Page 44 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

“What the fuck is going on?” He looked at Julien’s handsome face, feeling a cocktail of emotions he had no idea what to do with.

Julien sighed. “Your sister and Wally heard us fight last night. They heard his name and decided to eavesdrop.”

Tyler grimaced as he recalled how badly he had spoken about Wally last night. “She probably was eavesdropping anyway,” he said, but the deflection didn’t improve anything.

“I came downstairs and asked if he could drive me to the bus stop. They all knew wehad a fight, and then your mom commented about my tattoos, so I said we fought over this. Alright? I figured you didn’t want your precious family to know the truth. What’s one more lie added to the web?”

Tyler chewed on his lip and inhaled through his nose. “I’m so sorry, Julien.” His voice broke on the name. “You were right about what you said. I’ve spent my whole life trying to be perfect, and for my family to think I’m perfect. I let it get to me. Okay?”

Julien scowled, but after a moment, his face softened a little. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have talked to you that way. I was just pissed. And…” He paused, exhaling sharply. “I mean, you don’t know what you have, Tyler. For all you think that your family is the worst, they love you a lot. I would give literally anything to….” Julien’s voice broke off as he shut his mouth and shook his head.

Tyler realized, in that instant, how selfish he had been. He hadn’t asked Julien about his family once. His fingertips itched to reach out and touch Julien, but he didn’t know how it would be received. “Jules…,” he said when Julien turned away.

“My mom died about nine years ago now, and it fuckingsuckswatching you act like your family is terrible when I have literally never seen a happier family.”

Tyler could hear the thickness in Julien’s voice. He was glad Julien faced the wall because his eyes had grown hot, and he didn’t know if he could handle seeing whatever hurt was on Julien’s face.

“You pick and pick at anything you don’t think is right, when you should just be fucking happy they’re all here with you.”

Tyler bit his cheek, unable to think of the right thing to say. He wasn’t sure he even trusted his voice not to shake. “Stay,” he said finally.

Julien turned around. “Why?”

“Because,” he hesitated, searching for the words. “I like you, and I want you to stay for Christmas. As you. Therealyou, not my fake boyfriend, as Julien. Please?” Tyler pleaded in a weak voice.

It took Julien a moment to answer, but eventually, he nodded. “Alright.”

Tyler stepped forward tentatively before wrapping his arms around Julien’s middle. Julien’s big arms hesitantly came around him, accepting the embrace.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have tried to change you. That wasn’t fair. You’re fine as you are.”

Julien ran a hand down his back, reminding Tyler of the previous morning. “Yeah. Thanks.”

He wasn’t sure Julien believed him, but Tyler meant it. It surprised him just how much he meant it.

He stayed that way, holding Julien and being held. Tyler tried not to play back how selfish he had been, but he also knew it was selfish now to try and keep Julien here. Because he liked Julien and couldn’t face the disappointment of not having him here.

“I’ll have to apologize to Walter, won’t I?” Tyler said when he finally pulled back from the hug.

Julien’s eyes darkened. “Yes,” he growled. “And you should give him a chance. Wally’s funny, in a goober sort of way.”

Tyler looked to the door back into the house with dread. “Okay. Time to facethe music.”

Julien touched his elbow. “Thanks,” he said again. This time, it sounded more sincere. It didn’t take away from the mountain of a task he would have when he apologized to Walter and Hailey, but at least he felt like Jules didn’t hate him anymore.

Struck with sudden boldness, Tyler stood on his toes and pressed his lips against Julien’s cheek. “Thank you for staying and for…everything.” Tyler hurried back through the door without waiting to see Julien’s response.

The house was eerily quiet when they came back inside. Everyone was still in the kitchen but stopped talking when he entered.

“Hey, umm, Walter?” Tyler approached his future brother-in-law like he was a particularly skittish cat.

Julien went to sit back at the table to finish his breakfast, but he gave Tyler a nod when he looked over.

Walter turned to him with hurt in his eyes. “Yeah?”

“Can I talk to you in the living room for a second?”

Hailey squeezed Walter’s arm and nodded, but the glare she sent Tyler’s way was not comforting.

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