“A voice mail that I haven’t listened to and a couple of texts that basically repeated how horrible it was for her to waste her life as a mother. And how I should want to make something of myself and leave that stupid small town. The normal stuff.”
“She is aware that you graduated from vet school, right?”
“Choosing to be a vet is one more way I disappointed my mother. She said a vet wouldn’t attract the right type of husband.”
“I really and truly don’t understand how you put up with her all those years. Didn’t your dad intervene?”
“When I’d tell him. But when he’d say something, it would lead to a long loud argument. And I hated it. So I kept it to myself and counted the days until I went away to college. After that, they started divorce proceedings, and she was hardly ever home.” I tip my head to look at him. “You’re really lucky for having your mom. She’s awesome. And one of the reasons I spent so much time at your house.”
“I guess your mom was jealous. She used to change her mind about sleepovers and make you walk home late at night.”
“Thanks to you, I never had to walk alone.”
He kisses the top of my head. “Well, now my mom is your mom too.”
“Yeah. I’m happy about that.” I push off his chest, realizing how that must sound to him. “That’s not the reason—I mean, I don’t want you to think that your family is the only reason I married you. I think you’re great.”
He flashes a smile. “Great, huh?”
“Don’t be weird. You know what I mean.” Flustered, I snuggle against him again.
When he says things like that, I don’t know how to react. I was never good at flirting, and that’s what it feels like. I know it isn’t because he’s Parker and we don’t see each other that way, but maybe getting married has changed something.
I could pretend that’s true, but he hasn’t kissed me once since we left the reception—kisses on the head don’t count—and he seems content with being friends and only cuddling.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
Chapter 18
Parker
Iswing the stall closed with a little too much force, and when I turn around to grab my cap off the ground, the door whaps me in the behind. It’s Wednesday, but it feels like a Monday.
After breakfast, Bluebonnet kissed me. Only because everyone was around. It was our first kiss since the wedding, and it has me all wound up. But I need to work out my frustration before I get home because she relies on the calm Parker, the friendly husband who cuddles her and listens to her. All things I love doing. There are just other things I’d also like to be doing.
As I’m wiping dirt and hay off my jeans, Kent walks in. “Hey. You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Is that fine as in I don’t want to talk about it or truly fine? Because you don’t seem fine.” He shifts into his dad stance. “You can talk to me, Parker.”
“I’m adjusting to married life.”
“She kissed you this morning. Can’t be all bad.”
“There were people around. That’s why. She doesn’t want people to think the marriage is fake.”
Kent lifts his brows. “Is it fake?”
“No. It’s a real marriage. But it’s... not likeyourmarriage.”
He stays quiet.
Apparently, I’m in a chatty mood because my mouth keeps moving. “It’s just hard because she wears my shirts to bed. A different one every night, so they’re all going to start smelling like her.” I pull my shirt away from me and step toward Kent. “Here. Smell.”
“I don’t want to smell your shirt. I believe you.” After rocking his head from side to side, he adjusts his hat. “We need to double date. I’ll talk to Poppy. Y’all free this weekend?”
“We only have something on Sunday afternoon, but I’ll ask Bluebonnet. She’d probably like that.”
