Page 28 of My Fake Fiancé

“I fully expect some snooping,” Kurt admits with a mouth full of toothpaste. “That’s why you moved in, isn’t it? But thankfully, most of the party will be out in the community room and pool.”

I shrug and snuggle into the bed. I have come to love this mattress and the whole sheets set in general. Whenever I have to leave, I might take a set home with me.

I’m almost asleep, even though I left the light on for Kurt when he comes back into the room and gets into bed next to me. I shift over, away from him because I know I’ve kicked him in my sleep before, even breaking through the wall of pillow between us. He hasn’t said anything but I am aware of my flying body parts.

“Juliana? Are you still awake?” Kurt asks softly a few seconds after turning the light off.

I turn over to face him and can see him through a gap in the pillows, the moonlight lighting up his face as it streams in through the top of the curtains. “Yes?” I answer quietly.

“Thanks for tonight.” Kurt looks over at me and our eyes meet in the gap of the pillows. I can see something in his eyes but I’m tired and I don’t want to try to figure it out tonight.

“What do you mean?” I yawn and close my eyes so I don’t have to see the way he’s looking at me. I feel him moving as he talks, his voice growing clearer.

“Just for being with me while I worked, and helping me when I got stressed. And for not being upset that I brought my work home with me.” Opening my eyes, I see Kurt watching me, the pillow wall no longer between us. I smile and then narrow my eyes because he probably threw them all on the floor.

“Of course, not a problem. I enjoyed tonight. Now, shh. Bedtime. Night night.” I speak in short sentences, tired and not wanting to address the absence of the pillows and what that means. I blink sleepily before giving up and letting my eyelids close.

“Goodnight Juli.”

Chapter 27

Juliana

It’s 2:30 p.m., the party begins at 3 and I am extremely nervous. We’ve prepared as best as we can but I’m still so scared. Kurt invited some of his work colleagues and a few of his neighbors. The neighbors worry me because I haven’t been to Kurt’s place many times before I moved in and even though they have seen me and talked to me in the hallway since then, I don’t actually know what they think of me or our engagement. And I don’t know for sure what he has told them about Ashley since she was here quite soon before I moved in.

“Are you okay?” A hand touches my shoulder and I flinch before I can stop myself. He removes his hand but continues watching me. I smile apologetically and look up at him nodding. “We can do this. Everyone loves parties, you don’t have anything to worry about.” He smiles down at me and I can see the worry in his eyes as well.

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding then I speak up. “Okay,” I say, then tug my hair and look around the community room. “It looks good.” He nods in agreement and I hold my breath again as I hear the first buzz of the intercom. I watch as he walks over to the door and presses the intercom button but I shut off and continue to look around the community room as he talks to the guests through the intercom and props open the door for their arrival.

“You ready?” I nod my head and tug my hair again then let go as he reaches for my hands just as our first guests arrive. He squeezes my hand and then leads me over to introduce me.

The band is running a little late and my heart drops when I see them walk in. I must have made a noise of horror because a lot of people have turned to look at me. I see the lead singer smirking at me and I look over at Kurt and catch his eye, he gives me a confused look when he sees the color drain from my face but he hasn’t seen Callum yet. I cough a little and apologize, “I’m so sorry, just a little sore throat.” Then I excuse myself to get some water from the kitchen area of the community room. After I distance myself from the band and all the guests, I lean against the counter trying to breathe.

“What happened?” I hear and turn to face Kurt. His face shows a hint of annoyance written across it and I don’t blame him. I can tell there is also some worry in his eyes but I’m not sure if it is just an act so we don’t make even more of a scene. I was rude in front of his neighbors and coworkers. I should apologize again later but right now I just needed space to breathe.

I stand up straight and finish my water then fill my cup again. “You can have some wine, you know. Even the hostess is allowed to drink,” Kurt teases me. I shake my head and sip from my cup again.

“I don’t drink...” I say quietly because I have not told him that about me. I haven’t told him a lot but then again, he hasn’t shared all that much about himself either. He looks a little shocked but also impressed and it makes me smile a bit.

He nods his head, accepting this fact. “Should we go back out? There are a few more people I should probably introduce you to.” He runs his hand over his head, a gesture I’ve noticed before. It seems to be an old habit from when he had longer hair. I try to think back to see if I can remember him with long hair but I can’t and he doesn’t have any pictures around his apartment that show him with long hair. I brush the idea away and pick up my half-empty cup of water. He offers me his hand, I take it and let him lead me over to other guests and after he introduces us, I apologize for my startled noise early, making excuses of a dry or sore throat. They laugh it off and keep chatting with me. The party seems to be going well and even a few guests have made their way to the pool.

After an hour or so, I am just starting to relax and enjoy myself when I hear the band strike up a new song. I’ve heard most of their songs before but this one is new. I continue talking to the assistant at Kurt’s office but begin to hear the words of the song.

“He doesn’t knoooow..” croons Callum, his voice filling the community room. “He doesn’t knoooow… What he’s getting into. She’s a .. she’s a .. PRUDE!!”

I gasp but cover my mouth in time and the loud music helps drown out my reaction. I get distracted from my conversation and pay attention to the lyrics. The band breaks into song again after a long guitar solo and Callum belts out the next verse, “Never could get her into bed. What’s wrong with her head? She’s such a tease because she will never please…. YOOOOU or anyone else for that matter!”

The horrid lyrics go on, talking about a girl who won’t let her boyfriend do anything with her and how the one time he got her to give in to something, she wasn’t very good at it and the rest of the song talks about how big of a disappointment she was and how no one will ever want someone who is such a prude.

About halfway through the song, I can’t stand it anymore. I don’t remember when I started crying but I hear a sob escape from my lips and I quickly stand up apologizing before pushing my way out of the community room and heading back to Kurt’s apartment quickly. I make it to the far side of the bedroom before I collapse against the wall, slide to the floor, and hug my knees to my chest sobbing violently.

How could Callum do this to me? He knew I wasn’t ready to go further in our relationship, I let him do all that I was comfortable with... I sob harder thinking back and remembering the night he broke up with me. It had been about a month of him trying to get me to have sex but I wasn’t ready. One night he was angry and tried to convince me I should, then tried to force me but I put up a fight and eventually, he gave up. He called me many nasty words and told me no one would want someone who is such a prude and that I should be lucky he even tried. Then he left.

I bury my head further between my legs trying to cry silently. Wishing that this horrible day would end.

Chapter 28

Kurt

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