Page 63 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

“That being said, I am not sure how I feel about this Julien boy,” his mother added. “Why is he taking money from you?Isit drugs?”

“Oh, my god, Mom. Why is it always drugs? No one is doing drugs,” Tyler said. “I guess he just needed the money. It was stupid. The whole idea was reckless. I wish I never did it.”

His mother sighed. “Well, I think you should talk to him. I can’t tell you what to do with your money, but I can say that he seems to make you happy. I think you should let yourself explore that.”

“I… yeah, I guess I’ll talk to him,” Tyler said. The prospect of a formal chat with Julien didn’t sound likely or appealing, especially not after the harsh car ride. “Sorry for lying.”

She shook her head. “You don’t owe me an apology. I hope that in the future, we can all be more openand honest.”

“Ugh…. I’d rather not have anyone else know about this just yet, if possible,” he admitted.

“Of course not.”

Tyler stood up and felt his stomach drop as he realized he still had to face Julien and maybe figure out what the Hell had just happened. Somehow, that seemed worse than talking to his mother. He never would have imagined he could think that.

Mom crossed the room and pulled Tyler in for a hug. It was such a surprise that Tyler didn’t react for a beat. Mom was rarely physical. Tyler relaxed into the hug and wrapped his arms around her small frame.

“I love you, Honey. Whatever you need, you can always talk to me.”

Tyler blinked several times before he stepped away. “Love you too, Mom.”

Julien wasn’t anywhere in sight when Tyler stepped back out to the great room. Tyler couldn’t bring himself to go upstairs and look for him. Instead, he busied himself and helped Hailey prepare for Christmas Eve dinner. It wouldjust be the immediate family, and Hailey was making pork in a mustard sauce with cheesy herbed rolls. They smelled so good Tyler’s stomach only ached more.

“Oh, look,” Cece said with a scoff as she helped with the dishes. “They’re going to track snow everywhere, goddammit.”

Tyler went over to the sink and glanced out the window. Julien wasn’t in his room but instead was being chased by Owen, who had a handful of soggy snow in his gloved hand.

The snow had already reached almost ankle height and was coming down with great speed, illuminated by the white Christmas lights on the border of the back of the house.

Julien seemed to have taken it upon himself to have a snowball fight with Cece’s kids, Owen and Kelsey. Brad walked over to Jules and spoke before clapping Julien on the back. A snowball flew their way, and Julien and Brad both chuckled.

Snow clumps stood out on Julien’s black jacket and long hair, and he fended off the attack on him with gentle tosses of snow at thechildren.

Tyler felt a smile pull at the corners of his lips before he realized what he was doing. He forced the smile away and turned from the window. “They’re just having fun,” he grumbled.

Somehow, watching Julien with his family hurt more when he harshly rejected Tyler.

“They’ll be soaked to the bone. I’ll have to give them a bath before dinner now,” Cece complained. “I thought you were going to talk to him anyway,” she said pointedly.

“Aww, they’re cute. Let them have fun,” Hailey protested. “You’re so uptight,” she teased their older sister.

Cece shook her head and went to the back door. “Can you all come inside, please,” she called out, and soon enough, four snow-covered humans sloshed into the great room, dripping and shivering against the sudden warmth of the house.

“Brad, I can’t believe you would let them get this soaked before dinner.” Cece picked Kelsey up and instructed Owen to take off his shoes. “Mom! I need to use your bath. Tyler, don’t just stand there. Go get a towel, or they’ll ruin the floor.”

By the time Tyler came back with a towel for the floor. Julian had pulled his shoes off, as well as his jacket. The snowflakes had become water droplets on his hair and eyelashes, quivering dangerously with each move he made.

“You probably have time for a shower before dinner.” Tyler handed Julien a smaller towel and draped the large one on the floor. He couldn’t even meet Julien’s eye. “You must be freezing.”

Whatever amusement Julien might have had from playing with Tyler’s niblings disappeared when Tyler spoke, making his chest tighten. “I’m not staying for dinner. Brad’s taking me into town once he makes a call.”

“Why?” Tyler asked, but he wasn’t surprised. “Is this about what… happened in the car?”

Julien leaned down to dab some packed snow that stuck to his jeans. “It’s complicated, Tyler.”

Tyler swallowed, and his heart sank to the floor. “Can we talk before you go?” he asked. The past few days with Julien had been complicated and confusing, but most of all, they had been unforgettable. Even if things had startedweird, his feelings for Julien had twisted around him, and now he felt strangled by them.

“I should go get changed. Thanks for the towel.” Julien handed the wet towel back to Tyler and went upstairs.

---