Page 40 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

No one looked in their direction, but Tyler wanted to dance with his boyfriend. His very fake boyfriend.

“I don’t think anyone cares.”

Tyler cared. He wanted to dance, not with someone else, with Julien. He wanted to have amoment. Maybe if theydanced, they would talk more, their bodies would touch more, and he would get to experience that perfect romance that Cece and Hailey both had.

Yes, it was selfish and childish, but Tyler wanted to savor the moments spent with Julien. He wanted to enjoy the butterflies and the subtle touches that made his toes curl and his mouth dry. It was stupid, pathetic, and weird, but he couldn’t help but long for it all. He didn’t know if he would get those feelings for someone else.

“I’ll give you more money. Just one dance,” he pleaded.

Julien’s jaw set firmly, and he stood up. For a second, Tyler thought Jules would lead him to the dance floor.

“Just keep your stupid money. I’m going out for a cigarette.” With that, Julien walked away.

Tyler watched him weave through the tables of the ballroom and out the door and felt his heart sink. He didn’t even know if he should go after him or not. It was just a stupid dance. Was it wrong of himto want that?

The song ended with thunder of applause, and Tyler realized he was still standing there, eyes glued to the door, but Jules never came back in.

Chapter 16

Julien

Julien sat on a bench outside the clubhouse, a cigarette in one hand, his head in the other.

This whole thing was getting to him. He thought he could handle it. He really did. For five thousand dollars and a guaranteed way out of his debt, he should have been able to treat this the same as any job. But he couldn’t because Tyler kept looking at him like he hung the fucking moon.

Now, he didn’t know what to do. He should have just agreed to the stupid fucking dance in the first place. He didn’t really care about embarrassing himself. Even if he absolutely did not dance.

It was the idea that Tyler was warm and affectionate in one moment. Then, the next moment, he reminded him that this was his job, that it was about money and payment.

Whenever he thought they were getting closer naturally, Tyler brought up the awkward truth and sent Julien intoa cold spiral of regret. Now, Julien wouldn’t be surprised if Tyler told him to fuck off entirely. Then he would be well and truly screwed.

Of course, he would fuck this up and catch feelings.How could I be so stupid?

He could only blame the crushing loneliness he’d lived with for ten years. One taste of domesticity and a cute boy holding his hand had opened the floodgates oflonginghe had kept locked away for so long.

He hadn’t gone back into the clubhouse and waited outside, chain-smoking and freezing his ass off in the stupid outfit he was wearing, until he saw people start to leave. He stood up when he spotted the Ashfords and tossed his cigarette away.

“I hope your head feels better, Julien,” Cece said. Her attention drew away from him the moment she said it. “I have a headache myself. Brad, where is our car? We have to get back to the babysitter.”

“I don’t know, Honey, the valet took my keys,” Brad told her. He seemed more frustrated than usual. Julien could sympathize.

Tyler glanced his way, looking every bit like a wounded puppy, but he didn’t reach out for him as they waited for Walter’s car to be brought around.

Tyler didn’t speak during the entire ride home.

Hailey and Walter chatted in the front seat in hushed tones, while the dark of the back seat was so quiet it felt loud. Julien didn’t mind the quiet. He was used to it, but usually, there were soft touches, hushed comments, or smiles from Tyler.

Everything now seemed cold.

It was nearly midnight when they pulled into the driveway. Cece and Brad had returned to their house, but Tyler’s parents were already home, and the light from the kitchen was the only one on in the house.

They all said tired goodnights before disappearing into their respective bedrooms. Walter’s sympathetic glance Julien’s way did not go unnoticed.

Julien made to follow Tyler into his room, but Tyler looked at him. “If you want, stay in the other guest room since it’s free. Or I can.I don’t care.”

Julien stared at Tyler and frowned as he pulled off the jacket he wore over his button-down. This morning, things seemed nice between them. That was Julien’s mistake. He let his wires get crossed, and now he was about to lose this fucking way out because he didn’t dance like a trained monkey.

He would possibly lose his mind because he’d started to let himself feel something. Not to mention Lou Rossi might kill him if didn’t get his money. All the proof needed to show how much of a loser Jules was.

---