Tyler put his glasses on and looked at Julien from the bed. His hair stuck up at odd angles, and the flush on his cheeks wasn’t satisfying at this moment. “Okay. Yeah. I’ll meet you downstairs then.”
Julien nodded and went into the bathroom, trying to remind himself that this was a job. He stared at his reflection, brow furrowed and jaw set. Julien knew he shouldn’t be upset about this. As nice as Tyler could be, Jules was there for one reason, and that reason wasn’t to be Tyler’s actual boyfriend.
Julien shook his head and went to run the shower. At least the cold water helped clear his mind.
Tyler was holed up in the office when he went downstairs, helping his sisters wrap gifts. At the same time, everyone else bustled around with the children, sealing holiday cards and thick envelopes to hand-deliver to the country club friends at the party that night.
Wally was also by himself, hovering around the living room, looking likea lost lamb.
After four days with the Ashfords, Julien noticed that no one ever talked to Wally, and it made him wonder if Tyler even realized he felt left out. Or if Tyler cared.
“What’s this whole party thing tonight about?” Julien asked as he went over to Wally. Out of everyone, Wally was by far the most approachable of the family.
Julien didn’t think he’d befriend the man under ordinary circumstances, but over the last few days, he’d come to enjoy his strange grasp on humor and the eager way he lapped up any positive attention.
He was a decent guy, Julien decided. Like a nice,old family sitcom, and Julien found it refreshing. He didn’t know a lot of friendly people.
“Well, the place is great,” Wally told him. “It’s not stuffy like the country clubs my parents used to attend. The food is delicious, and the people are friendly for the most part. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Why would I worry?” Julien asked, arching an eyebrow.
Wally’s eyes widened. “Well, I just mean, I can see how hard you’re trying to impress everyone here, for Tyler’s sake. I think you don’t have to do so much.”
Julien’s brow furrowed. What had he done that seemed like he wastrying? He thought he pulled off the sweet boyfriend schtick pretty well. “What do you mean?”
If he did something that would give them away, he needed to quickly put a stop to it. He couldn’t fuck up this job.
Wally shrugged. “Just little things. And…,” he added with a sly look on his face. “I know you keep sneaking out to the roof for a cigarette. Hailey and I caught you the other day but didn’t say anything. Plus, you seem to have a lot of tattoos, but you keep them all covered up.”
Julien frowned and looked at his arms covered by a long-sleeved shirt. His tattoos wound to his wrists, so it wasn’t impossible that his sleeve rode up and showed them off. Julien still didn’t know the big deal, but Tyler had been fixated on it from the start. “Do you think anyone else noticed?”
“They’d never say. I think,yanno, it’s hard enough meeting the whole family and trying to fit in. Trust me, I know. I’vebeen trying to keep up with them for three years. But you don’t have to try too hard. If Tyler likes you the way you are. Then everyone else will too, Jules.”
That is the fucking problem, isn’t it? Tyler doesn’t like me the way I am. I have to keep that, and the money, in mind.
“Try telling Tyler that.”
Wally laughed. “The Ashfords, they always want to make everything perfect,” Wally said with a shake of his head. “But I think you’re cool, so don’t worry too much. You’re making a great impression. I mean, I like you, and I bet your tattoos are really rad.”
Julien forced a smile. “You gotta stop flirting with me like this, Wally. You’re an engaged man.” He managed to keep the tone light.
He wondered if Walter would like him under different circumstances or if his country club upbringing would cause him to judge Julien just as much as Tyler did.
Wally laughed again, surprised. “You rascal.”
Now, with a bad taste in his mouth, Julien squeezed Wally’s shoulder and told him he was sneaking out for a cigarettesince everyone was busy. He employed Wally to cover for him. Julien just hoped the taste of smoke would wipe away the taste of his own stupidity from his mouth.
Chapter 15
Tyler
The Country Club Christmas Party was the biggest night of the season for Tyler’s parents. They walked in with a purpose, and that purpose was showing off. They liked to show off exactly how fucking perfect the Ashfords were. They liked to brag about what their kids were doing while the other families fawned and smiled their fake smiles.
Then, when they got home, his mother would complain about how so-and-so looked too thin or had too much Botox done. How their deadbeat children were, and how embarrassing it was for everyone else.
Tyler absolutely hated it.
“Oh, my god, I can’t wait to see how blue Mrs. Sanchez’s hair has gotten this year,” Hailey said from the front seat. She was decked out in a navy velvet dress, which brought out the color of her eyes. Walter had a matching tie to go with his perfectly tailored suit.
