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“I’ll be there about seven thirty,” Parker says to me. “Is that okay?”
I nod, letting him know it is.
This entire conversation is just really uncomfortable. I can’t believe my dad askedParker, of all people, to drive me to school. As if I need to spend more time with him. I’ve already got such a crush on him.
Dad looks at me. “Are you ready?”
I nod.
I turn without looking at Parker. I’m sure my face is bright red from the conversation we just had. Besides, I don’t think Parker intended on saying bye to me anyway. As soon as we got back, he was about to dart from the room.
“Henley.”
When I hear his voice, I can’t help but turn back around, looking at Parker.
My dad keeps walking.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Parker says.
I nod. “Bye.”
I follow my dad out to the car. As I’m getting in the passenger side, I glance back at the house and see Parker watching from the doorway.
I have no idea what to make of him. He’s such a mystery. But I kind of like it. It’s so nice to be around people and not have to constantly have a headache from their thoughts. Parker is nice and really, really good looking. And he’s been a good friend to me so far.
Uh, why do I have to have acrushon him?
“I hope you’re not mad,” Dad says, as he starts the car. “About me asking Parker to take you to school. I just need somebody to take you since I’m starting work. And he seems to like you.”
“It’s okay.” I buckle my seatbelt.
Dad takes off down the long, gravel driveway, toward the road. He clears his throat. “So, uh… you like Parker?”
“Sure. He’s nice.” I try to keep my face neutral, not wanting my dad to know anything. It would be embarrassing if he thought I had a crush on Parker.
“He’s a good kid. But I don’t want you to develop feelings for him,” Dad says.
I’m confused by his words. I want to ask more, but if I do he’ll figure out that I’m crushing on Parker. That would be a problem.
“It’s just… you can’t date Parker. It’s complicated,” he says, pulling out onto the gravel road.
“We’re not related, right?” I ask, praying that we’re not. I know Parker already told me we aren’t, but it would be weird if there was a secret in our family tree somewhere.
Then again, I’m adopted. So it wouldn’t be as weird if we were related by blood.
But still…
Weird.
“No.” Dad chuckles. “No relation. It’s just hard for me to explain to you why you two can’t date. I’d have to explain things that I’m not ready to explain yet. I just don’t want you to get your hopes up. Parker would eventually break your heart. I’d like to protect you from that.”
His answer only leaves me feeling more confused.
I sigh. “You know that makes no sense, right?”
“I know.” He pulls into our driveway. Once the car is parked, he turns to face me. “I’m sorry, Henley. I know that you’re probably confused about a lot of things, this town being one of them. Eventually, I will tell you everything. Things happened in my past that are extremely difficult for me to talk about. Before I adopted you, I was an empty shell, walking around. But you brought love and joy into my life. I am forever grateful.”
Tears press against the back of my eyes at his story. I can see how hard it is for my dad to even tell me that much. How can I ask for more? He’s not ready and I’m not going to hurt him by pushing him right now.
