Page 77 of The Pretender

Second Interview Continued, also known as that time Tom made stupid shit go through my head

“Okay, last question,” Tom promises.

I nod. I just want this to be over. I feel more exposed than ever.

“If you win, do you and Valentina plan on moving in together?”

I sit up on the sofa and look over at Vee. “Wow, Tom. You sure know how to put a guy on the spot.” I rake a hand through my hair. “Vee and I haven’t talked about it, really. I think, right now, we’re just taking it day by day.”

* * *

It’sthe second round of brushing my teeth after a three-hour nap. I still can’t get the flavor of her off my tongue. It’s fucking torture and heaven and a goddamned kick in the gut all at the same time. A damn yellow jacket was the catalyst to my destruction.

I want to say I hated it and the noises Vee made turned me off but that would be a big fat lie. Fact of the matter is, I want more. So much fucking more and that’s a problem.

My phone buzzes on the dresser, and I walk over to grab it. It’s my sister.

Mom #2: I went by your house and stocked your kitchen. What’s with the patio chair in your bedroom? Do you want me to buy you a real sitting chair?

I grin.I’ll give up that chair never. Valentina might as well shop for a new one.

Me: What? You don’t like it? I think it gives the room a raggedy edge.

Mom #2: You’re ridiculous. Where are you? Emmy and I thought we could have lunch with you.

This isthe time that I wish I wasn’t a mess. My sister means well and my niece, well, she’s an innocent bystander in all of this.

Me: I’m at the lake with friends. Next time?

It takesmy sister longer than usual to respond.

Me: I promise, Cal. Okay?

She finally responds.

Mom #2: Okay. I’ll talk to you later. Have fun.

I don’t texther back because I know my sister, and anytime she tells me to have fun, it means she’s mad and I need to give her time to calm down and regroup.

It’s not her fault I’m like this. It’s not any of their faults. I simply can’t help but feel out of place in my own family. It’s not like they didn’t allow me on family trips or made me wear a scarlet letter; I just feel like I don’t belong. Like I was a last-minute plus-one to their family. I love them, and I will always be grateful for the life I was given, but I’d like to get away from my past and start somewhere new.

I shove my phone in my pocket and exhale. Why is everything so fucking complicated? First my family and then Vee, my enemy, my friend, back to my enemy, and now my fake girlfriend that I just made come on my tongue.

Oh, the tangled web I have weaved.

I make my way to the living room and look outside. It’s after ten and Vee is surrounded by the cover of darkness on the dock, only the light of the moon and her iPad giving her position away.

Instead of disappointing two women in my life today, I decide, for once, to do the right thing and at least make peace with one of them. I brew a pot of coffee and pour it into two mugs, adding the cream and sugar like Vee likes, and then head out the back door to the dock.

I don’t turn the lights on because I know she likes to stay in the moment and scare the shit out of herself, so I try to make as little noise as possible when I walk along the dock to where she is bundled in a blanket.

“I brought you some coffee—”

In a blur of movement, the light from the iPad soars through the air in a mixture of “Ahhs!" and "Oh shits!” before it splashes into the lake.

I stand there, wide-eyed, as I listen to Vee’s erratic breathing. “Sebastian?” she finally asks.

I make sure my voice is smooth and non-threatening. “Yeah.”

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