Page 29 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

“I don’t know,” he lied. “I just want someone who fits in with my family and my life,” he told him. “You know, someone who is perfect and sweeps me off my feet.” His sisters had both found men who fit that ideal for them. It shouldn’t have been that hard for Tyler, but here he was.

“What does that even mean?” Julien tucked his hand into his pocket, and Tyler’s fingers curled around the cold air.

Tyler bit his lip, unsure how to answer. What did it mean? He imagined himself with someone like Walter or,worse, Brad. He didn’t want that. But they were in the ballpark of what he needed. They were successful, conventionally attractive, or absolutely unremarkable. Tyler didn’t think he was a winning prize, so he could settle for unremarkable and successful. Even if the thrill of someone mysterious and grumpy made his heart thud against his ribcage.

“I’m goingto get a hot chocolate. Do you want anything?” Tyler asked instead of answering as they passed a stall.

“No. I’m good,” Julien said. “Thanks. I’ll wait for you.” He took off without another word toward a cluster of shops.

Tyler waited in line for the hot chocolate booth and tried not to become overwhelmed by the menu. They had so many choices that it seemed impossible to choose just one. He debated heavily between the s’mores hot chocolate and the chocolate orange flavor. Then something caught his eye.

“Hi, can I ask real quick what frozen hot chocolate is?” he asked the girl inside the stall when he approached the window.

She stared at him for a minute. “Hot chocolate that is frozen,” she said slowly, as if he might not have understood her words.

He glanced over and saw Julien perusing a nearby tent filled with handmade items. Jules was tall enough that he stuck out over the crowd. The black of his leather jacket was stark against the sea of puffy winter coats and Santa hats.

“Thanks,” he said and looked back at the girl. “I’ll get one of those and a chocolate orange flavor.” He paid and stepped out of the way while he waited for his order to be ready.

He pulled out his phone to see a slew of texts in the group chats with behind-the-scenes shots of Kelsey and Owen on Santa’s lap. Hailey’s several cry-laugh emojis made him smile. He knew the finished picture of the kids would look great. However, the ones his twin sent showed Kelsey crying and reaching for Cece, while Owen seemed too severe for a seven-year-old sitting with Santa.

“Here.” The girl caught Tyler's attention. He picked up the two cups and walked to where he had last seen Julien. However, Jules was nowhere. Tyler scanned the crowd to spot the familiar face, but only when he turned around did he see Julien.

He was inside one of the shop tents, kneeling beside an older woman who sat on a chair. She clutched his hand tightly. An oxygen tank was hooked up to her, and as she breathed, her shoulders heaved with exertion.

Tyler headedinto the shop.

“I’m fine. I need a minute,” she gasped. “I’m usually alright, but I get a little dizzy sometimes. Thank goodness you were here. I don’t know if I could have gotten up on my own.”

Julien shook his head and patted the woman’s wrinkled hand tenderly. He hadn’t noticed Tyler yet. His attention focused on the woman in the chair. “Don’t worry about it. Are you alright? Do you need me to call someone?”

“No, I’m fine. I’m okay,” The woman wheezed some more. “Thank you for spotting me.”

Tyler watched the exchange in awe, then approached, concerned and confused. “What happened? Are you alright?”

“Oh, Sweetie, I just had a bit of a fall, but this nice young man helped me. It’s nothing to worry about.” The woman gave Julien a grateful smile.

“Let me get you some water at least.” Julien stood up and put a tiny shopping bag into his pocket.

The lady shook her head. “No, no. Don’t go through all of that trouble. Really. I need a minute. My daughter is on her way over here anyway. I’ll get her to take me home.”

Julien nodded. “Alright. I’ll wait with you until she gets here. How does that sound?” He gave the woman such a tender and genuine smile Tyler felt unreasonably jealous of her.

“Yeah, I mean, we’re not in a rush,” Tyler said.

“I’m Julien, by the way. This is my boyfriend, Tyler,” he told the woman. How he kindly spoke to the poor woman and let her cling to his hand was definitely not an act.

Tyler didn’t know why it was shocking to see this big man with tattoos and arms big enough to break bones kneeling next to a fragile older woman, asking her about her plans for Christmas, what her grandchildren were getting from Santa, and about their holiday talent show.

Tyler hadn’t even realized Julien called him his boyfriend until the woman, Patty, looked over at him. “You have got yourself a good egg, Tyler. A perfect egg.”

Tyler had to force the smile off his face, which had appeared at some point while he watched Julien. “I know I do,” he told herhonestly.

His stomach flipped when Julien looked at him with the same gentle smile.

Yeah. I am fucked.

A young lady rushed in. “Mom? Are you alright?” she asked. She looked at Julien suspiciously. “What happened?”

---