Everything Changes Read Online Free PDF

than Olympia and
pulled off I-5 in Rochester to eat at a restaurant called the Red Barn. During the thirty-minute drive, I caught myself staring in the review mirror
watching Parker from a distance. With one hand on the steering wheel and the
other rubbing back and forth across his bottom lip, he kept his eyes on the
road and never looked up. Thankfully. I didn’t want to get caught staring at
him, but I also couldn’t tear my eyes from him.
    Here we were crammed in a truck together when not
more than a few days ago we hadn’t even spoken to one another.
    Addy had
maps and brochures spread all over the table before the waiter came by to take
our order. “Where the hell did all this come from? It’s like you’re a tour
guide or something,” I said, laughing.
    Parker and Justin chuckled when Addy glared at me.                          
    “You guys laugh now but you haven’t traveled with
her before.” I warned.
    “What can I get you to drink?” The waiter flipped
his tablet open as our laughs drifted through the empty restaurant.
    “I’ll just have water,” I told him, picking up
one of the maps with white water rafting on it.
    Parker cleared his throat and moved a little
closer to me, his breathing light.   I
felt my eyes dart to him with every motion he made, scrutinizing what he was
thinking and doing.
    Addy ordered water and a small orange juice. She was diabetic so any time she took
her medication before she ate, she made sure to drink orange juice as well just
in case her meal didn’t arrive in a timely manner.
    “I’ll have a black coffee,” Justin said, smiling
at Addy .
    “Water, please,” Parker said softly, looking over
the menu.
    I suddenly had a pair of brass balls and asked,
“Do you even like coffee?”
    Parker looked up and me and winked, his smile
hidden by his hands that his chin rested on. “I don’t drink coffee.”
    Addy giggled beside me causing Justin to laugh too. “I told you.”
    “So…you bought coffee from me every morning and
what…dumped it out?”
    “Justin drank it,” was Parker’s quiet response.
He looked embarrassed and uncomfortable, pretty much that same as me.
    “I think what Parker is trying to say, Rowan,”
Justin began, but Parker elbowed him which caused him to cough and clutch his
side. “Nothing.” Justin choked. “Fuck man…” he gave Parker a glare “...Parker
wasn’t saying anything.”
    My cheeks flushed as did Parker’s. He sat back
slowly and ran his hands through his hair as if he was nervous about my
reaction.
    The rest of breakfast I didn’t say a word and
neither did Parker. Justin and Addy had the entire
trip planned out, and we were on our way to Boise an hour later, still not
talking. I was surprised at how easily Justin and Addy’s conversations flowed
as if they’d known each other for years. I was jealous that I couldn’t pull my
head out of my ass and actually speak to Parker.
    By noon, we had made it to The Dalles stopped for food again. This time we made it quick
in order to make it to Boise before sundown.
    It took longer than we expected when we finally
found a campground Addy was okay with. She had high
expectations of a bathroom, which none of them had. Eventually, we found one
she was satisfied with, and we were able to set up our campsite.
    “Where does this pole go?” Addy held up the pole, turning to Justin. She was trying to put the tent up while
Parker and I got the fire going.
    I should re-phrase that. Parker got the fire
going. I simply watched in awe at his boy scout skills.
    After cooking hotdogs and hamburgers with the
fire he made, we sat around talking.
    I watched Parker carefully that night. For being
a seventeen-year-old boy, he seemed to carry the weight of the world on his
shoulders, and I wasn’t sure why. I began to realize that the quiet shy side
was a protective side as well.
    He watched me just as carefully and listened
intently to everything I said.
    When I got up to