Page 38 of The Christmas Playbook
“Yeah, where is Rhys?” Marcus asks, glancing up from his phone for the first time during this lunch.
Rhys is spending time with his friends, like he should’ve been doing all along.
There’s a part of me that’s hurt he’s not here, like he chose his friends over me, but that’s the most ridiculous thought I’ve had this entire trip, aside from the whole fake-dating scheme I cameup with. If anything, I should feel guilty for keeping him from them, and I do.
I’m jealous, too.
I would rather be with Rhys right now, and not just because I’m stuck shielding myself from my family’s condescending remarks in between every other bite of food.
“He’s video-chatting with his parents,” I finally say.
I shoot my sister a glare, fully fed up with her jabs. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve finally had enough, or if it’s because it’s partly her fault that I’m in this situation to begin with.
My heart is becoming invested, and it’s going to end up broken.
That’s her fault, too.
“Oh, really?” Eliza smiles at me from beside my dad. “Is he close with his family?”
My stepmom actually seems interested, giving me her full attention.
At least I’ve fooled one person at this table that Rhys and I are in a fully committed relationship.
A smile touches my lips. “Yeah, he is.”
I go on and on about his family dynamic and some of the traditions that Rhys has with his family. The more I talk about him, the bigger my smile gets.
By the time I’m done, the entire table is quiet.
All eyes are on me.
Or past me?
“What? Is Santa Claus behind me or something?” I half-laugh.
Liam perks up with a crayon held tightly between his chubby fingers.
I spin in my chair, and that’s when I hear my sister laugh from her seat.
Shit.
The blood drains from my face.
Rhys stands with his snowboard in his hand, face red from the cool wintery wind of the slopes. He’s in the middle of his large group of friends, laughing at something one of the girls said.
“I knew it!” Cammie shouts. “You two aren’t even dating… are you?”
“What? Mira wouldn’t lie about something like that,” my dad argues.
I turn around briefly. All eyes are on me.
Marcus clicks his phone off. “I’ve gotta give this my full attention.”
A wave of nausea hits me. I try to come up with an excuse or cover my tracks in some way, but all I can think is,it’s over.
I peek over my shoulder again, and as if he can feel me, Rhys looks over.
At first, his brown eyes light up with excitement. His cheek rises with a crescent smile, but then, his gaze shifts to the rest of the table, and his expression falls.
