Page 84 of Cherry Picking
Ten minutes later with a plate in one hand and a mug in the other, I rap on Parker’s door lightly so as not to jostle the peaceofferings. I’ve put on a shirt and some pants, and Griff is already back in the room, so nothing indecent is happening this time.
Right when I start to think he might have fallen asleep, the door creaks open, and there Parker is with his hands stuffed in his hoodie pocket and a troubled frown. He spots the s’mores and the cocoa, and his eyes light up even if they’re a bit wary.
“Only because chocolate is my comfort food,” he says as he pushes the door the rest of the way open with his foot and reaches for the mug.
I put the plate down on his computer desk and occupy the swivel chair while he climbs crossed legged on his bed noisily sipping from the cup.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
Wiping at the foamy, chocolate stash on his upper lip, Parker scoffs. “How dare you be an adult and have sex.” He wrinkles his nose when he says it.
“I should have been more considerate.”
Parker rolls his eyes, but I can tell by the way his shoulders rise that he’s uncomfortable. “It’s fine.”
I take a deep breath, knowing this won’t be any easier to say than the way this conversation is already going.
“Listen, Parker?—”
“Oh god, no.” Parker sets the mug between his legs and throws his hands up. “I don’t need details. If I wanted that, I’d open one of Mom’s books.” He shudders. “You can bone whoever you want.”
I try not to laugh at how grossed out he seems, but a stray one slips out, and he sends me a dirty look.
“Could you do me a favor?” I ask. “Don’t tell Mom and Dad.”
“That you’re hooking up with your teammate?”
“That I’m dating a man.”
Parker’s brows dip down. “Okaaay,” he says slowly, drawing out the word. “You think they’d care?”
I shake my head. “No, but I’m kind of … working my way up to telling them myself.”
“Oh, so you’re bribing me to keep my mouth shut?”
A denial hangs on my tongue, but Parker’s wide grin dries it up.
“It’s complicated.”
“Sure it is. I mean, I don’t get why you like sweaty dudes—we’re nasty—but I won’t yuck your yum.”
“Uh uh, nope. You stay away from Mom’s computer.”
Parker bursts out into laughter so hard he has to cover his mouth with his hoodie sleeve.
“Are we good?” I ask once he catches his breath.
“We were never not good. My ears might be majorly violated, but I’ll get over it.”
I stand up and walk over to his bed, ruffling his already messy brown hair until he squawks for me to stop.
“Love you, Parkie. I meant it when I said I wanted to be a better brother.”
“Ew. Then, let me sleep so I can decompress and actually look yourfriendin the eye tomorrow.”
We both laugh and say our goodnights, and when I sneak back into my bedroom, the lights are out but a bedside lamp is turned on with Griffin sitting up, book in hand.
“You’re ridiculous,” I tell him, and he grins.
