Page 45 of Christmas for Keeps

CONNOR: Better now than finding out about Zach in the future after I changed my whole life for him.

My phone buzzed, and I nearly dropped it trying to see who was calling. I clicked to answer as soon as I saw Abby’s name. “I can’t talk. This isn’t a big house, and I don’t need Zach marching in here.”

“Then whisper. I’ll be able to hear you.”

“All right.” I didn’t sound very friendly, but I was still paranoid Zach might overhear. “Zach hurt me, okay? I can’t believe he’d—”

“Let’s take this one step at a time. Has it occurred to you that Emory didn’t share this information out of the goodness of his heart?”

“What do you mean? No wonder he was so shocked to see me and hear the news that Zach had a boyfriend.”

“Stop!” She went quiet, and when she spoke again, her tone was friendlier. “You told me how Zach said Emory had always tried to get in his pants, and you even said you believed it.”

Her comment made my heart pinch. “That shows Zach’s been available and everyone knew it.”

“No, it doesn’t. You’re wrong.” A light clacking sound came through the phone. Abby had always drummed her fingernails against something when she was thinking. “Look, Connor, I can’t tell you whether Zach lied to you or not, but I’ve had my share of experiences with men who are jerks, as you well know. You need to think aboutwhyEmory said what he did. It is entirely possible thathewas the one who was lying, at least about some of what he said.”

“What? You think he did it for fun?”

She scoffed. “Maybe, at least partially. But I think he’s more interested in getting rid of you, and there’s no telling what he would say to do that. From what you’ve told me, it’s obvious he wants a chance with Zach.”

“Come on, Abby.” Acid poured into my stomach, and I started crying again. I tried to keep it quiet so Zach wouldn’t hear, and Abby mumbled soothing words through the phone. I choked out, “So you think… Emory is the one who lied? He showed me evidence.”

“Which could have been faked.”

“God!” It was getting harder to keep my voice low. “Not easily.”

“But possible. Everything that asshole told you could have been a pack of lies designed to scare you away from Zach.”

She sounded so reasonable I couldn’t argue, and she was right: it was possible. I got quiet while I tried to think through what she’d said. She let me have my space; I could hear her breathing, or I might have thought we’d lost the connection. Eventually, I asked, “You really think he’d have gone to the trouble to set up a fake account? Where would he have gotten the picture?”

“The internet, Facebook, Instagram, advertising… Should I go on?”

“Fuck, Abby! Were you sitting there thinking about that this whole time?”

She snorted. “For about five seconds. You’d have thought of it too if you weren’t so upset.”

I looked at the ceiling and sighed. I wished she could be right, but I still worried that Zach had lied.

“I can tell you aren’t convinced, but that’s even more reason you should march your cute little butt in there and talk to Zach. You love him, Connor, and from what you’ve said, I believe he loves you too. Think very carefully before you walk out on him, because it’s doubtful you’ll get a third chance.”

“Even if he lied to me? How could I—”

“Don’t be that naive. You’re an adult.”

“Meaning…?”

“God, you’re thick as a post.” She scoffed yet again, this time louder than before. “Meaning, keep an open mind. And even if Zach did lie, maybe he was afraid he’d lose you if he didn’t.”

“But all he did was make me—”

“It’s time to face life the way it is, sweetie. We’re all imperfect, and we make mistakes. Even if he lied to you, was that a serious enough offense to throw everything away? Only you can decide, but you’ll have to, one way or another.”

We hung up soon after that, and I lay back and thought about what she’d said. Could I forgive a lie? Typically, yes, but this was complicated. Why had Zach done it when there was nothing to gain?

So, is it worth throwing away this second chance?

Maybe. Damn it, I don’t know!

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