Faking It

by Christine d'Abo

  “Language.”

  “Sorry. But Dad, this is nuts.” Thirty voice mail messages and over a hundred unanswered emails. “Why would she do this?”

  “She knew you needed time to heal. We both saw how upset you were when you got here, and then saw the story on the show. You didn’t need that in your face. Not when you were dealing with a broken heart already.”

  There were five emails from Zack, and those were the ones he opened first. What the hell is going on with you? Do you need us to come out there? Dude, we’re worried about you. Let us know. Pretty much what he’d expected. There were a few emails from Cameron, but no issues with Frantic.

  Everything else was asking about the breakup.

  Max tossed his phone on the counter. “Remind me to thank Mom.”

  “You can do it now. Looks like the car just pulled in.”

  His mom jumped out of the driver’s side, but she looked to be talking to someone. “She go with a friend?”

  His dad joined him to look out the window. “Nope.”

  One moment she was standing there alone, and the next Grady slipped out of the passenger side to join her at the trunk.

  Max blinked. Then blinked again. The man standing there morphed from Grady to one of his dad’s friends. Jesus, what the hell was wrong with him if he saw Grady everywhere he went?

  “She always seems to find the best things at the store. I’ll go help with the bags.”

  “No, you won’t. You’re not supposed to be lifting anything. And use your walker or else she’s going to be livid.” Max sighed, the knowledge that his life had become more complicated and it wasn’t going to get better anytime soon pressing down on him. “Go talk to Steve and I’ll help her.”

  The moment he stepped outside, the cool fall breeze washed over him and chased away some of his bad mood. “Let me take those, Mom.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart. Steve, just set them in the kitchen.”

  “Will do. Where’s the old bastard?”

  Max took an armful of bags. “Probably pouring you a coffee as we speak.” With a look at his mom, he waited for Steve to go in before he narrowed his gaze. “You.”

  He didn’t need to say anything else. It only took her a moment to realize what had happened. “You found out about the phone.”

  “I wanted to be angry, but then I put the SIM card back in.”

  “How many messages?”

  “More than I would have wanted to deal with.” He placed a kiss to the middle of her forehead. “Thank you.”

  “I couldn’t believe that they’d air something like that on TV. I mean, that’s someone’s private life that they’re sticking their nose into.”

  “You watch those gossip shows every night.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Those are celebrities. They don’t count.”

  “Grady is a celebrity.”

  A blush bloomed across her cheeks. “Well, he’s a fool for letting you get away from him. Why anyone would say no to my baby is beyond me.”

  “I’m so far past being a baby—”

  “Don’t get smart. You know what I mean.” She bumped past him and marched up the stairs. “There’s kitty litter in the backseat.”

  “You don’t have a cat.”

  “For the snow.”

  “It’s October.”

  He didn’t need to see her face to picture her exasperation. “It was on sale.”

  Max trailed along behind her, making note that he’d have to go back for the kitty litter. His dad and Steve had disappeared into the basement, no doubt so they could add some whiskey to the coffee without upsetting his mom. He put the bags down, handing her the occasional thing as she put the items away.

  “So when do you think you’re going to head home?” She kept her head half stuck in the fridge. “Not that I don’t love having you here, but it’s cheaper to feed a small army than filling you up.”

  “I told you’d I’d help out with that.”

  She waved him away. “That bar of yours must be missing you.”

  As competent as Cameron was, Max knew there were things only he could see to. He really did need to get back to Frantic sooner than later. And yet, the thought of walking back into the place where he’d first seen Grady, first got to know him—those feelings were still too raw.

  “Maybe next week. I think they’ll live without me.” Max had seen his mom in many different moods, but when she sighed and shut the fridge door a bit too hard, he wasn’t ready for it. “What?”

  “You’re every bit the coward that you accused that boy of being.”

  “Mom—”

  “No, you listen. You had a fight. I hate to tell you: all couples do. Yes, you come from different backgrounds. Well, so what? Do you think your father and I had it easy just because we were both from the same place and our parents made the same money? Hell no. Any relationship worth a damn is work.”

  “I know that.” Now more than ever before. “But there was a whole lot more to it than that.”

  “Not really. Look,” she crossed her arms and pressed her lips together. “Max, hon. Do you love him?”

  “I’ve only known him a week. Well, two if you want to count the few days I’ve been here. You can’t love anyone that quickly.”

  “You’re right. Okay, let me rephrase. Do you think you could love him? When you look at this man does your heart beat that little bit faster, and do you get that funny tingle in your feet that makes you want to get up and move? Preferably closer to him. Do you find yourself wondering at weird times what he might be doing and wondering if he’s happy?”

  With every word she said, Max’s chest tightened. “Yes.”

  “Then while you might not be in love yet, you’re damn well on your way toward it. So you can do one of two things. You can come up with a plan on how you’re going to win him back, or you can do your best to forget him and move on. Either way, you need to do that back in Toronto where your life is.”

  There were too many emotions rolling through him just then to sort everything out. Instead, he hugged his mom. “I love you.”

  “I love you too, baby.” She kissed his cheek. “I’m going to make shepherd’s pie for supper. While I do that, you’re going to sit at the table and buy a ticket home. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Max went to the table and flipped the lid of his laptop open. “Mom?”

  “Yup?”

  “It’s too soon for me to love him. Right?”

  She grinned. “Nope.”

  “Damn.” He sat down and started looking at flights home.

  He’d have to figure the rest out later.

  The day everything changed . . . again

  Grady sat at the back table of the Pear Tree restaurant, staring at his phone and wondering if he’d made the biggest mistake of his life. That in itself would be impressive given how many screwups he’d been a part of. Still, borrowing money from his father for an investment opportunity had the potential to be amazing—and not just for him. If things went the way he’d hoped, he’d have enough money to support himself and help bolster Ringside Gym. That was, if Max was willing to give him another chance.

  Grady had talked things out with his father, and while he had to fight to trust him and knew that it would take a long time for things to become okay between them, maybe they were finally on the right path.

  Only time would tell.

  Lincoln and Serena were on their honeymoon now and, based on their Facebook posts, were having an amazing time. Justin had come for the wedding, but disappeared as soon as the ceremony was over, no doubt wanting to avoid his father’s wrath. Grady didn’t know where he’d gone off to.

  He couldn’t worry about Justin, not when he had a more pressing problem to solve.

  How could he reach out to Max.

  It wasn’t as though he didn’t know where Max was. Not only did he have his home and work address, he was currently sitting a very short walk away from the gym Max was trying to help get back up and running. The gym tha
t Grady had promised to help pay for as a thank-you for Max taking two weeks out of his life for Grady. The thing that his plan to win Max back hinged on.

  Instead of doing what Lincoln had suggested before leaving for his honeymoon and simply going to the bar and talking to Max, Grady had been coming to the Pear Tree for a week, hoping to run into Max somehow. It was the most cowardly way to do it, but he wasn’t ready for anything else.

  Because as good as it had felt to walk away from Vancouver and his old life, Grady was terrified. There were so many unknowns now, so many things he had to wrap his head around, that he didn’t know where to start. He’d agreed with his father that the best option was for him to strike out on his own, make his way financially with a fresh start. But that meant learning things the hard way. The hotel he currently called home was far below the normal standard he was used to.

  Still, a roof over his head and clean sheets were more important than room service and a well-stocked mini bar. He’d quickly discovered the joys of microwave meals, which were passable at best. Hopefully, he’d solve his job issue quickly so he could go back to eating the way he was accustomed.

  Then again, maybe he would never get to that point. Only time would tell.

  In the meantime, he was totally going to enjoy his chicken salad and water. Because he was now a responsible adult on a budget.

  He was busy stabbing the hell out of a spinach leaf when someone came to stand over his table. Looking up, there was a tall, lanky man with hair that hung a bit too long across the left side of his face. The man’s grin lit up his eyes, and somehow managed to lift Grady’s spirits. “Hello?”

  “You’re Grady Barnes.” The man spoke the words with the frenzied excitement that only a true fan possessed. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “It’s me. I’m trying to keep things low profile these days, though I’m always happy to sign an autograph.”

  “Yes. I mean, no. You’re Grady Barnes.” The man’s grin was almost manic. “This is turning out to be the best day ever.”

  Without warning, the man pulled out the chair opposite Grady’s and sat down. Shit, why did the cute ones always have to be crazy? “I’m sorry, I was eating my lunch. And as much as I love meeting a fan, I’d prefer to have my lunch in peace.”

  “Right. You didn’t see me before.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Nolan Carmichael.”

  Grady was about to call the waiter over for help, when he stopped. “Nolan?”

  “As in Zack and Nolan. From Ringside. We’re friends of Max.”

  Oh. Oh! “Nolan. Nice to meet you.” He shook his hand as the tension bled from him. “Sorry, I’ve had a few fans do some crazy shit in the past. You can’t be too careful when meeting strangers.”

  Like inviting them to be your fake fiancé.

  “It’s fine. I was just so surprised to see you here that I forgot my manners.” He waved to the waiter. “I’m hiding over here.” The waiter nodded. “I’m doing a lunch pickup. Zack is close to nailing down another corporate sponsor for our official launch in a few months. I didn’t want him going anywhere until that was done.”

  The niggling guilt about letting Max down came back. “Who is he talking to?”

  Nolan rolled his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know. He’s being all James Bond about the whole thing. I think he’s worried it will fall through and I’ll be disappointed. Which is crazy because this is his dream. I’m just along for the ride.”

  They chatted while Nolan waited for his order and Grady picked at his salad. It was wonderful to have a conversation with someone who knew who he was but didn’t have any expectations. The only other time that had happened was when he’d first approached Max.

  “Okay, so I’ve been trying to hold back the obvious question. You and Max? I saw the video.”

  “Everyone saw that video.” Being in Toronto was a bit less painful than his remaining time in Vancouver had been. Friends and family were only slightly worse than the pitying looks he’d get from strangers on the street.

  It was still hard to think about what had happened between them, let alone talk about it to a complete stranger. If nothing else, Nolan knew Max, probably better than he did. It was an opportunity for him to learn some answers to the questions that had been haunting him since he’d left home.

  After stabbing a cherry tomato, he held it halfway to his mouth and stared at it. “I was an idiot.”

  Nolan shrugged. “From what I saw there was lots of idiocy going around that day. I assume you’re here to try and make things right?”

  “That was the plan. Well, and to find a job. I’ve been cut off from the family fortune by my father.”

  “Ouch.”

  “It’s fine. In the end I spoke with my father, and it will be for the best.”

  “Ah. Did you think about asking Max for a job?” Nolan paused when the waiter came over with three large bags of takeout. “Thanks.”

  Grady waited until the waiter was gone again. “No. I wanted to get everything figured out before I went and saw him. The last thing I wanted was for him to think that I couldn’t handle things on my own.” He shifted in his seat, feeling strangely overwhelmed talking to someone who knew Max better than he did. “I need to do the right thing for him.”

  “So you’ve been in the city for how long?”

  “Four days.”

  “And I assume you’re staying somewhere.”

  “A little hole in the wall hotel.”

  Nolan sighed, and Grady instantly knew he was being evaluated. “Okay, you need help.”

  “I’m more than capable of figuring this out. I came here with a plan to win Max back.”

  “Oh?” There was something in Nolan’s voice that told Grady he wasn’t exactly convinced.

  “I don’t have money, not of my own. But I have spoken to my father about opening my own business. He’s agreed to front me a business loan, and I can invest it in whatever business opportunity I want.” Grady smiled. “Like a bar. Or a gym.”

  Nolan sat up a bit straighter. “And you haven’t spoken to Max about this yet?”

  “Not yet. I didn’t know if he’d want me around, let alone inserting myself into his professional life. I would want to invest, but I’d also hope to earn an income. I have a plan in place to repay my father.” Taking a loan from his father might turn out to be the best decision he’d ever made. Or it could turn into a nightmare. He wouldn’t know until he spoke to Max.

  “Well, we’re just about ready to open the gym. While we’re not going to do the grand opening for a bit, we can’t afford to keep the doors closed much longer.” Nolan stood up and held out one of the bags. “How about I pay for your lunch, you come with me to Ringside, and I show you around? I could use some help in the office while Zack is doing . . . whatever the hell he’s been doing these days. You can see if the gym is the sort of business you’d be interested in being a part of.”

  Grady slowly got to his feet. “I hear a ‘but’ coming.”

  “But Max. He’s a silent partner, and while he might not be there every day, he does come by at least once a week. The two of you will need to work out this thing that’s going on between you before you get involved with the gym. You can work there. Hell, we could use the help. As long as you’re willing to use that killer smile of yours to bring some people in.”

  The smile stretched across Grady’s face. “I don’t think that will be a problem.”

  “Oh good. And I hope you and Max work things out. He’s been grumpy as fuck since he got back. I think he misses you.”

  “He said that?”

  “Not in so many words. But it’s obvious to anyone who knows him. That spark he always seems to have hasn’t been there.” Nolan poked Grady in the shoulder. “Fix that. I might even give you a raise.”

  Max missed him. Maybe things weren’t as far gone as Grady had assumed. “You got it, boss.”

  Nolan laughed. “‘Boss’? I’ve never been anyone’s boss before. I’m going to lik
e having you around.”

  Max stepped out into the alley behind Frantic, two large bags of garbage in each hand, and was confronted by a patron who’d assumed the oh God I’m going to vomit position. Max smiled, shook his head, and did his best to keep an eye on the man as he got rid of the trash. So far there was no heaving, no acrid scent to turn his stomach. Maybe he’d get lucky for once on a Friday night and not have to deal with this.

  Memories of being here—God, was it only a few weeks ago?—seeing Grady for that first time, rushed back. Stepping farther into the alley, Max tried to get a look at the man leaning against the wall. He was about the same height as Grady, same build, but the clothes were all wrong. Nothing more than wishful thinking on his part.

  Which meant it was time to be the responsible bar owner. “Are you okay, buddy?”

  A smacking sound and the guy lifted his head. “Yup.”

  Max was shocked at the force of his own disappointment when it wasn’t Grady’s voice that he heard. “Do you need me to get you someone? Are you here with a friend? Boyfriend?”

  “Nope.”

  “No, you don’t need me to get you someone? Or no, you’re not here with anyone?”

  “Nope.”

  It was weird how a short time ago, a similar situation had sent him on an adventure with Grady. His desire to look after everyone but himself had put him on a path that had turned into a journey of self-discovery. After coming home from Calgary, he felt more settled than he had in years. Part of that had to do with the peace that had fallen between him and his father. Finally knowing what had been going on with him had given Max new perspective on a great many things.

  He loved his bar. Loved the freedom it allowed him. Maybe he didn’t love vomit and drunks, but those were small irritants. His staff were his family—and the ribbing he’d taken about the breakup video only served to prove it—and the thought of leaving them wasn’t something he’d ever entertain again. Nolan and Zack ran the gym, and he’d continue to be a silent partner, but Frantic was his baby.