Page 24 of The Holiday Fakers
He huffs. “If I were them, I would. I wouldn’t want you with me.”
I want to jump to his defense, and my family’s, but I don’t want Brody to know how much I really know about his recent escapades. And I’m not sure I trust Ethan’s response when he sees Brody with me. It’s one thing for Brody to show up unannounced after so long, but sharing Christmas with the family? Dating his little sister behind everyone’s backs?
So instead, I say, “I’m a grown woman, capable of making my own decisions. And anyway, my family loves you.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t deserve their love.”
“That’s not true! You can’t say that!”
“Oh yeah? Where the fuck have I been for the last twelve years, Piper? Chasing my dreams and leaving my best friends behind.”
I don’t know how to reply, because I have the same thoughts.
“I should have been at their wedding,” he continues, his voice aching with regret. “I should have come back for …”
He can’t say Olivia’s name or “the funeral,” and I understand. It’s been four years, but there’s still a hole in our family that will never fully heal.
Without thinking, I reach across the center console and touch his thigh. I want to comfort him, but he stiffens, glancing down at my hand as if it’s diseased or on fire.
“Sorry,” I say, jerking it away and sitting on it, lest it decide to go rogue again.
“This is really hard for me, you know, going back,” he says, haltingly. “And I want you to know that I’m grateful you agreed to Marv’s crazy idea.”
He gives me a quick glance and I see a glimpse in his expression of the old Brody. The one who was vulnerable. Real.
“I’m glad you’re here to hold my hand through this,” he continues. “Metaphorically, of course.”
Oh… so no hand-holding then in this fake relationship.
Frowning, Brody rubs his jaw. “Although I expect in public, we probably should. At least when Marv’s taking photos.” The frown deepens, and he shoots me a worried look. “If you’re okay with that?”
“Yeah, sure,” I say, trying to keep my voice light, while my fingers itch to practice hand holding immediately.
I distract them by checking my phone and the constant stream of messages from Mia. I need to talk to her before she explodes, or even worse, she calls my mom.
“Can we take a quick break at the next rest stop?” I ask.
“Sure. I brought food so we can eat on the way if you want to save time.”
“Does that mean I can do some of the driving?”
He smiles. “If you want.”
“Yeah. It’ll get us there quicker.”
Although it also means I get to sit in the same seat he’s been sitting in …
What is wrong with me?
Give it ten minutes, and I’ll be doodling a heart with “Piper King” inside it on my arm. I may look like a twenty-eight-year-old, but right now I’m thinking like a teenager who needs to grow up.
Half an hour later, Brody pulls into a service plaza in Darien, Connecticut, and parks at the far end of the parking lot. I’m about to ask why when he pulls a baseball cap and sunglasses from the glove box, puts them on, then reaches to the back seat to get a coat.
“You don’t want our first public sighting to be outside a Chick-fil-A?”
Brody gives me a tired smile. “I’d just rather get to Hideaway without any drama.”
He gets out and makes his way to my side of the SUV, opening the door and offering his hand.
