Page 108 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Yeah, I know. Thanks.”

It’s just weird to talk to Dad about Lexi. Besides, I don’t want him or Mom to worry about me.

“How’s everything going with Dr. Brewer?” Dad asks.

“Fine. Good. Great.”

“Good.” He glances around my room. “This place is too clean.”

I lift a brow. “What?”

He waves his hand around. “Last I checked, you had books all over the place and your school stuff was a mess.”

I shrug. “Yeah, I cleaned up a little.” As a distraction from thinking about a certain girl with beautiful green eyes and curly hair.

“Who are you and what have you done with my son?”

I roll my eyes. “Such a nerd.”

Laughing, he pulls me close to him.

“I hate to break this sweet father/son moment, but is the boy going to school or what?” Mom asks as she walks into the room.

Dad lifts a brow at me.

“I have a choice?” I ask.

“No,” Mom stresses, making a face at Dad. “You don’t have a choice. Unless you’re sick or have a good excuse. Do you?”

I slouch. If she counts avoiding Lexi and Finn as a good excuse. “My tummy hurts?” I try.

“Brock, what’s going on?” Dad asks. “What aren’t you telling us?”

I puff out my cheeks. “It’s just…some guys are, like, trying to get with girls, you know? I guess I feel like…I don’t know.”

Mom sits down on my other side. “You feel pressured to have a girlfriend because they’re looking for girlfriends?”

Well, not exactly. “It’s dumb.”

“No, it’s not dumb,” Dad says. “Is there someone you like?”

“No.”

Mom and Dad exchange a look. I’m pretty sure they suspect I feel something for Lexi. But I’m glad they don’t mention anything about it.

“Are you worried your friends will pair up and you’ll be left alone?” Mom asks.

I shrug. “I guess. I don’t know.”

Mom rubs my back. “You kids are growing up. It’s only natural you’ll all want girlfriends. Things will change, but that won’t stop you from being best friends. You guys are so close. Just look at me and Manny. We’re both married with kids and are still best friends after so many years. And look at your sister. She and her friends have boyfriends and they haven’t lost their close bond.”

“I guess that’s true. Maybe I’m worried over nothing. I should get to school or I’ll be late.”

“Okay.” Mom squeezes my hand. “Remember that we’re always here for you.”

They keep saying it, and while I appreciate it, it’s still awkward to talk to them about Lexi. I mean, I’ll have to eventually tell them that she and Finn are together, but not yet. Maybe because I’m still trying to make sense of it.

I get ready, eat breakfast with my parents—we talk about lighter topics—then climb on my bike. It’s crazy that I can still feel her arms around me when we rode on my bike together. Isqueeze my eyes shut, reprimanding myself for thinking about her again.