I narrow my eyes at him, confusion swirling in my head. Then the gears in my brain click into place. And when it does, it hits me like a brick to the face. “Serena,” I mumble, my voice dropping.
Jared snaps his fingers. “Bingo.”
Realization dawns on me. Knowing Serena, she probably told her aunt we’re dating, her aunt passed the news to my mom, and my mom likely broadcasted it to the whole family on Facebook.
Classicchisme.
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Oh my god. The whole family probably thinks we’re together.”
Jared chuckles, clearly entertained by my realization. “Well, if they already think we’re dating, wouldn’t it make sense for me to be there?”
I peek at him through my fingers. “You don’t have to do that. It’s going to be a lot, loud music, people dancing, and my family asking a million questions.”
“I’m your fake boyfriend, it’s a part of the job.”
My heart drops an inch at the wordfake. I know it’s fake, but for a heartbeat’s time, I’d forgotten. The way he’s so casually stepping into this role, offering to shield me from my family’s endless probing, it almost feels real. But of course, it isn’t. We’re just playing a part, nothing more.
“Right, right. Well, I guess it makes sense for you to come. We’ll leave early Saturday.”
“Fine with me.” Jared takes another bite of pizza, and we sit in companionable silence, the cheesy drama ofYou’re The Oneplaying in the background. I keep stealing glances at him, trying to wrap my head around the fact that he’s here, in my apartment, about to willingly walk into the mess that is my family.
“So, do you have any big family events like this?Quinceañeras, weddings, awkward family reunions?”
“Nothing that big growing up, just birthdays and reunions. But ever since Dad married Lina, it feels like there’s a wedding every other weekend.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I remember their wedding. It was gorgeous.”
“Yeah, it was… until someone lost the ring.”
My jaw drops, and I clap a hand over my mouth. “Serena lost the ring? Wait, so it’s true?”
Jared nods, a grin spreading across his face. “Hand to God.”
“She told me it was just left behind at the hotel.”
“Nah. She dropped it in their bridal suite and used her own ring as a decoy for the ceremony.”
“Clever girl,” I say, grinning as I shake my head in mock disbelief.
“Yeah, she’s quick on her feet,” Jared agrees, his tone changing slightly, as if the memory carries more thought than he lets on.
I glance at him and find his usual confidence is replaced by hesitance.
“Can I tell you something?” he asks, his voice low. I nod. “When she lost the ring, it should’ve been a moment of panicfor me. It’s the biggest day of my dad’s life, right? But I was so fucking happy when she did.”
I frown for an instant, and he sits straight immediately to clarify, “It’s not what you’re thinking. It’s just… Serena’s so perfect, you know? From the moment I met her, my dad couldn’t stop raving about how amazing she is and how lucky he is to have her as a daughter. And don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for him; I really am. But it was hard at first. Going from an only child to suddenly being an older brother to someone who’s practically the poster child for perfect… it messed with my head for a while.”
I nod and give him a tight-lipped smile.
“I struggled a lot at first,” he admits, shrugging it off before looking back at me. “I kept comparing myself to her, wondering if my dad was just relieved to finally have a kid he didn’t have to worry about, you know? I know it sounds messed up, but when she lost the ring, I felt… I don’t know, less alone. Like maybe she wasn’t as perfect as everyone said she was.”
I’m speechless. I always thought things were perfect between them. Serena seemed genuinely happy to have him, even from the start. She didn’t care that they weren’t close right away—she was just excited to finally have an older brother. But it’s not about excitement, is it? It’s that comparison—the one I know all too well. I nod slowly, letting his words sink in, like water soaking into paper.
Jared breathes in, rubbing his hands on his thighs. “It’s fine now, though. We’ve settled into our roles, and I get along with Serena. But I guess that moment stuck with me.”
I shift a bit, fidgeting with the edge of my shirt. “I used to feel the same way too, you know?”
“You? About your best friend since you were seven years old? I find that hard to believe.”
