Page 118 of Just This Once

Thane and I shared another glance, and he was clearly as confused as I was. But we didn’t have to suffer through any more awkwardness for long.

Mama Chaunce bustled into the living room, calling, “Is that my Parker I hear?”

A grin spread broadly across my face because no one could make me genuinely smile like Thane’s mother.

“Yes, ma’am,” I informed her, already opening my arms for one of her big, pillowy hugs. This woman had to be the best hugger in all of Texas, I kid you not.

“There’s my boy,” she murmured, resting her cheek on my chest as she gathered me into her arms. When I kissed her on top of the head, she chuckled her deep laugh and pulled back, saying, “Remember whenIwas taller than you and used to be the one kissing the top ofyourhead?”

I winked. “Why do you think I always return the favor now?”

Handing overherwildflowers, I finally got the response I’d been looking for.

“Oh…you,” she scolded with delight as she swatted my arm. “You already got me a gift, you scoundrel.” Gathering the bouquet to her chest as if they were precious to her, she told Christine, “Wildflowers are my absolute favorite. And lookie there. You got you some too. Isn’t Parker just the sweetest? I’m telling you…” Nudging my arm, she added, “He never forgets a birthday or anniversary.”

Chauncy was the only person allowed to call me sweet. Then again, she was possibly the only person whothoughtof me as sweet. But that might be because I had never been disrespectful or rude or sarcastically mouthy to either of Thane’s parents. Not when I owed them everything.

As Thane’s mom waxed poetic about me to Christine, Thane snorted under his breath and muttered, “Sweetest my ass,” out of the side of his mouth.

I refused to engage, other than to tuck my left hand under my right elbow and flash him the middle finger so only he could see it.

He elbowed my bird in retaliation.

“Boys,” Chauncy said sharply without even glancing at us, and both Thane and I cleared our throats as we took a respectful step away from each other.

A new laugh filled the room. “Parker must be in the house if my wife is sayingboysin that tone,” Thane’s dad announced as he entered the front room from a back hallway.

“Sir,” I greeted, going to him for a hug as well.

As Zeke teased me about staying out of trouble—and, no, the irony was not lost on me about how deeply I’d been inTroublelately—Thane’s girlfriend finally seemed to warm up to me. She even managed to aim a somewhat believable smile my way as the elder Eisners led her toward the kitchen.

I moved to follow until Thane gripped my elbow and yanked me back to his side. “What the hell, man?” he hissed. “Did you sleep with my girlfriend in the past or something?”

“What?” I spat incredulously. “No.” Then I tipped my face and winced. “I mean, I don’tthinkso.” I glanced toward the entrance of the kitchen in the hopes of getting another look at her. “I’d remember that ice.”

“But that’s the thing,” Thane told me, shaking his head. “She’snoticy. She’s never been icy. So what the fuck did you do to her?’

“Bro.” I lifted my hands helplessly. “I have no idea. I just fucking met her.”

“Did you sleep with one of her friends?” he pressed.

“That’s completely possible,” I allowed. “But I’ve still never metherbefore.”

“Huh.” Frowning because he couldn’t figure the mystery out, he glanced toward the kitchen.

“Speaking of sleeping with people, though,” I said, lowering my voice and rushing to slot this in while I had his sole attention. “I did kind of fuck someone Ireallywasn’t supposed to.”

His dark brown eyes veered back to me in surprise. “Who?”

When I didn’t answer, his eyes narrowed.

“Okay then. Let’s try this question instead.Whyshouldn’t you have slept with this woman?” When I didn’t immediately answer, he winced. “Shit, Parker. Please don’t tell me she’s already married.”

I exhaled, refusing to answer, and he took that to mean an affirmative.

“Jesus, man,” he groaned, running both hands over his face. “This isn’t good. This isnotgood.”

I watched his reaction, feeling slightly sick to my stomach. “So what do I do?”

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