Page 103 of Matched By My Rival
I raised an eyebrow as I watched them. I’d always suspected Rhett was into guys, and there was no missing his intense interest in Ethan. I toyed with the idea of wading through the crowd, teasing Rhett about it, but something in his expression changed my mind.
“Two Haymakers.” I looked back to the new bartender, a young woman with short, dark hair and vivid blue eyes. “Proceed with caution. These aren’t for the faint of heart.”
Smirking, I handed over my cash. “This is my boyfriend’s idea of a dare. I’ll make sure we don’t overdo it.”
It still gave me a weird thrill to call Parker my boyfriend aloud. It was nerve-racking, knowing that some people grimaced rather than smiled when hearing me say it, but it got easier each time.
The bartender smiled. “He must be the hot guy with eyes only for you. You’re a lucky one.”
I glanced over my shoulder, laughing when I got sight of Parker doing a ridiculous but oddly seductive dance while motioning me to come back to him. “That’s him. And, yes, I’m lucky as hell.”
I handed over my cash, slipped a couple of bills into the tip jar, and took the drinks. Parker took his from me and we clinked glasses before throwing back the burning liquor.
Then I leaned in close once more. “Let’s get some air.”
* * *
PARKER
I followed Simon out of the bar, my heart pounding—both from the rush of that shot and from a sudden fear that he wanted totalkabout the future. I wanted a future with Simon desperately, but the reality of what it might require scared me.
Avoidance had seemed easier than having a heart to heart about how we might make long distance work. I was willing to wait out my senior year, put my head down and work, and subsist on phone calls, texts, and occasional visits. But would that be enough for Simon? And if he moved far away, into another state, how hard would it be to rejoin our lives once I graduated? I could teach in other states, but only if I got the proper certifications. And there was no guarantee there would be a job opening wherever he was.
A jumble of thoughts rushed through my mind, even as my heart knew that Simon and I would stay together, whatever obstacles we had to face. These past few weeks had been the happiest, most peaceful of my life. Simon and I had settled into a routine, practically living together. We spent most of our free time together. On weeknights, we grabbed dinner and went to the frat, playing video games with the other guys, or watched movies on my laptop in my dorm, before crashing together in bed. On weekends, I hung out at Tracks, flirting with Simon between customers, dancing with people for fun—and as a form of foreplay—until Simon dragged me off into an alley to make out like mad.
We got to know one another even better. And a relationship had never felt so right.
Still, at Simon’s serious look, my heart jumped uncomfortably.
“We should go back in and dance,” I said as soon as we stepped into the brisk air. “We’re celebrating!”
Simon tilted his head, eyes locked on mine. “I think we should talk about what comes next.”
I took a shaky breath. “Plenty of time for that tomorrow, right?”
Simon drew me away from the door, clearly unmoved by my desire to put off this talk.
“Parker, why are you so worried?” he asked as he pulled me close. “Don’t you know I’m all in? Didn’t we both say we’d make this work?”
Now, I’d made Simon worry. I winced. “Of course we’ll make it work. Yes, I know you’re all in. I am too.”
“Then why the avoidance?”
I cupped his face, leaning in to kiss him quickly. “Simon, I’ll do whatever it takes. Wait however long it takes. But thinking about you leaving…” I couldn’t go on.
Simon pulled me into an embrace. “Parker, babe, I’m not leaving you.”
“I know,” I said quickly. “I meant—”
“I know what you meant.” He drew back a little. “I’ve been waiting until I was sure, Parker. I just got word today. I don’t want you to think I’ve been holding out on you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I got a job offer at a little community college outside Riverton.”
“Riverton? But that’s so close.”
Simon nodded, lips twitching as if he were fighting a smile. “Easy driving distance. I’m going to look at apartments tomorrow. I want you to come with me if you want—”
