Page 42 of Fake Fiancé at First Sight
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he answers, running his hand through his hair. “It’s not you ... it’s just that things are complicated, and my manager—”
“Complicated?” I repeat, cutting him off again.
“Yeah, Callie. I just ... I planned to keep this a secret. I didn’t want my manager to find out because he’ll exploit it. He’s the one who came up with the whole fake fiancée idea in the first place. I never wanted this. But when I saw you...” his voice trails off and then continues. “Callie, I only ever meant for this to be between us and my family. I didn’t want the whole world to be involved in our lie.”
“Our lie...” I repeat glumly.
“No, no, that’s not what I meant!” he backtracks.
“I need some air.” I huff, unable to think clearly at the moment.
“Okay, that’s fine, let’s step outside.” Wade opens the cabin door for me.
I step through the door, feeling more overwhelmed than ever. “Wade, I think I just need some time away from you to think about this. Everything that’s happened between us has been such a whirlwind—there’s really no real point to me being here. I don’t need your money, and I don’t really care to be a part of this charade anymore.”
“Callie, it’s not like that anymore,” he says, following me as I jump down to the grass from the front porch.
I turn around to look up at him. “Wade, please. I’m just asking for a little space to figure out how I feel about all of this—that’s it. Besides, you should be focusing on your family, anyway.”
He goes silent and I head straight for the little sorrel mare that I was riding, mounting up. Wade is still standing on the front porch of the cabin, looking down at his boots.
I urge my horse forward, taking off at a gallop toward the house. As I crest the hill, I see Ava and Emma, not far off, playing fetch with Bear. They both notice me, giving a big wave. I force myself to wave back, but don’t stop. The last thing I want to do is have to explain myself—while trying to keep a lie going.
I don’t even know why I agreed to do it—I hate lying.
And I still don’t understand why Wade was so desperate to prove that he had a fiancée when his family appears to love him more than mine ever will. At least they care about his well-being.
My parents don’t even care that my sister and I exist. My sister is all that I have.
I would do anything to be a part of a family like his.
I brush it off as I reach the barn, sliding off and leading the horse inside. While pulling the saddle off, I try to just focus on my options.
Stay here for the full two weeks.
Or go home.
It seems like the answer should be easy—but for some reason I can’t stand the thought of leaving Wade, even though I’m feeling confused and angry.
But what if Wade’s family finds out this isn’t real?
What if someone digs into who I am, finds out we’ve only known each other for a week, and blows our cover somehow?
I don’t want to anger Wade’s family, they’re all so kind...
“Did you leave Wade out there?” a voice says from behind me, startling me so bad, I bump into the horse.
I spin around, seeing Hunter standing there, a weird look on his face. “Are you okay, Callie? You look upset.”
“I’m fine—I just need a minute,” I say quickly, going back to unbridling and putting the tack away where I saw Emma get it from earlier this morning. “It’s really not a big deal.”
“Did my brother do somethin’ dumb? If he did, I can talk to him about it,” he says, walking up beside me and handing me a brush. “I know he can be a real difficult guy sometimes ... but he’s just a little different.”
I pause, suddenly growing a little defensive of Wade. “He didn’t do anything wrong.” I grunt, not really wanting to talk about him right now.
“He really cares about you, Callie,” Hunter’s voice grows serious. “It’s written all over his face when he looks atcha—and I don’t want you to give up on him cause he’s bein’ a brat about somethin’.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “A brat? He’s never been a brat to me.”