Page 277 of Playing the Pucking Game
A growl rips through the room, and it’s not until they both turn and stare at me that I realize it came from me.
“You two are unbelievable,” I shout, anger bubbling up inside me faster than I can control. “I’m standing right here, you know. I’m not some pathetic little girl you don’t want to hang out with anymore. I’m a fully grown woman with a career and a life.
“I’m so fucking sick of men thinking they’re better than me, that they can make decisions for me, and that I’ll just follow along like a good little girl.”
They both stare at me with open mouths.
“Yes, Linc took me in when I had nowhere else to go. And yes, I’ve been living here ever since. We should have told you, but as Linc just said, as soon as I can find another place to live, I’ll be gone. You never needed to know.
“Excuse me,” I bark before darting forward and out of the room as fast as my legs will carry me.
“Parker?” Linc calls.
My heart aches as I ignore his plea and rush into my room. The loud bang as the door slams startles me, but for once, I don’t stop to open it again. Right now, I’ll happily hide behind a closed door, away from their macho bullshit.
Fearing they’ll hear me, I race into my bathroom, also closing that door, before I allow my sob to rip free.
I’m angry. I’m frustrated. I’m hurt. And it all collides into loud sobs and ugly tears.
I hate it. I wish I was the kind of woman who could punch a wall and move on. But no, I get the girly tears.
Men will never take you seriously in their world if you break down and cry when things get hard.
The minutes stretch on, but I don’t hear anything from Linc or Rett. For all I know, they’re punching each other’s lights out in the gym right now.
Fear rips through me, and the need to go out and check on them is almost too much to bear. But in the end, I focus on myself. I might have screamed at them that I’m an adult who can look after herself, but so are they.
If they need to fight this out, then who am I to stop them?
I need to talk to someone, though, so I drag myself from my bathroom floor and trudge through to my bedroom. Afterfinding my cell at the bottom of my purse, I take myself back to the bathroom, close and lock the door, and then find my best friend’s contact.
“Heloha,” Casey says softly.
I try to fight it, but the second her voice hits my ear, I shatter.
“Parker? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t...Rett…Fuck. Linc and I?—”
“Okay, you need to take a breath. Do you need me to come get you?”
“No. NO. No, don’t do that. I’m hiding in my bathroom.”
“Okay. Did you want to tell me why?”
I take a few calming breaths while I try to gather my thoughts.
“Linc and I...we’re?—”
“Fucking?” Casey finishes for me.
“Umm…well, that specific act hasn’t actually happened yet, but?—”
“You’re hooking up?” she asks hopefully.
“Do you have to sound so excited about this?” I complain.
“Parker, I love you, you know this, but Linc has been in love with you forever. You’re just too blind to see it.”
