Page 119 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
Maybe she did have everything to risk and I had nothing. Seemed like a fucked up thing to say, but she was protecting herself. I needed to think about protecting myself as well.
"What are you thinking?" My sister pressed her shoulder against mine as we swung on my father's old porch swing. It was the middle of December, and especially cold for Texas.
"I don't know. I was thinking about Mom a little bit." I glanced over at Natalie and shrugged. My sister had changed from a tomboy into a wild and unruly woman right after high school. She'd joined up with the wrong crowd, gotten married to the bad ass of our high school and was now divorced at twenty-one. No job and no hope for the future.
"You miss her?" She leaned her head against my shoulder and let out a soft sigh.
"Yeah. Of course I do." I pushed against the concrete beneath us and forced the swing to move a little more. "You?"
"Yep. It's always harder around Christmastime. Dad closes down more. Sleeps all the damn time." She glanced up at me. "You sure you're okay with me going on this trip to Denver with you and your friends? I wouldn't want my bratty-ass little sister coming along."
"You're not bratty, and you're not me. I don't mind you coming with us. I just don't want you hooking up with Becca's friend Parker. I like the guy, but he's a player."
"I like players." She snorted and moved off of me. "They're fun to mess with."
"Not this guy." I ran my fingers through my hair and couldn't help but think about Rebecca for the millionth time that day. Our relationship had the potential of being amazing and yet she wasn't going to let that happen.
"No? What's his story?" She got up and took one of Mom's blankets that laid across the back of the swing with her.
"Not sure. Becca said he was married twice, but I've only met one wife. I think they're divorced now, or at least I sure as hell hope they are. I've seen him with a couple of different women at various events, and none of them are the wife." I shrugged. It really wasn't my business, but him messing with my sister was.
"And what about you?" She tilted her head to the side as the door to the house opened behind her.
"Dinner is ready. You two come on in and wash up." My father poked his head out, gave me a stern look and disappeared back into the house.
"What about me?" I stood and lifted my hands toward the sky as my back popped.
"How are you doing? You've been out here three times this week." She opened the door and moved back, studying me.
"And? I can't come see my family?" I pulled at the bottom of my t-shirt, tucking it into my jeans as my father would expect before walking into the house.
"It's not that, but usually you're busy. Something going on with you and Becca?"
I moved past my sister, realizing that the last thing in the world I wanted to do was open the can of worms up about mine and Becca's odd relationship. Natalie wouldn't understand, and would be extra protective of me on the ski trip. I didn't need that, and Becca wouldn't understand it.
"Nope. Just giving her a little bit of space." I shrugged and walked toward the kitchen to wash my hands.
"Did she ask for space?" Natalie followed after me.
"Who asked for space?" My father's voice caused me to turn and glance over my shoulder.
"It's nothing, Dad. Rebecca and I are just working through some stuff. She's older than I am and more set in her ways. She feels like she's got a lot to lose in our relationship, so she's very timid about moving forward."
"Then give her time and space," he barked and walked toward the dining room. "You're always trying to suffocate people, Jason. Just let her come around, boy. You can't force stuff like that."
I nodded, but didn't say anything else. He was right in some ways. I used to be the type to force a relationship if I wanted it, but after Mom died, I backed off a lot - from life in general.
Finding Becca and falling in love with her helped me to find my heartbeat again.
"Hey. It's going to work out." Natalie rubbed my back and leaned around me to smile up at me. "I'll feel her out on the trip and see what's going on."
"Hell no." I lifted my eyebrow and pinned my sister with a hard stare. "Seriously. Leave it alone."
"Maybe." Natalie smirked. "Maybe not."
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see her calling. "I'll be right back."
I made my way out to the yard and closed the front door behind me before answering the phone. I forced my tone to sound normal, happy, content. All the things I wasn't.
