Page 68 of The Complication
Part of me wanted to blame Parker’s mother. If she hadn’t sprinkled these doubts in Parker’s mind, Parker and Joy would still be in my home, and we’d be happy together. Why did she have to go meddling in things?
I already knew the answer to that question—because she only wanted what was best for her son. She was worried about Parker’s long-term happiness. I wished Parker could pursue his long-term happiness while living with me.
After I spilled my guts, I looked expectantly at Rome. “How do I fix this? Where did I go wrong? I apologized for trying to find a nanny for Joy, but I don’t feel like that was enough.”
Rome’s face wrinkled up as if he were cringing. “You aren’t going to like what I have to say.”
“If you’re going to tell me I’m better off without Parker, you can save your breath.”
“What?” Rome gasped. “No! Fuck, no!” He launched tohis feet and waved for me to follow him. “Parker is one of the best things that has ever happened to you. Did you know you talk more now?”
We cut down another long hallway filled with more vintage art deco paintings until we reached the kitchen. He grabbed a couple of glasses from the cabinet and filled them with ice and water.
“I bet you haven’t even noticed. Usually, when someone tells a story that you were involved in, you stand there and listen. You don’t even nod in agreement or add to the story. But Parker talking about pretty much anything—especially his kid?—”
“Joy,” I supplied.
Rome grinned as if I’d proved his point. He set one of the glasses in front of me. “Exactly. You add tidbits. Chime in. With Sebastian, you were his shadow. But with Parker, it’s like he’s breathed life into you. There’s no way in hell I’m going to tell you not to go after that.”
“Then what are you going to say that I won’t like?”
My college friend took a sip of water and sighed. “There’s nothing you can do to fix this.”
Pain slashed through my chest and panic welled up to squeeze my throat. “Why?” I choked out.
“Because you didn’t break anything.”
“But…but…there has to be something.” My hand tightened on the glass, the cold seeping into my skin, helping to keep me grounded. If I couldn’t fix this, how in the world was I ever going to win Parker back? My last shred of hope was crumbling before my eyes. I didn’t know what to do.
Rome leaned on his forearms on the kitchen island that separated us and smiled at me. “Look, shit isn’t hopeless. I know it probably feels that way. I am sure you did everything you could to make sure Parker and Joy were comfortable. Beautiful house, clothes, food, a feeling of security. All of it, right?”
“Yes.”
“But Parker is one of those independent types. I’ve known plenty of those artsy-fartsy people. Independent, free thinkers who make their own way in the world.”
My eyebrows jumped at that description. What would Parker say to being called “artsy-fartsy”? I kept my thoughts to myself. I was sure Rome was getting to his point.
“Parker was fine with you giving him a hand, but he needs to feel like he’s living with you because it washischoice for his life and not because he was scared or desperate. You making sure he’s all warm and cozy in your house only got him mad at himself, see? I bet if he’d gotten stuck living with his parents, he would have found a new apartment real fast.” Rome cackled, but I was confused.
“So…I wasn’t supposed to make him happy?”
“Nah. That’s not it. You made him happy, and that made him want to stay. But I bet he’s worried that he’s lazy or hiding from life. Moving out tells his ego that he’s still independent.” Rome picked up his glass and tipped it toward me. “And I bet now that he’s living on his own, he’s miserable because he’s missing you.”
Hope sparked in my chest and the panic strangling me released my throat. “Should I call him? Ask if he wants to move back in?”
Rome had been taking a drink and choked on his water. “No, don’t,” he croaked between coughs.
“What should I do?”
“First, he needs time,” Rome rasped. He cleared his throat. “How long has it been since he moved out?”
“A week.”
Rome rocked his head back and forth as if turning over the information. “Not a long time, but possibly enough time to get into a routine. Definitely enough time to miss you and all that hot sex you were having.” Rome leaned in and grinned atme. “The sex was super hot, right? I’ve always heard the quiet ones are freaks in the sheets.”
I rolled my eyes and picked up my glass. There was no way in hell I was going to discuss my sex life with this lunatic.
Thankfully, Rome chuckled and moved on without needing me to say a word.
