Page 36 of Boyfriend
I look around the living room as the movie winds down. We’ve all had cake, and we’re half-dozing in front of the TV.
It’s hard to believe, but Dad saved Christmas just before the buzzer. It’s not that I really needed the Christmas Eve waffles or the cake shaped like a log. I’m a big boy. But it’s nice to see him trying to find joy again.
Abbi gets the assist, too. She kicked Dad’s ass last night and it made all the difference. He’s a new man today. A very contrite one.
My fake girlfriend is quiet now, tucked up beside me on the couch, near enough that I can smell her shampoo. She’s smiling, too. Whenever Macaulay Culkin pulls off another feat, she laughs.
I already knew Abbi was resilient. I knew she was alone in the world. But I didn’t really understand how that must feel until I watched her lose it over a gift from my dad.
It’s humbling to think about how easy I’ve really had it. Sure, my parents had an ugly divorce. But even that drama will be old news eventually.
My gaze wanders over to my father, who’s yawning as the credits roll. “I’m going to bed, boys. And Abbi. Happy Christmas.”
“Happy Christmas, Dad. Thanks for everything tonight.”
My brother and Abbi chime in with the same, and Dad just shrugs. “My pleasure. Sleep well. Sleep late. We’ll have brunch before you guys shove off to Burlington,” he says to me.
After he goes, my brother puts on another movie. And then he nods off.
I poke Abbi’s knee gently to get her attention. And then I point at Steve, who looks particularly stupid with his mouth hanging open.
Abbi squints at him. And then she leans in so close to me that I feel her silky hair tickle my ear. “He’s faking,” she barely whispers.
What? I glance toward Stevie again, but I can’t really tell.
“Why?” I mouth.
“To spy on us,” she whispers.
I chuckle, because that is definitely something Stevie would do. Well, I’m not going to give him the satisfaction. “Stevie,” I bark.
His eyes open with exaggerated stubbornness. “Whoops, I guess I nodded off.”
Yeah, he was totally faking it. “We’re going up to bed,” I say with a sleazy wink. “Don’t hurry to follow us.”
Stevie reaches for the remote control and clicks off the TV. “Actually, I should head to bed too. It’s important to get enough sleep.”
Abbi gives me a pointed look that asks, Can you believe this bullshit?
We all get up. Abbi carries our glasses to the kitchen, and Stevie checks the fireplace to be sure it’s sealed up tightly. I turn out the lights. Then we all walk upstairs in a line. “Sleep tight,” Stevie says outside of the bunk room. Then he gives me a grin and goes inside.
Okay, so now this is back to being awkward as fuck. Abbi and I find ourselves in close quarters a moment later, whispering to each other. And we both know Steve is right on the other side of the wall.
“He’s so smug!” she whispers. “I don’t like to lose a bet.”
“Easy, killer.” I put my hands on her shoulders and chuckle. “It was never a fair fight. This doesn’t reflect badly on your girlfriend skills. It’s all on me.”
“Pfft,” she says. “It’s not you, it’s me. Girls love hearing that.”
I crack up, because Abbi is hilarious. And while I’m distracted, she darts away to claim the bathroom before either Stevie or I can get to it.
When I go out into the hall, he’s standing outside the bathroom door, arms crossed, waiting. “Your so-called girlfriend is hogging the bathroom.”
“My girlfriend,” I say with exaggeration, and no small amount of loyalty, “can take her time.”
Stevie just smiles. “She’s the best, Weston. I can see why you’re actually tempted.”
I open my mouth and then close it again. Because I am tempted. But I can’t discuss this with my brother, because I have a ruse to maintain.
