Breanna Michelle Santana

     To catch you up, Grayson had asked me to be his fake girlfriend. By fake I mean because it's just a bet, or challenge.

This is the same Grayson that let me go instead of fighting for me in college. My main thing was: where was this energy when I wanted him?

I had no idea how to feel about the whole ordeal but I agreed anyway. Stupid. After all, what really was the worse that could happen? We fall in love? Ooh, scary. Note the sarcasm.

To be honest, I had been trying my hardest to stay away and not go back to how things used to be with Grayson. I didn't wanna be that girl who made herself available at all times. He was just so irresistible, though! Let's face it, I was telling the truth when I said he was perfect, it was no exaggeration. I mean, he's kind, caring, a family man, goal-oriented, honest, and had way more to offer than just good dick. I'm talking really good, too. Like, the kind that'll make you want to trap him and get you pregnant because it'll be YOUR honor to have his baby(ies).

His only flaw: how brutally honest he was. In addition, he was also really fucking horny. I never worried about his male hormones leading to infidelity though because of how trustworthy he was. His whole thing was honesty. That, and communication. How mad can you really be at someone for telling the truth, you know?
He wasn't the type of guy to cheat. In fact, he was the type of guy to sit you down and say "I'm interested in someone else, I rather break up than cheat". Because you respect him so much, you'll allow a break so he can get it out of his system. And when he's ready, you'll take him back because you think you'd prefer that over cheating.
So, it was never him I was worried about. It was the tons of women after him. I didn't blame them, he was an absolute dream and in this day and age, it's hard to find a good man, especially one as good — or better — than Grayson Reid Jansen.

"Brea," Grayson waved his hand in my face,"what're you thinking about?"

I responded fast. "Gray, you think this will work?"

"You want me to be honest?" He removed his hand from my thigh.

"No, lie to me." He tilted his head at my sarcastic response. I let out a sigh and began to pout just as I was consumed in arms, not minding the light layer of sweat on them.

"Alright," he breathed in,"I don't know."

"That didn't help. You always have the answer."

"Not this time. I don't even know what I'm going to eat tomorrow. I can't tell the future but I know I see you in it and I know that means I have to do everything in my power to make sure of that."

"Ugh. Not you being sweet." I pushed away and made Grayson laugh. I went on to say,"Seriously though, we tried this before and I don't wanna engage in this little challenge just to end up hurt. Again."

"I guess I never apologized for that, huh?" The bottom corners of his mouth pulled into a frown, exposing his healthy lower gums.

"No you did not." I sassed, unhappy about it.

Grayson took my hand, kissed the back of it, and said sorry. "—For everything."

My cheeks started to blush and I fluttered my eyelash extensions. "Okay, lover boy."

Right as our lips were about to touch, the sound of a car door slamming interrupted us.

"It's just my sister." Grayson let me know, pulling away from my body. He stood up tall and removed his tool belt.

"What? I don't wanna meet your sister right now!" I objected in a loud whisper.

"Relax." Was all Grayson said before jumping down from the platform while I stayed up there and paced frantically.

I didn't even know he had a sister! It wasn't the most ideal situation to meet the family in.

"Hey, Holland." Grayson threw his arms around his sister. When she stepped to the side, my eyes went straight to her stomach.

Oh great, I thought. Another pregnant bitch!? Well, I guess I shouldn't be calling my "boyfriend's" sister a bitch but damn.

Why, God, why are you torturing me?!

Grayson's sister had a cute name to match her cute face. She was blonde like him and shared the same eye color but her eyes were naturally wider. Her eyelashes were long, and thin like her soft pink-painted lips. Holland was clad in a long, white t-shirt dress with sandals and no accessories while her long hair was tousled up in a purposely messy ponytail.

After their warm exchange, gushing about the house, I saw Holland whisper something to her brother. That's when Grayson nodded his head and looked to me with a faint smile.

I gulped. I was never nervous to meet new people but if she was anything like he'd him, she'd probably judge me and be super honest. However, I hoped he put in a good word so she'd like me.

"Hi." I greeted her, making my way down to their level but slowly.

"So, you're Brea?"

"So you're the sister?"

"Last time I checked." She laughed sweetly and hunched her shoulders. "Well," she beamed,"give me a hug!" Holland wasted no time stretching her arms up and sucking me into them, squeezing my body tight like I was her favorite teddy bear.

I nervously looked over at Grayson who smiled down at me.

Holland let me go and said,"You really are pretty. It's nice to meet you, Grayson doesn't tell us much about his love life."

"It's nice to meet you, too." I chose not to acknowledge the last part of her statement to avoid the drama.

"Gray, what time will you be done here? Mom said make sure you bring the rolls."

"I don't know, before it gets dark. Rolls for what?"

She stomped her foot. "For dinner. You know, the thing we do every Saturday? Duh."

"Shit. How'd I forget?"

"Seems like you have a little distraction." Holland referred to me but Grayson and I weren't amused. Seeing neither of us crack a smile, Holland cleared her throat and said,"Just be there, okay. And bring Brea, too. They're dying to meet her." With that, Holland gave me another hug and went back to her black Ford Fusion.

"Well," Grayson breathed out,"hope you're hungry."

======

Since Grayson picked me up to go to dinner, I remained quiet the whole car ride until we got to Wal-Mart. As soon as the electronic doors parted and let us inside, Grayson grabbed a cart and started pushing it straight towards the bakery section.

"What is it, Brea?" Grayson asked me like he was annoyed as he strolled through the aisles, slumped over the cart.

"What's what?"

"You're not talking, you always talk. Sometimes too much. So what's up?"

I unfolded my arms and started to whine. "I have to meet your parents, too?! Meeting your sister was enough and it wasn't planned. I just think this is a lot in one day. And isn't it too soon?"

"For one," he paused to observe a pack of rolls on the shelf,"you're acting like we just met. Second, we are dating now and I already met your dad. Hey, what about your mom, you never talk about her? Was she at the party?"

"This isn't about my family. What if your parents don't like me?"

"Then they just won't like you," he chuckled," I dunno what you want me to say. They barely like themselves." He continued pushing the cart. I rolled my eyes and followed but kept my distance.

When he noticed I wasn't by his side, he stopped at the end of the aisle and left the cart to come talk to me by the frozen food section.

"You've never cared about anyone not liking you before, what's the matter?"

"They're your parents!"

"Well, luckily for you, you'll only have to deal with them for six months." Grayson consoled me. He lifted my chin and I turned to walk away, getting a slap on the ass as I walked past him.

"Now. Where are these goddamn rolls?"

======

"—Hahahahah." The Jansen family and Holland's fiancé, Mark, all laughed after something German joked about.

I sat at that long, fancy, dining table and forced a chuckle. Grayson just drank his water and kept this stale look on his face. I knew he was holding something back but it was best to let him be before he exploded in front of everyone.

"So, Breanna, is it?" Parker, the mother, spoke to me.

"Yes." I responded dryly. I wanted to be nice and uppity but I knew something was off because Grayson's attitude.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm glad you're pretty, he hasn't always had the best taste in women."

"I'm not concerned about anything he's done before me." Mr.Jansen choked on his tea while his wife looked at me questionably and I stared right back, unintimidated.

"I like her." Holland put her chin on the back of her hand that was locked with her other hand. She smiled and her fiancé agreed, the little brother, too.

"What is it that you do, Breanna." Asked Mrs.Jansen. In all honesty, I was tired of her calling me that but I kept quiet about it.

"I'm a photographer." I answered, poking the gold fork into the grilled chicken salad on my small plate.

"Oh my gosh! Do you think you could fit in a maternity shoot? Ooh, and our wedding?!"

"Holland, chill-"

"No, it's okay." I told Grayson. "I'd love to, actually." My words made the beautiful couple happy.

"We'll go over details after dinner." Holland grinned at me from across the table. Her big smile was so contagious it even made me smile.

"No work talk at the table, right, German?" A grumpy Mrs.Jansen scowled at her husband.

She seemed awfully bitter, I started to get why Grayson wasn't talking much.

"Grayson, I hear you're still working on that old property. I don't see why you don't just give it up-"

"It's coming along great, actually." I stood up for my fake boyfriend. I noticed Grayson crack a smirk out of the corner of my eye. Under the table, he squeezed my thigh and I casually bit into my salad.

"This is really good." I said with all eyes on me.

We went on to eat in silence for what seemed like forever. That is, until the men were all finished and agreed to go to the man cave and do whatever it is that grown men do.

"I'll go get dessert." Holland offered, waddling to the kitchen with her plate in her supple hands.

"Breanna, a word, please?" Mrs.Jansen asked of me right as I was about to exit the dining room with Grayson.

"No, mom, I don't think-"

"She's a big girl, she can speak for herself. Breanna?" I nodded at Grayson and took my arm back, agreeing to his mother's proposition.

"Colson, go upstairs." Grayson demanded his little brother. Colson did as he was told with no hesitation, his phone buzzing to occupy him.

"Alone, please, Grayson." Mrs.Jansen asserted, her plum-painted lips smiling sinisterly.

"Sure." He remarked with a sigh. Before he let us go, he shot me a look like I ought to be careful or something.

...

"Come in. Shut the door behind you, I won't bite." Said Mrs.Jansen.

With a gulp, I closed the heavy, dark door and stood there innocently.

"What did you wanna talk about, Mrs.Jansen?"

"Please, call me Parker." This came as a shock.

"With all due respect, you haven't been the most polite host."

"For good reason. Listen, I'm sure you're a good girl. I have no doubt that you make my son happy, but what are your intentions?" I couldn't bring myself to tell her it was just a dare of sorts and why would I?

"I haven't thought that much about it." I told her a lie.

"He's come along way. He's a man now - a good one. Sometimes he just focuses on the wrong things. We wanted him to play football so he excelled in soccer. We wanted him to go to UCLA, he chose U of O. We wanted him to be a doctor, he stuck to architecture. You see what I'm getting at? Grayson does as Grayson pleases and leaves us, his loved ones, out of it. His happiness comes first and the second he isn't happy, he'll shut you out and move on like it's nothing."

"What are you trying to say? Leave him?"

"No. The opposite, in fact. Please, stay with him. Make him happy. I don't how much time I have left but I'd like to get grandkids from him, too." She ended with a soft chuckle and sipped from her glass of sweet tea.

The whole conversation rubbed me the wrong way. While I was happy she didn't hate me as I first thought she did, I started to wish that was the case. At least that way I would've been spared of that lengthy, passive talk.

"Excuse me." I said and left her there in the room alone while I race outside for some fresh air.

I stumbled going down the front steps outside and fell into Grayson's toned chest.

He laughed,"woah, speed racer, where's the fire?"

"Are you ready to go?" I hurriedly asked him, tucking the fallen hair behind my right ear.

"Um, yeah, sure. You okay?" He looked deep into my eyes but I glanced away before he could get a good look at me.

"We'll talk about it later. Come on." I grabbed his keys and started the truck once inside of it.