Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

GEMMA

I look at Grammy Jane. Tears well in my eyes and she immediately pulls me into an embrace.

“Oh, sweetie. What in the world is going on?”

I sink into her comfort. “It’s so confusing. I don’t know why he lied to me. He’s come on so strong, claiming he wants forever, but apparently thinks I’m a moron and don’t know who he is. I’ve been waiting for him to tell me the truth since the first moment I met him, but he’s been steadfast in the lie. I don’t understand it.”

When the famous baseball player Trey DePaul first tapped on my shoulder in the restaurant, I nearly fell out of my seat. You see those guys on television, but seeing someone larger than life in person leaves you speechless. And he’s gorgeous. More beautiful than any man I’ve ever known.

He mentioned being my client. It took me a moment, but I realized he was claiming to be Trey Donatucci , my alleged Book Boyfriend Builders client. A plumber. Suddenly the profile picture made sense, and I connected the dots. What I didn’t understand was why he signed up for the service.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to play along. After all, he did pay our hefty fee. He was entitled to my service. Who am I to judge why he wanted it?

She questions, “You’ve never said anything to him letting him know that you know who he is?”

I shake my head. “No. It needs to come from him. Honestly, at first, I thought he was just trying to fly under the radar. He wanted to sign up for my service but didn’t want anyone to know he needed it. A famous, handsome baseball player? Women undoubtedly flock to him. The night we met, he gave me a speech about wanting a woman who doesn’t care about his job. I felt bad for him. I tried to imagine myself in his shoes. Women probably throw themselves at him for all the wrong reasons, so I decided to see where it went. For weeks, I was helping him learn about how book boyfriends behave. Looking back, I realize he asked a lot of questions about my specific wants and needs.”

“How did he end up in your bed?”

“The night before you met him on the call, he kissed me and admitted that he signed up for my service because he was enamored with me. He’s so intense about his feelings. He showers me with…love and affection. Constantly.”

“It’s kind of romantic.”

“It’s incredibly romantic. He’s incredibly romantic. He openly and unashamedly professes his love to me all the time, but equally lies to my face about who he is. I don’t know what to believe, and I don’t understand why he hasn’t told me the truth of his identity.”

“How do you feel about him?”

Tears fall down my cheeks. “I know it’s quick, and I’m usually so rational regarding matters of the heart, but I think I’m falling for him. It feels special, but then I keep going back to the lie.”

“How’s the sex?”

I let out a laugh through my tears. “You have a one-track mind, and the sex is mind-blowingly good.” I let out a breath. “ The chemistry we share is like…like what I write about in my books.”

She squeezes me close. “We’ll figure this out. I’ll take care of my girl this week, and we’ll make a plan for the sexy Mr. DePaul.”

I hold her tight, taking in her familiar, comforting scent, not wanting to let go. “I’m so glad I’m here. I’ve missed you.”

“Me too. For now, we have lunch with Happy, Millie, and Mortimer.”

I smile, feeling my spirits lift immediately. “I’m excited to see them. I can’t wait to hear about their shenanigans.”

We gather my luggage and drive straight to the clubhouse of her community for our lunch date. Happy is nearing eighty, like my grandmother. She’s got a stereotypical, gray grandma-helmet hairstyle. Millie is a few years younger with longer, dark hair that I notice has a lot more gray than last year when I visited. It’s usually up in a bun, and she’s always dressed nicely. Mortimer dotes on her. He’s ex-military, with a big belly and hardly any hair at all.

They each embrace me like I’m their own grandchild. Being here with all of them is always soup for my soul.

Happy, never one to mince words, says, “I hear you’ve got a sexy man. Tell us about him.”

I look at my grandmother, and she gives me a subtle shake of her head. She hasn’t told them who he is.

I shrug. “He’s definitely a sexy man, but we have a few obstacles. We’ll see where it goes.” I try to keep it light. “It’s very new.”

“Is he younger?”

“No. We’re the same age. Why?”

She smirks. “Your grandmother has been seeing a younger man for a few weeks.” She gives Grammy Jane a cheeky wink.

I turn in mock shock at my grandmother. “It appears you’ve been keeping secrets too.”

She seems unaffected. “You haven’t called. I would have told you if you did.” She pops a grape into her mouth. “Maybe there’s still a little gas left in this old tank.”

“Are you in a reverse age-gap romance? Will I be writing your story soon?”

She holds her head up high. “Darling, let me give you some life advice from someone who has been around the block a few times.” Without an ounce of shame, she declares, “The hole lasts longer than the pole.”

I burst out laughing. “Ohmigod, that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.” I quickly pull out my phone to type it in my notes. “That’s definitely going in a book.”

She grins with pride. “I thought it might. I’ve been working on it for days.”

“Will I get to meet this younger stud?”

She wipes the corners of her mouth. “We’ll see. He’s away for Christmas but will be back toward the end of the week.”

I raise my eyebrow at her, indicating that we’ll be discussing this further.

I turn to Happy. “What about you? I heard that Samuel was…excited to see you recently.”

“Yes, he was. Maybe I’ll give that old coot a chance one of these days.”

“Are you playing hard to get?”

“At my age, you risk death by waiting too long. My grandson is coming to visit next week. Perhaps I’ll call Samuel after he leaves.”

“I haven’t seen Christian in ages. How is he?” Her grandson is a few years younger than me.

She twists her lips. “He told me he goes both ways. If I hear that someone goes both ways, I figure it’s number one and number two. I had to call my son to find out what Christian was talking about.”

This crew cracks me up.

My grandmother shrugs. “I had to explain to her what bisexual means and that it’s better to be bisexual. Then you’ve got a chance at everybody.”

I slowly nod. “It’s a valid point. I can’t argue with the math behind that.”

They then spend the rest of lunch telling me crazy stories, hoping a few land in my books. Apparently, in retirement communities, meeting at the sixteenth hole on golf courses is code for secret hookups.

I love this place.

After lunch with my favorite troublemakers, Grammy Jane and I head back to her house for a girly afternoon. It’s our Christmas Eve tradition. We get into our matching Christmas-themed pajamas early, watch movies, and eat crap we don’t normally allow ourselves to indulge in.

When the first movie ends and I’m in a chocolate fudge coma, she turns to me. “Are you ready to talk about him?” She crosses her arms in challenge. “If not, we can watch G.I. Jane .”

I roll my eyes. “Oh god, anything but that.” Why the hell does she love that terrible movie?

She giggles, and I sigh. “I’m not sure what’s left to say. Everything between us is good. It’s great. He’s sweet, loving, attentive, and more than outwardly into me. He practically lives to make my fantasies come true. I just can’t go all in while I know he’s lying to me. I’m enjoying him while I can. I imagine he has to go back to New York at some point.”

“Where is he staying?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. He always makes it a point to do things near my place so we never consider staying at his. He must think it’s odd that I’ve never mentioned going to his place, but I don’t want to force anything out of him. I’m still hoping he tells me the truth on his own.”

“Tell me more about him. ”

I can’t help the smile that finds my lips. “He’s amazing. He’s thoughtful and kind and treats me like I’m the center of his universe. I’ve never had a man look at me the way Trey DePaul does. The heat we share in the bedroom is like an inferno. I love that he’s close to his sister. His niece and nephew are his happy place like you’re mine.”

She squeezes my hand in gratitude. “Has he met your boys?”

I shake my head. “No. Val and CJ know I’m seeing someone. That’s it. I won’t give them fake information, and obviously they’ll know who he is the second they meet him.”

“Perhaps he has a good reason. All I care about is that you’re happy.”

“He makes me happy. Sublimely happy. I just wish it wasn’t so hard.”

She lovingly rubs my back. “Just remember, life is like a penis.”

I smile, loving that she brings levity to every situation. God knows what’s about to come out of her mouth. “How so?”

“Sometimes it’s up and sometimes it’s down. But it won’t be hard forever.”

“How beautiful. Do you have a pillow with that sewn in?”

“No, but maybe I should get one.”

I wake in the morning to the now familiar feeling of Trey’s arms wrapped around my body from behind. I mindlessly trace the veins in his muscular forearms. I’ve never thought of myself as a forearm woman, but his arms drive me wild. They exude strength and power.

I’m ogling his arms when I look around and it occurs to me that I’m at my grandmother’s house and Trey is in bed with me. What the hell?

I turn around in his arms, which causes him to stir. We’re nose to nose when his eyes blink open and he smiles .

“Umm…what are you doing here?”

He moves my hair out of my face, and, in his sexy morning voice, croaks, “I missed you.”

“I’ve been gone for one day.”

He squeezes my body close to his and kisses my neck. “One day too long.”

“How did you get in?”

“Grammy Jane loves me. We’re besties.”

He starts to move his lips toward mine, but I hold my hand up. “Morning breath.”

“Don’t care.”

His lips take mine. I’m hesitant at first but then give in when his warm lips latch on. This feels bizarrely intimate.

His hands move up my sleep shorts and over my bare hips. I’ve noticed he loves to have his hands on my hips, and I more than enjoy it.

He pulls my top leg over him until I can feel his erection between my legs. He’s always ready to go.

I mumble into his mouth, “What trope are we doing?”

He smiles into my mouth. “The madly in love trope.”

“I don’t think that’s an official book trope.”

He kisses along my jaw and whispers, “It’s ours, baby.”

This guy.

I feel around his body and discover that he’s naked. Naked Trey is the sexiest thing in the world. His body is a dream. He’s every book boyfriend I’ve ever created, rolled into one.

He easily maneuvers my pajamas off until I’m completely naked too. He moves his fingers between my legs. “You have no idea what a turn-on it is for me that you’re always so wet.”

“It’s not just for you. It’s all guys who do it for me.”

He lifts his head in shock, and I giggle. “Sorry, it seemed cliché to say it’s all you . I can’t imagine I’m the first woman to make you hard.”

“You’re the first woman who incentivized me to put an extra hole in my dick. ”

I giggle again. “Fair enough.” I gently run my fingers through his hair as my face turns serious. “No one has ever made me feel as good as you make me feel.”

He nods. “That’s much better.”

We’re about to take things up a notch when my bedroom door opens. Fortunately, we’re covered by the blankets.

I lift my head to see Grammy Jane’s smiling face. “Grammy Jane, what kind of grandmother allows a strange man to slip into her granddaughter’s bed in the middle of the night? I’m appalled.”

She looks around until her eyes find my pajamas on the floor. “You were so appalled that your pajamas fell off?”

I let out a laugh. “No, I blame Trey for that.”

“If that man were in my bed, my pajamas would suddenly fall off too. They almost fell off from one room over.”

Trey grins widely. “You two are so cute together. Merry Christmas to you both.” He reaches over to his bag on the floor and pulls out two small gifts. He hands one to me and one to Grammy Jane.

I whine, “Ugh, Trey, I didn’t bring your gift with me.”

“Waking up to two beautiful ladies is my gift. Open them.”

Mine is a long, rectangular-shaped gift and Grammy Jane’s is a small square one. We both tear at our respective wrapped gifts. I open a velvet box and gasp. It’s a stunning emerald bracelet. “Trey, this is too much.”

“It’s the same color as your eyes. I saw it and immediately thought of you.”

Grammy Jane opens hers and it’s the matching stud earrings. Her face furrows. “Trey, I can’t accept this.”

“They match your eyes too. One day, you can pass them along to Gemma and the set will be reunited. For now, enjoy them.”

Grammy Jane deadpans, “He’s been here for a few hours and he’s already killing me off.”

Trey and I both laugh .

She looks at Trey. “I have everything you asked for. Come out when you two are…ready.”

At that, she walks out the door and closes it behind her.

I look at him in question. “What was that about?”

“I gave her some ingredients that I need to make you ladies Christmas breakfast and other fun treats. We can make everything together.”

My shoulders fall. “I hate that you’re missing this tradition with your family. I know it means a lot to you.”

He softly kisses my lips. “I hope it becomes our tradition.”

I get a knot in my throat. I’m so confused by him.

Before I can respond, he nods toward the bracelet. “May I?”

I hold out my wrist. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

“It pales in comparison to your beauty.”

He clasps the truly stunning piece of jewelry around my wrist and rubs his thumb over it. “I love it on you. There are more pieces in the collection.”

“I don’t need you to buy me things. I just want you. The real you.”

I do my best to emphasize the word real, hoping he’ll confess, but he doesn’t. He simply suggests we get dressed and get started on breakfast.

We’re now at the big Christmas Day pool party. Santa is doing his best to bounce around, even though I think he’s nearing ninety-five at this point. It’s been the same man playing Santa for as long as my grandmother has lived here.

Every single elderly woman here has danced with Trey in his adorable Santa hat. Somehow, he makes Santa sexy, something I never thought I’d consider. I suddenly want to do him in nothing but that hat.

He’s happily indulged the enamored women of this community, and he happens to be an amazing dancer .

I look around. Despite the warm temperature, this place truly embodies the Christmas spirit. Not only did the community spare no expense when it came to their Christmas décor, but it’s full of smiles and holiday cheer.

I can’t help but laugh to myself at the line of women waiting to dance with my man. Apparently when my grandmother learned late last night that Trey was flying in, she told her friends not to acknowledge who he is. Half the people in this community are originally from New York. All of them would have known right away but are playing along.

We had such a fun morning cooking together. He’s shockingly talented in the kitchen. The french toast was the best I’ve ever had in my life. And then we made Christmas cookies. He was such a natural at it, clearly taking joy in working in the kitchen and in spending time with me.

He fed me, doted on me, touched me, kissed me, and loved me. It’s truly like a dream. One I’m afraid will morph into a nightmare.

Grammy Jane stands next to me as we watch Trey twirl Happy around the poolside dance floor with a huge smile on his face, though not as big as the one on Happy’s face.

She rubs my arm. “He’s wonderful.”

“I know.”

“He’s in love with you.”

“I know.”

“You’re falling in love with him.”

I close my eyes. “I know. I don’t understand. It’s all happened so quickly.”

“I knew the moment I met your grandfather. When it’s the right one, you know.”

“But he’s still lying to me about who he is.”

“I suspect he has his reasons. I think it’s time to confront him. I’d say you need to do so before you get in too deep, but you’re already there, sweetheart.”

I nod. “You’re right. ”

I walk over to Trey and Happy. “You’re monopolizing my man. May I cut in?”

Happy scowls but reluctantly pulls away. Trey happily takes me into his big arms. I wrap my arms around his neck and look up at him.

He smiles down at me. “Finally, the woman I want to dance with.”

“Happy might murder me in my sleep to get to you.”

He chuckles. “She kept grabbing my ass.”

“I bet she did.”

“She told me the funniest joke.”

“She’s full of them. What was it?”

“What did one saggy boob say to the other saggy boob?”

“What?”

“If we don’t get some support soon, people will think we’re nuts.”

I let out a laugh. “Typical Happy joke.”

I lift on my tippy toes and kiss his lips.

“What was that for?”

“Thank you for today. All of it. Your thoughtful gifts, the beautiful breakfast, and for being so good to my grandmother and her friends. You made this Christmas a special one.”

“I’d do anything for you, Gemma.”

How can a man look so sincere when I know he’s hiding something?

He expertly twirls me a few times and I giggle. “Why are you such a good dancer?”

“My parents forced Diana and me to take lessons for years. They said it would look good on our college applications.”

“But you didn’t go to college, did you?”

He shakes his head.

I didn’t mean to do it in this setting, but it slips out. “Because the Bombers drafted you right out of high school.”

He stops moving and his smile immediately fades away. He’s quiet for a few long beats before asking, “How long have you known?”

“Since you tapped on my shoulder at the bar, and I turned around and saw you.”

He exhales a long breath, almost as if a burden has been lifted. “Can we go for a walk and talk about it?”

I nod.

I motion to my grandmother that we’re leaving, and we exit the pool area. Given the time of year, it already gets dark before five o’clock. We walk away from the bright lights of the party into the twilight.

He takes my hand in his and I let him. “Well, you haven’t kicked me in the balls or thrown me out, so I suppose that’s a good sign. I don’t want to have a third-act breakup.”

I roll my eyes. “This isn’t a romance novel, Trey. I’m not interested in throwing a dramatic tantrum about betrayal and storming off where we both wallow in misery for weeks or months. I want an honest conversation. It’s all I’ve ever wanted from you. I need to understand why. Why have you been lying to me for two months? You can’t tell me you love me and then also lie to my face every single day. The two things simply don’t go hand in hand.”

“Gemma, besides my last name and job, everything I’ve said to you is the truth.”

“You live in Philadelphia?” I accusatorily ask.

He winces knowing there’s more to it than his name and job. “You know I don’t.”

“Where have you been staying?”

“With my friend Layton.”

My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “As in Layton Lancaster?” Only the biggest baseball star on the planet.

He nods. “Yes, he’s one of my best friends.”

“Start talking, DePaul .”

“Cheetah—”

“As in Cruz Gonzales?” Another huge baseball star .

“Yes, he’s also a close friend. I was out to dinner in New York City with Layton, Cheetah, and our agent, Tanner Montgomery. Tanner just got divorced, and we were all trying to cheer him up. Cheetah kept looking at his phone. It turns out that he was watching your Book Boyfriend Builders video.”

Fucking hell, that video had a far reach. Famous baseball players? Our drunk asses were crazy.

He continues. “He’s a romance book reader so he knew who all of you were.”

“Cheetah Gonzales, the famous baseball player, reads our books?”

“Yes. Religiously. He turned the phone to show us the video, and I swear to god, it was like a shot to the heart when I saw your face. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. Your laugh and smile were intoxicating. I couldn’t take my eyes off you. There was nothing I wouldn’t do to meet you. I didn’t think. We sat right there at dinner and filled out the application.”

“You’re telling me that Layton Lancaster, Cheetah Gonzales, and Tanner Montgomery all sat there with you to fill out our Book Boyfriend application?”

He nods. “Yes. We all contributed something to it.”

“What about—”

“I wrote the personal statement myself. Cheetah took the picture of my ass. That was his idea. The personal statement was all me.”

I nod. “Why lie about who you are?”

“I didn’t want to use my notoriety. You have no idea what it’s like to never know a woman’s true intentions. They see money and fame before us as individuals.”

“And once we met?”

“I wanted you to get to know me, Trey, the man who was already head over heels for you. Not Trey DePaul the baseball player.”

I sigh. Part of me understands it, and part of me is still hurt .

“Everything I’ve told you since is true. There was no Jenna. I made her up to get to know you and spend time with you.”

“How could you possibly think that I wouldn’t recognize you?”

“I’m not Layton, with paparazzi following me wherever I go. People in New York know me, but I’m not known everywhere. I don’t have issues like he has all over the country.” He rubs his beard. “Plus, I have this now. I’m not allowed to grow it during the season. I thought I could fly under the radar for a bit.”

“You know I’m into sports.”

“Football, not baseball. You’ve never once mentioned baseball.”

“Because baseball isn’t in season right now.”

He shrugs.

“When were you going to tell me?”

“Cheetah begged me to tell you. I tried so many times, but something would always happen that would make me afraid. I decided I wanted you to fall in love with me first.” His eyes fill with tears. “So you wouldn’t leave me. But it was becoming too much to bear. I was truly planning to tell you when you got home from Florida. Then you left yesterday morning, and I missed you. I couldn’t go the week without you.”

I take a few deep breaths. I don’t know what to do.

He falls down to his knees in front of me, buries his face in my stomach, and wraps his arms around me. “I love you. I’m willing to do anything to make this right.” He looks up at me. “Tell me what I can do.”

I look down at him and run my fingers through his wavy hair. “What happens when you go back to New York? It’s not like you have a regular job where we can see each other on the weekends. You play every weekend.”

He visibly swallows. “Would you consider moving to New York? Moving in with me?”

My whole body freezes. Shock isn’t a big enough word to describe how I’m feeling right now .

“Trey, we’ve known each other for two months. We’ve been dating for a few weeks. I’m expected to uproot my entire life? I own a house. I have a job that I love. I’m not even bar-certified in New York. I have friends. Friends you’ve never even met, and I haven’t met yours. I have a life in Philly. One that makes me happy. And I’m not over the fact that you lied to me. That will never be okay for me.”

His face falls, visibly in pain. “I promise to never lie again.” Tears fall down his cheeks. “Please consider it.”

“No, not right now. I think you should go home, Trey.” I hold up my hands before he protests. “I’m not ending things, but I need some time to process.”

“I’m afraid if I leave, I won’t see you again.”

The pain in his eyes is nearly unbearable.

“I promise that’s not the case. I told you we’d spend New Year’s Eve together. I want to bring my friends for you to meet, and I want to meet yours.”

He nods. “Okay. I’ll call them.” He licks his lips nervously. “Do you want me to leave tonight?”

I shake my head. “I’m not kicking you to the curb on Christmas. It can wait until tomorrow.”

He stands, and we walk back to my grandmother’s house in silence with him practically glued to me. Once inside, he immediately goes to the bathroom followed shortly thereafter by the sounds of the shower running.

My mind is a clusterfuck of emotions, but I know I don’t want him to leave feeling sad and uncertain, and I don’t want to ruin his Christmas. He gave up being with his family to be with me. He was amazing with everyone today. All of that means something.

I remove my bathing suit and coverup before quietly stepping into the shower behind him. I rub my hands over his broad back. He jerks in surprise before turning around. I look him up and down. He truly is a beautiful man.

Without any words, he takes me into his arms and brings his lips to mine. I love the way he tastes and the way he kisses me. How has it become so familiar and comfortable in such a short time?

He lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him. We kiss for several long minutes as if it could be our last. It’s obviously in the back of both of our minds.

He presses me against the tile wall and kisses down my body until he reaches my nipple. It hardens at the feel of his warm tongue as he ravishes my breasts for minutes on end.

I moan, “Trey. Get inside me.”

Without any hesitation, he swivels his hips and slips inside me. My jaw falls slack. It feels so fucking good. Every. Damn. Time.

He mumbles into my neck. “Tell me you feel how special this is. We’re special.”

I know he’s right. We are special. I can’t deny it. Despite the madness of how we got together and the lie that’s been here the whole time, the chemistry and connection we share are undeniable.

He begins slow, purposeful movements inside my body as he peppers kisses over my jawline. “I love you so much. That’s real. Don’t ever doubt it.”

I cover his mouth with my hand. “No more words.” I can’t deal with them. “Don’t tell me how you feel, Trey. Show me.”

His lips take mine again as he manages to beautifully make love to me against the tile wall of my grandmother’s shower.

When it’s over, we clutch each other in silence until the water runs cold.