Page 92 of Never With You
“Vicky,” I say, cutting his aunt off mid-sentence. “I see Nate at the bar. Do you mind if I go join him?”
“Of course, honey.” Her smile widens as she turns her focus to the bar.
“We don’t want to keep the lovebirds apart.” Aunt Gina bounces her shoulders with a giggle.
“We’ll talk later,” I say as I walk away.
Samorn stops me on the way to the bar, checking to see if we’re ready for the DJ and disco lights to start. I glance at my phone for the time. It’s almost ten p.m.
“Yes, let’s get the after-party started.” We discuss a few more things before I head for the bar again. But instead of talking to the VP, Nate is talking with Isaac. I hang to the side, hiding behind some speakers so neither of them notices me, but I can hear their conversation.
“Why don’t you work for your dad at Pureskin?” Isaac asks. “I’m sure you’d make a lot more than you do being a travel sales executive.”
I recognize Isaac’s condescending tone, because that’s how he used to talk to me.
“My dad’s money is coming down to me someday whether I want it or not, so why make myself miserable doing a job I hate?”
“And I guess if you worked at Pureskin, you wouldn’t get to work with Carly anymore.”
Nate nods in response.
“So, how long have you and Carly been dating?” Isaac takes a sip of his drink, trying to appear indifferent.
“Not too long, but you know, I had a crush on her from day one. I just had to convince her to like me back.”
I lean in, even more invested than before.A crush on day one.Yeah, right. Another Golden Globe-worthy performance.
“So you’re not that serious. Like, haven’t met the whole family yet?”
“No, Carly took me home to her house.”Technically, it's not a lie.“I mean, who doesn’t love little Caroline? And her brother Cooper was really cool. Cade, too.”
A smile creeps across my lips as Nate lists off the names of my siblings. I have no clue how he remembered them. Probably just saying names that start with a C and hoping for the best, but his effort warms my heart in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.
“So you have met her family, then?”
“Yep.” Nate nods a few times. “All ten of them. Twelve, if you count her parents. The Cattersons are great, but I’m sure you already know that.”
“Well”—Isaac fidgets—“I only met her sister, but Carly told me about her family. They’rea lot.” He says it with disdain, which isn’t a surprise. Isaac never wanted to meet my family, and I was too worried I’d be embarrassed of them to push the subject. But standing here now, I realize I don’t care about what Isaac thinks of me or my family.
“Yeah, a lot of fun. I love the chaos and the craziness they bring to the table. Where else can you find that many people who have your back no matter what? That’s why big families are awesome. It’s a built-in support system through life. Carly is lucky to have them in her corner.”
My breath catches. Nate’s view of my family isfardifferent than mine. They’re just made-up words meant to put Isaac in his place, but still, there’s a truth to them, a revelation I’ve been unwilling to see.
He’s right. In a lot of ways, I’m lucky to have my large family. I know, without a doubt, that if I really need them, my parents and my siblings would be there for me. When it really counts, they’re the people in my corner. Perhaps I’ve been too hard on them, especially my parents. I’m reminded once again that I can try harder to patch things up with my family. Maybe it’s something I can work on when I get home.
Nate shrugs, lifting his glass to toast Isaac’s. “But honestly, man, I have to thank you for being the idiot who gave Carly up. She’s incredible. She’s smart, driven, witty, and so much fun to be around. I’ve never met a woman like her. She’s the entire package.”
I know Nate’s acting, or lying, or whatever you want to call it.
I know that.
But his words melt my heart whether I hate him or not.
“Your loss is my gain.” He pats Isaac on the back, disguising the patronizing move as kindness. “Anyway, I’m going to go find Carly. So, I’ll see you around.”
Isaac nods, forcing a smile that doesn’t do a good job of hiding his jealousy. He throws his head back, finishing his drink in one gulp before leaving.
I stay in the shadows for a few more seconds, not wanting to get caught eavesdropping. But one thing is clear: I’m benefiting more from this fake relationship than Nate is. I need to up my game.
