Final Play (Fake Boyfriend 6)

We lead them to the living area, a room with a wide window that overlooks Downtown Nashville.

“Fancy room,” his mom says.

Wade hasn’t said a word.

“Tell me why you’re here,” Matt says.

I gesture for them to take a seat on the couch. Matt takes the single armchair. I could pull over one of the stools by the bar area, but I remain standing. More intimidating that way.

My conscience scoffs, because you know, I’m known for my intimidation.

“Your brother wanted to see you,” Jennifer says.

Wade looks horrified as if that’s a lie or maybe he wasn’t prepared for that answer.

“You need more money,” Matt counters. He looks to his brother. “You know they’re using you as a pawn, right?”

Wade doesn’t reply. I don’t think he’s uttered a word to us the whole day.

“Let me guess, they’re already tellin’ ya that it’s because of you they need to ask me for money.”

“He wants to go to Montgomery Academy. That costs money,” Jennifer says sweetly.

“I give you enough to cover tuition and expenses.”

“Matt, please. He has the brains to go to college, and going to Montgomery Academy will get him into the best.”

Which Matt will also pay for, no doubt. I fold my arms across my chest to try to look bigger. Or something. See, totally intimidating.

“Here’s the deal …”

I’m proud of Matt for being composed and appearing like he has the upper hand here, when we both know they hold all the cards. He’ll do anything for them.

But he surprises me when he says, “This is the last time I’m gonna bail you and Dad out, and I mean the very last time. I’m not gonna keep sending you money. I’ve sent you more than enough over the last seven years, and yet you’re in the hole again.”

Jennifer balks. “How would you know that?”

“Doesn’t matter how I know. Just like I know you and Dad are still going to the track. What I don’t know is why you still go with him, unless you have a problem too.”

Jennifer breaks down and starts sobbing. I don’t know whether to believe the act or not. The cries coming from her mouth sound overdramatic and fake.

“Mom?” Wade asks, his voice surprisingly deep.

“What I’m saying is true,” Matt says to his brother. “If I give Mom and Dad the money for your education, I guarantee they’ll come up with an excuse as to why you can’t go to that school.”

“No—” Jennifer starts.

“There are some of the best schools in Chicago.”

My breath catches in my throat. When his sister mentioned the possibility of us taking Wade, I knew Matt would think about it. I just didn’t think he’d offer it up without talking to me first or thinking it through for more than a few hours.

Although, if I’m honest, a fifteen-year-old seems less daunting than a baby.

And we have discussed it for the last few years on and off.

“No,” Jennifer says.

Color me shocked.

“Your father will never go for it.”

Wade’s head swivels so fast I worry it’s going to fall off his skinny, long neck. “That’s the first thing you say?”

Oh, wow. Wade and Matt have the same pissed-off tone.

“It’s not, it’s up to Wade, you should ask Wade, maybe Wade has his heart set on Montgomery.” He stands. “Your first response should not have been ‘You can have him, but we need to negotiate.’”

I feel sorry for the kid, because while he’s mad, he doesn’t appear all that surprised.

“That ain’t what I said,” Jennifer yells.

“May as well have been.”

I’ve never seen a giraffe move faster. He storms out, and Jennifer doesn’t make a move to go after him.

“Teenagers,” I deadpan.

Matt moves to get up and go after his brother, but I step in front of him.

“Don’t. You stay and talk with your mom. I’ll make sure Wade’s okay.”

I leave the suite and hit the corridor of the hotel. Only now, I realize I’m going to have to talk to a fucking teenager.

I shake it off.

Pretend he’s Jet. A super-tall Jet.

“Yo, wait up.” I catch up to him at the elevators just in time to stop him from hitting the call button.

He rolls his eyes. “Is this where you give some prime-time special speech and ask me to run away with you and my brother to play happy gay families?”

Yup. Exactly like Jet. With an added touch of homophobia. Fun.

“You gay too?” I taunt. “That’d be a whole lot easier than trying to sue your parents for custody.”

Surprisingly, he’s not completely horrified. “I’m confident enough in my heterosexuality that accusing me of being gay isn’t gonna rattle me.”

“Impressive.”

He makes a derisive snort. “It’s survival. You think when you and my brother splashed your marriage around the news that we wouldn’t deal with the repercussions? I’ve been defending my sexuality since I was twelve.”

“I’m sorry for that,” I say and mean it.