Page 182 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

I grasp his hand. “Oh, Parker. You brought your parents together. That’s incredible. Oh my gosh, your bratty brother should be thanking you, not teasing you. Without you, neither him or William would exist.”

Parker mumbles a laugh. “Maybe you’re right.”

I deadpan him. “I’m one-hundred percent right.”

He shifts away, folding his arms across his middle.

I chew my lip and ask, “And you really don’t want anyone else to know about this?”

“No way. I’m keeping this locked down.”

“But it’s nothing to be ashamed about. Won’t it be easier if it’s not a secret anymore?” I shift away, letting awkwardness consume my posture. “What about Jamie? I don’t know all the details, but I know she’s had hardships with her mom. Haven’t you ever thought about talking about this with her?”

Parker shudders. “Ah, no. Jamie’s never directly talked to me about that stuff. When we hang out, it’s to play video games or head to the skatepark.” He stretches his back with a long exhale. “Honestly, that’s the way I want to keep it. At least while I’m living in this house.” He glances at the photos. “Maybe when I’m in college, I’ll hang these on the wall.”

I take one of the photos and move over to his desk. “Would it be so bad if you had these on display?”

He frowns. “My mom wouldn’t like it.”

“Your mom has to suck it up,” I blurt. “She’s lucky because she has you. Your other mom shouldn’t be forgotten.”

I rest the photo frame on his desk, and he chews his lip as he stares at it. He then lifts the other two frames, handing them to me. I take them and stand them on his desk.

I smile at the display. “Perfect.”

“It might only last a night.”

“It’s a start,” I reply. “So long as you’re sharing, how was she kept a secret? Didn’t you have another set of grandparents?”

He shakes his head. “Dad said she didn’t have any family but him. Like, they were alive, but she didn’t talk to them.”

“You’ve never met them?”

“No. Dad said she didn’t want them in our lives.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“I don’t feel the need to meet them. She cut them out for a reason.” He looks off to the side. “There’s just one thing I wish I could ask my parents.”

“What is it?”

His shoulders droop. “I want to visit her grave. Maybe it’s dumb, but it just feels like I’ll find a missing part if I do that.”

I clutch my chest. “That’s not dumb.”

“I’m too scared to ask. What if they don’t want me to go?”

“I’m sure that’s not it. They probably think you’re too weirded out to go there.” I look down at his birth mother’s photo. “You know, if you needed someone to go with you, I’d be there.”

“Really?”

I look back at him and hold his gaze. “Definitely.”

“Wow. Thank you.”

I lean against his desk. “So, this secret is why you wanted me to stay away from your home?”

“Pretty much.”

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