Page 5 of Campus Fake

“I…” My voice cracked.

I couldn’t do this. He didn’t understand what he was asking of me. I couldn’t face my family. That was like wearing a dress made out of steaks and walking into the lion’s den. I’d never survive it.

“Okay, we’ll come.”

It took my brain a second to process that Harry’s voice had just spoken those words.

Jordan’s eyebrows rose. “We?”

“Sam and I.” Harry’s hand found the small of my back, warm and steady.

I turned to stare at him. What was he doing?

“You’re coming too? As her roommate?”

“As her boyfriend.”

What?

My brain short-circuited. Harry had just told my brother—my actual flesh-and-blood brother—that he was my boyfriend. And that he was coming home with me. For Christmas. To meet my parents.

The silence that followed was nuclear.

I felt the shockwave ripple through the room. Abby’s sharp intake of breath. Liam made a choked sound. Drew muttered “what the fuck” under his breath. Even Ava looked stunned, and she was usually unflappable.

But when I looked at Harry, I didn’t see someone making a joke or a mistake. I saw someone who had watched me drown for the past ten minutes and decided to throw me a lifeline. And he was standing beside me like this was the most natural thing in the world. Meanwhile, my brother was staring at us with an expression I couldn’t read.

“I thought you said he was your roommate,” Jordan said carefully.

This was insane. This was absolutely, certifiably insane.

“Uh, yeah, he is.”

“And I’m her boyfriend,” Harry said. “Who’ll be coming to Seattle with her.”

Jordan’s gaze darted between us, and I was certain it was only Harry’s hand around my waist that kept me standing.

“You’ll make sure she gets to the airport?” Jordan asked him.

“I’ll take care of the seats since you’ll need another one now that I’m coming.”

“Alright. Give me your number and I’ll text you the flight details,” Jordan said, pulling out his phone. “We can all meet at the airport tomorrow.” He paused, glancing at Harry with a glimmer of approval. “It’s good that she has someone. I’m glad she’s not… I’m glad she has you.”

The words were clumsy, but they made me feel slightly less panicked about the prospect of seeing my family again. Jordan didn’t want me to be miserable. He was glad I wasn’t alone. That I hadn’t been living in Montana punishing myself.

If only he knew the truth.

After he exchanged numbers with Harry, he said, “I should go.” He headed for the door. “Let you guys finish dinner. But Sam?” He looked back at me, and his expression softened. “I really am glad I came. Even if you’re pissed at me.”

“I’m not pissed,” I said quietly. “I’m just…”

Terrified. Overwhelmed. Completely unprepared for any of this.

“I know,” he said. “I know. But it’s going to be okay. I promise.”

He left before I could respond, the door clicking shut behind him.

For a minute, nobody moved.