AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, Mom, we really have to be going,” Parker insists.
“Parker, you have a girlfriend, and I feel like I’m being left out,” his mom complains.
“Yeah, Parker,” Kurtis teases, “let Mom third wheel on your date.”
Mrs. Kelly groans. “I don’t want to go on one of their dates. I just want to get to know Kylie.” She gives me a kind smile. “You must be special for Parker to slow down for you.”
“Umm, yeah, maybe,” I stammer.
She beckons me to follow. “So, you’ll stay awhile?”
“Mom, do you ever quit?” Parker complains.
From his fidgety stance, tight expression, and agitated tone, the uncomfortableness pours off Parker.
“I really do have to go, Mrs. Kelly,” I say. “But maybe I can come back another time? I just promised my parents I’d get back home in time to walk my dog.”
Parker’s eyes light up. “And you promised I could help walk her. Right?”
I grin. “Right.”
“Mom, Kylie has a golden retriever,” Parker says, becoming much more animated. “I almost thought it was Gus walking into the room.”
Mrs. Kelly pouts, touching the side of his face. “Aww, honey.”
Kurtis sniggers. “Is Kylie’s dog a pity dog too?”
“Kurtis,” Mrs. Kelly snaps while Parker’s posture hunches.
I double take at Kurtis, unable to understand his question. “Huh?”
Mrs. Kelly waves a hand. “Don’t mind him. He’s being a brat. You kids have fun, okay.”
Parker pecks his mom’s cheek. “Thanks, Mom. We will.”
“Bye Parky,” Kurtis says in a mocking tone. “See you later, Kylie.”
Parker ignores his brother, walking me out of the garage while I mumble my goodbyes.
On the drive to my place, Parker’s body language is stiff, and I’m unnerved by his silence.
“Umm.” I clear my throat of the choking awkwardness. “Back there, umm. What was that about?”
“What?” Parker grunts. “Nothing.”
I swallow hard as the tension twists my stomach. “Okay.”
He exhales hard, rubbing the side of his head. “My mom’s just a bit much. I didn’t want her to go overboard trying to get to know you. It’ll be too hard after we break up. She’ll have a million questions.”
“Sure. That makes sense.”
“And my brother.” He fidgets in his seat. “Well, he’s just a jerk.”
“Has he been a pest about the photo?”
“Kurtis is a pain in the butt without needing to be provoked.”
“Oh.”
