DAKOTA

impossible

I can't stop the smile that overtakes my face, swooning over my boyfriend, but I pull myself back together quickly, remembering what tonight is.

Yesterday, I stayed over at the house with Parker, wanting to sleep in the same bed after being apart for a short period of time. Yes, he travels for hockey, but he's never been gone for more than four nights, so it was new for us.

As much as I missed him, I also missed my best girl. She Facetimed me with Nate a few times, but we couldn't dive into all the dirty details since he was listening in.

So tonight is girl's night. So far, we've watched 10 Things I Hate About You, and El whipped up some strong margaritas.

"Fuck, marry, kill?" She turns to me.

"Hit me."

"Heath Ledger, Sebastian Stan, Timothee Chalamet," she smirks, knowing this one will kill me.

My head falls back, hitting the couch as I groan. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Don't think about it, just go with your gut."

"Okay," I pause for a moment, "fuck Heath, marry Sebastian, kill Timothee."

Ellie laughs, already knowing exactly what I'd say, and turns her attention back to the screen where Crazy Rich Asians is playing. We both watch closely as the wedding scene begins, tearing up slightly.

I know it's cliche, but I've been dreaming up my future wedding since I was little, and I already know exactly what I'd want it to look like down to the smallest detail. Being a hopeless romantic has its pros and cons.

I want to walk down the aisle to a piano version of J's Lullaby, by Delaney Bailey, and have my first dance to Now That I know you, by Julian.

Sure, my husband can have a say, but I'll get the final call. He can pick the food.

Right as the movie is ending, my phone buzzes on the table, and I sneakily grab it before Ellie notices I'm breaking her 'no phones' rule for tonight. My brows furrow seeing a text from an unknown number, not Parker being his usual incessant self.

My heart drops through my ass when the picture pulls up and I see my boyfriend leaning on a wall, beer in hand as a tall blonde holds his bicep leaning in close. He's wearing a hat that blocks my view of his eyes, but it doesn't hide the fact that his face is very close to hers.

He wouldn't cheat on me, I'm sure of that, but I can't ignore the sudden wave of nausea coming over me. Just as I go to text him, my phone is plucked from my fingers, a disapproving Ellie staring down at me.

She clicks her tongue, "this is mine for the rest of the night." I say nothing, watching as she turns my phone off and puts it on the end table.

I'll text him tomorrow.

~

"Fucking shit," I whisper to myself, walking out of my lecture that I was late for this morning. Nothing is more embarrassing than walking into a full lecture hall after class has begun.

I forgot to set my alarm clock, so I just threw on sweats and started running the second I woke up. I haven't even turned on my phone, too worried about getting across campus, and I didn't even have time to text Connor when I realized he wasn't there.

I get no further than one hundred feet when I hear my name. "Dakota, fuck. Wait!"

My head whips around, and I see an out-of-breath Brooks headed straight for me. "Hey, why were you running? Are you okay?"

"Kota, the guys and I have been texting you all morning," he gets out between breaths. "None of them are going through."

Grabbing my phone, I power it back on, seeing almost twenty missed messages between them. "I turned it off last night and was running late this morning, I'm sorry."

He lightly punches my shoulder, "sometimes I hate you. Cadell has been up my ass all morning, making sure you weren't ignoring him."

The picture from last night flashes in my brain and I skeptically ask, "why would I be ignoring him?"

"That's why he was freaking, he has no idea what he could have done."

"Were you with him last night?"

"Yeah," he scoffs, "why wouldn't I have been?"

I say nothing, pulling the picture up and flipping my phone to face Brooks, who grabs it right from my hands.

"What the actual fuck? Who sent this?" He's really angry.

"No idea, I just-" I pause, gathering my thoughts. "I trust him, but it still makes me feel weird."

"Kota, that boy is wrapped around your finger, he would never." His eyes bore into mine, more serious than I've ever seen him. "We just finished morning skate, he should be heading back to the house, he'll want to see this."

"Thank you." I hug my friend tight, grateful for his reassurance, before texting Parker.

can I come over?

always

I'll be there in 5, have to run somewhere first

~

I don't really know what to do with myself while I wait for Parker in his room. My butt hits the bed for five seconds before I stand back up, pacing, and then I do it all over again.

Luckily, he doesn't keep me waiting long, walking through the open doorway with flowers in one hand and a large Dunkin cup in the other.

My heart fills when I see him, and I unconsciously move towards him, hands wrapping around his torso and gripping onto the back of his hoodie. I lift up on my toes as he leans down, connecting our lips for a brief moment.

"Hey," he whispers, lips still a short breath away from mine. "Are you okay? I couldn't get ahold of you?"

I stay still as his head pulls back, green eyes trailing my body as if he's checking to make sure I'm not visibly injured.

"I'm fine, El took my phone away and turned it off, then I was late for class so I didn't think to turn it back on beforehand."

His forehead drops back to mine as he lets out a breathy chuckle, "of course she did." He pecks my lips once more, then detaches himself from my hands, handing me the things in his.

Butterflies erupt in my stomach as I hold the flowers close to my chest. Before Parker, the only person who'd ever bought me flowers was my dad every Valentine's day.

"Thank you," my voice is quiet, but I clear my throat as my next sentence comes up, "I need to show you something." I move to his desk, place the items down, and pull up the picture on my phone, handing it to him.

I watch his entire body tense up, and he's silent for a moment, but it feels like an eternity.

"Dakota, I'd-"

"I know you wouldn't cheat on me, Park," I cut him off. "God, I know you'd never even think about it, but some part of me sunk seeing that picture, and I needed to show you anyways."

He tosses the phone onto his bed, moving forward and holding my shoulders. "I don't even know her name, I told her to fuck off and walked away, I'd rather cut off my damn foot than cheat on you."

A soft laugh escapes my lips, easing the tension. "I'd never let you cut off your foot for me."

"Well, I would anyway," he wraps me up in his arms, and I can hear his heart beating wildly as my ear rests against his chest. "Who sent it?"

"It was an unknown number, but I can only think of two people who could've done it." I pause, nervous about how he'll take it. "Lincoln or Josh."

"I get Lincoln, but why would Josh do it?"

He still seems on edge, and I can't tell if it's because of our current conversation, or if something else is eating away at him. It's the only reason I sit down on the bed and look at him for a few moments, not wanting to add more to his plate by telling him about Josh last week.

Deciding he needs the truth, I reach out, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him down next to me. "Do you remember how I was shaking in the tunnel, the day I met your parents?"

"Yes," he rests a reassuring hand on my leg, "you were so nervous."

"I was, but I was shaking because Josh cornered me when I went to the bathroom." My eyes drop to the floor, unable to meet his.

He shoots off the bed, "explain."

I tilt my head back, keeping the tears at bay. "He grabbed me, said I'm the reason Ellie broke up with him, that it would be a shame if something happened to 'your girl,' and to watch my back."

My lower lip trembles and Parker is quick to sit back down and pull me into his lap, wrapping two protective arms around my body. No sound fills the room other than my quiet tears and his heavy breathing.

It's probably ten minutes before he speaks up softly, "why didn't you tell me, love?"

"He just did it to scare me, odds are he won't actually do anything, your parents were seconds away from walking in, and you needed to get ready to play."

One of his rough hands moves to my cheek, lifting my face so our eyes connect. "I don't give a shit about what's going on with hockey, you come first. You need to tell me about stuff like this."

"I know, I'm sorry," I press my tear-covered lips to his.

He pulls away after a few moments, "I'll take care of him, just stick to one of us when there's a possibility of him being around, please."

"Park, don't do anything that'll get you in trouble."

"I'll try my best, but Dakota, don't go off alone when he's around. You can always come find me or one of the guys."

"I will," I whisper, not being able to stop myself from kissing him again.

My hands find his thick hair, and I turn so that I'm straddling him while our tongues fight for dominance. He holds my hips still when I start to grind down.

"Wait," he breaks our kiss. "I need to tell you something before you find out from a random asshole."

"What?" I'm out of breath.

He swallows harshly, "I used to sleep around, like a lot."

"That's it?" I chuckle, leaning in to pick things up where we left off.

Parker dodges me, "that's it? That's all you have to say?" Disbelief is written all over his features.

"I mean," I sit back, "I had my fair share of hookups too, but I don't miss it."

"Me neither," his response comes quick.

"Do you want me to be upset about it?" I can't help but laugh again.

His brows furrow, "when Connor found out, he made it seem like it'd be a bigger deal to you."

I roll my eyes, "that's because Con thinks I've never slept with anyone I wasn't dating."

"Oh," he still looks confused.

"Parker Noah Cadell, do you miss your playboy phase?"

"Absolutely not," his words are firm.

"That's all I need to know," I lean back in, and this time he meets me halfway.

His hands roam my body, slipping under my top and finding my lace bralette. My body lights up hearing the grunt that escapes his lips when he realizes what I'm wearing.

"As much as I really want to get your clothes off, I have to be back at the rink in thirty," he mumbles against my mouth.

"I have to get back and meet El before the game anyways."

"No."

"What do you mean, no?" Now I'm the one confused.

He sighs, "Josh basically assaulted you last time and I won't be able to leave the ice to stop it from happening again. You need to stay home."

I scoff at him as I stand up, "I'm coming to the game, Parker."

"No, you're not, Dakota. I'm being serious."

"So am I," I grab my things off of his desk and slip on my boots.

"I don't think you're understanding this. I won't be able to stop him from coming near you while I'm playing. Stay home tonight," his tone is firm and unwavering as he stands in front of me.

"I'll be with Ellie the entire time, and even if I wasn't, you don't get to tell me what I'm allowed to do," I scoff.

"Do you really think her being around is going to stop him? Like seriously, Dakota, can you just listen to me for once in your life?"

My jaw drops, "are you fucking serious right now?" Turning towards the door, I take a big step and reach for the handle. "I'm going to the game whether you like it or not, and maybe you should think before you speak to me because I won't allow myself to be treated like shit again."

Parker wraps an arm around my waist from behind, stopping me from leaving. "Stop. Fuck." He strains, "you're right. I'm being a dick, I'm sorry."

I flip in his hold, glaring.

"I don't trust him and I'm taking it out on you," he sucks in a breath.

I try to lean away from him but his arms only tighten around my back. "Well, you need to trust me, Parker."

"I know, and I do, I'm just tense about everything right now. Just promise me you'll stay with Ellie?"

"Already said I would," my voice is sharp.

He quickly kisses my cheek before I have the chance to turn away. "I really am sorry. I'll see you after the game?" He pleads.

"Nope," I pat his chest, "you're sleeping alone tonight."

"I deserve that," the corner of his mouth lifts.

"You do," I smile lightly, removing myself from his arms and leaving.

I'm halfway out the door when I hear him yell from the top of the stairs, "did we just survive our first fight?"

"Baby, that was a disagreement, not a fight."

"I'm counting it as a fight," he smiles. "We're invincible, love, like Wanda and Vision!"

"Didn't he die and then she went nuts?" My head tilts in confusion.

He simply waves a hand, shushing me. "Invincible!"