Page 102

Parker had the same ocean blue eyes as Axel. And the dress really did match them.

Parker smiled. “Okay.”

This would have been cute if it wasn’t so weird. “Parker, do you know why Axel has this?”

“Yes. Axel’s grandfather gave it to him.”

Sophie, RJ, and I all stared at each other.

“Um,” I said. “Axel doesn’t have a grandfather.” Both Uncle Tyler and Aunt Hailey’s fathers had passed away before Axel was born.

“Yes he does.”

“I don’t think so,” I said.

“Yes huh. Mr. Nigel adopted him as his grandson. He lets me call him grandpa too now.” Parker smiled. “He’s fun.”

I just stared at her. I had heard Mr. Nigel mention something about that a while ago. But I’d been super distracted. I was pretty sure that was the day that I’d almost been forced to kiss Henley.

“Wait,” Sophie said. “Mr. Nigel’s grandson.” She stared at me.

I knew exactly what she was thinking. “Jacob said Mr. Nigel was too busy to give us the security footage from Odegaard because he was hanging out with his new grandson. His grandson is...Axel?”

“Something weird is going on here,” RJ said. “But don’t worry, I’ll figure it out, baby doll.”

“Don’t call her that,” Parker said.

Yes, please stop calling me that.

“Why?” RJ asked Parker.

“Because we’re dating, and it’s rude to me, idiot.”

“Now we’re dating?” RJ asked. “This feels like a real Mr. Halifax situation, and I’m not trying to get arrested.”

Sophie slapped his arm.

“Who is Mr. Halifax?” Parker asked.

“A teacher who is older than all of us,” RJ said. “He might be your type.”

Sophie slapped his arm again. “I call dibs on Mr. Halifax. Parker, stick to my brother.”

“Okay,” Parker said. “Do you guys want to draw on Axel’s walls now?”

“No,” Sophie and I said at the same time.

Chapter 19 – Cruel

Tuesday

It had taken me a week, but I was ready to face the school cafeteria again.

RJ hadn’t mentioned anything about the countdown. But it didn’t matter. My head was still focused on Jacob. I’d made so many mistakes. I knew I had. But if Jacob would just give me one more chance... I’d be better. For him. I was going to ask him to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Again.

He’d said we could go to the Caldwell Halloween party as friends. If he could agree to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me as friends, maybe we’d have so much fun that I could convince him to be more than friends again.

Even if I wasn’t his type.