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“You’re an honorary member since your dad…” he lets his voice trail off, not finishing his thought.
“My dad what?” I ask, then suck in a sharp breath. “We’re not cousins, right?”
He snorts. “No.”
Oh, thank God. I let out a breath of relief.
“But your dad is basically family. Sort of. In a definitely not related kind of way,” he says.
I can’t help but grin at the wording he used. “It’s strange—my father never told me about this town. I had no idea that he was raised by his grandma. It’s like anything before New York and before he adopted me doesn’t exist. And now, I’m learning about this whole other life that he had.”
“It’s not my place to say anything.” Parker turns toward me, giving me a half smile. “I know your dad had a pretty hard time and that is why he left. Adopting you was good for him.”
“It was good for me too.” I let out a breath. “I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if he hadn’t adopted me. Even though he works a lot, he’s still been a really good dad. He’s put up with all my health issues and has never complained about all the doctor visits.”
Parker starts to say something else, but he cuts his words short. He makes an abrupt stop, tilting his head like he’s trying to hear something. When he does, I hear it too.
There is the sharp sound of glass breaking, followed by somebody yelling.
“Come on.” Parker tugs at my hand, pulling me forward. I run with him, allowing him to guide me toward the noise.
My heart is racing.
Whatever that is, it can’t be good.
Parker stops just outside of a house. He turns to me and orders, “Stay here,” and then he runs inside. Not knowing what else to do, I stand there waiting for him.
I worry my bottom lip between my teeth, hoping that everything is okay. I study the house while I wait, wondering who lives here. It’s a nice home. It’s not that far from Parker’s house. The yard is well kept and manicured. There are no children’s toys in the yard like there are at Parker’s house and there are only two vehicles parked in the driveway.
But what good does it do to live in a nice home if you don’t get along with the people you live with? It makes the house seem cold and unwelcoming.
I stand there for maybe two minutes when the front door opens. Parker walks out. He doesn’t shut the door behind him and a few seconds later, Blaine comes out behind him.
My heart sinks.
That must’ve been Blaine’s parents fighting. I want nothing more than to wrap him in a hug, but I don’t know him well enough forthat.
“Hey, Vixen.” Blaine’s frown quickly transforms into a smirk when he sees me standing there. He makes his way toward me. “You look beautiful.”
I should tell him to stop flirting with me, but it’s clear he needs some kind of distraction after whatever just happened.
“Hey, Blaine.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear.
Blaine slips his arm around me. “Parker didn’t tell me you’d be coming tonight. I would’ve made an excuse to eat dinner at his house if I knew.”
“You’ll just have to come next time.” I smile, trying to encourage him. I don’t dare bring up what happened, not wanting to see him upset again. “Parker and I were just taking a walk. You should come with us.”
“No,” Parker says abruptly.
I turn to glare at Parker over my shoulder.
What is his problem? Blaine is hisfriend. Shouldn’t he want to distract him from whatever just happened in that house?
“You should go to my house.” Parker ignores me, looking at Blaine. “Mom made gumbo. I know it’s your favorite. There are plenty of leftovers. The spare bedroom is yours.”
Blaine glances at me. “Vixen, do you want to walk with me?”
Parker steps between Blaine and me, blocking me from seeing Blaine. “Stop flirting with Henley.”
