430 Unknown (1/2)

During dinner, Zeke shot suspicious glances at all of us throughout the meal.

"Is something wrong, son?" Mr. Atkins raised an eyebrow at Zeke.

Zeke squinted at Dave. "I hope not. I don't want anything to jeopardize my last season in high school."

Mr. Atkins looked at Dave. "Why is he looking at you?"

Dave shrugged. "How am I supposed to know? I've been nothing but a model student." He looked at Noah meaningfully. "I think Noah has something to tell you guys though."

I stifled a laugh at how quick Dave was to throw Noah under the bus.

Under everyone's gazes, Noah rubbed his nose. "Well, Jeremy's uncle spoke to the news and denied that Jake was related to them."

Mrs. Atkins gasped and Mr. Atkins eyes narrowed. Zeke was also surprised since he didn't hear it earlier.

"Soooo, I went to a blog and said some mean things...Anonymously!" Noah added before he could get scolded. "And Kyle said it was unlikely to gain any attention. They receive a lot of anonymous comments every day."

"Noah James." Mrs. Atkins scolded.

"Noah, you should know better than to let your anger get the better of you." Mr. Atkins told him with a stern expression.

"I know, I know." Noah bowed his head. "Jake and I already talked about it."

"Oh?" Mrs. Atkins looked surprised. She looked at me. "And what were your thoughts on the matter?"

I shrugged, sinking a little more in my seat, feeling shy with the attention. "It's nonsensical."

"What?"

"What do you mean?"

"It's meaningless." I answered the twins. "They don't want me and I don't want them. Why bother?" I blushed. "I like being here."

"And we love having you here, Jake." Mrs. Atkins smiled at me warmly.

Mr. Atkins frowned, but didn't say anything about it. At least, not until after dinner. After the table was cleared and everyone started to go their own ways, he pulled me back.

"Jake, let's take a second to talk." He called for me.

Noah had already run off to take his shower so I didn't have an excuse not to.

I walked over. "Yes?"

He waved me over, heading for the back sliding door. "Let's sit on the back porch for a few minutes while there's some sun left."

I swallowed hard and followed. We both went out and sat down, looking out to the backyard, with the sun setting in the west.

"I just wanted to talk to you a little more about your brother. And your uncle, I guess." He looked at me. "I don't want you to feel that you have to give them up to stay with us."

It was my turn to frown. "I'm not doing that. They're the ones that don't want me."

Mr. Atkins gave me a sad smile. "I'm sure they're just confused right now. When it gets all straightened out, then who knows...maybe they'll want to get to know you?"

My frown deepened. "They had a decade. A whole decade. It's not like I was born after they left or after my dad died. Jeremy is seven years older than me. He knew me. He knew I existed. He probably saw me everyday for three years."

Mr. Atkins reached out and pulled me into a side hug. "We don't know the circumstances just yet. When we get all the facts, then I'll let you make a clear-cut decision. For now, let the pieces just fall. I don't want you to miss out on a relationship with your own blood relatives."