Page 176 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

When Mr. Kelly moves on to greet his wife, I whisper, “That was really sweet. It’s nice to see how close you and your dad are.”

Parker’s eyes drift to the photos on the wall. “Is it?”

“I thought so.” I shift by him as his parents chat in the kitchen. “I just haven’t seen your dad around. I didn’t know what to expect.”

“Sometimes he’s like my mom,” Parker whispers. “Trying too hard. I dunno, sometimes it feels forced.”

My eyebrows push together. “Are you serious?”

“It’s fine. It’s just how my family is.”

“Oh.”

“I’m ready to serve dinner,” Mrs. Kelly announces. “Honey, can you get the boys ready?”

Unraveling his tie, Mr. Kelly wanders out of the kitchen.

As Parker and I take our seats at the dining table, we overhear his dad greeting his brothers in the living room. Their voices are boisterous and laced with fun. I can’t help stealing a glance at Parker who’s still fidgety.

Why is he so stressed out? Listening to his dad and brothers, nothing seems forced. Is he just on edge because his family might embarrass him? That’s something I can completely understand.

“Your home is so nice, Mrs. Kelly,” I say, from the table. “At least, what I’ve seen of it.”

She mumbles a laugh. “Just stick to the first floor. The boys have exploded upstairs.”

“Does it drive you crazy?”

“Oh, gosh, it does. They all try to blame my nursing background on my love of cleanliness, but they’d hate it if I didn’t clean up after them.” She chuckles to herself. “This place would be like a sty.”

“Are you talking about your OCD?” Kurtis asks, moving into the room and toward the dining table.

She clicks her tongue. “I’m not that bad.”

Parker leans forward and teases, “Mom quit her job so she could clean the house full time.”

“Oh, Parker,” his mom complains. “I hope you boys see me as more than your cleaner.”

“Yeah, our cook,” Kurtis blurts, cracking himself up.

She frowns, “Kurtis.”

“How long has it been since you stopped nursing?” I ask.

“Since William was born,” she says. “I always felt like I was running behind while I was working. I wanted to attend all of Parker and Kurtis’s school events, and their sports games. With another one so much younger, I was too stressed out to work and stay on top of being a mom.”

Mr. Kelly walks back into the room. “My promotion came at the perfect time to let Tasha retire.”

“That’s awesome it worked out,” I say.

“Of course, I would’ve kept working if we needed it to survive. I just feel so privileged to be able to look after my boys full-time.”

Mrs. Kelly serves our dinner, and then she and Mr. Kelly bring the plates over to the dining table.

“Being a nurse must’ve been fulfilling,” I say as everyone takes their seats.

“William,” Mr. Kelly calls. “What’s the hold up?”

“Coming,” his little voice calls back.

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