“Sure.”
Poor West, he knew less about her than he thought. But then, he was in good company.
What really galled her about her discussion with Flynn last night was that he was closer to the truth than just about anybody. He had called her out. On the bit.
The persona that she was so dedicated to. He was the only person who seemed to realize that’s what it was, and he was the last person she wanted realizing that.
But the trouble with playing a game like this was there was no easy exit ramp. At a certain point, you were completely committed to playing a role, and what else could you do?
What else could you do?
She got out of the truck with as many things in her arms as possible. West grabbed a stack of signs and a tray of baked goods and followed her out, even though she was grumbling.
Flynn got out of the truck, went around to the passenger side, and opened the door. She stood there, clutching all her things, gazing up at him, willing him not to say anything about their fake dating. Willing him to … something.
“Looks like you’re all ready,” he said.
He looked up, and West was staring at him. She had never experienced her older brother being overprotective in this way.
He had always been pretty relaxed with the guys he thought she was seeing. But he definitely had his hackles up right now.
“I’m good,” she said, shoving her brother’s shoulder.
“Good to see you,” said Flynn.
“Yeah,” West returned. “Give your sister-in-law my regards.”
Flynn chuckled. “She can get them from you herself if she wants.”
“Take care of my sister.”
“Oh, West, your sister can take care of herself.”
Jessie climbed into the truck, and Flynn firmly closed the door behind her.
They exchanged a few more words that she couldn’t hear, and then Flynn opened the driver’s side and got into the truck. “I take it your brother doesn’t know that we’re not really sleeping together?”
“No,” she said.
“Why didn’t you tell them?”
“Because he was being a dick about it, so I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that it wasn’t real.”
“Great. So if I end up getting my spine pulled straight out of my back, that would be why. Because of your pride.”
She also had a feeling that he might be referring to their interaction last night. And her pride.
“Yes,” she said, doing her best to sound cheery and not sincere at all, because he wasn’t going to make her break, not right before they met the public.
“I would’ve driven up to get you. West didn’t have to bring you down.”
“It’s fine.”
She felt allergic to the idea of his seeing her trailer. She could live in a house somewhere else if she wanted to, but it didn’t make any sense. It was a lot more logical for her to continue to stay on the family property and save money, but old habits and baggage clung tightly to her, and she didn’t want … She didn’t want him finding out that she lived in a camper. That she was weird. She didn’t want him to see her personal things. She didn’t want him to see her.
Because as long as people didn’t see you, they couldn’t really hurt you. If they didn’t know you, what could they say? What could they do?
“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling that they really had to clear the air or the day was going to be a disaster. “About last night. The thing is, we have to work together, and I don’t know how to do that if we’re …”
