Page 72 of Protect My Heart
‘Fiancé? We’re not even dating.’
‘But my parents don’t know that.’
‘Why would you lie to them?’
‘Because they’re old-fashioned. They grew up during a time when people got married and then had kids. They expected me to do the same. I don’t want them knowing I hooked up with you at a wedding and haven’t seen you in months. I was going to tell them we’ve been dating this whole time.’ I pause. ‘And maybe part of last year.’
Jason laughs. ‘You’re kidding, right? This is some kind of joke?’
‘It’s not a joke. I need you to do this.’ I clutch his arm. ‘I’m begging you to. If you knew my parents, you’d understand.’
‘I’m sure they know things have changed since they were our age. People have kids outside of marriage all the time.’
‘Yes, I know, but it’s not what they wanted for their only daughter. Jason, you said you’d do anything if I went to your brother’s wedding. I did my part of the deal. I’m asking you to do yours.’
He goes past me to the living room, rubbing his jaw. ‘So what happens when you leave at the end of the summer?’
‘I’ll tell them we broke up. I’ll say we tried to make it work but it didn’t.’
He shakes his head. ‘I don’t know, Mia. I don’t like this. I think you should just tell them the truth.’
‘And break their hearts?’ I walk over to him. ‘Jason, I’ve seen how much you love your parents. If you knew something would hurt them and disappoint them, but there was a way to avoid all that, wouldn’t you do it?’
‘Maybe. But I’d be more likely to tell them the truth.’
‘Think about that house you bought with Brody. You said you didn’t tell your parents you helped your brother buy it because you didn’t want them finding out he couldn’t buy it on his own. Because you knew it would upset them to know he was in a lot of debt. You were protecting them.’
He sighs. ‘Okay, yeah, but it’s not the same as making up some fake engagement.’
‘It’s not that different. I’m trying to protect my parents because I know how they’d feel if they knew the truth.’
He looks down and doesn’t say anything.
My phone dings with a text. ‘My mom says they’ll meet me there in a half hour. I’m going to go finish getting ready, then pack up.’
‘You’re leaving?’ Jason looks up. ‘You’re going back to Madison?’
I nod. ‘After breakfast. My parents want me to stay and spend the week with them but it’s too risky. I’d end up running into your family and then I’d have to tell my parents everything. I’m just going to go with my original plan of telling them I’m pregnant right before they leave.’
‘What are you going to tell them about the father?’
‘I haven’t decided, but I’ll figure it out.’ I go back to the bathroom to dry my hair and do my makeup. Then I go into thebedroom and pack up my things. I take my suitcase out to the living room and see Jason sitting on the couch.
‘Bye, Jason.’ I walk to the door.
‘Wait.’ He jumps up. ‘I’ll walk you out.’
‘You don’t have to.’ I don’t want him to because I’m pretty sure I’ll burst into tears when I get past the door. I really thought he’d do this for me. But he won’t, and now I have to tell my parents I’m leaving and can’t spend the week with them.
Jason goes with me to my car. He puts my suitcase in the trunk, but doesn’t close it.
‘Jason, I need to hurry. I’m going to be late.’
He closes the trunk and walks up to me. ‘What would I tell my family? If we did this?’
‘You don’t have to tell them anything. My parents don’t live here, and as long as we keep them away from your parents this week, they never have to know.’
‘What if your parents want to meet mine?’
