Page 57 of Changing the Play

West lets out a soft laugh, nuzzling my throat. “Yeah? You’re not worried about them running me off?”

I shrug, my stomach doing flips at the gentle way he’s handling me. “No. I figure once you hear about them getting laid with your friend, you can withstand anything.”

All the tension drains from West at once as he laughs loudly, his shoulders shaking. He stands up fully, and the sparkle in his eyes has me almost tripping over myself.

Chapter 19

Weston

As Darcy and I make our way to the gallery where Parker is displaying their work, I slide my hand into his. His steps falter a little, but he recovers quickly, giving my fingers a little squeeze where they’re twined through his.

I wouldn’t be able to wipe the smile off my face if I tried. I still wish I had been able to fuck Marcus up, but, hey, Darcy was right. All we had to do was sit back and watch him implode.

Parker’s waiting for us by the doors when we arrive, a shy smile on their face. It’s a little disorienting. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen them with anything but a cocky smirk. I tilt my head to the side. “Are you okay?”

Parker nods, but doesn’t say anything. Okay. Weird. So fucking weird.

Darcy laughs. “Park is strange about their art. Always has been. Cocky, outgoing, take no crap Parker? Yeah, they don’t exist here.”

That pretty much stuns me into silence. Interesting. “Well, I can’t wait to see it.”

Parker’s eyes go wide. “Yeah, don’t say that to me or I may crash out. And if you hate it, never talk to me again.”

Oh my. Okay. “I’m sure they’ll be great,” I say, trying to assure them. Not that I really know anything about art.

My phone buzzes from my pocket as Darcy and I walk hand in hand past Parker. It’s my dad. I know it is. He’s been calling off and on all day. Well, all week really. And I’m ignoring him, just like I have every other time. It’s not worth getting worked up over, and he woulddefinitelyget me worked up.

Why would I want to spend the night irritated over him when I could enjoy Darcy and his presence instead?

I nearly jump out of my skin when Benson comes up beside me. “Hey.”

“Holy hell. Hey,” I respond, glancing over at him. “What are you doing here?”

Ben smirks. “Hopefully the artist.”

Darcy fake gags beside me. “You two are going to be insufferable, aren’t you?” he asks, leaning past me to look at Benson.

“Possibly,” Ben says with a shrug.

“Ugh.” Parker approaches us, and Darcy lets my hand drop. Looping his arm through Parker’s, he turns back and flashes me a smile. “Gonna go check things out. You coming?”

I want to. But… “I’m going to talk to Ben for a second.”

Darcy nods. “Okie doke.”

The two of them take off walking, their steps in pace with one another.

“So,” Ben says, nudging me with his elbow. “Darcy, huh?”

“So,” I tease back. “Parker, huh?”

Benson sighs, sounding completely love-sick and ridiculous. “Yeah. They’re something else.” Before I even have a chance to respond, he’s smirking at me. “Football pants, eh?”

My face flushes. “I don’t care about the football pants.”

“Sure, sure. Unlesshe’swearing them,” Ben says, hitting me in the side with his elbow.

I can’t help but roll my eyes, trying to ignore the way my stomach is doing wild flips. “Well, considering he’snotwearing football pants and won’t, that’s basically a moot point. The more important question is what you’re doing with Parker. Are you about to make my relationship with Darcy really awkward?”

---