Page 35 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Julien opened both eyes and sat up a little. “Are you serious?”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not my business,” Tyler exclaimed.

“I thought you knew,” Julien said. “Yeah. I am.”

Tyler let out a huff of a breath. “Oh. Well, that’s a relief.”

Julien wasn’t sure what that meant. “I thought Cam probably told you. It’s not obvious?”

“No. I mean, I don’t know. I’ve never been good at that kind of thing,” Tyler confessed. “Do you, uh, have a boyfriend?”

“Besides the fake one? No.”

“You must think I’m a shitty boyfriend if you thought I’d leave someone to go pretend to be yours.”

Julien wasn’t sure he wouldn’t do that, though. If he did have someone, would he still do this to get the money he needed? That always had been part of the problem. Relationships were expensive. People wanted to go out on dates to do things together, and every penny Julien didn’t need to literally survive went to his debt to the Rossi family.

“I don’t think you’re a shitty boyfriend,” Tyler grumbled. “You’re the best boyfriend I’ve everhad.”

Julien ignored his heart speeding up and reminded himself that Tyler had never had a boyfriend. The bar was on the floor, underground, in Hell. Tyler wasn’t talking about Julien; he was talking about the Julien he had made up to please his family.

Tyler traced the tattoo on his forearm absentmindedly, and Julien closed his eyes and allowed himself to enjoy it for a moment. The warm form of Tyler pressed tightly against his front, the tickle of his fingertip on his skin, and the curve of his neck so close that Julien could bite it were some of the most comforting things he’d felt in a long time.

“You’re not so bad yourself,” Julien gave in and nuzzled against the crook of Tyler’s neck. He smelled fantastic, and at that moment, Julien didn’t care if this crossed lines.

The finger that ran over the tattoos on his arm stopped. Tyler laughed and covered himself with the blankets.

“What?” Julien pulled his face away from Tyler’s nape. He couldn’t pretend he didn’t feel caught out on what he was selfishly indulging in.

“Nothing,” Tyler said quickly, still hiding.

Julien frowned. “Are you laughing at me?”

“I’m sorry.” Tyler peeked out of the blanket and turned his head to look at Julien. “It’s just your boner is so fucking huge.” He laughed again, covering his flushed face.

Julien snorted in surprise. “Shut up. Don’t act like you don’t have one,” he said. He pulled the pillow from under his head and threw it onto Tyler’s face.

Tyler’s laugh came muffled before he pushed the pillow off of him. “It’s normal.”

“I wasn’t the one who laughed about it.” Julien was unable to keep himself from a slight chuckle along with Tyler.

“I’m not laughing,” Tyler said despite actually laughing. “It’s a shock.”

“What? That I have a big dick?” Julien poked him in the ribs, sitting up. “So, you know I’m gay, and now you want to talk about my penis, is that it?”

“Oh my god,” Tyler groaned. He pulled the pillow back over his face and let out a muted scream. “I was just making anobservation.”

“If you wanted to fuck, you just have to ask, Baby,” Julien teased, enjoying the way Tyler squirmed as Julien began tickling his ribs.

All Tyler had to do was say the word, and Julien would have no problem pouncing on him immediately, even if he was trying to keep his emotions in check.

Tyler batted Julien’s hands away, still laughing. “Oh yeah? Would that cost extra?” Tyler asked, but he froze once he said it.

Julien’s face fell as a greasy mortification washed over his skin, erasing the ease and silliness he had felt mere seconds ago. The cold reminder of who and what Julien was to Tyler left him feeling like he was breathing in the frigid air.

Tyler pulled the pillow away from his head and sat up. “I was just joking, Jules. I didn’t…I mean, that was so stupid of me to say. I’m sorry.”

Julien shrugged and slid out of the bed. “Yeah, I know,” he told Tyler, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice. “I’m going to shower. I wouldn’t want your family thinking I’m a lazy bum or something unforgivable.”

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