Page 105 of Mother Parker
“What?”
“Get out before I call the police. What a pathetic excuse for a man. How dare you come back to me after all the trouble—all the damage you caused me—and pretend you’re the good guy. Get the fuck out, and don’t you ever dare step foot in this place ever again.”
“I wouldn’t do that if—”
“GET. THE FUCK. OUT, you filthy piece of shit!”
Spittle burst from my mouth, my throat felt rough, and I was seething, shaking from anger and adrenaline and hatred.
The man didn’t respond. He cocked his head, put his hands in his pockets, and walked out of the shop, whistling.
I followed behind and locked the door as soon as he was out, slamming the closed sign against the window, right in his face.
I didn’t deserve this.
I didn’t.
No one deserved it. My mom didn’t deserve it either.
Why couldn’t people let other people run their business—and life—in peace and quiet?
Why did they have to ruin everything?
TWENTY-TWO
PARKER
Asharp pain shot through my back and spread throughout me as I blinked it all away.
“Are you okay?” Autumn asked, bending over me.
Her hair fell like curtains on my face, and I trilled my lips, trying to clear her hair from my mouth.
“I’m fine,” I groaned and pushed myself up.
“Just your bruised ego, huh?”
She laughed, and I glared at her.
“Don’t give me that look! How come Hwan gets all that droopy, schmoopy shit, and everyone else gets the same grouchy Parker?”
“Have you thought that maybe I just don’t like anyone else?” I growled at her.
It wasn’t true, of course, but if she was going to be a bitch, so was I.
Autumn put her hands on her hips and pursed her lips.
“Yeah, it has crossed my mind. But then we meet up so you can teach me how to kick your ass, and it reassures me there’s a sweetheart under all that asshole,” she said.
I huffed. I picked up the towel on the couch and wiped my forehead with it.
“Don’t be so sure,” I grumbled.
“Whatever you say, bro. Now come on. Let me hand you your ass again.”
She beckoned me to her, and with a roll of my eyes, I threw the towel back to the couch and tried to attack her.
I snatched her hand and pulled her to me. She used my momentum to slam her hand on my chin, tilting my head backward, and kicked me in the stomach twice before she pushed me to the floor.
