Page 9 of Curve Ahead: Fake Boyfriend

GRACIE

I can’t decide if I want to choke him or screw him. Maybe both. Because he’s driving me insane. Not necessarily in a bad way, but… yeah. I did start this. Damn. It was supposed to be a fake date to show everyone I’m good with these two idiots getting married. The great news is my focus is less on the wedding and more on Tucker bending down and placing a quick peck on Granny’s cheek as he greets her like they’ve been family forever. Mom gives him a warm welcome too. Damn, he fits right in with my family—too good, in fact!—falling into conversation with my dad easily. Fake. It was supposed to be fake, damn it. Not easy and comfortable to the point where I realize I’m already a goner for him. I don’t even know him. How can this be possible?

“Yeah. I’ll be there,” Tucker informs Dad, giving me a quick look. His smile is genuine, but his eyes are asking permission to follow through and show up for family supper tomorrow.

“We’ll try and make it,” I respond, in case I’m misreading Tucker and he’s really asking for an out. Maybe we’re too much. Don’t think so, but maybe he’s good at pretending. The whole shebang started out that way after all.

“I’ll be right back.” I slide out of the row and head to the back of the room, glancing around until I spot the discreet sign pointing to the bathroom. I just need a breather, then I’ll be fine.

Slipping into the bathroom, I stand at the sink, hands on the counter, my eyes locked on my reflection in the mirror. I take in a deep breath.There has to be one, Gracie. One who won’t break your heart and invite you to watch the shit show firsthand.

Laughing, I smooth my palms over the soft satin material of my dress and head back out. Might as well take a seat and enjoy the day for what it is. What it is I’m not sure yet. But when I step out into the hallway and see Dax walking in my direction, I know it’s not a good thing. Shit. Why couldn’t I have just stayed in my seat and watched from a distance, not have to actually talk to him? Hurriedly, I head straight for him with the intention of giving him a quick, curt smile and then pass on by. Only, he hooks his hand on my elbow and hauls me inside a room. An empty room.

“What’s going on?” I jerk my arm from his grasp, already pushing the door open when the words I never wanted to hear again fill the air.

“I love you, Gracie. I’m so sorry. It was a mistake. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

My back remains to him, the sound of his pained voice does not gain him one damn bit of sympathy, only more loathing. “I hate you. I’m not sorry. And your dick slipping inside someone else isn’t amistake, it’s a choice. One you made. Multiple times.” That was a detail I could’ve lived without knowing, but of course Holly had to inform me that it wasn’t just once, they’d been seeing each other for months right under my nose.

“Please, Gracie.”

How many times had I wanted him to beg, had I imagined him groveling and apologizing? Never had I wanted to take him back or be with him, but I wanted him to feel bad for what he did to me. And now that he does, it doesn’t make a damn bit of difference. “Thank you. Your mistake was my gain.”

Swiftly making my way out of the room, I resume my seat beside Tucker, receiving a reassuring smile. And I return it. His response is to lift his arm and drape it over my shoulder as we sit and wait until the wedding party makes their way down the aisle. In that moment, I’m sincerely grateful to Holly for saving me from being her, a woman marrying a man who can’t be careful with another’s heart. Selfish. They truly are meant to be together.

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