After a few hours away from the house with Nate, I was a new person. Talking through the Sawyer and Briar drama lifted a weight from my chest, and we spent the rest of the time discussing random things.

Laurel may have shoved us together, but Nate had quickly become one of my favorite people. He was honest, real, and open, making it easy to let my guard down and be myself.

As I coasted down Granny's driveway and came to a stop in the horseshoe drive, I pointed at the shiny, new BMW SUV parked on the opposite side near the exit. "Ruth Grace and Dr. Varma are ready to make a run for it."

"I would be too after the way Briar acted yesterday. Do you think that's why they stayed in Savannah last night?"

"Probably. I bet they got a room for tonight too." With my keyring looped around my thumb, I sealed the bag of trail mix we'd been snacking on. "I hope they stay for the movie. They'll draw at least some of Mother's attention."

"They're worth watching." Nate collected the water bottles and a few pretty shells we'd found on the beach before exiting the car. "Wait right there."

He ran around the car to open my door for me. My brow raised in question as I stood and the breeze caught a bit of my hair, blowing it over my face.

Nate tucked the loose curl behind my ear. "It always feels like someone's spying here. Can't let them think your boyfriend doesn't treat you right."

"You're setting the bar pretty high. I'll never find a real boyfriend that can compare."

"Preach, sister." He winked, and I snickered.

We entered the house, and my mouth watered at the scent of lasagna with fresh garlic bread. Nate hummed in appreciation. "It smells amazing in here."

"Dad and Granny are both amazing cooks." I leaned closer and spoke softly, "When they're together, I think they try to outdo each other. Yay for us!"

Nate grinned and rested his palm on my hip as I led the way to the kitchen. Briar sat at one end of the dining table with her mom and Dr. Varma across from her at the other end. The two sides seemed to be actively ignoring each other.

Mother stood at the windows overlooking the backyard and clicked her tongue. "It's no wonder the boy can't find a wife. All he does is work. I'll never have grandchildren."

Joby paced by the window holding a cell to his ear with one hand and using the other to gesture as though the person he spoke to stood in front of him. The poor guy was clearly stressed, and I hoped Mother didn't start nagging him the second he came inside.

Turning from the window, she was the first to notice our presence, and she frowned. "I was about to call you. You're late."

I glanced at the clock on the wall and confirmed that we were in fact fifteen minutes earlier than I'd said we'd be, but it wasn't worth arguing about, so I turned to Dad who was at the island tossing a giant bowl of salad.

"Everything smells fantastic."

"Thanks, sweetie." He moved to the side so we could see Granny behind him at the stove stirring a pot. "Wait until you taste that. She made her own vanilla."

Granny shut the heat off and waved Nate closer. "I need someone strong to pour and mix this for me."

He rushed to help her and she told him how to pour the caramel topping over the deep pan of popped popcorn, and fold it in to cover every piece. As he stirred, Granny scanned the lasagna, tray of bread, and salad Dad placed on the dining table. "Wonderful! As soon as Joby finishes his call and Sawyer gets here, we'll be ready."

Before I'd noticed and enjoyed that he was missing, the front door closed, and Sawyer strolled into the kitchen seconds later, carrying a sack from the grocery store. He aimed an apologetic smile at Granny. "Sorry that took so long. All the stores in Wayden are closed, and Savannah was packed."

He stood next to Briar, removing things from the bag. "They didn't have the lemon Perrier you wanted, so I got regular Perrier and a lemon. I grabbed a bottle of ginger ale too, the kind with real ginger. According to the pregnancy book, it's supposed to help with nausea."

Briar's lips pinched like she'd already bit the lemon. "I'll have the plain water."

She snatched the bottle, leaving the other items for him to put away, without even saying thank you after he drove to Savannah for her drink. If I didn't dislike him so much, I'd feel bad for him.

As Granny directed Nate to put the popcorn in to bake, Joby entered the room and started to apologize for making everyone wait, but Granny stopped him. "Don't worry at all. We've only just finished getting dessert in the oven, and now I'm ready to eat."

She sat at the table next to Sawyer and patted the spot beside her, telling Joby to sit. Dad took the end with Ruth Grace on his right and Mother filling the seat to his left. Nate and I had no choice but to take the only available seats—directly across from Briar and Sawyer.

We filled our plates and passed the bread. Nate nudged my knee with his and poked the tip of his tongue out at me as he slowly passed Sawyer the basket of garlic bread. I shook with restrained laughter as I imagined him stopping to lick it first.

Briar's lip curled with loathing at our silliness before our eyes met and she averted her gaze. Never missing a thing, Nate leaned down to kiss my cheek and whispered, "Don't let her bother you. She's so miserable that happy people make her mad."

I'd never considered that, but he was right. She was never supportive of anyone else's happiness. How depressing that must be for her.

Granny asked Ruth Grace about their antique shopping, and she held her new ring up for us, beaming. "Isn't it stunning?"

Everyone's focus slid to the butterfly resting on her middle finger, but no one was quick with a response. The diamond-covered body went from knuckle to knuckle, and the multicolored wings spanned over the adjacent fingers. It had to be over two inches wide.

"I was going to pass it up." Ruth Grace leaned over to peck her husband's lips. "Y'all know I'm not showy, but Kiaan insisted on buying it for me. He says it wouldn't fit anyone else as well."

"Yeah." Briar snorted. "It takes an especially tacky person to wear something that gaudy."

"Stop it," Sawyer hissed under his breath and looked like he wanted to crawl under the table.

"It's an eye catching statement piece," Mother said before Ruth Grace could respond to Briar, and Dad put an appreciative arm around his wife.

Granny nodded. "And with all those colors, it'll match anything."

Their compliments seemed to soften the blow of her daughter's words a bit and Ruth Grace gave Kiaan a tight-lipped smile. He lifted her hand to kiss the back. "This ring is as unique and sparkling as you."

"Thank you, my love." She brightened. "Calista told me I'd be bringing something extra home from this trip, and she was right."

"You bought something—shocking," Briar mumbled, but everyone ignored the comment.

I leaned closer to Nate and murmured, "Calista's her psychic." His lips pressed together, and he nodded.

"So, what was so important that you had to spend thirty minutes on the phone with work on Christmas Eve?" Mother used the lull in conversation to pounce on Joby.

After a deliberate breath, he said, "A large event is being held in the ballroom today, and the Santa we hired a month ago canceled at the last minute. We expect several children to be in attendance and need a new Santa within the hour."

Mother scoffed and primly set her wine glass beside her plate. "And you're the only employee? No one else could handle a simple problem?"

Joby's jaw flexed, but before he could speak, Nate straightened in his seat and said, "I've never hired a Santa, but I wouldn't think there'd be too many extras lying around on Christmas Eve, are there?"

Surprise flickered across Joby's expression, and his mouth tipped up at the corners. "No, there aren't. That's why my very capable staff apologized for interrupting my vacation and asked if there was anything I could do to help."

"It sounds like a tough spot. Did you get it worked out?" Dad asked.

"I did. A friend of mine runs the doggy hotel we use for guests' pets, and I remembered she had pictures with Santa available last week. One of her clients got a little too excited, forcing her to keep the Santa suit to have it dry cleaned."

Nate chuckled. "I wonder if that dog's on the naughty list."

"I hope not." Joby grinned at Nate. "Thanks to him, we had a freshly cleaned suit to borrow and a front desk agent that's the right size to fill it. For a couple of hours of work, he'll get the rest of the night off with pay and everyone's happy."

"Very cool, Joby. Those kids will be super excited." I smiled at the satisfaction in my brother's expression and gave Nate a little side hug. He winked down at me, and I was sure it annoyed Mother that everyone supported Joby's working during family time, but at that moment, she couldn't bother me.

For the rest of dinner, we discussed which Christmas movie we should watch. Eventually, we decided on Elf. After clearing the plates we wiped the table down and filled bowls with warm caramel popcorn.

Nate and I settled on the love seat across the room from my parents with Joby in the recliner beside us. Granny, Ruth Grace, and Kiaan took up the couch, and Briar would've fit beside them, but she curled up on Sawyer's lap in the other chair.

For me, it was a decent seating arrangement. My least favorite couple was behind me when Nate pulled me back against his side and rested his arm around my waist so I faced the TV directly.

I held the bowl of popcorn Nate grabbed for us to share, so I reached over my shoulder to pop a piece in his mouth. "Wow, this is great," he whispered as Buddy the elf did his best to build toys as quickly as the other elves. Nate shifted behind me, so I was leaning against his chest and he could reach over me to get more of the treat.

Everything was going better than I expected with family movie time and all of us laughing together as Buddy navigated the real world. When he ate gum he'd found stuck to a handrail, Ruth Grace reminded Granny of a childhood friend who did something similar and Dad joined in, adding bits to the memory that had Granny cracking up, until she had to dab at her watering eyes with a tissue.

A feeling of contentment swept through my body, reminding me why I continued to come here after everything. Granny and the happy times I had in this house left such an impression, a few minutes of joy was all it took to envelope me in a sense of comfort and security.

"Sawyer," Briar whined, and my cheerful bubble dissipated. "My feet are sore. Will you rub them?"

There was no audible response, but when I glanced over a minute later, Sawyer was sitting on the floor, leaning on the recliner with Briar's leg over his chest so he could massage her foot as he watched the movie.

She wasn't even showing yet. I cringed at the thought of how much more ridiculous she'd get before their baby arrived. I'd never been happier to live in the city, far from them.

A tickle on my chest made me jump and peek down the v-neck of my dress, finding a piece of popcorn resting between my breasts. Nate whispered against my ear, "Sorry about that. Do you want me to get it, or..."

He wiggled his fingers in front of me, and I giggled, flicking them away. I lifted the treat from the edge of my bra and Nate snatched it, tossing it in his mouth. I looked up at him in disbelief and he shrugged. "It was the last piece."

Taking the empty bowl from me, he set it on the floor before holding my hand and rubbing my wrist with his thumb. Whether it was for the benefit of Briar or my mother who I could feel staring at us, I didn't care. Nate was the perfect fake boyfriend. I was completely comfortable with a situation that a couple of days ago I was sure would kill me with awkwardness.

Behind us, Joby's recliner squeaked as he stood. "Excuse me. It's another work call, I'll be on the patio."

When the movie ended a short while later, everyone went their separate ways with Ruth Grace and Kiaan going to a hotel as I'd expected, Briar announcing she was exhausted and ordering Sawyer to go get her water from the kitchen before he came up, and Granny and my parents saying goodnight before going to their rooms.

Once they were out of earshot, Nate said, "Why don't you go chat with Joby?"

"I would, but he's working." I frowned.

Nate poked my nose. "If you want to talk to him, you could check."

"Yeah, I'll make sure. You're okay on your own?"

He smirked. "I was just going to take a shower and get in bed. I think I can handle it."

"Thanks. I'll be up soon."

***

On the way outside, I grabbed Granny's sweater from the counter and pulled it on. The temperature had dipped with the sun and it was almost too chilly to be outside, but there Joby sat at the patio table, alone in the moonlight, with his phone's screen dark beside him.

He turned as the door closed behind me and raised his eyebrows in greeting. "Is the movie over already?"

"Yeah. Everyone went to bed, so I came to hang out with you a bit. Is that okay?"

"Of course." He pulled out the chair next to him and straightened the cushion for me.

As I lowered into my seat, I wrapped the sweater tighter around myself. "Aren't you cold?"

"A little, but the quiet is worth it."

I scoffed. "Well, if you'd rather be alone—"

"Oh, shush. I'm not talking about you. You're one of the few I'm excited to spend time with at these things. Between Mom, Briar, and Sawyer, it's almost too much work."

"That's the truth." I laughed, but then remembered the way Sawyer looked earlier. "Have you noticed anything weird about Sawyer?"

"Like what?" Joby's gaze narrowed.

"I'm not sure. He's just different."

"Less pompous and sort of defeated?"

"Yes!" I clapped. "That's exactly it. Like life has beat him down."

He scoffed. "Not life—Briar. Don't go feeling sorry for him."

"I'm trying not to, but—"

"No buts. He made his bed, now he can cry in it."

I snickered. "That's mean."

He shrugged and scooted down to rest his head against his chair. "There are so many stars."

I copied his position, and twinkling lights I never got to see at home filled the sky. "It's pretty."

For a few minutes, we sat in silence as I worked up the nerve to say what I promised myself I'd say. "Joby?"

He hummed to tell me he was listening.

"If you'd like to hang out, why don't we ever get together at home? We live close to each other, but whenever I try to call or set something up, you're busy. It feels like you're blowing me off."

"Liv." He sighed my name like I was being silly, and annoyance made me glare at him.

"Don't Liv me. You never have time. Why? I love you and I miss you. You were my friend, and then you were done with me. What did I do?"

Stupid tears filled my eyes, and Joby's jaw dropped. His face softened as a tear rolled down my cheek and he leaned closer to wipe it away with his sleeve. "Please, don't cry. I miss you too, and you didn't do anything. It's just..."

He turned to the table, resting his elbows on top and squeezing both his fists in his hair. His breathing became shallow, and I remembered what Nate said about Joby needing me.

"What's wrong?"

He lowered his forehead to the tabletop with his hands folded on the back of his neck. Joby didn't answer, and I started preparing for the worst. They'd been working in the yard before Nate said he thought Joby might need me.

What if he saw some kind of weakness?

What if my brother was sick?

My stomach filled with knots as every worst-case scenario crowded my mind. He was just the type to not want to bother anyone with a chronic illness and try to do everything on his own.

I rubbed his shoulder and spoke softly, "After Nate helped you with the trees, he said I should speak to you. And now—"

He shot up, and wide-eyes bored into mine. "Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did he say to speak to me?"

"I'd already told him I planned to make you be my friend again, and he said you might need one like me."

He exhaled slowly, relaxed, and chuckled. "You don't have to make me be your friend."

"Good. Now, what's going on with you because I'm freaking out."

After brushing his fingers through his hair, he said, "What the hell. I'm thirty years old. I can't keep living this way."

My heart shuddered in my chest. I grasped his knee. Whatever was wrong, I'd do everything I could to help. I told myself to be strong for him. Whatever it was—I wouldn't get upset. "What is it?"

"I've been dishonest with you and the whole family for a long time."

I nodded, unable to speak.

His bottom lip quivered with nerves. "Alex and I didn't just break up. We actually broke up months ago. If I told Mom, she'd be pushing me to find someone else."

Confusion furrowed my brow. Did Alex give him something? Or leave because of his condition? What did she have to do with him being sick? "Oookay?"

"And Alex wasn't short for Alexandria. Alex is a man. I date men. I'm gay."

Relief hit me like a train, and a choked sob escaped my throat. "You stupid idiot, I thought you were dying." I punched him—hard.

"What?" He rubbed his arm. "So you don't care that I'm gay?"

"Of course not!" I wiped my face with a tissue from Granny's pocket. "That's why you cut me off? Why didn't you tell me?"

He tilted his head and waved toward the house indicating the people inside. I shrugged. "So? It's not like I'd out you to anyone."

"Sorry, Liv. I didn't know that, and I was afraid they'd find out." He whispered, "I'm still afraid."

I thought of the lengths we'd go to just to avoid letting our family see who we really are and cracked up.

"That's funny to you?" Joby asked with annoyance coloring his tone.

"No. We're funny. Ridiculous actually."

"Why's that?"

I flopped back in my seat. "I have to tell you something too."

He smirked. "You're gay?"

"No, but my fake boyfriend is."

Joby's eyebrows raised to his hairline. "What are you talking about?"

"I didn't want to deal with Mother either, or Briar's constant crap. So, Laurel sent her friend Nate to be my pretend boyfriend."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. We met for the first time right before we drove here."

"Why would he do that?"

"Laurel was his fake girlfriend in high school before he was ready to come out, so I guess he has a soft spot for people who are hiding their personal lives from a judgmental family."

Joby slumped in his seat with his palms pressed to the top of his head. He studied the sky for a moment, then let his hands fall. "That's such a relief. I felt terrible for being attracted to your boyfriend."

"What!" I cackled. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm serious. Holy shit, Nate's gorgeous."

My cheeks ached from grinning. "He always smells good too."

"And he's funny and seems genuinely kind. I was trying so hard to only be happy for you and not jealous."

His guilty chuckle sent me into a fit of giggles. The novelty of discussing a guy's hotness with my brother was too new for us not to find it amusing.

"Well, I appreciate the effort, but shoot your shot." I wiggled my eyebrows. "He's single."

He peered at the house, and his happiness faded. "Yeah, I'm not sure."

"It's up to you. No more pushing me away though."

"Deal."

"Do you want me to tell Nate, or not? I don't have to say anything."

He scratched his neck. "Well, I think he kinda guessed since he might've caught me accidentally checking him out."

"Ohhhhh. This is what he meant when he said to talk to you."

"You can tell him, but I'm not telling anyone else yet."

"That's up to you. You'll have my support, no matter what."

We sat there looking at the sky until I thought my nose would freeze off, and then went in. Joby gave me a big hug before we separated to go to our rooms, and my heart swelled.

I had my brother back.

I know a bunch of you already guessed about Joby.

Was anyone surprised? 🧐