Fake Marriage Box Set

If I could have loved her more, her life would have been happier. More meaningful. It had been far too short, and I always wondered if her brief life had been truly happy. Did I love her enough in the short amount of time we had together?

“Hey!” Jake called out, walking across the large backyard.

I felt relieved to see him. He was my rock through everything. William was great, but my little brother understood a lot more about what I was dealing with, and just how this first venture into society was going to hit me.

A beautiful woman was walking by his side as he headed our way. She was a bit older than he was, but Jake had always been very mature for his age.

“Hi, guys. This is Megan. Megan, this is William, and this guy is my big brother, Ian,” he said, making the introductions.

She smiled, and I could see she was nervous. I imagine meeting those close to her boyfriend for the first time would be a little stressful. I felt sorry for her and did what I could to make small talk. I was still not all that great at it.

Tara’s head popped out of the patio door. “William,” she called. It was a voice that demanded his presence. He quickly left to do her bidding, leaving the three of us standing on the patio.

“Let’s find somewhere to sit,” Jake said, quickly finding three chairs and a small table off to the side.

We all sat down before Jake jumped up to grab us drinks. Megan and I sat in the chairs, facing each other and not saying a word. Jake returned, and I quickly grabbed the fresh Corona and twisted off the lid.

“How’s school?” Jake asked. It was a strange question since I had talked to him just yesterday about school.

“Good. We’re starting our outdoor lessons this week. It’s something I know the students will be excited about.”

“You’re a teacher?” Megan asked.

“Yes, at the community college,” I told her.

Jake felt the need to give her my resume. I looked at him, realizing he was up to something, just a little too late.

“Oh, hey, I need to go talk to Chase over there. You two sit tight. Chat about the weather or whatever,” Jake said, quickly leaving us alone.

Now I knew his game. He was trying to set me up. I looked at Megan, who was very uncomfortable. Did she know what Jake had been up to?

She looked at me and smiled. “Sorry.”

“For?”

She waved her hand between us. So, she had known. That is why she had looked so nervous walking into the barbecue.

“I’m the one who’s sorry. I had no idea he was going to do this,” I explained.

She shrugged. “We work together. I am one of the new paralegals at the firm. He asked if I’d like to go to a barbecue with his friends and his older brother.”

I shook my head. Leave it to Jake to be so forward.

“It’s okay. We can sit and talk or not talk. It’s a setup. My friends do this to me all the time. It never gets old, that’s for sure,” she said, taking a nervous drink from her beer.

“You don’t have to sit here. Feel free to mingle. There are plenty of eligible bachelors roaming around here,” I told her, feeling a little foolish. Her revelation made it very clear she wasn’t interested in me or even pretending like the setup was a success. I felt about two inches tall. I was going to kill Jake, slowly.

We both sat back in our chairs, drinking our beers that were quickly getting warm, lost in our own thoughts. My mind drifted to my upcoming week. I was excited to get outside, but I was dreading doing it without Tessa. I was going to truly miss her the next couple of days. I know it’s wrong. I’ve been wrestling with it all weekend, but no matter how much I tell myself to ignore her and get over these feelings she stirred up, it doesn’t work.

I took another sip of the warm beer, praying the food was served soon so I could make my escape shortly after. I want to go home and think about her. It pisses me off and makes me hate myself that I am so hung up on her, but it’s the truth. I’ll figure out a way to rid myself of the demon that has drawn me to her. I have to. I can’t lust after her or miss her or anything else with her. She’s a student. I’m a teacher. It stops there.

Chapter Eighteen

Tessa

I strolled down the hallway, doing my best not to walk too fast. I couldn’t help it. I was very excited to be back—for more reasons than I cared to admit. The hall was empty. I showed up early with the expectation he would be early as well. I knew it was wrong and very risky, but I wanted a few moments alone with him. It’s a terrible idea and I know better, but that naughty side of me won the war, and here I am.

I slid my key in the lock and pushed the door open. The classroom was dark. I was a little bummed he wasn’t here, but slightly relieved. I wasn’t sure what I wanted him to say or do when we saw each other, but I knew I wanted to see him.