Page 22 of Pretend You're Mine

My shoulders slumped in defeat. If Creed wasn't talking about it, then there was no need to beat myself up. We had a long day to get through and I'd focus on that.

Maybe if I got back in one piece, we could address what had transpired this morning, and of course, what had happened last night.

I shook my head, trying to forget about it all for now. I'd have time later to really think through everything that had happened with Creed.

I headed to the bathroom to do my business. As I got dressed, I took a deep breath and told myself I could do this. I just neededto focus on each moment, one at a time. Before I knew it, the day would be behind me.

From the second we stepped outside the room, Creed was glued to my side. As we stood at the top of the stairs, the lingering aroma of Thanksgiving dinner wafting up, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves mingled with excitement. Creed's presence beside me offered a comforting anchor in the sea of anticipation.

"Ready?" Creed asked as we stepped out of the room into the hallway.

"I don't think I'm ever completely ready to face my family." My attempt at a joke fell flat.

I spared my fake boyfriend a glance, my eyes immediately drawn to the sheer strength and ruggedness of Creed's physique. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, every line and edge chiseled and defined. It was hard to tear my gaze away from the alluring sight. He exuded a raw energy that was both intimidating and alluring at the same time.

Creed suggested, "Why don't we ditch whatever they're doing and do our own thing? We don't have to be stuck in toxic spaces for any reason."

"Hmmm." It was the only response I could offer.

My fingers trembled as the tips of my fingers connected with Creed's.

"I mean it, Avery Branson."

"If I don't face them head on, I'll just be delaying the inevitable. Besides, I feel safe and better with you." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could second-guess them, andI felt a blush creeping up my cheeks. But I felt a surge of relief at having voiced my truth.

Creed's eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. "Well, I'm flattered. I'll be sure to add that to my list of accomplishments."

I chuckled, feeling the tension easing from my shoulders. "Consider it a glowing review."

He leaned in, his voice laced with playful arrogance. "Oh, I will. And I expect a raise."

I raised an eyebrow, playing along. "You'll have to negotiate that with HR."

Creed's smirk grew, his gaze meeting mine with mock seriousness. "Ah, but you are HR, aren't you?" he countered, his tone teasing.

I pretended to consider this, tapping my chin. "True. But I'm also your boss. So, no raise for you."

Creed feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart dramatically. "You wound me, Avery. Here I thought we were partners in crime."

I couldn't hold back a laugh, surrendering to his teasing with a playful shrug. "Fine, fine. You win this round. But only because I'm feeling generous today."

With a triumphant grin, Creed gestured toward the stairs. "Shall we, then? The sooner we face the music, the sooner we can eat pie."

And just like that, any lingering nerves were washed away in the tide of laughter and camaraderie. Our eyes met as we reveled in the moment, and together, we descended the stairs, hand in hand, ready to take on whatever Thanksgiving festivities awaited us.

As soon as we landed on the threshold, I stiffened and stopped moving. My gaze swept around the family room, where everyone was seated, eyeing me suspiciously. My tongue stiffened in my mouth.

A hand wrapped around my shoulder. "Don't let anyone make you feel less for being you," Creed whispered fiercely in my ear. For some reason, my brain refused to focus on the words being said and instead chose to process the mixed scent of our colognes. One woodsy and the other minty. I inhaled deeply.

Sweat broke across my forehead. I could feel the walls closing in on me. I had no idea what was coming over me but I could swear that I was going crazy. This family reunion was getting on my last nerve. It seemed to be a legit enough reason for why I never came back home.

"You good?" Creed inquired. "Let's sit down."

"I"m fine. It's, uh… a bit too cold in here." My voice was stuck in my throat.

"It's not. The fireplace is blazing, but you know that already."

Creed led me over to the empty couch, his strong hand resting on the small of my back. As we took our seats, my leg began bouncing almost immediately. Creed put his hand on my thigh to make it stop. The touch was reassuring, but not as reassuring as what he had said to me earlier.

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