11. Chapter Eleven
Chapter Eleven
Aaron
The room is filled with people who don’t matter.
At least, to me they don’t. Most of the people here are co-workers or business partners.
Shareholders, employees, or partners in one way or another.
Though there are plenty of family members here, too, but I haven’t seen Chris.
He didn’t text me to tell me he was bailing, so I hope everything is okay.
It’s not like him to miss an event. Jacob sips his champagne the waitress shoved at us upon our entrance.
As much as I want to let loose and have some fun, we need to do what we came here for. And we can’t very well do that without meeting my parents.
I hold Jacob’s hand, noting how warm his palm feels against mine. And then I see them. My parents.
My father is talking animatedly to someone I don’t know, but that’s no surprise since the majority of this room are people I either haven’t seen in ages or never met—period.
“There,” I say, pointing across the floor to where they stand. Jacob squeezes my hand.
“You ready, baby?” he asks, his smooth voice somehow a balm to my nerves. I squeeze his hand back as I take two steps forward, then two more, then two more until my mother sees me. She waves and then her eyebrows widen as she darts them to Jacob.
“Aaron…” she says, reaching for me to hug me and kiss my cheek. “So good to see you.”
I politely hug her, then meet my father’s gaze. His friend looks at us.
“Johnson, this is my son, Aaron,” he grunts.
Johnson extends his hand, and I shake it politely, trying my hardest to keep my face from displaying my actual feelings. This guy can totally fuck off as far as I’m concerned.
“So nice to meet you,” I say as I take a breath, wrap my arm around Jacob, and pray.
Here goes nothing.
“This is my boyfriend, Jake,” I say with more pride than I actually have.
My mom appraises him with a gaze of her own before raising an eyebrow at me. My father extends his hand and Jacob takes it instantly, smiling that perfect smile that lights up his eyes so beautifully.
“Tony Everett,” he grunts, and I tense out of habit. I remind myself I don’t have to worry about Jacob knowing who I really am because he’s not really my boyfriend, and he’s not trying to date me or my wallet for real. It’s just an act. After tonight, I won’t see him again.
The thought makes my chest tighten, but I think it might be indigestion. There’s no reason I should be that upset over someone I just met who I barely know, right?
Right?
Except I do know Jacob a little. I’ve been discovering all the little pieces of him all night. I might not be able to write the man’s autobiography, but I’m starting to form a picture of who Jacob Riley is. The man, not the date.
And I like what I’m discovering. I want to see what more I can uncover…
If Jacob knows who my father is, he does a good job of hiding it.
“Jacob Riley,” he says, firmly shaking my dad’s hand.
“Betsy.” My mom reaches out to hug him and kiss his cheek and he leans in easily, as if he’s done it a million times.
Probably because he has. I doubt you’re the first person to bring this guy to meet the parents for one reason or another.
The thought makes me jealous for some reason. I don’t like thinking of Jacob with anyone else’s past or present. Maybe my nerves are getting to me more than I think…
“So lovely to meet you Betsy,” he says. “Aaron’s told me so much about both of you.”
I force a smile, hoping that’s not a dead giveaway. I’m not exactly my parents’ biggest fan, but since I don’t actually live here, there’s no way to prove anything. It’s his word against theirs, so…
“Yes, well, it’s always a pleasure to meet such good friends of Aaron’s.”
My non-genuine smile turns to a scowl.
“You didn’t mention you were bringing a date,” my father grumbles. Johnson looks between us, and I purse my lips, worrying this is fraying far too fast.
I open my mouth to speak, but Jacob beats me to it.
“Oh, I know, it was so last minute,” he says, grabbing my arm tightly, pulling me towards him with an ease I can only assume comes from experience.
Jacob looks at me with big, blue eyes that are so sweet and hopeful, it’s hard not to fall into them.
“But when Aaron told me how important this trip was, I couldn’t not come and support the man I love.” He gives me a genuine smile, and for a moment, I forget we’re playing pretend.
Because Jacob looks at me in a way no one has ever looked at me before.
Jacob looks at me like he truly sees me.
And that’s more terrifying than any fabrication of the truth.
“What do you do, Jake?” Johnson asks, breaking the awkward tension, or rather, the tension that’s swelling between my date and I.
“He’s a writer,” I chime in, finding my voice. “Romance.” I look at him with a grin. “Contemporary gay romance. ”
I don’t miss the faint pull of his lips as he smiles softly. Johnson nods approvingly as my dad watches us both intently. I feel hot, wondering if he suspects something’s up. Shit.
My mother squeals, “Oh, how fascinating! Have you written any books I would know?”
Jacob tenses beside me, and I slide my arm around his waist and squeeze.
“Not yet. He’s in the process of writing his debut novel.”
My father narrows his gaze. “Gay romance? People read that?”
Jacob nods. “Oh, absolutely. It’s quite a… lucrative genre.”
I look at him curiously. Is that true?
“I prefer to read books with actual depth,” my father gripes. “And plot.”
Jacob’s lips twist into a grin and he gets a sparkle in his eye. His entire demeanor shifts.
“Romance is the top selling genre for a reason,” he says smoothly. “Some of the most gut-wrenching books I’ve read have been romance novels. Stories of resilience and overcoming insurmountable obstacles? Books that make you question your choices in life? Feel for those struggling through darkness?”
He holds his hand over his heart, and I can’t help but be awed by the way he speaks so passionately. I know it’s an act, but…
It feels like there’s a grain of truth in his lie. I believe every word he says.
Fuck, he’s good.
This guy needs a bloody Oscar.
“And what is deeper and more profound than a story of love? Love transcends all obstacles. How many classics do you know, Mr. Everett, that are tales of love?”
My mother grins. “I can think of a few.” Jacob smiles as she says, “Well, the first that comes to mind is Austen, of course.”
Johnson raises his glass. “Shakespeare was a writer of love.”
“Shakespeare was super gay, too,” I say with a grin.
My father groans and Jacob laughs, shoving me in my side.
“Not helping,” he stage-whispers. My mother giggles.
“Bronte,” Jacob says wistfully. I look at him curiously.
He breaks my gaze boldly, his smirk etching its way onto my face.
“Hans Christian Anderson,” my mother says, and I have to admit I’m surprised at her enthusiasm. She’s never shown this much interest in any of my actual boyfriends.
“Also super gay,” Jacob says with a laugh, and my mother and Johnson join in, too.
Jacob looks at my dad, holding his gaze. My father remains expressionless but sips his drink and nods.
“Love is a very powerful thing, indeed.” He looks at me briefly, before he glances back at my date, once more offering his hand. Jacob takes it and shakes it once more.
“Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Riley. I do hope you enjoy yourself tonight.” He looks at me. I feel frozen, my blood moving like ice in my veins.
“Likewise, sir,” Jacob says, pulling me closer to him. His body is warm. Solid. Comforting.
“Come on, Johnson. We have much to discuss,” my father grunts as he and his friend leave us with my mother. She smiles at Jacob.
“I’m going to head to the little girls room. I’ll catch up with you two later?”
Jacob nods. “Of course.”
When she disappears into the crowd, only then do I breathe.
“That went well, I think,” he says, turning to look at me.
“It did.” Though I’m not entirely sure my dad bought it, but he addressed him, so…
That’s a good thing, right?
“Come on,” Jacob says, tugging my hand. “Let’s dance.”
I blink, shaking off the strange tension.
“Would you like some champagne?” A waitress thrusts her tray at us.
“Absolutely,” Jacob says with a grin, handing me one flute while he takes the other one.
“Besides, we’re celebrating,” he says.
“Oh, are we now?” I follow him to the dance floor, warmth spreading in my body with every step. The lights flash red and blue and pink and purple in tandem as the dj plays a song I recognize if only because of Lola, because Chris sent me the dance video.
Ready For It.
The thumping bass echoes over the room as Jacob and I make our way through the crowd.
“We are,” he says sliding one arm around my neck while he takes a sip of his drink. He grins, holding up his glass.
“To perfect dates,” he says. “And romance.”
His crystalline eyes glitter underneath the neon lights, imploring me to fall into him. Into the gravity of him I can’t ignore. I settle my free hand on his hip and toast my flute against his, keeping my gaze on him.
“I’ll toast to that,” I say before shooting my whole flute. He smirks, then does the same, wrapping his other arm around my neck while I settle my free hand on the opposite side of his hip.
I pull him to me, rolling my hips as I feel the beat of the music.
“Are you ready for it, baby?” I ask, giving him a cocky grin. Jacob’s lips part just the slightest as he nods, leaning in as he looks up at me.
“Let the games begin.”
I don’t think twice about crushing my lips to his as the world fades away.
My lips crash against Jacob’s, his body solid and warm against mine as I pin him to the wall. Though I’m not sure if I’m keeping him from stumbling or if I’m trying to keep myself upright…