Page 120 of The Guy Who Fake Dated Me

Crystal gave me a smug smile. “He’s leaving in a few minutes.”

“What?” My mom let out a gasp.

“Nice.” I rolled my eyes at Crystal. “How did you know?”

“I invited Alex to come tonight, but he said he was busy. It took me three days to get it out of him.”

I knew Alex was head-over-heels for my sister and that she still hadn’t given him the time of day he deserved. I’d have to have a little chat with him about sharing secrets with her.

If she knew, then everyone knew.

Except my mom had been surprised. Had Crystal not told her? That shocked me.

“Where are you going?” my mom asked softly, but aggressively.

“California.”

“To see that girl?”

“Yes, Mom. To see Victoria.” The woman I was in love with. The one I was already imagining having a life with. The one I hoped and prayed wouldn’t throw me out of the state when I showed up unannounced.

“Why? I thought she was ignoring you.”

And I’d thought Crystal was the master at hitting below the belt.

The people behind my mom waiting for food started to look around her. “You’re holding up the line, Mom,” I said.

“We’re not finished talking about this. You’re just going to leave?”

“Yes, Mom.”

“During our party?” Tears glistened in her eyes.

“Yes.” There was nothing to be gained by giving in to her tantrum. I checked the clock on the wall. “Actually, I need to go now.”

“I will never forgive you!”

This time Crystal rolled her eyes. “Relax, Mom, it’s fine.”

She turned on my sister. “It is not fine.”

Crystal put her hand on my mom’s shoulder and spoke softly. Calmly. Who was this woman, and what had she done with my sister? “You and Dad have been together for forty years, right?”

Mom nodded.

“All of those pictures over there prove it, right?”

Another nod.

“You’re always telling me you want grandchildren, right?” Crystal managed not to flinch as she said the words. I knew that statement was a sore spot for her.

“Yes,” my mom said softly.

Crystal pointed at me. “He’s your best chance at that right now.” Then Crystal said maybe the nicest thing she’d ever said in her life. “Mom, if you want Logan to have that”?she waved at the display of photos?“then you’re going to have to let him do this.” She gestured at me.

I blinked in confusion. Crystal hardly ever stood up for me. We’d been like oil and water as soon as Crystal had hit puberty.

Mom sniffed.

---