Page 25 of Barker

“Why?” he asks, with confusion written on his face. He makes confused look so good. It’s almost adorable on him.

“Because you aren’t mad. Most people, especially a guy, would be upset that I blew him off for my dad,” I explain.

He nods, but steps toward me, eliminating what little space we had barely put between us. “First of all, he’s your dad and he’s sick. I’d have to be a world-class douchebag in order to get upset about that. Second of all, you aren’t blowing me off. We didn’t have plans. This was a spur-of-the-moment idea, but I will totally take a raincheck on it,” he tells me with a wink. One more step toward me and we are chest to chest. “Lastly, if we ever do have plans and you have to cancel, and I don’t care how last minute it is, if it’s for you dad, I’ll understand.”

I shake my head in shock and raise up on my tiptoes to press a kiss to his mouth. “You’re kind of awesome.”

Barker smirks. “I’ll take that.” I scan the parking lot, but I don’t see Talon anywhere. Barker, of course, notices my eyes surveying the parking lot. “What are you looking for? Some hot date you don’t want me to know about?” he teases.

“No, Talon usually meets me, then we head over and visit with my dad for the afternoon. We usually play poker and then watch an old western movie, and have lunch with him, but I don’t see him anywhere.”

Barker turns around, leaving one hand resting on my hip while scanning the parking lot. “Yeah, I don’t see him. I mean, I’m sure he’s fine. Didn’t you see him before class?”

I shake my head as worry starts to feel me. “No, I was running late and I just jumped out of bed, dealt with Augustus, and ran out to make it to my study group. His bedroom door was still shut, so I just assumed he was asleep.” My eyes scan the area for his familiar motorcycle, prospect cut, or his dark, slicked-back hair but I’m still not spotting him anywhere.

Barker runs his hands up and down my arms. “Look, try not to worry too much. I’m sure he’s fine. He’s probably still asleep. He’s been working really hard at the bar and his website designer job. He’s got to be tired.”

I nod my head because he’s right. I’m sure Talon is fine and I’m just overreacting. “I’m sure you’re right.” Even though I’ve convinced myself that Barker is right, I can’t shake the feeling in my gut that something is wrong. “Barker.”

“Yeah darlin’,” he says, with a question in his eye.

I take a deep breath and before I can chicken out, I blurt out, “Do you want to come with me?” The minute I say it out loud, I want to turn around and run away. What the hell was I thinking? Of course he doesn’t want to come to a nursing home and hang out with me and my dad for the afternoon. Besides, we just barely got to a good spot last night and now I want to throw meeting my dad at him… really? Talk about awkward moment. This is one of those times that you want to put your face to your palm in a duh moment.

Barker smiles and his dimples shine. “I’d love to.” I must give him a shocked look, because he chuckles and asks, “What?”

“I just didn’t think you’d be okay with it. I mean, hanging out there today and meeting my dad.”

“Well, I did kind of already meet your dad. I mean, not officially, but he saw me when he was at the hospital. I don’t think it’s a big deal. Besides, I love poker and old western movies,” he says with a wink, and I swear in that moment I didn’t think it was possible for me to fall for Barker Tobin more than I already had, but I was wrong. This is a whole new level and my heart knows it. It’s beating like a hummingbird.

Twenty-Three

Barker

I follow behind Annistyn on the way to the nursing home to see her dad. I keep waiting for myself to freak out, but it hasn’t happened yet, which is kind of funny. I mean, meeting or spending time with a girl’s father is a big deal, yet I’m super calm. Normally, I would have been running in the other direction. I would have already come up with over a hundred different excuses as to why I couldn’t make it. Hell, I probably would have wrecked my damn bike just to avoid the situation, but this is different. This is Annistyn, so it makes everything better. Another part of me feels special that she even invited me to come along. I know how much her father means to her. It was evident the night at the hospital. So, the fact that she’s allowing me into this part of her world means more than she knows. It’s a sign that she’s starting to trust me. Stepping into Talon’s shoes for the day feels odd but I’m so damn glad he’s overslept. It’s selfish but true. He’s like a brother to Annistyn so I know she’s worried about his absence but I’m thankful for this chance with her.

I watch as her Civic pulls into a parking spot and I pull in beside her. She gets out slowly and I can tell she’s nervous. She’s fidgeting and that damn bottom lip is in between her teeth again. I swear, she has no idea what she does to me. I take a moment to look her over. Her distressed denim capris and cranberry and white floral tank top give her a different look than normal, or at least different than what I’m used to. When I look down, I realize why everything seems so different. A pair of white sandals are on her feet. It hadn’t really registered how short she was earlier, but now it does. “Did Cinderella lose her slipper?”

Annistyn shakes her head. “Hush it. I don’t wear heelsallthe time.” I raise my eyebrows and give her a skeptical look. “Really, I don’t. I mean, I love them, but when I’m running around like a madwoman trying to make it to my study group on time, I don’t think heels are the best choice.”

I laugh. “Well, me and heels don’t get along.”

“I could see that. You don’t really have the legs for them,” she fires back with a smirk.

I laugh and throw my arm around her shoulders. “Come on, let's go play some poker.”

As we enter the nursing home, I have to admit that this one feels different from others I’ve been inside of. This one feels inviting and homey. Annistyn leads us down the hallway. She stops outside a door and takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders. I can tell she’s preparing herself for whatever she is going to encounter on the other side of the door. I place my hands on her shoulders and give her a little squeeze, just so she knows that she’s not alone. Annistyn glances over her shoulder and gives me a small smile. I lean forward and press a light kiss to her temple and she sighs.

Annistyn heads into the room. “Hey Daddy,” she says happily.

“There’s my Annistyn girl,” he tells her, with a smile on his face. He notices me. “And you brought someone with you. Now, I remember you, but not your name.” His slender finger points at me.

I step forward and extend my hand to him. “Barker Tobin, sir.”

Her dad takes my hand and nods his head. “That’s right! I remember that. Nice to see you again.”

“Nice to see you too.” I look around the room and notice the cards already laying on the table. “Annistyn told me there would be some poker today.”

“Well, is the sun hot?”

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