Page 8 of Happenstance
“Bravery is just another word for stupid.”
I tipped my chin up and studied him. I mean, really studied him. Parker Whitley was the team’s star running back, on the honor roll, and had his choice of scholarships to choose from. He was what every parent wanted their son to be. Ashen Springs’ golden boy. And not once had it occurred to me that he didn’t want any of it.
“What are you so afraid of, Parker? That you’ll disappoint them,” I stepped in, pressing my body against his, “Or yourself?”
“It’s not always that simple, Angel.”
My brows furrowed as I looked up at him. “Yes it is.”
“Is it?”
I licked my lips, swallowing my nerves, and nodded my head.
“Prove it.” He bent down and softly growled in my ear, “Take your shirt off.”
It was that man,the brief glimpse I got into Parker Whitley, that I prayed was the father of my child. Because the other option was too much to bare.
My brows furrowed at a couple of students pointing at me and staring with wide eyes.
Something was definitely up.
The only time people in Ashworth paid any attention to me was when Mason Kessler decided to torment Harper. Since I wasn’t about to let him push my best friend around, I’d also become a target of the youngest Kessler. When we were kids, I thought Mason was sweet, until he showed his true colors. Maybe all men lied about who they were? Even the ones you trusted the most.
I wiped the tear off my cheek before anyone could see, and rounded the corner. Harper and Shelby were waiting for me by my locker. Normal for Harper, but Shelby was usually with Riley. More concerning was the look on their faces. Somewhere between worry and sympathy. I forced the lump of guilt down into my gut and focused on Shelby. Her light brown eyes didn’t make my skin crawl.
In the short time I’d known her, I’d learned two things. Shelby had a huge heart–she once spent an hour chasing down a fly so it could be released safely outside–and she was completely insane. Anyone that loved Logan Hudson as much as she did had to have a screw loose. That boy was not right in the head.
“Did someone die?” I was only teasing, but then they both flinched.
“Depends if Riley finds them,” Harper grumbled under her breath.
That didn’t explain much. Someone was always on Riley’s shit list. Mainly Micha. He seemed to occupy the top spot ninety percent of the time. Why those two were together, I had no idea. They argued more than Nan and our goat. I don’t know how many times Nan had come charging into the house muttering that Henry was about to find himself at the slaughterhouse.
“Hey,” Shelby’s pretty face scrunched up as her hand swept down my back, “How are you doing?”
The girls had been super sweet about this whole thing. I loved them for that, but I still shied away from Shelby’s touch.
“Are you okay?” Shelby stared down at me, eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “Is there anything you need?”
“Alright.” I spun around, dodging Shelby’s comforting hand, “What’s going on?”
Right then, Jasmine decided to walk by with Naomi’s other minions. She flicked her dark hair over her shoulder and muttered, “Orphan Annie moving up to Mommy,” as she sauntered past.
I swallowed and glanced down at my belly. Was I busted? Of course I was. There was only so much Ashworth’s sweater could hide, and my bump was definitely starting to show.
“Knew I shouldn’t have changed in the locker room,” I grumbled under my breath.
Harper’s worried gaze darted around as she leaned in and whispered, “It wasn’t that.”
“My idiot boyfriend and his friends decided to inform everyone,” Shelby explained, with an exaggerated eye roll.
Of course they did.
“Rye’s currently hunting them down.”
Was it wrong that I hoped she found them? Riley was a tiny thing, but the girl had bite. This was her first year at Ashworth, and she’d managed to do something I never could. Get Mason to leave Harper alone. When she was around, anyway.
“Let me guess,” I released a loud sigh and glanced at Shelby, “Micha’s leading the charge?”
