Page 52 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

She gave a shaky laugh. “Just couldn’t sleep,” she said, her voice breaking. “I’m fine, yeah.”

Tyler nodded to the whiskey. “Is that dad’s good stuff?”

“Are you going to tell on me?” Cece asked.

“Not if you get me a glass.”

Tyler rounded the island and leaned against it. His sister found another glass, poured Tyler a few fingers, and then topped herself off.

They both took a sip. Tyler inhaled through his mouth to avoid the burn of the whiskey. As good as it was, he didn’t prefer the flavor or the way it scorched his throat. “So, what’s going on?”

Cece swirled the liquid in her glass. “Brad and I are thinking about getting a divorce,” she said, her tone light, conversational. “Please don’t tell anyone.”

Tyler tried to think of what to say. What words could convey his surprise while being cautious of his sister’s feelings?I’m sorry. It seemed the worst thing to say, even though he was sorry.

He never would have expected it. Cece and Brad had been together forever, and they seemed solid. They had the perfect little family, the ideal business, and a beautiful house. They had worked hard to make it precisely how they wanted it. They had been the perfect couple in his mind since their start.

“Come here.” He set his glass down and pulled his sister in for a hug instead of saying anything immediately.

He patted her back as she started to sob in earnest.

“I feel like such a fucking failure. I’ve tried hard, but I’m not good enough.” She gave a wet sniffle against his shoulder.

“Does mom know?” Tyler asked. How could he have missed this? Was he so wrapped up in his own life that he had no idea what was happening with his sister?

Cece shook her head. “I told her we were in therapy. We have been for a year, but I don’t know if it’s making anything better or worse.”

Tyler rubbed circles into her back. “He didn’t…I mean…no one cheated or anything? Right?” If Brad had been unfaithful to his sister, Tyler would have had a lot of choice words for that sorry bastard.

“No!” she said quickly. She pulled out of Tyler’s grip and went to the roll of paper towels to blot at her tear-streaked face. “Nothing like that. We don’t see eye to eye anymore. It’s like we used to always be on the same page, and now we have the kids and the business, and all we do is argue about them.” She buried her face in the paper towel and cried some more. “I feel like such a shitty mom.”

“You’re a great mom,” Tyler said. “Seriously. Just because it’s not going the way you thought, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure. You have to do what’s best for you so you can do what is best for the kids,” Tyler told her.

Cece shook her head. “Easy for you to say. You’re so fucking perfect. You have a great job, are smart, and are making the most of your life. I wouldn’t have anything if I didn’t have Brad and my family. I mean, he’s been my whole world since high school.”

Tyler bit the inside of his cheek. “I am sooo not perfect. I always wanted what you and Brad have or what Hailey and Walter have, and I always thought you were the perfect one.”

She gave a hysterical laugh, which turned into another sob. “Guess I proved you wrong.” She blew her nose so loud Tyler thought it might wake someone up.

It would have been funny if the situation wasn’t serious.

“No one is perfect, Cee. We’re all out here doing our best, right?”

“I guess. I wanted to grow old with Brad, to have the best little family, and I feel like it’s crumbling around me,” she told him. “We literally had a huge fight this afternoon because of the car I want to buy.”

“Why does that even matter? You should be able to get whatever car you want,” Tyler said.

He would always take his sister’s side. He knew she could be snippy, complicated, and selfish, but he could be, too. She was his sister, and Brad had no right to control everything.

“It just sucks because I still love him like crazy. But even through therapy, it’s like I’m trying so hard, and Brad shuts it down. He sometimes puts everything else before the kids and me,” Cee explained. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be dumping this on you. You don’t want to hear about it.”

Tyler squinted at her. “Yes, I do. I don’t mind. It’s better if you didn’t have to keep this to yourself. If you need anything, just let me know. I know Hailey would feel the same way about it.”

As much as they had always been in competition to show one another how accomplished andperfectthey were, Tyler loved his sisters so much, and this went beyond appearances. This went beyond competition. They had to be a family. That was the most importantthing.

Tyler chewed on his lip momentarily, then sighed and finished the glass he sipped on. “Umm, I have something that might make you feel like less of a fuck up.”

Cece’s eyebrows raised. She dabbed under her eye. “Doubtful, but okay.”

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