Page 45 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

Walter followed Tyler into the living room, looking like a kicked puppy.

“I’m sorry. For what you heard me say yesterday,” Tyler said. “I’m a dick. I was angry and said something I didn’t mean.”

Walter nodded. “I always felt you were standoffish. I thought it was because you’re protective of Hail. I didn’t realize you didn’t like me.” His lips twisted into a frown, which he tried and failed to mask with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Tyler could concede that he had not been the nicest to Walter in the past. It wasn’t that he didn’t like Walter. He was fine. But at the end of the day, Walter gave Hailey something Tyler never had. It was his fault for letting insecure feelings color his emotions about an otherwise okay guy. Boring,yeah, but okay.

“I guess I was just jealous. Because you and Hailey are so in love, and I don’t have that,” he said. “I never gave you a chance or got to know you. But maybe now we can try tostart over?”

Walter shrugged. “Yeah. I hope we can. I love your sister more than anything. I know she loves you. I hope we can be like brothers one day.”

Tyler smiled. “Yeah. You know. I’d like that. Thanks. And I’m sorry again.”

“Just make sure you and Jules are good, too. I see the way he looks at you, Tyler. You two really do have something special. I know it would make Hailey happy to know you’ve got someone that makes you feel that way, too.”

Tyler looked back into the dining room and saw Julien watching him.

He smiled despite the cold lump lodging itself into his chest and throat. “Yeah. I’ll do my best. Thanks, Wally.”

Chapter 18

Julien

The energy in the house shifted once Tyler came out of the living room with Wally. The morning had been tense, to say the least.

Julien had thought he would quickly escape once he could get into Tyler’s room, but now he was staying once again.

This time, he wasn’t being paid for his time. Or, he supposed, he had already been paid. Tyler hadn’t asked for the money back, and Julien hadn’t brought it up.

Tyler’s mother hardly said a word after Julien had described the nature of their fight and come clean about who he was. Mostly. He didn’t know why he hadn’t mentioned that Tyler had hired him, but that seemed like something Tyler should probably tell them himself.

Julien felt like a bit of weight was off his shoulders. He had the money and could afford to enjoy Christmas with a nice family and Tyler. Despite what Jules said yesterday, Tylerwasn’t a bad guy. Bratty and spoiled? Yes. But apparently, Julien didn’t mind a spoiled brat. Actually, he kind of loved it.

He helped Hailey do the dishes after breakfast before Mr. Ashford talked him into looking at one of their cars, which had been making a noise. They hadn’t had a chance to bring it in with all of the Christmas prep.

Mrs. Ashford reminded them they would take family photos that afternoon, and the photographer would be there after lunch.

Things hadn’t exactly changed, but Julien felt something huge had shifted.

He put on some of his clothes upstairs and returned in a gray T-shirt and ratty jeans. It was a good thing he did because once he was finished looking at the Ashford’s car, he was covered in dust from the garage, grease from the engine, and a layer of cold sweat from working in the cold.

When Jules finished up, Mr. Ashford, who had supervised, spoke up. “You know, I hope you don’t think we’re a bunch of uptight jerks with all that’s happened,” he said. “Tyler’salways been funny about things, worried he’s not good enough. We don’t care who he dates as long as he’s happy.”

Julien didn’t know if that was supposed to make him feel better. It didn’t make him feel great, but it wasn’t exactly an insult. “Yeah. It’s fine. I’m just glad it’s all out there now.”Mostly.

“Me too. I hope you stick around because the guy I bring my car to really takes me to the cleaners with this sort of thing.” Mr. Ashford patted him on the shoulder and led him back into the house.

Tyler was helping his mother set up gifts under the tree, and he looked up when Julien came back inside. His mouth fell open.

“Need any help?” Julien went over to them.

“Umm,” Tyler said, still gazing at him.

Julien almost couldn’t parse the look, but he’d seen it before. It was the same look he’d given him when he first came to Tyler’s apartment. The same one he’d given him when he went out of the bathroom shirtless.

Tyler was totally checkinghim out.

Mrs. Ashford turned her attention to him and wrinkled her nose. “Oh, no, no. Julien, honey, you need to go shower and get ready. You are covered in grease. The photographer will be here in half an hour.”

---