Page 65 of 7 Miles High
“I’ve got to go to makeup. My mom texted me. They’re parked near where the shot’s going to be. They want you to come sit with them.”
“Okay. Good.”
After he goes I scan the set. The open field and the waning sunlight. It’ll be dusk soon. Everyone is acting as if nothing strange happened last night. The stunt people greet me as usual and I can’t detect any change in behaviors. Then I spot Nia. She’s laughing with one of the lighting guys. She touches his arm.
As I make my way toward Parker’s parents’ rental car she turns toward me. Her eyes lock on mine, but her expression doesn’t change. She’s still engaged with the guy, but her attention is on me. There’s no embarrassed grin or wave. She lifts her shoulders sheepishly in a pathetic plea for my forgiveness.Oh no she didn’t!
I do my best to ignore her and take the last few steps to the Kia. I don’t look back as I get inside the back seat.
“Hi.”
Parker’s mother turns and looks at my expression.
“What’s wrong?”
The tears well without my effort. Oh no! Shit!
“Nothing,” I say, wiping the evidence away.
Her hand reaches for mine. “It’s something. Obviously. Tell us.”
Parker’s father glances through the seats, but quickly resumes his preferred position of facing forward. Can’t say I blame him. This is so embarrassing, and men rarely want to comment on the tears of a crying woman. They’d rather look away, hoping it passes before they’re required to try to make things better.
“Parker and I had a fight. But it’s over.”
“Is it?” she says firmly.
“I’m just sensitive. And it’s not right to talk to his parents about our issues.”
“Okay. We don’t need to know the details. But I’ll just say this. Our son has never been so besotted by a woman before. Really. A mother can tell.”
“Even when he thought about marrying that stunt girl,” his father blurts.
The mother turns her face to him as if she’s aiming and shoots a dagger. He shuts up.
“That was never going to happen,” she says. “There was no actual engagement.”
“That’s right. We may have been the only ones he told his plans to,” his father says thinking he’s making it better.
“That’s true. They broke up shortly after that,” his mother says under her breath.
The words land on me like a Mack truck. Marry? He was engaged? He told his parents? Fuck me and then fuck me again. I’m starting to see the real Parker. There’s hidden pockets of his personality and I’m not liking what they reveal.
The crackle of the radio Parker gave his parents grabs their interest.
“Everyone settle. Quiet on the set!”
The A.D.’s instructions are a welcome distraction.
“Oh! They’re going to start filming,” his mother says, happy for the distraction.
His parents aren’t looking at me right now, and it’s a good thing. I’m in shock. When was he going to mention this little nugget of information? If it wasn’t for the wrap party tomorrow night I’d leave today. But then he’d come running after me, cause a scene, and everybody would get involved. The whore would take my departure as proof that she got to me. I’m not going to give her the satisfaction.
Better that I pick my time as it benefits me. Maybe it’s not the end of us, but it certainly hits the pause button. This was going too fast anyway. Just because he said he loves me doesn’t mean he understands the nature of love. Like I want it to be. I may not understand it completely either, but I know what it isn’t.
There will be no settling for what Iwillhave in my life. My devotion and love will be honored by the man I end up with. No handsome face or exceptional sex life, no calm disposition or ability to feign devotion will keep me. Only real, unbreakable, unshakeable love will do that. And I won’t want it so desperately I mistake a man’s intentions. Not again I won’t.
