Page 109 of Best Friends for Never

He’s not giving me an option, and he’s not asking if this is something I want to do. He’s just informing me that I’ll be there.

I love acting, but I could really do without all the extra shit that goes along with it sometimes.

I tuck my phone back into my pocket as I walk up Gran’s porch. I sneak inside quietly, knowing she’s taking a nap to “stay up and partywith the young’uns,” as she told me this morning. I’ve been instructed to wake her at six to walk over to Bigfoot’s.

I check the clock hanging on the living room wall. I still have an hour to kill before I need to wake her.

I shuffle into my room with a sigh and then settle onto my bed. I grab my laptop from my nightstand and pull up the script I’ve ignored for the last week.

I guess now is as good a time as any to start it.

“You know these old bones don’t move as fast as they used to, right?”

“I know.” I slow my gait. “I’m sorry. It’s just that we’re late, and I know Parker won’t be happy.”

“Bah.” Gran waves her hand. “She’ll be fine. She knows I’m poky. We walk around town at least once a week, which takes us forever. She’s used to it.”

I love that even though Parker and I had a falling-out, she never stopped including my gran in her life.

It’s just another reason to admire her and why I hate that I’m letting her down by being late for something that means so much to her.

I’ll admit it—I don’t hate the script as much as I thought I would. In fact, I love it. It’s more than just a superhero movie packed with action and CGI. There’s true heart there, and it’s something I’d be proud to be part of. I got so wrapped up in the story I forgot to wake Gran, and she had to be the one to come get me just as I was sending off an email to Aaron, letting him know I was open to a conversation with the studio.

The parking lot of Bigfoot’s comes into view, and it’s clear this event is already going well—and we’re just fifteen minutes into it.

I curse myself for the umpteenth time for being late. I should have been here on time. This event is important to Parker, which makes it important to me. Though I’m sure Gran is right and Parker won’t beupset that I’m late, I’m still eager to get inside, and the old woman next to me doesn’t miss it.

“Go on ahead. I’ll catch up, bub.”

I shake my head. “Like I told you three times at home, I’m not leaving you.”

Gran huffs. “So stubborn.”

Music and laughter filter out as we shuffle up to the front door.

“After you, ma’am,” I say, letting her pass.

“Call me ma’am one more time,” she warns, and I laugh.

We walk inside, and my mouth drops open.

“This is . . .”

I don’t have the words for it. There are people everywhere. Every trivia table is full, there’s hardly any standing room at the bar, servers are buzzing back and forth, and Garth is popping top after top from beer bottles. One peek into the bowling side tells me it’s just as busy.

“She’s amazing, huh?” Gran grins as she takes in the scene before us. “I’ve never seen this place so busy before, and that’s saying something because I’ve lived here forever.”

“It’s incredible.”

“Where’s Parker?” Gran asks, craning her neck to try to find my girl.

Just when I’m about to give up and park Gran near the bar so I can look for her, I spot her.

She’s in the bowling alley, and her arms are raised as she does a little dance. Astrid high-fives her, then sticks her tongue out at Axel, who looks as grumpy as ever.

Parker looks so happy and at ease. She’s in her element.

It’s just another reminder of how much she belongs here, how perfectly she fits into every little space in this town.

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