Page 64 of Real Tree / Fake Boyfriend

The answer was clear. There wouldn’t be any talking, any understanding. Julien would go and, just like that, be out of Tyler’s life forever.

Chapter 25

Julien

“Bad news, compadre.” Brad met Julien in the hall. His high and tight haircut had each strand in place despite the beating it took from the snow.

Brad had followed Julien outside while he was having a much-needed cigarette. Brad then asked him why Tyler was upset before the kids practically cried until Julien let them throw snowballs at him.

As much as Julien needed to get the fuck out of here, he also didn’t have the heart not to indulge in familial feelings one last time. He doubted he’d ever come close to it again and would miss the kids. He’d miss the whole family.

But heknewTyler was upset. He didn’t need fucking Brad calling him on it. But it did allow Julien to ask Brad to drop him off in town before dinner.

The last person he expected to confide in was Brad. When Julien explained, he had to get home because of anemergency and didn’t want to involve Tyler since their fight, Brad had been unexpectedly sympathetic. He’d agreed without question and even said he knew how the Ashfords could be when things didn’t go exactly to plan.

“What bad news?” Julien asked him. He had grabbed the smallest suitcase, which he had filled with his belongings, most notably the money. He wouldn’t return to the house after tonight, not after how he had ended things with Tyler.

He couldn’t even face Ty. His chest was already in knots about it. But still, no matter how much Jules wanted to explain why he had to act this way, he couldn’t get Tyler wrapped in this. He didn’t trust Rossi as far as he could throw him, and he wouldn’t let Tyler get hurt because of his past mistakes.

If Julien had to break both of their hearts because of it, he could try to fix them later. Right now, he needed to get Rossi the money and go home so no one could get to Tyler.

“The roads are too bad. There are warnings all over the weather apps and a state of emergency. We’re snowed in, man,” Brad said. “It’s a bitch, I know, but we can’t control the weather, can we?”

Julien’s blood rushed in his ears. “Ihaveto get to town,” he told Brad. “Tonight. It can’t be that bad.”

“Look, I get it. I haven’t finished all of my shopping either—” Brad started, but Julien cut him off.

“I don’t need to go shopping.” He looked around, but no one else was in the hall. “Can I tell you something?”

Brad shrugged. “Sure, I guess?”

Julien took a deep breath as he figured out how to say this to Brad, of all people. “I owe this guy money, and he’s serious about getting it to him. Tonight. I don’t want to get the family mixed up with all of this shit.”

Brad’s eyes gleamed in a way that Julien had never seen. “Oh fuck. What the Hell kind of shit are you wrapped up in, Jules?” He pressed his lips together.

“It’s complicated,” Julien said because his entire life was complicated, and he couldn’t explain it to anyone without the risk of them getting mixed up in it. “But I have to get to town by six.”

Brad sighed. “Can you just text him and tell him? It’s Christmas, forfucks sake.”

“These aren’t the type of people who wait. Can I borrow your car?” Julien asked.

Brad considered. “Cece would kill me if something happened to the car.” Brad wore the most serious expression Julien had ever seen on his face before. “But I get it.”

Brad took a step closer to Jules and lowered his voice. “When I was in college, I played baseball. I got wrapped up in gambling on the games. I ended up owing some people a lot of money I didn’t have.”

Julien’s eyebrows lifted. “Really?” He imagined Brad to be the type that was flush with cash since birth. Hearing this couldn’t be more of a surprise.

“Yeah. I couldn’t tell Cece about it. God forbid the Ashfords caught wind of how big of a fuck up I was.” Brad scoffed. “In the end, I figured it out, but it was one of the most stressful times of my life.”

Jules ran a hand through his hair. “I borrowed money from this guy, Lou Rossi. I needed to help my mom pay her medical bills,” Julien explained. “I was young and stupid, and it didn’t help anyway. If I can get this over and done with, I’ll have a fresh start.”

Brad nodded. “I’m here for you, Julien. Whatever you need. First thing in the morning, you and I can jet over to town and pay. Or maybe we can ask Wally for his car. That guy would do anything for you.”

Julien didn’t want to mix poor Wally up in all of this. “Fuck. No. You’re right. This is insane.” He fished his phone out of his pocket. It was already almost five.

Tony Rossi had already texted him.

Tick Tock.

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