Free Pretending Hearts by Heather Topham Wood

was a step toward reconciliation, but I didn’t think either answer would bring me any satisfaction.
    My mother filled in the silence. “He found a new job. He left the hardware store and has a position at a rental car agency. Apparently, there’s an agency who helps ex-felons find better jobs.”
    I heard Georgie stir from across the room. I had more to say to my mother, but with Georgie in the room, I’d have to censor my words. I was positive my roommate would stop being star-struck about my brother if she knew our sordid family secrets. “I’m glad you’re not fighting any longer. Maybe you could work together to finalize the divorce.” My parents’ divorce was in the works for more than a year. My mother claimed the legal process caused proceedings to be locked at a standstill. I was beginning to wonder if the delay had been intentional. I added, “Mom, I have to go and get ready for class.”
    “Sure, honey. But think about coming home sooner than Thanksgiving. I can pick you up and we’ll spend the weekend catching up.” I agreed because I couldn’t be cruel enough to crush the hopeful sound in her voice. We didn’t always see eye to eye, but she was still my mom. The number one lesson I’d been taught by her was family loyalty.
    I hung up the phone and poked my head out of the covers. Georgie was rubbing her hands up and down over her face. With each swipe, her mascara was smeared further across her cheeks. “Rough night?” I asked with a laugh.
    “Those football players out-party everyone else on campus. You’ll have to come with us next time,” she said. Her eyes grew wide and she covered her mouth with her hands. “Shit, I’m so sorry. I was really drunk, but I vaguely remember telling everyone who would listen I was rooming with Blake Preston’s little sis. Please, tell me you told Wyatt about your brother.”
    I nodded. “We talked last night. Don’t worry about it. I was bound to lose my secret identity sooner or later.”
    “I’m a terrible secret-keeper when I’m drunk. I was trying to impress a hottie fullback and since I know shit about football, I said the first football-related thing that came to mind.” Her face fell. “Of course, he lost interest as soon as I mentioned you. He kept pressing me about when he could meet you.”
    “Then I’ll stay as far away from the football house as possible. Blake still has friends on the team and he’ll end up beating the snot out of any player who tries to hook up with his sister,” I said.
    Georgie fell back onto her bed and let out a dramatic sigh. “God, that’s so hot. I wish I had an older protective brother.”
    I giggled. “You would give your protective brother a run for his money.”
    “You’re probably right,” Georgie acknowledged. “Have you told Blake about Wyatt?”
    “No,” I said quickly. “Besides I’m not sure what to tell him.”
    “What do you mean?” I didn’t answer. I saw a loose thread on the edge of my blanket and began to pull at the strand. I was desperately trying to avoid eye contact with Georgie. She would see the hurt and confusion in my face and probably pass along the information to Wyatt. Georgie cleared her throat. “Wyatt is way into you. Without a doubt, he wants you as his girlfriend.”
    My head snapped up at her words. “How do you know that?”
    “When you went to the bathroom at his condo, he told Fallon and me how much he likes you,” she said. “He’s over banging a bunch of girls for the hell of it. He’s already done that for three years. I never thought I’d see the day Wyatt Johnston whipped by a girl.”
    “Whipped?” I asked disbelievingly. “Whipped is definitely far-fetched.”
    “Well, you don’t know Wyatt the way I do,” she countered. “He’s asked me if you talk about him and if I thought you liked him. I felt like I was back in fourth grade. If that’s not whipped, I don’t know what is.”
    I beamed at her. “Thanks, Georgie. I was worried