“Thank you again for doing this,” he said. “I thought you deserved a break from their questions.”
“You better get me a good Christmas present,” she said with a wry smile.
“I’ll buy you a car if you do this well for the whole month.” Kennedy choked on her drink and stared at him.
“I’m sorry what?” She asked.
“What? You need a car, right?”
“Well, yeah, but you don’t need to buy me one!”
“Why not? It’s Christmas. And you’re doing me a huge favour.”
“That doesn’t mean you need to buy me a car, Jared! I’ll settle for some fancy wine and maybe you can take me out for dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
“Where would you even get the money for a car?”
Ellie walked in just as she asked and looked very confused.
“Who’s getting a car?” She asked.
“Kennedy,” Jared said in a strangled voice. Kennedy and Ellie both stared at him. He cleared his throat and said, “I mean, I was thinking of getting Kennedy a car for Christmas.”
Ellie’s jaw dropped. “A car? You’re getting her a car?”
“No, he’s not,” Kennedy said firmly. “He offered to buy me a car, but I said no because that would be crazy.”
“You offer to buy your girlfriend of two months a car, but you can’t even get me anything more than a gift card for Christmas?” Ellie punched him lightly on the shoulder as she walked past him to get a drink.
“I know her better than you,” Jared argued.
“You’ve known me for your whole life!”
“Jared, come in here!” Adrienne called. “There’s something I want to show you.”
“Saved by the bell,” Ellie said. Jared made a face but didn’t respond.
“You can stay in here,” he said to Kennedy. “Talk to Ellie for a bit.”
“Okay,” Kennedy agreed readily. She was in no rush to go back out there. Once Jared had left, she turned back to Ellie. “So, you’re a year older than Jared?”
“Yep. Poor Jared is the true middle child, right between me and Lincoln. Do you have siblings?”
“Just an older brother. Very different than you guys.”
Ellie laughed. “Yeah, our family is a bit chaotic, but we love it. Speaking of which… What’s the real story here?”
“What do you mean?” Kennedy asked. She took a sip of her drink.
“Come on, Kennedy, it’s just us in here. I know you and Jared aren’t actually dating.”
Kennedy’s stomach dropped and her heart began pounding. She couldn’t quite say why she was so invested in keeping this ruse up but getting called out when they were only a couple of hours into it was immensely stressful.
“Of course, we’re dating,” Kennedy said with a nervous laugh. “Why would somebody lie about that?”
Ellie pushed the kitchen door open briefly to ensure that the rest of the family was distracted then turned back to Kennedy.
“I know Jared is gay,” she said.
Kennedy’s jaw dropped. “Wait, what?”
“I know you know too,” Ellie said. “You don’t need to pretend to be shocked or anything.”
“Oh, no, that’s not what I was… I’m just shocked that you know. Did Jared tell you?”
“Yeah. I was the first person he told when he kissed Henry for the first time. I think he’s just been so distracted that he forgot to mention to me that he was doing this. And I know we haven’t met before, but Jared has told me a lot about you over the past few years. If he weren’t gay and you were going to start dating, I’m sure it would have happened sooner.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s fair. I never looked at him that way, but he asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend to get your parents off his back.”
“Understandable. They can be a bit pushy.” Ellie took a sip of her drink. “I think he and I need to come up with a game plan to come out to our parents together. Hopefully, once we do that, they’ll back off a bit. But then again, maybe that’s just wishful thinking.”
“When I came out to my parents, I baked a rainbow cake,” Kennedy told her. “It took so long to make the cake, but it was very worth it. I highly recommend doing something more dramatic than just saying it.”
Ellie gave her an appraising look. “I’ll keep that in mind. So, uh… I’m guessing if you agreed to pretend to be my brother’s girlfriend then you’re probably single, right? Either that or you just have a very chill partner. Which is how Jared ended up in this situation, Henry’s just going with it.”
“Oh no, I’m very much single,” Kennedy laughed. Jared popped his head into the kitchen.
“Hey babe, you coming back? My mom wants to talk to us.”
“Oh yeah,” Kennedy said. “Uh, it was nice getting to know you Ellie.”
Ellie nodded. “You too.”
Jared put his arm around Kennedy’s shoulders as they walked into the living room and settled in on the love seat.
“So, Kennedy,” Adrienne said, “we were just talking about our plans for Christmas. What are your plans?”
“Oh,” Kennedy said. “I think some of my extended family is coming to stay for the night of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. That’s what we usually do, at least. I don’t have plans other than that.”
“Well, we understand of course that you want to be with your family on Christmas Day, of course,” Brandon said, “But if your family isn’t coming until late in the day of Christmas Eve, then you’re welcome to come here for the day. Or to stay for a couple of days before.”
“We have lots of traditions for Christmas Eve,” Adrienne added. “We would love for you to be a part of it.”
“But only if you want to,” Jared said. “Don’t feel any pressure to say yes.”
Kennedy tucked her dark auburn hair behind her ears and thought for a few moments. While it would be awkward to be there as Jared’s girlfriend, she didn’t have any plans for Christmas Eve and she obviously did love spending time with Jared. It wasn’t like she would just be spending the day with random strangers.
“Sure,” she said finally. “That sounds really fun. I think I would just need to be home by mid-afternoon.”
“We can certainly manage that,” Adrienne said. Ellie walked in and joined her parents on the couch. Adrienne clapped her hands together. “Oh, this is so wonderful! It was starting to feel like Jared was never going to bring anyone home.”
“He’s still young, to be fair,” Ellie said. “Just because you got married young doesn’t mean we’re all going to.”
“And we know that of course,” Adrienne said. “Ultimately, all we want is for you kids to be happy.”
“No matter what?” Jared asked seriously.
“No matter what,” Adrienne promised.
“Is there something in particular you wanted to ask about, Jared?” Brandon asked.
“No,” Jared said quickly. “I was just wondering.”
“So,” Kennedy said. She wanted to change the subject before anyone questioned Jared further. She knew from past experience it did not take a lot to make him break and confess whatever he was thinking. “Adrienne, Brandon, how did you two meet?”
Lincoln, Jared and Ellie all groaned.
“Well, that’s a very cute story, actually,” Adrienne said. She looked prepared to launch into a telling of it but Brandon placed a hand on her arm to stop her.
“I think the kids have heard the story enough times,” Brandon said with a wry grin. “Maybe you should tell Kennedy another time.”
Adrienne nodded. “You’re right. Do you mind, Kennedy?”
“Oh no, it’s fine,” Kennedy said. “I look forward to hearing it, though.”
“It’s well worth the wait, I think,” Adrienne said. She looked at Brandon fondly. “It’s amazing how pure luck can bring people together.”
“And how quickly you can fall in love,” Brandon said. They stared deeply into each other’s eyes for another mo
ment until Ellie cleared her throat and pulled them out of their trance. Adrienne blushed.
“Sorry about that,” she said. “We’ve been married nearly thirty years, but I’m still head over heels in love with him.”
“That’s so sweet,” Kennedy said. She turned to Jared as the rest of the family continued on to other discussions. She whispered. “Your family’s so nice. Why were you worried about me meeting them?”
“Who said I was worried?” He whispered back.
“With how tense you’ve looked since you came to pick me up, it didn’t exactly take much detective work.”
He rolled his eyes but visibly didn’t relax.
“Oh Jared, I forgot to tell you,” Lincoln said, “Parker called me earlier and invited us all to his house next Friday for dinner. Can you make it?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
“Oh, you should bring Kennedy!” Adrienne said happily.
“Uh, does Parker know about Kennedy?” Ellie asked.
“I didn’t mention it to him since we only found out about all of this the other day, Lincoln said slowly. “But I’m sure it would be fine if she came. It would give her the chance to meet Parker and Greta.”
“You free after work on Friday, Kennedy?” Jared asked. She could see on his face that he was desperate for her to say yes.
“Yeah, I think so,” she said. “Where do they live?”
“Only twenty minutes away,” Jared said. “They would have been here today, but the twins had… something. Some sort of activity.”
“They’re at a friend’s birthday party,” Adrienne supplied. “Oh, it will be so nice for you kids to get together! It’s such a shame how little we can get the whole family together ever since they became parents.”
“Are you two not coming?” Ellie asked. “I assumed it was an invitation for the whole family.”
“Oh, it was but we’re going away next weekend,” Adrienne said. “But don’t forget we have the huge family Christmas party in a couple weeks and you absolutely must bring Kennedy to that!”
Jared faked a smile. “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I had something else to ask you two,” Adrienne said. She thought for a moment. “Oh, right! Are you sending out couple Christmas cards this year?”
Kennedy’s eyes widened at the thought. Jared loosened his tie and tugged on his shirt collar, as his throat felt like it was constricting.
“No, mom,” he said as patiently as he could. “We’re, uh, we’re not that serious yet. It’s only been a couple months.”
“You can be serious after a couple months!”
“Well, we’re not,” Jared said. “We can… talk about it next year if we’re still together then. Right Kennedy?”
“Right!” Kennedy said immediately. Adrienne looked disappointed.
“Oh alright. I suppose it is a little late to be planning them anyway.”
“And I’m already in the family one,” Jared reminded her. “Wouldn’t it be weird if I was on the family one with no girlfriend and sent out a separate card with my girlfriend?”
“I suppose,” Adrienne conceded.
“So, Kennedy, what are some of your interests?” Brandon asked. “We need some ideas for what to get you for Christmas.”
“Oh, you don’t need to get me anything!” Kennedy said. She felt bad accepting gifts under the pretence of being Jared’s girlfriend, and briefly considered whether she should name some gift ideas that Henry would like so she could pass them on to him. He was the one who should be sitting there with Jared, after all.
“Wine,” Jared said. “She likes wine.”
“I’m sure I would qualify that as one of my interests, honey,” Kennedy said.
“Not an interest but a great present,” Jared replied. “She likes red and white. Get her one of each signed by the family and it will be perfect.”
“You really don’t have to,” Kennedy said.
“Of course, we do!” Adrienne said. “I’ll make a note of it.”
“I— okay.” Kennedy gave up.
Jared laughed and muttered to her, “You will soon learn that my mother doesn’t take no for an answer.”
“Yeah, I’m getting that,” Kennedy whispered back.
“While we’re on the topic, I know it’s a bit early in the afternoon but would anyone like some wine?” Adrienne asked.
“Yes!” Jared and Kennedy both said at the same time. Everyone laughed.
“I’ll have a glass,” Ellie said.
“Me too,” Lincoln added. Adrienne and Brandon went off to get the drinks.
“This is what we do for the rest of the month,” Jared said to Kennedy while everyone else was distracted. “Whenever we have to be anywhere with my family, we just always have a drink in hand.”
“Agreed,” Kennedy said.
“So, Ellie knows about us,” Kennedy told Jared as they took an uber to Parker’s house.
“Right, I completely forgot she knows about Henry,” Jared said. “Man, she was probably so confused when my parents told her you were coming over.”
Kennedy laughed. “Yeah, I can only imagine. But she understood when I explained what we were doing.”
Jared shook his head. “She probably thinks I’m crazy, honestly. I think I’m a bit crazy too. I’ve been dating Henry for five years, lived with him for more than two years already, and my parents still think he’s just my roommate.”
“And they were roommates,” Kennedy said with a grin. Jared laughed. The driver pulled the car over in front of Parker and Greta’s house and they climbed out. “Thank you!”
“Ready to meet them?” He asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Kennedy said. She frowned. “Should we have bought them a present?”
Jared blinked. “Eh, it’s too late for that now.”
“They’re going to think I’m rude for not bringing them anything!”
Jared shrugged. “What does it matter if they like you? You’re only my supposed girlfriend for the next month.”
“I guess you’re right,” she conceded. They got out of the car and walked up to the house. “This is a nice place.”
Jared knocked on the door. They waited less than a minute before Parker swung open the door and smiled at them.
“Hey guys! Come on in.”
“Thanks,” Kennedy said. They both stepped inside, and Parker closed the door behind them. “Where should I put my coat?”
“I’ll take it for you,” Parker said. As he was putting the coats away in the closet, Greta appeared in the hallway.
“Hi!” She said. She gave Jared a hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks,” Jared said. “How about you?”
“Oh, I’m great.” She turned to Kennedy and immediately pulled her in for a hug. “It’s so nice to meet you, Kennedy! I wish we could say that Jared has told us a lot about you, but he’s been a pretty closed book around your whole relationship.”
“Oh…” Kennedy tried as much as possible to hide her discomfort. “We’re both pretty private people so…”
“Of course, no problem!” Greta said. “But we would really like to get to know you. You’re the first girl Jared’s ever brought home.”
“Don’t scare her off, Greta,” Parker said.
“I’m not! Can I get either of you a drink? We’ve got beer, wine, coolers…”
“We would both love some wine,” Jared said.
“Red or white?” Greta asked.
“Either,” Kennedy said.
“Alright! Parker will take you into the living room. Ellie, Lincoln and Ryleigh are already here.”
“Oh sorry, are we late?” Jared asked. They followed Parker down the hall while Greta went to grab drinks.
“No, they were early actually.”
“All three of them?”
“Lincoln and Ryleigh gave Ellie a ride since she was planning on drinking and didn’t want to leave her car here overnight. You guys took an uber, right?”
>
“Yeah. Also didn’t want to leave our car here.”
They walked into the living room. Lincoln and Ellie were rifling through the DVDs cupboard. Ryleigh was sitting on the couch, but she stood up when they walked in.
“Hi, you must be Kennedy,” she said. She held out her hand. “I’m Ryleigh.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kennedy said. She shook her hand. “You’re Lincoln’s girlfriend?”
“Yeah. We were friends as kids and then met again a couple of years ago and started dating.”
“Jared’s told me the story. I think it’s really cute.”
Ryleigh blushed. “Thanks. How did you two meet?”
“Oh, just the typical,” Kennedy said. She spoke carefully to make sure she didn’t mess up the carefully crafted story. It was mostly based in truth, besides the dating part but she didn’t want to give a different version of events each time she told it. “We met in university, were friends for a few years then started dating a few months ago.”
“Here’s your wine,” Greta said, handing her a glass of white wine.
“Thank you so much,” Kennedy said. She tipped the glass back and drank half of it in one go.
Ryleigh laughed. “Long day?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Kennedy muttered. She’d had a long day at work and the last thing she wanted to do was have to answer more questions about her and Jared’s fake relationship, but she refused to give up on the plan when she had promised him that she would do it for all of December.
“Hopefully we can turn that around,” Greta said. “We have tons of wine, so drink as much as you want.”
Kennedy laughed. “Perfect, thank you.”
“Dinner is ready,” Parker said. “Lincoln, Ellie, what are you two doing?”
“Picking out a movie for later,” Ellie said. She held up a DVD. “We have decided on The Grinch. And maybe something else after that if there’s time.”
“If we’re still awake by then, you mean,” Jared said. He yawned. “I’m already falling asleep.”
“We’ll give you coffee with dinner,” Parker said, clapping him on the back. They all walked toward the dining room.
“You better not fall asleep and leave me to talk to your family alone,” Kennedy whispered to him.
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