The real Cole.
Mama’s face lights up. “Wow, would you look at that? What are the odds?”
With four people in a room…less than one percent.
But if one of those people is lying and putting on a façade? One hundred percent bullshit.
“Imagine that,” I murmur, heaving a forkful of potatoes into my mouth.
“You two should do something special together to celebrate.”
Cole’s smile grows wider. “It’s like you read my m—”
“Can’t.” I stab the pot roast. “Dylan’s birthday is two days before mine and we already made plans to celebrate our birthdays together.”
My dad takes a sip of his drink. “How has she been?”
“Good. Busy with work and college.”
And Jace.
“Speaking of college,” Daddy says. “Have you turned in your essay for Duke’s Heart yet?”
Haven’t even started it.
I have less than twelve hours to submit it. Talk about walking on the edge.
“Yup.” I wipe my mouth with my napkin. “Early this morning.”
“Cutting it close, sweetheart. Don’t you think?”
“Yeah, but I’m sure it will be fine.”
I make a mental note to take the Adderall Oakley gave me today after dinner and get it done.
“So, Cole,” my mother begins. “Tell us a little more about yourself. What do your parents do for a living?”
I want to remind her what Cole’s parents do for work has nothing to do with him as a person, but it’s too late.
“My father owns Trust Pharmaceuticals—”
“Trust Pharmaceuticals, my ass,” Daddy mutters.
“Dan,” Mama shrieks.
Cole wipes his mouth. “No, it’s okay. To tell you the truth, I feel the same way your husband does about the company.”
“Doesn’t stop you from reaping the benefits though, huh?” Daddy criticizes. “I’ve been working on cars for the last twenty years and I can’t say I’ve ever had the pleasure of working on a Ferrari.”
Cole straightens his spine. “In that case, I’ll have to bring my LaFerrari by your shop sometime so you can pop open the hood.”
Clutching his fork, Daddy leans back in his chair. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need your blood money or charity.”
“Daddy,” I snap. “You’re being rude.”
Here I was worried Cole would be judging us and it’s the other way around.
“How about your mother?” Mama questions with a tight smile. “What does she do?”
“Not much,” Cole answers with a straight face. “She’s dead.”
Daddy chokes on his drink. “Sorry to hear that.”
“Goodness, that’s awful. I’m so sorry—”
“You’re a fantastic cook, Mrs. Church,” Cole interjects. “This is the best meal I’ve had in a long time.”
I’m not one bit surprised he changed the subject.
The trick works, because Mama is practically glowing. “Why, thank you. You’re welcome to join us for supper whenever you want.”
Daddy grumbles something under his breath I can’t make out.
Mama loads more food onto Cole’s plate. “Do you have any siblings?”
Cole dives right into his second helping. “One older brother and a younger sister.”
It’s kind of scary how easily the omission flows from his mouth.
As if he didn’t spare Liam a second thought.
“His brother Jace is dating Dylan,” I clarify to connect the dots for them.
“Oh,” Mama exclaims. “I guess that explains how y’all got together.”
I open my mouth to tell her we’re not together, but Daddy utters, “Dylan’s boyfriend is your brother?”
“Yeah.” Cole pauses mid-bite. “I take it you’ve met him before?”
He nods. “He brought the car he got Dylan for her birthday into my shop to have a second safety check done.” I’m not sure what to make of the look on his face. “Nice kid. Hard worker, too.”
Cole nods. “He is.”
“Never would have guessed you two were brothers. You’re very…different.”
I see a flicker of pain flash across his face. Pain I’m familiar with.
“Just because they’re siblings doesn’t mean they have to act the same,” I exclaim. “Take Catherine and me, for instance. We couldn’t be more different if we tried.”
We’re so different, people have outright asked if I was adopted and openly referred to her as the pretty, thin one in front of me.
“Ain’t that the truth,” my mother agrees with a heavy sigh.
Wanting to put Cole out of his misery, I push my chair out. “Dinner was great, but I have a lot of homework to finish up.” I look at Cole. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”
“Are you sure—” Mama starts to say, but Cole stands up.
“Thank you for having me. It was nice to meet you both.”
Mama starts clearing the table. “You come back any time now, you hear?”
Daddy stays silent.
“Your father hates me,” Cole hisses after we leave the table.
“He doesn’t hate you. He’s just annoyed some boy showed up on his doorstep unannounced, declared he was dating his daughter, gave flowers to his wife, and then invited himself to dinner.”
“Technically, your mom invited me,” he says with a smirk.
I point a finger at him. “You should have said no.”
“That would’ve been rude.”
Seriously? “As opposed to all the other times you’re rude to people?”
“Look, you said I had to meet them.” Leaning in, he whispers, “And now that I’ve held up my end of the agreement, it’s time for you to hold up yours.”
Not today, Satan.
“We had no agreement, Cole. I told you I’d think about it.”
His jaw tics. “That was almost a week ago.”
“You’re right, and I think I’ve finally reached my decision.”
A self-satisfied grin plays on his lips. “I knew you’d—”
“No.”
His smile falls. “What? What do you mean, no?”
“No, I will not be your fake girlfriend.” I open the front door. “Now get out.”
He blinks. “You’re joking, right?”
I point to my face. “Does it look like I’m joking?”
He blows out a breath. “You obviously need a little more time to think about it. Let’s touch base tomorrow.”
It’s like he doesn’t understand English.
“I don’t need more time to think—”
Placing his finger over my lips, he closes the space between us.
“We’ll talk tomorrow, Bible Thumper.”
I nod.
Not because I’m agreeing with him. I just want him to leave so I can take the Adderall and write my essay.
He looks like he wants to say something else, but I nip it in the bud.
“What’s that, Mama?” I call over my shoulder. “You need help with the dishes?”