Page 203 of Shy Girls Can't Fake Date

“I’ll be okay. I just hate being a pawn.”

“But this is the game.”

“I know. It’s just hard.”

“Who knew it’d be easier when we spent time alone together.”

“My parents kept questioning why we didn’t go on solo dates. I couldn’t exactly tell them our plan.”

“No, our parents would think we’re crazy. Speaking of parents, I’m so glad we practiced last night,” he says, resting his arms on my shoulders. “I can’t imagine how it would’ve gone down if Yvie was at that table with my family.”

“Ah, yeah,” I stammer. “Hopefully she’ll be understanding when you tell her about your family history.”

Parker sucks in a breath as his arms fall off my shoulders. “I’m never telling her. You finding out is as far as it’s gonna go.”

“But don’t you want to be with her?”

“Yeah, but I don’t want to bring the baggage.”

I bite into my lip, careful not to say anything that’ll upset him. But how can he think he’ll have a meaningful relationship with her if he keeps her in the dark? Will he never take her home to meet his family?

I can’t keep talking about this. I gesture at the tent and suggest, “Wanna help me finish this?”

Parker smiles, grabbing the canvas material. “Sure. Shouldn’t take too long.”

Twenty-Six

Besides Parker’s instructions, we mostly put together the tent in silence. It’s a more peaceful process than Yvette’s brief ‘help.’

“Hey guys,” Tyler calls out once we’ve placed the camp beds and sleeping bags inside the tent. “We’re checking out the hiking trail. Wanna come?”

Parker clutches my hand. “Wanna go?”

“Is it hard?”

Parker shakes his head. “We’ll just dawdle behind.”

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