Addicted to Mr Parks (The Parks Series #2)(50)

“I just hate squealing women and the talk about men and Channing flaming Tatum.”

Steph gasped. “You are the only woman who doesn’t find Tatum sexy.”

“Oh please, throw me to Wade Parks any day.” I laughed.

I stayed at Steph’s for another hour, talking, laughing, and being us. My cue to leave was when she put on some animal programme, so I got my bag together.

“Hmm, Sir David Attenborough. His voice does something to me. I love it when a man talks all tellectuality.”

I scoffed at how my friend could be a bimbo. “I think you’re looking for intellectually.”

“Whatever.” She threw her pillow at me, so I threw it back childishly. She was about to throw it back again, but her smile dropped as someone walked into the room from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Alex coming into view. The level of awkwardness was tangible, and I wanted nothing more than to leave the room immediately.


“Um. I better go.”

“Wait, you’re forgetting Wade’s casser—” Steph stopped midsentence as I opened my eyes wide at her as a warning. She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes tight.

“Don’t stop on my account,” Alex bit out. “We all know you were shagging him when you were seeing me.”

Steph gasped and scolded her brother. “Alex, don’t start. We’ve been through this. Sorry, Evey, I told him you were calling over but looks like he called just in time. Conveniently.”

“We’ve talked about it,” he snapped, then glared at me. “But we haven’t.”

I rubbed at my forehead roughly. “Look, I don’t want to argue with you, Al. What happened, happened. I’m sorry for hurting you, but it wasn’t intentional.”

“You’re sorry?” He laughed. “You’re never sorry, Evey.”

“I should go.” I took the plastic container of casserole from Steph’s hands and smiled stiffly.

“Yeah, run along to Parks,” Alex goaded childishly.

“Al, don’t be a dick. It doesn’t suit you.” I tried to leave, but my feet were halted when Alex unexpectedly pulled me back by my upper arm.

“Tell me, Evey, why was I never good enough for you? You told me you couldn’t be in a relationship because of your issues, but now you’re seeing Parks, a man you hated.”

“Alex, let’s not do this.” My attempt to pull my arm from his hold was useless. He wouldn’t let go.

“I deserve an explanation.”

I didn’t want to give him one, but I felt I owed him that much. “Parks gets me, okay? He understands how I work, and he can handle me. He brings peace to my life, and that’s what I need right now.”

“Peace?” He let my arm go as a scoff whipped out of his mouth bitterly. “More like money and fancy f*cking clothes.”

I slapped him unhesitatingly, my natural reaction to an insult, and Steph backed me up that time, pulling her brother away.

“You deserved that,” she said. But Alex continued like a raving, jealous lunatic.

“He’ll hurt you Evey, mark my words.”

I didn’t dignify him with an answer. Instead, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and made my way to Cleaver’s car. Seven missed calls flashed upon my screen from Parks.

I got settled into the car and decided I wouldn’t call him back because I was on my way to him, anyway.





Chapter Seventeen





“Why didn’t you come straight home?” Parks pounced on me the moment my foot stepped out of the lift and into his lobby.

“I went to Steph’s for a catch-up. Why’s that a big deal?” My tone was casual, trying to play it down.

“I expected you to go straight home and be waiting for me when I got back. I told you we needed to talk.”

My laugh came out involuntary as I brushed past him and started climbing the spiral staircase. He followed. “Well, your expectations are too high. Besides, what was I meant to do? Wait for you while you were entertaining Carla?” Her name spat from my lips like a vicious attack.

“I wasn’t entertaining her, Evelyn. It was a—”

“Meeting. Yeah, I get it.” I made it to the top of the stairs, headed into the kitchen, and placed my bag on the counter. Parks watched my every move, even leaning against the fridge when I poured myself a glass of water. When I’d taken a sip, I faced him. “You know she said she slept with you. Her actual words were, ‘Parks is a beast in the sheets but a gentlemen in the streets.’ Or whatever.”

His groan made it apparent he was annoyed. “I have already told you I have never slept with the goddamn woman. She obviously has a f*cked-up fantasy of us.”

I rolled my eyes back to my glass, making him even more annoyed. I believed him, but I was still mad.

“You’re mad at me for having a meeting?”

I drank down the water, then tipped the empty glass towards him. “You’re mad at me for going to my friend’s house?”

He uncrossed his arms and rubbed at his forehead. “Let’s not do this.”

“Let’s not,” I agreed. After placing the glass into the sink, I turned my back and went into my bag for the container. “Let me grab your dinner.”