Page 2 of Fake To Forever

The topic change is abrupt, but I get it. He is trying to push our current situation to the back of his mind to lighten the mood.

“Your friend from college? The billionaire?” I scoff, raising a brow as I turn my gaze to him. “Why the hell would he move to Blue Ridge?”

“He wants a quieter life, I guess.” Garrett shrugs. “The peaceful small town experience, you know?”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. “Ah, I gotcha. Isn’t that what most people want by moving to Texas?”

He chuckles at my comment, shaking his head. “They think so.”

What Garrett really means is his rich buddy decided he wants to come to our town, build a monstrosity of a house that he’ll call his ‘country home,’ and spend a couple weekends out of the year here when he gets bored with the city. Typical.

Garrett absentmindedly scratches at the stubble on his cheek. “Anyways, he’s coming to town next week. I’ll be in the fields by then, but once I’m back, I want you two to finally meet.”

Finally meet? Oh joy.

“Oh, yeah?” I chuckle. “Don’t tell me you’re going to try and hook me up with your rich, pretentious middle-aged friend, Garrett. I’ve already told you, I’m not…”

“I’m not trying to hook you up with anyone,” he insists. I know him better than that, and it’s not like this wouldn’t be the first time.

“Right… so you’re telling me you just want us to meet for shits and giggles?”

Garrett nods to the bartender when his beer is placed in front of him, frowning at me before he takes a drink. “I promise you, I’ve no intention of hooking you two up… and he’s not middle-aged. He’s just a guy, and he’s not going to hit on you, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

“Good. Because I’m not looking to date any stuck-up oil magnate nepo baby.”

“You have such a weird thing against rich people,” Garrett mutters, causing my mouth to drop open.

“It’s not weird! We grew up with practically nothing. People like your friend are born with a silver spoon in their mouths, and they don’t appreciate anything.”

Garrett’s back stiffens at my words, his eyes refusing to meet mine. “Christian’s worked hard for what he has.”

I know Garrett’s just defending his friend, but I refuse to back down. “How hard do you have to work if daddy gives you your first job?”

Never one to let things bother him for too long, Garrett takes another swig of his beer, shaking his head. “I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

I scowl at him, playing with the little bowl of peanuts between us. Finding the biggest one, I chuck it at his head, and laugh when it bounces off and lands in his beard. Garrett’s always taken care of me, and been the best big brother anyone could ask for. Growing up poor in a small town like Blue Ridge was hard, but Garrett made sure I always had what I needed, and even a few things I wanted by taking extra shifts or working odd jobs. That was before he became head honcho of the inland rig just north of Blue Ridge.

Maybe he’s a little overprotective, but he’s a good big brother.

Not that I’m going to tell him that. He has a big enough head already.

Suppose I should trust his judgment when it comes to his friends. I don’t really understand why or how he became friends with the likes of Christian Tallow to begin with—outside of them both going to the same college. Tallow is a billionaire oil tycoon who could not have grown up more differently from us. We worked our asses off just to get by, and Tallow came from a wealthy family who helped him build his own massive wealth.

The bar’s front door opens and a group of four guys come inside, talking and laughing loudly. I spare them a glance, but that’s about it. Since half the town works on the rigs, it’s a safe assumption they’re roughnecks. They make their way toward the pool tables on the other side of the bar, and I turn back to Garrett. He’s watching me with an arched brow and a small grin playing around his lips.

“What?” I demand to know, frowning. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You want to go talk to those guys?” A smirk plays behind the lip of his beer.

“That is such a weird thing for you to say.” I turn back around on my stool, effectively tuning the group out. Definitely not interested. “You know, older brothers usually don’t want their sisters to date.”

“Is it so wrong for me to want to see my baby sister settled and happy? To actually go out with a guy and have a little fun once in a while?”

“I appreciate your concern, Garrett, but I’m fine. I don’t need anyone right now. Between work and taking care of Mom, I’m too busy.”

The look he sends my way tells me he’s not letting this go anytime soon. And I have a feeling I’m not going to like what he says next.

“What are you going to do when Mom isn’t around anymore?”

---