Hell, it was hard for Mason sometimes too.
It was a good thing none of them had a clue about the kind of girl talk our group of ladies had behind closed doors. The things Cass said about Connor would turn their faces red for a month.
No. A year.
“So, what’s this about Shane taking some kid in? Is that for real?”
I nodded, pointing toward the other end of the bar.
“Feast your eyes on Parker.”
Parker was clearing food plates from a customer who’d had a ‘liquid lunch’ with appetizers to mop up some of the booze. He nodded to Jaken, who was saying something. Then he jogged to the back. In a moment, he was back, grabbing a huge box of empty beer bottles.
“Aw, so cute!”
“I know, right? Mason said he’d had a hell of a time. Shane found some guys kicking the tar out of him.”
“Hmm?” Cass said distractedly, tilting her head to stare at Parker. “Did you say ‘him’?”
Just then, the box slipped out of his hands and landed on the floor with an earsplitting noise. The baby strapped to Cassie’s chest woke up with a bawl. My baby was at home with Pate and a sitter, or we’d have two screaming babies. Their toddler just looked around, frowning.
Cass stood and bounced the baby, cooing and stroking him.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“What?”
“Just watch.” She jerked her head toward the boy who was kneeling, fishing up broken beer bottles and looking like he might cry.
It took me about thirty seconds.
“Whoa . . .”
“That is not a boy.” She exhaled as my jaw dropped. “Unless that is how he identifies. Damn it, I don’t know what pronoun to use these days.”
“Use ‘they’ when in doubt. Pate taught me that.”
“I freaking love your kid. She’s so woke. I want to eat her up.”
I laughed. Cassandra and Pate had a special relationship. They were like sisters in a way. My little girl loved her Aunt Cassie like the moon loves the stars.
“The feeling is mutual.”
“I think we need to talk to this Parker. Find out the deal.”
“You think Shane is pulling a fast one on Mase?”
“No. But I think there’s definitely more to this story than meets the eye.”
Chapter Eleven
Parker
“Can I see your hat?”
I backed away slowly, my hand protectively on the green hat that Shane had given me. Not only did I want to keep my hair hidden, but I was attached to the hat. Not only was it my dream school from before, but it was from him.
The guy who had saved my life.
The guy who I was swiftly falling hopelessly in love with.
In my case, it was actually hopeless since he thought I was a teenage boy.
“No, thank you.”
Cassandra crossed her arms and gave Michelle a look. Uh-oh. I had seen that look before. It meant that they were about to make trouble.
“So polite.” She looked at me. “Are you doing okay? With Shane?”
I blinked. Was she worried about me? Or did she not like Shane?
For some reason, the way she said his name did not sit well with me.
“Yeah. He’s cool.” I cleared my throat. “He helped get me off the street.”
They exchanged another look.
“And does he know?”
I stared at them. I had a terrible feeling.
“Does he know what?” I said, my mouth dry.
“That you’re a girl, sweetheart.” She tilted her head to the side. “Unless I’m mistaken?”
I exhaled and stared at the ground. I hated lying. I should have known this couldn’t last.
“Are we mistaken?” Michelle prompted.
I lifted my eyes to stare at them, ready to beg them to keep my secret.
“Please don’t tell him. He’ll kick me out.”
“So, he has no idea?”
“No. He doesn’t know.”
“How old are you?”
“Nineteen. Almost. I told him that, but he doesn’t believe me.”
Michelle sighed.
“You can’t stay there under false pretenses. It’s not right.” She glanced at Cassie, who was watching me carefully. “Even if it is Shane.”
“What’s wrong with Shane?” I asked defensively. “He’s really nice.”
“Oh, my God,” Cassie exclaimed. “Look at her. She’s in love with him.”
I opened my mouth and shut it, fast. I didn’t like hearing it out loud, even if it was true.
“You sure there’s nothing fishy going on, honey? You can tell us. Or if this is how you identify, tell us to back off. It’s none of our business.”
“No, it’s not like that.” I sighed, closing my eyes. “I just . . . I didn’t mean to lie to him. I thought I’d be safer on the street if I was dressed like this.”
She reached for my cap and pulled it off. I grabbed it back, but not before they both exclaimed at my hair as it came tumbling down.
“The man must be blind,” Cassandra muttered.
“My God, you’re gorgeous!” Michelle exclaimed.
“No, I’m not!” I said, grabbing my hat and roughly shoving my hair back under it.
“What’s wrong with being beautiful?” Michelle asked. “You are, you know.”