Page 14 of The Americana Playbook

I dip my head again. “You could’ve told me that years ago. I’m sure they had phones in boarding school or wherever you went after.”

Parker stiffens. “Is that what my parents told you?”

I think what Candice Montgomery told me before she closed the door in my face was Parker went toa better environment. I couldn’t really wrap my mind around that. How is there any place better thanhome? But it was Coach who let me know that Parker would finish her senior year in boarding school. Eventually, I let him talk me into letting it go, and I came to believe that maybe there was a better place for Parker. It just hurt to accept I wasn’t enough to make things better and that maybe, by pulling away, I made it worse for her.

I read bodies for a living. Parker’s tells me she’s anxious, uncomfortable. It’s a stark difference from the hug we shared downstairs. “I take it you don’t really plan on telling me about any of the time you were gone.”

“It’s kind of a long story.”

“Yeah, well, it’s officially offseason.” I pocket my hands. “I’ve got loads of time, but not for excuses.”

“It’s not an excuse, Fitz. It’s?—”

“It’s complicated, right?”

She looks away once more.

“Why did you get my attention tonight?” I ask. “You could’ve said nothing and worked that whole party—” I pause, realizing I haven’t quite addressed the obvious elephant that’s sitting in the White House hundreds of miles away. “Why are you working in a club anyway?”

“There’s nothing wrong with waitressing.”

My hands flee my pockets and I hold them up in defense. “I didn’t say there was. It’s just?—”

“My dad is president. You don’t think he should have a daughter who serves drinks in a nightclub to a bunch of rowdy football players.”

“I don’t care about your dad. I care about you, and if you told me ...”

I can’t say what I really want to. I can’t say it even though she’s standing in front of me in a pair of hot pants with my jersey tied in a knot to show them off. What I want to say isI don’t want you working in a nightclubbecause I can’t stand the thought ofherbeing drooled over by a bunch of douchebags who might go so far as to even touch her.

I can’t say that though. For one, it makes me sound like some sort of overprotective, controlling asshole. And because I have no right. Parker isn’t my girl. She never has been.

That doesn’t mean I can’t look out for her like I always did until she wasn’t around for me to do that anymore.

“Parker, if you need anything?—”

“I don’t.”

I huff out a frustrated breath because Parker is as stubborn as ever. “I knew you were going to say?—"

“I don’t need you to rescue me, Fitz. That’s not what this is about. I just wanted to see you, that’s all. I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time. I’m alright,” she adds.

Alrightdoesn’t cut it. Not for me when it comes to her.

“If you need something,” I repeat with a firmer voice before I soften it. “I’d never say no. Not for anything. Even after all this time. Do you understand?”

The hollowness in Parker’s eyes gives me the chills.

“Parker—"

“I’m okay,” she reiterates, but god damn, my heart doesn’t believe it.

“You’re done for the night?” I ask.

Parker nods. “I’ve been on since this afternoon. I’m wiped.”

“Can I take you home? I can have a car outside in five minutes. I’ll ride with you.”

“Ihave a car,” Parker says.

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