Chapter 46: Chapter Forty-Six

LOGAN

I knew it was coming. I didn’t think it’d be so soon, but I knew Rae’s dad would drag me off into the other room for an interrogation session eventually. It happens every time I meet a girl’s parents.

Taylor’s father made me go fishing. My junior prom date’s stepdad actually threatened me with a shotgun. I should have told Rae about that. Maybe then she wouldn’t look so guilty.

“It’s great to meet you, Miles, Mr. Olson.” I try to keep my voice steady. Meeting your girlfriend’s family is nerve-racking even if weapons aren’t involved.

“So, Logan, you’re the CEO of your family company?” Miles starts.

~So, Logan~. That’s a weird tactic the families always employ. They use my name an obscene amount. I won’t lie; it ~is~ a bit intimidating. Or, usually, it is.

Miles isn’t really the intimidating type. He’s only a couple of inches taller than Rae, and he doesn’t have all that much muscle mass.

“Yes, I am. Quincy Ventures. It’s a venture cap—”

“You look a little young to be a CEO,” Miles comments.

“I’m twenty-eight. The job might age me pretty fast, though.” I force a laugh.

Miles doesn’t bother to return it, but Mr. Olson does. “Miles, let the man breathe,” he chuckles. “How are you doing, Logan?”

“Well, thanks.” I mirror his grin. “How’s your night been?”

“It’ll be great once Kim brings the turkey out,” he laughs.

“That sounds—” I start.

“You’re five years older than my sister?” Miles pauses to lean back in his chair, smirking. “You’re older than me, and I’m her big brother.”

If he’s trying to intimidate, informing me that he’s younger really isn’t the way to go. I wonder if his shit worked on Rae’s ex. Probably.

“Yeah, I am.” I shouldn’t need to defend myself. Five years isn’t that big a gap. It’s not like I’m dating a college student or some shit.

Miles lets out a ~humph~.

“What do you do, Mr. Olson and Miles?”

“Please, call me Brad.” Mr. Olson—Brad, I guess—smiles warmly, and I can’t help but think back to the way Dad made everyone call him Mr. Quincy.

Miles seems like the kind of guy who will insist on being referred to as mister the second he gains an ounce of power in his job.

“Thanks, Brad.” I’d actually like to get to know him, but Miles is trying to run the show. It’d be pathetic if the stakes weren’t so damn high.

“Dad works in finance too, and I’m an insurance agent.”

Something in common, fucking finally. “What do you do in finance, Brad?”

“I’m in compliance.” ~Oh, shit~. “One of the guys driving the CEO crazy. Don’t worry. I’m retiring at the end of this year.” He lets out a hearty laugh.

“No, I always appreciate our compliance department,” I lie.

He shakes his head. “ ~Sure~ you do.”

Miles shifts in his seat while we chat about our jobs. He tries to chime in a couple of times with anecdotes from his career, but they don’t really fit into the conversation.

The frustrated grimace on his face tells me that he’s aware. I don’t really get why he’s trying so hard in the first place. I’m the one on trial here.

The man who told me I’m family now sticks his head into the study, interrupting our discussion about Brad’s upcoming retirement party. “Brad! Kim needs you.”

Brad grabs my hand for a firm shake. “Duty calls. Come on out, Logan. I’ll introduce you around.”

I stand, relieved to be done interacting with Miles.

Miles, however, doesn’t feel the same. “I’ll show Logan around. I just have a few questions first.”

Brad sighs and grumbles, “Miles,” in a warning tone.

“Logan doesn’t mind, does he?”

~This fucking asshole~. “Of course not.”

Miles places his Sprite can on the floor and starts drumming his fingers on his legs. “So, Logan, what are your intentions with my little sister?”

I really thought this question would have come from Brad, not Rae’s brother, but alright. “I met Rae a couple of months ago, but she’s already very special to me.”

I hate that I have to prove myself to this asshole. Prove myself to her parents, sure. That’s normal. Her scrawny, irritating brother who’s younger than I am? Not so much.

“Yeah, but what are your intentions? What are you in it for?”

I know what my intentions are, and maybe I’d share them with Brad or Rae’s mom, but I can’t take Miles seriously, and I’m pretty sure this is just a weird powerplay.

Apparently, I pause too long.

“I’m asking because she’s been through some serious problems. I don’t know how much Rae trusts you with, but you probably know that she has a lot of issues, right?”

Is he fucking serious right now? “Listen, man, I’m not going into my conversations with Rae about her mental health, but I can assure you she doesn’t have ~issues~.” I grit my teeth through the last words.

“Relax. It’s just a saying.”

No, it’s definitely not. “Okay. I’m going to find Rae. Talk to you la—”

“I don’t think so. You listen, ~man~. Rae can’t handle life with a hotshot CEO. Fancy dinners, public events, all that shit makes her panic. She’s not arm candy.

“If you actually gave a shit about my sister, you wouldn’t drag her into that lifestyle, because we both know she’ll drown in it.”

I open my mouth to speak, but Miles holds a finger in the air, the condescending prick.

“I did some research on your family too, and that’s just the icing on the damn cake. Rae needs support and stability. Doesn’t really seem like the Quincys have that to offer, does it?” He shakes his head.

I might punch my girlfriend’s brother at their family Christmas party. “I think we’re done with this conversation,” I spit out before I actually go through with an assault.

“You know she never showed up to Thanksgiving, right?”

That catches me off guard. I freeze halfway to the door. “What?”

“Rae missed Thanksgiving.”

~Shit~. I completely forgot about Thanksgiving this year. It must have been the week Dad… ~Oh. That’s why Rae didn’t have work~.

Miles smirks as he watches realization hit me. “Let me guess. You forgot and Rae didn’t remind you.”

~Why the fuck didn’t she say anything~? I would never ask her to skip a holiday. That’s fucking crazy.

“She could have spent her Thanksgiving with our family, but she felt obligated to stay with you. If you really care about her, you’ll let her find someone who—”

“Logan?” Rae’s soft, sweet voice interrupts her brother mid-sentence.

“Rae!” Miles shouts excitedly. “Logan and I were just getting to know each other, right, Logan?”

Rae’s eyes light up. “Oh! Sorry to interrupt. Everyone keeps begging me to introduce you. You’re very popular.” She giggles.

“We were just wrapping up.” Miles stands, claps me on the back, and stalks out of the room, kissing Rae’s cheek on his way out.

“I’m so glad you got to spend some time with Miles,” Rae gushes. “We were really close as kids.”

“Yeah, it was great to meet him and your dad,” I reply. Not a chance I relay any of our conversation. Telling her what he said would destroy her night—and her self-esteem.

I’m fucking fuming, but she’s too happy to notice, so I force on a smile and allow Rae lead me out to her mom, who introduces me to all of their relatives. All the adult ones, at least.

At least a dozen kids are running around the house, trying their hardest to avoid getting roped into boring conversations with the adults.

“Supper’s ready!” Kim, Rae’s mom, calls once we’ve made our last round.

I end up sandwiched between Rae and her aunt Carla. “So,” Carla starts, “what’s your family doing for Christmas this year, Logan?”

Rae flinches a little. Her eyes dart around, and I can tell she’s battling with herself, wondering if she should cut the conversation about my family short.

I squeeze her hand to let her know that I can handle it, but she doesn’t seem convinced, making me wonder what ~my~ face looks like.

“Nothing too big this year,” I answer. She looks on expectantly, so I add, “My father recently passed away, so my mom and I are taking it easy.”

“Oh, honey,” Carla presses her hand to her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks.” I force a smile. “What are you doing for the holidays?”

“Oh, the usual. Church, then getting together with the in-laws.” She grins, looking less uncomfortable. “Rae, how’s Zoe doing?”

Rae twists the snowflake charm on her necklace. “Um, good. She’s doing well.”

“I take it Logan’s had the chance to meet her and pass the best friend test?” Carla asks cheekily.

~Meet~ ~Zoe? Yes. Pass her test? Doubtful~. Before I can answer, an uncle calls over, “You talking about Zoe?”

“She’s an honorary Olson,” Carla explains. “Where is she this year?”

“With her boyfriend’s family,” Rae answers quietly.

“Oh, how exciting!”

The uncle who asked about Zoe—Gary, I think—leans over the table, craning his neck towards me. “Doing anything fun for Christmas, Logan?”

“We’re spending it together,” Rae blurts out. The entire table goes quiet, and Rae’s cheeks flush red.

My stomach flips. We never talked about Christmas. I figured Rae would do family stuff while I’d make sure my mom didn’t overdose.

Now, she’s lying to her family—or making an executive decision on plans, which Rae never does—to save me from having to answer questions about my broken family.

Either that, or she’s obligated to waste another holiday with me.

Dinner and dessert pass in a blur of intrusive questions. Rae’s hand clutches mine the entire time, leaving her to eat with her left.

More than once, she misses her food, the way Mom did during that disastrous family dinner.

~Rae needs support and stability. Doesn’t really seem like the Quincys have that to offer, does it?~

What kills me is that he’s not wrong.

After dessert is presents time. The kids go wild, tearing wrapping paper from boxes and throwing empty bags into the air as they scream about what they received from their parents.

Rae’s wearing the huge smile she dons when she’s blissfully happy. It’s my favorite smile, the one that means her depression and anxiety are laying low.

It’s a smile my family will never, ever give her.

***

“Did you have fun?” Rae asks, her tone upbeat and hopeful, as we carry a Tupperware of leftovers and a bag full of gifts to my car.

“I did,” I lie. “Did you?”

“Yeah, I actually did. I was nervous, but I had a really good time. Thanks for coming, Logan. Really. It means a lot.”

“Of course.” ~It’s not like I had any plans~. The Quincys—what’s left of us—aren’t really holiday people.

Her smile falters. ~Fuck~. “Is something wrong? I’m so sorry my family kept asking about—”

“No, it’s fine.” I can’t bear to hear the rest of her apology. “I’m tired. That’s all.”

“Okay.”

I don’t think she believes me, but I don’t have the energy to convince her. We drive back in silence, both wrapped up in our own thoughts.

Tonight made one thing clear. Rae and I occupy different worlds. Hers is wholesome, filled with support and affection from people who love her deeply.

I occupy one where my girlfriend has to skip Thanksgiving and lie about Christmas plans to make me seem less pathetic to her family.

Two of the people Rae loves most in the world, Zoe and Miles, hate my guts. At what point do I accept that the pitchforks are out for a valid reason?