Page 52 of Free Fall

There’s a short knock on the door and then Reid lets himself in. My stomach does that twisty thing it always does when I see him now. I don’t know how my parents haven’t noticed that I’m different around him. They definitely need this break more than I thought.

“Well, here’s Reid now,” Dad says. “Let’s ask him.”

“Ask me what?” Reid says. He turns to me and gives me a sly wink.

I don’t know how anyone can look like utter perfection in the morning, but he does. Always. Now that he and Sasha had such a public break up, the girls have been coming out of the woodwork, and since we aren’t official yet, I’ve had to stand by and watch all the flirtations sent his way. I like the mornings the best because that’s when I get him to myself.

“Well, Pam and I were talking, and we’d like to go away for a week or so. Recharge. That kind of thing. We just don’t know what to do with our baby girl here.” Dad reaches over and ruffles my hair.

“So…” Reid starts, looking somehow cute and confused all at the same time. I wouldn’t normally use the word cute to describe Reid Parker, but I think he’s showing a new side of himself to me.

“If it’s too lonely for Briar here at the house, I was going to call up your parents to see if she could stay at your place.”

Reid’s green eyes light. He turns toward me, a real and true smile on his face. “I’m sure they would love to have her. My mom’s always thought of Briar as her only daughter.”

I’m sure that’s not exactly what Reid is thinking. I’m sure he’s thinking much more dirtier things to himself. I know I am.

* * *

Just as my parents said,they left for the airport that Friday while I was at school. I kissed them goodbye that morning, telling them to text me with pictures and updates on what they’re doing. I’m nervous as hell about staying at the Parker house, but I’m also a little sad to see my parents go. I know I actually ran away to put distance between us over the summer, but it’s been a long time since I felt that need. I could tell the same idea was going through my mother’s head when she left because she gave Reid the biggest hug and told him not to let me out of his sight. I swear she even asked him to send her updates in regard to me instead of asking for them from me.

I tried to reassure her I wasn’t going to go anywhere, but once trust is gone, it takes a lot to repair. The fact that they were even going to let me stay home by myself tells me that they’re trying to rebuild that foundation, the one I shook down to its core.

School flies by. I was on autopilot through most of it, writing down notes without thinking, collecting the homework sheets like a robot. It was an out-of-body experience day. I’ll probably look through my bookbag later and think, “We did that in school today?”

It just so happens that this weekend is an off week for the football team. I stayed after school to watch the guys practice and then Reid loaded me up in his car and we took off for his house. Ever since he found out my parents said I could stay at his place, he didn’t even ask me if I’d rather stay home. I’m not sure if it’s because he knows me and knows I would’ve been lonely there or if it’s because he wasn’t going to give me an option anyway. He wanted me here. With him.

Maybe he’s got a little bit of trust issues too.

We walk in through the front door. His house is eerily quiet. I look around. “Where’s your mom?” She’s usually buzzing through the house somewhere looking fit, like she’s prepared to make an online video for their clients at any moment.

“I kind of have a surprise for you about that.”

I cock my head at him. “Which is?”

“Mom said to take really good care of you this weekend because…her and Dad are out of town too.”

“You’re kidding,” I say.

He shakes his head. “One of their clients needed them. A fitness emergency of some sort.”

My stomach tumbles over itself. I thought at least I would get a grace period. Some time to acclimate myself to the Parker house again with his parents being home. Instead, my mind is already latching onto the fact that we have this whole house to ourselves.Ourselves.For the entire weekend.

I can think of a lot of shit I want to do.

But I’m also terrified to do any of it.

He smiles, cupping my cheek. “Relax, Briar. I’m not going to throw you over the couch right this minute.”

I think all the color drains from my face as Reid laughs. What if I wanted him to throw me over the couch right now?

“Then again…” He darts forward, claiming my lips for his. He backs me up until I’m pressed against the sofa and he’s kissing the crap out of me. He pulls away a minute later. “I don’t know why I did that. I’m just teasing myself.” He lifts his gaze to meet mine. “Just know, that by the end of the weekend, I plan on burying myself so deep inside you I’ll never want to come back up for air, Briar Page.”

My legs quiver. I keep telling myself that having sex isn’t a big deal, but I’m not very convincing, even to myself. It feels like a huge deal when it concerns Reid Parker. Trust me, it’s a step I want to take, but it also feels like it’s a milestone. A life changing marker that denotes I’ll never be the same again.

Who knew I could wax so poetic?

The thing is, Reid is a force. I already know I’ll be a goner after this, but I kind of want to do it on my terms. I lift to my tiptoes and give him a solid smack on the lips. “Well, Reid Parker, we’ll see if you can win me.”

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