Half an hour later, when other guests started showing up, I followed Jack into the house. Carson's garage connected to a stainless-steel kitchen designed for a professional chef. A pile of pizza boxes was stacked on a marble island.

The kitchen was empty except for Jack standing in the back of the kitchen looking out a window. His eyes were glassy, and his knuckles were white from where they gripped the counter too hard. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to check on the so-called "king of complicated."

"You okay?" I asked.

Jack jumped and turned to face me. "I used to love this house. Now it's harder to be here."

I looked past him out the window. There was a lovely view of a big white house next door. He watched it with pain in his eyes.

"Is that where you used to live?" I asked.

Shayna had mentioned he used to be next-door neighbors with Jack. I didn't know what could cause someone to downsize to a small house if they'd grown up in a house that big. I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

"What did they tell you about me?" He asked.

"Life hasn't been kind," I said. "No specifics."

Jack laughed dryly. "You ever had a parent betray you? Truly betray you?"

Nicki had lied so many times. She'd stolen from our family and cheated her way into money any way she could. She wasn't trustworthy, and it scared me.

"Yes," I said.

Jack's face darkened. "I'm sorry. I know it's not easy. My father wound up in prison for the ways he betrayed my family."

That hadn't been what I was expecting him to say. My mother hadn't been to prison, but my brother Cory had always said it was a matter of time before she crossed that line.

"My mother is a liar," I said. "And all she's ever done is waltz in and out of my life asking for money I don't have."

"I'm sorry," Jack said. "Parents sometimes can deal the deepest wounds. I get that. I won't ever be able to forgive my dad."

"Nicki won't change," I said. "She was still the same when she showed up at my job yesterday. College was supposed to be the place she couldn't follow."

"It's hard to cut off family," Jack said. "Sometimes I want to pick up my dad's collect calls and scream at him. It's easier to ignore him and let them keep ringing. Nothing will ever make me feel better about him."

It wasn't easy to fight with Nicki. She always came out on top because nothing was more important to her than herself. I'd all but given up trying to make any difference.

"I've learned to talk to my friends," Jack continued. "It's better than bottling it all up. Parker won't judge you, Lexi. He'll help you if he can. He drove all the way to the hospital to see me after my dad was arrested. Parker is the most selfless person I know."

Parker had taken care of me when I was broken. He'd kept driving because I told him I didn't want to go home. He'd brought me to his mom's house when I was at my weakest.

"I know," I swallowed. "It's just hard to... I don't want him to see me weak."

"There are many types of strength," Jack said. "And sometimes the strongest ones might make us feel weak, but those that love us don't see it that way."

"You think Parker loves me?" It caught me off guard.

He was so kind and altruistic that it was hard to tell. He'd let Kayleigh come and live with him without question. He always took my thoughts into account. He'd come when Bradley told him I was missing.

"There's a good chance," Jack smiled. "And I've never seen him look at a girl the way he looks at you."

My face heated. I was pretty sure I was as red as my hair. I always hated it when that happened.

The door behind us opened, and I turned to see Parker standing there. My face heated up even more, and I wanted to vaporize on the spot.

"The set is about to start," Parker said. "I wanted to make sure Lexi wasn't lost. Thanks for keeping her company, man."

"Of course," Jack winked at me and walked past Parker back into the garage.

"He making you swoon?" Parker asked.

Now I was pretty sure my face was redder than my hair. Parker had just caught me alone with his sister's boyfriend. I wasn't sure how that looked, but it couldn't be good.

"I'm joking," Parker said. "Though I've seen Jack tie a lot of girls' tongues. Rissa told me she recommended you talk to him. I hope it helped."

I unglued my tongue from the roof of my mouth because if I didn't say something, I would look pretty stupid. "Yeah, I think it did."

"Cool," Parker grabbed the stack of pizzas. "Can you grab the plates? I want to get this in the garage before the music starts."

Soon I was chowing on pizza on a picnic blanket next to Parker as the Rasping Whispers played some song about big lights. I had to admit they were pretty good.

Rissa sang sultry alto while Carson sang smooth tenor. I half wondered if he had a higher range than she did. They traded off singing leads on songs until the final number.

"This last one we're doing today is a new one," Carson said. "Rissa had the idea, and this song means a lot to her. Struggling is hard, but finding your people makes it easier. Without further ado, the world premiere of 'Not Superman.'"

The piano started, and Rissa stepped forward, clutching her mike. Carson chimed in on backup vocals and guitar while the drums kept a slow beat until they came in earnest at the bridge.

"Little boy wide-eyed, staring at the sky

watching the shooting stars pass him by.

The wind howls harder, and he tries to hang on

Afraid that all his wishes will be gone.

Swallowing those lies

Oh, he cries.

[Chorus]

I know I'm not Superman

I know I'm not great

But if you would just take my hand

it isn't too late.

I know you're sinking fast and feel so alone

But I promise that you and me together we'll build a home.

We'll build a home.

Little girl wide-eyed, looking at the moon

hoping that her Superman will get here soon.

Waiting on a miracle a little too late

Hoping that she hasn't sealed her fate.

Oh, and she lies.

I hear her cries.

[Chorus]

[Bridge]

We lie and say the world is full of capes,

But we still feel the pain of all our scrapes.

I may not be a hero or have anything to gain.

Just take my hand, and we can share the pain.

Together

Forever

Cause I know I'm not Superman

I know I'm not great

But if you would just take my hand

it isn't too late

I know you're sinking fast and feel so alone

But I promise that you and me together we'll build a home

We'll build that home

Oh, we'll be together forever

Cause I know I'm not Superman

and know I'm not great

but if you would just take my hand

it isn't too late."

A tear traced down my face. I wasn't sure if it was the lyrics or the fact that Rissa sounded raw as she sang. Music was powerful, and it never took much to make me cry.

Parker wrapped his arm around me, and I leaned against his chest. I wasn't sure how long we sat there, but I didn't want to leave.

The concert wrapped up after Rissa said something about a Kickstarter with shirts. The band started packing up their instruments, and Parker shifted to get up as Carson walked over to us.

I quickly wiped my face before accepting Parker's hand to pull me to my feet. My muscles ached and groaned at the motion, but I didn't feel so bad standing next to Parker as he kept holding my hand.

"I didn't realize you were in town, Parker," Carson said. "Thanks for coming. Your guest too."

"This is Lexi," Parker said. "She's a friend I made this summer. We're headed back to school this afternoon."

"Oh, cool," Carson said. "What did you think of our set list? Ideas? You always know what you like."

"It was good," Parker said. "You guys improve every time I come out. At this point, you just need a record deal."

I half wondered if maybe Maddox knew someone in the music industry. The Rasping Whispers were impressive for a garage band.

"We're working on it," Carson said. "We're doing an album and a few music videos this summer. We might need extras or something, so you should see if you're available. Maybe you can bring your new theater friends."

I'd never been in a music video before. I didn't think even Maddox had done that before. Not that he bragged about his Hollywood connections.

"Sounds fun," I said.

Carson asked Parker if he would help break down the instruments. I leaned against the garage wall as they ran off to roll up amp cords and break down the drum set.

Shayna found me just as the last of the drums were in their hard cases. She was beaming, and there was a girl with boy-short dark hair wearing overalls and paint-splattered Converse beside her.

"Lexi, this is Rita Finchyl," Shayna said. "Her dad is a Shakespeare scholar, and she's helping our local theater director put together a production of Much Ado About Nothing in the fall."

"Shayna says you're an awesome actor," Rita said. "We've been talking to our director, and since the school actually gave us a budget this fall, we have enough room for a full-time summer advisor."

"A summer advisor?" I frowned.

Was Shayna's friend trying to offer me a job? That had not been what I was assuming from this small teenager.

"Parker didn't know what your plans were after the production," Shayna said. "And we really could use a guest teacher. Housing, transportation, and food would be included, and since Parker's coming here for the rest of the summer, I thought it might be a good opportunity for you."

Rita smiled. "We did run this by our director. Anton is totally cool with it. We're doing a production of Death of a Salesman in August. We'd love to have you."

"We don't have to have an answer now," Shayna said. "It's just an option for you. We really would be lucky if you decided to join us."

It was an interesting idea. Helping out at a theater and making money was appealing. Shayna and Jack were awesome, and if Parker was coming back here after our show... well... it was a thought.

I was so lost in thought I didn't notice Parker coming up behind me until he had already swung his arm around my shoulder.

"What are you ladies up to?" He asked.

"Nothing that concerns you," Shayna grinned from ear to ear. "When are you two heading out?"

"Soon," Parker said. "I don't really want to drive back in the dark."

That made sense. I hated to drive in the dark, and he'd done it last night. Parker really was showing up today as my superhero.

"Yeah," I said. "Maybe we should go back to campus."

And surprisingly, I meant it. Somehow with Parker's arm around my shoulder, I felt strong enough to go back. I could run away, but this time I was ready to run back home.

I leaned against him for a moment, and the closeness made me relax. It should have been crazy. I'd met Parker almost two weeks ago. Now he was the center of gravity because his presence made me steady.

His soft lips pressed against my temple softly. I didn't care that we had an audience or that I'd known Parker for a little over two weeks. None of that mattered. Here I was in the moment with a boy who cared about me.

It was Shayna that brought me back to reality. Parker's sister was staring at us slack-jawed before smirking in a self-satisfied way.

"Well," she said. "I guess that settles my bet with Aunt Layla. She wins the pot."

Parker looked mortified. He pulled away from me as if he had just realized exactly what he'd done. I wanted to tell him that it was okay, but these were his friends and family, not mine.

Instead, I slipped my hand in his and gave it a slow squeeze. His shoulders slackened, and he smiled softly.

"We do have to get back to campus," Parker said. "Mind driving us to my truck, peanut? We'll see you all later."

As he led me out to Shayna's car, I spotted Jack with his blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. He leaned against the outside of the garage with his eyes turned away from his old house. He nodded as if to say see, told you Parker loves you, as he followed us to the car.

Maybe he was right. Parker had done everything for me. He'd dropped everything to help my friends find me and had barely left my side since I collapsed in his arms.

I set my shoulder on Parker's shoulder as Shayna pulled away from Carson's house. I barely registered the Broadway ballad coming through the speakers. All I needed at this moment was Parker. 

Hey friends!! Sorry for missing an update last week. School is crazy, but it's finally spring break! I hope you enjoyed the song.  I love writing poetry, and Not Superman was really special. I'll be posting next week's chapter a little early since I'm going camping next weekend and won't have internet. Don't forget to comment or hit that little star to tell a writer you liked this!

----- Eliana