Page 54 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“Bro, it was a mix-up. Luc had everything wrong,” Macklin assures.

“I’ll just stay down here for now,” Ruby mutters. She’s been staying in our house temporarily and started hooking up with Macklin, who is Hayden’s best friend, behind his back.

Hayden goes up to his room and Aaron and I hug the guys.

“So what’s with you and Annie?” Macklin asks me.

“How do you know?” I ask with confusion.

“You do know you met Annie because she’s friends with Ruby,” Macklin reminds.

“Right.”

“We saw your Insta posts and her Insta posts. Wanna explain why a cow is sending you love?” Macklin asks as he takes his coat off and removes his boots. He takes a seat on the couch and lets out a big yawn. Luc takes the seat beside him.

“The cow is an inside joke. I had a difference of opinion with my parents and didn’t want to join them in Mexico, so I went home with Annie instead,” I explain.

“And now you guys are together?” Luc asks.

“Kinda.” I nod. I regret lying to the guys because they are all my good friends. “That’s not true. But I need to tell you guys something and I need it to stay a secret.”

They all agree to keep things under wraps.

“We’re fake dating,” I blurt. I don’t know how I thought I could keep a secret from these guys. They are my ride or dies.

“What the hell does that mean?” Luc asks.

“It means we’re pretending to be in a relationship because she needs my help getting her ex off her back, and I needed her help showing Scarlett I’ve moved on,” I explain.

“But she’s hot and good for you,” Luc states.

He isn’t wrong. Being with Annie makes me happy, but we clearly aren’t ready for a step like that.

“You guys have serious chemistry. Why can’t it be real?” Luc asks.

“It’s complicated. I ended up spending the holidays with Annie on her farm. One of the best Christmases I’ve ever had.” I place one leg over my knee. “But she doesn’t want anything right now. I need to respect her boundaries. Both our lives are complicated.”

“Just get over Scarlett and move on,” Aaron urges.

“It’s not that, bro. My mom left my dad over break,” I announce.

The guys make a range of hissing sounds. “How, why?” Macklin asks.

“Dude, they only acted like the perfect couple and perfect family, but behind closed doors things were really messed up,” I confess. The guys have never heard me speak this way before. They would come home with me to visit and Mom would make all kinds of delicious Korean dishes. Everything seemed normal and happy when it was anything but.

“Well, don’t feel bad. Stuff happens,” Macklin says.

“I guess. I’m just happy my mom isn’t putting up with my dad’s bullshit anymore,” I declare.

“Rough,” Luc says.

“Yeah, bro. But it was nice to spend the holiday with Annie.”

“You like her,” Macklin remarks.

“She’s pretty.” I shrug.

“Pretty, huh?” Aaron repeats.

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