the same shade as Harp’s, but with none of the warmth. Parker is shaking hard now, and the edges of his vision have gone dark and hazy.

"If you think you have him wrapped around your finger and you're home free, then you're wrong," Gil says. His voice sounds casual, like he's commenting on the likelihood of snow tonight.

"I think that's enough—" Harp begins.

“You’ve been here two days,”Parker says, and he can’t help the hard edge that creeps into his voice. “Being concerned about your brother is one thing, but—you can’t just—you’re not—you don’t even know—”

Parker is so upset he loses coherence, the words piling up in his throat and bottlenecking so nothing at all manages to come out.

"I've met people like you before," Gil says, and it seems like he's gaining steam towards some cruel finale, "but I've never met anyone like Harp and I guarantee you won't either. I'd have to be blind not to see how much he trusts you—you, who even are you? You waltzed into his life and took over—but I really hope you'll be careful about how you exit. Harp let you in and he's not just going to bounce back after you bleed him dry and move onto the next guy."

* * *

After his little speech,Gil rubs his hands over his face. "Ugh, this is a disaster," he mutters.

Harp feels like he's on another planet, horrified by Gil's behavior and how little Gil thinks of him, oddly delighted that Gil has understood how deeply he trusts Parker, so fucking proud of Parker for standing up for himself and being articulate, and profoundly aware of the eyes that are now beginning to turn towards their table.

* * *

Parker’s struckdumb for a moment, and it takes him a second to gather his words into something coherent.

“You really think I’m just using Harp for his money?” Parker says, his voice going soft.

"Of course not," Gil says, his eyes flashing. "I think you like his undivided attention, too. I think you like being the damsel in distress. Two wrecks driving to and from Harp's house, Parker? Seriously? You really think I can't add this shit up?"

At first, Parker doesn’t realize what Gil is talking about. He frowns, and a second later it dawns on him. His jaw drops and his stomach lurches. He’s not sure if it’s the alcohol or the conversation, or maybe some combination of both, but he feels sick to his stomach.

His face crumples. He turns to Harp.

“Is that what you think?” he says, in barely more than a whisper.

"Of course you wouldn't—you didn't—I don't think you staged an accident—" Harp stammers.

Parker seesthe glint of panic in Harp’s eyes, and he realizes that the conversation they need to have can’t possibly take place now. He opens his mouth to say something, then changes his mind, shuts it, and opens it again.

There’s no point. Gil will believe what he wants to believe. And if Harp believes him too—

Parker’s mind balks at the thought. But he knows that just because one’s family approves of a relationship, it doesn’t mean it’s a good match. And the converse is true, as well. Harp must make this decision for himself.

And Parker, though it makes him feel dizzy with terror, trusts Harp.

He turns to Gil.

“I think it’s pretty clear you don’t like me. And I’m not really in the mood to defend myself, or my relationship. Gil, I’m glad I got to meet someone who’s so important to my boyfriend,” he says. He stands up and puts his hand on Harp’s shoulder. “I’m going to get a ride home. Text me when you’re home so I know you made it back okay.”

He presses a quick kiss to Harp’s temple and leaves before either of them can respond.

He manages to make it out of the restaurant before he bursts into tears.

* * *

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