AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Parker grins. “Sure, Lucy. Anytime you want to go over, let me know.”
“Yay.” Lucy gives me one last hug and then runs off.
“Parker, will you show Henley around the property?” Parker’s dad, Adam, asks.
Parker hesitates, looking from me to his dad and my dad. “Uh, sure.”
“Excellent. Thank you.”
Parker puts his hand on my lower back as he leads me from the dining room, toward the front door. I don’t say anything until we walk out onto the front porch.
“That was strange, right?”
He snorts. “You have no idea.”
The wind blows, making me shiver. It’s only the middle of September, but the mountain air is already cool at night.
“Hold on, I’ll grab you a jacket.”
Before I can respond, Parker has already gone through the door. A few seconds later, he comes out with a hoodie in his hands. He passes it to me.
“Thanks.” I slip it over my head.
The hoodie nearly goes to my knees.
Parker laughs. “You’re kind of short.”
“No, I’m not. I’m taller than most of the girls in our class.”
He cocks his head. “Taller than the normal people, but short next to the girls I know.”
Maybe he’s right. Parker’s friendsaretall.
“Come on.” Parker grabs ahold of my hand, leading me from the porch.
5
Stop flirting.
I have so many questions that I want to ask Parker, but I realize the majority of them are about my dad. I should wait for those and ask my dad instead. He should have the opportunity to tell me the truth before I go to somebody else for answers. And I respect if my dad needs time. Besides, he’s not the only one keeping secrets. I feel guilty about the fact that I’ve never told him the truth about my seizures.
Parker is quiet as we pace beside one another. He takes me on a walk through a well worn path in the woods. The trees canopy the trail, making it really dark and hard to see. I trip over the root of a tree. The only thing that keeps me upright is Parker. He hasn’t let go of my hand the entire time. My body tingles from the contact.
I wish I was brave enough to ask Parker if he feels the same when we touch, but just thinking about asking has my heart racing.
Parker looks over at me, his eyebrows furrowed, like he’s wondering if I’m okay.
That’s weird.
I really hope he can’t read my mind. But he would’ve said something if he could, right?
I clear my throat. “So, uh, what’s up with your siblings commenting on how I smell strange?”
“My siblings are weird,” he answers with a shrug. “And don’t worry—you really do smell good. Just different than what we’re used to.”
I nod, like that’s an explanation, but it’s not. His answer only confuses me more. I get the feeling that Parker knows a lot more than he’s letting on, but I’m not privy to the information. Still, he barely knows me. We only met yesterday. I can’t exactly demand answers.
“I like your family,” I tell him. “They’re really nice.”
