The tender, vulnerable look in her eyes just adds to the tears streaming down my face. But it isn’t because of happiness or gratitude. It’s because I feel like an absolute fucking fraud.
As I take her in for a hug, I can only tell her the truth.
“Baby, you were absolutely amazing.”
Chapter 20
Oliver
“Woo, that was so much fun!” Roxy says as we walk through the doors of the mansion at one in the morning. After her set, we stayed another couple of hours, and she’s feeling pretty tipsy. “I’m so glad you guys came.”
“We’re glad we did too,” Mindy says quietly, exchanging a glance with me. I know what she’s feeling and thinking. The raw emotion Roxy displayed for us set us both on edge. I feel worse for Mindy. She wanted to please her family too much and didn’t think of the consequences. Now we’re mired in a web of lies. Even if she did want this to last past this week, the amount of lies and bullshit is so deep that it could poison any chance of our having peace.
We can keep it up for a week, but for longer? Hell, I can barely keep the stories straight now, and I’ve been the ones telling them. No matter what, for Mindy, it has to end after we go home.
Nothing can be done about it now, I say to myself. Only two nights left.
I don’t know if I could go back to my life though. Knowing that Mindy’s literally around the corner? I’ll never be able to have a minute’s peace.
“You guys looked really good together,” Roxy continues. “I saw you dancing on the floor. Y’all were tearing it up.”
“Yeah,” Mindy says quietly without much enthusiasm. “Listen, Rox, I’m kinda tired, and with the ceremony tomorrow . . . well, I’m gonna head up to bed.”
“Sure,” Roxy says, giving me a big wink. “You too, Oli?”
“Yeah,” I agree. “Roxy . . . you’ve got real talent. Don’t stop singing, okay?”
My words pierce some of the fog of alcohol around her, and she nods. “Sure, Oli.” She gives me a big hug, squeezing my neck hard. “I’m gonna love having you as a brother-in-law. Thank you.”
We all three head upstairs, Roxy in front since she’s down the hall from us and her balance isn’t quite what it needs to be. As Mindy and I make sure she doesn’t fall and break her neck, she rambles on. “I can't wait for your wedding. It will be something truly special. Mindy, you gonna let me walk you down the aisle? “
Mindy hesitates, glancing at me. I place a hand on her arm, giving her a nod. Even if we’re a lie, Roxy can walk her down when Mindy does get married. “Of course,” she says weakly. “That would be great, Roxy.”
“What’s wrong?” Roxy asks, turning on the riser. I guess she could hear it in her sister’s voice. She weaves a bit, and I steady her shoulders as she peers at her closely. “This ain’t the time to be gettin’ sappy!”
“Just tired. The dancing, ya know,” Mindy says quietly. “Takes it out of you.”
“Girl, you act as if you’re as old as Grandma.” Roxy giggles. “Y’all go on. I’m good to get to my room. Good night, sis, I love you both.”
“Night, love you,” Mindy says. “Thank you for the song.”
“Goodnight, Roxy,” I echo, feeling like I just got punched in the chest. Roxy loves me too? Fuck me, what am I supposed to do now? No matter what, we’re going to break her damn heart.
We go into the room. Neither of us says anything, although I can tell she’s having the same thoughts I am.
Mindy walks over and sits down on the bed, sliding off her shoes before she leans forward, putting her elbows on her knees. “I had fun tonight. Until . . .” Her voice trails off. She shakes her head, her eyes clouded as I come over and sit down next to her. “It never really hit me how far we’ve gone with this thing until I heard the emotion in Roxy’s voice. How much she feels for us.”
I’m silent. I’m not sure what to say. I want to tell her that maybe Roxy’s convinced our love is genuine because it is real. Maybe the silly girl sees something we’re too stupid to see. But I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet. As much as I love being with Mindy, we’ve only been with each other for five days. Everything I’ve ever been told tells me it’s impossible to know if you love a person that fast.
But at the same time, no one has ever made me feel the way she makes me feel. I never believed in storybook love before, the sort of all-consuming, all-encompassing love that hits like a bolt of lightning and changes your life forever.