Page 76 of Faking It With the Small-Town Bad Boy

“In a moment,” I sigh.

“What’s the hold-up, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“The tree,” I hum, watching the branches moan and creak as the

wind pushes through them. “The guitar reminds you of your father.

This tree reminds me of mine. I want to be with him for a little bit

longer.”

He sits back, kicks up his heels, and doesn’t argue with me. “Sounds

good. I hope he doesn’t mind me being here with you.”

“I don’t think he would mind. He just wants me happy.”

And for the first time since coming back into Percy Elrod’s life, I can

finally admit that he does make me happy. Genuinely, effortlessly

happy. More than I thought I ever could with him.

More than I thought I ever could with any man.

All ex-boyfriends included.

TWO-FACED

Percy

I trudge up the stairs of the old farmhouse. It’s a creaking thing, large

on the outside and cozy with wood accents on the inside. I’m not

going to lie and say I don’t want to stay here, but I also hate looking

like I need help. I’ve always been pushed by my father, by Farrah, for

not being this majestic saving grace for everyone else.

I’m a man, right?

That simple truth comes with the burden of being rich, undeniably

attractive, the CEO of some hotshot office in a city too big for small

dreams.

Small dreams. That’s what I have.

I’m in a nowhere band, in a nowhere town, and yet I walk to this

bedroom with purpose and strife in my heart. I need to be strong for

Leah. She needs my support through this shitty situation with Ryan,

and our own downfall is the foiling of our plan for mere support.

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