Page 25 of Faking It with the Firefighter

It wasn’t that I was jealous. And it wasn’t that I was bitter about their relationship. Not exactly. But I knew how demanding Blair could be—and Donny was no better—and I wasn’t sure I was really feeling up to playing my usual role. Taking care of other people was as natural as breathing, but I’dbeen doing it for so long that I wondered if I liked it or if I did it because it was expected of me.

Abigail marched toward the front door, and I wondered if she’d evenletme take care of her. She was so independent that it was almost pathological. And being around her felt…easier. She didn’t expect anything from me.

Abigail put her hand on the doorknob. Her eyes were clear, rich brown as they met mine, and she must have seen something in my expression because all the sass and teasing melted out of her, and she asked, “Are you sure about this?”

I shrugged, feeling very unsure. But it was too late now; they were already here. I smiled. “Yeah, how hard could it be?”

“Okay, then. Lights, camera, action.” And with that she opened the door.

“Hey!” Donny said with his big, goofy grin. His face had matured since we’d last seen each other, and he hadn’t shaved the patchy scruff that crawled up his cheeks in clumps, but all I could see when I looked at him was my baby brother.

“Donny, come on in,” Abigail said, a polite smile on her lips.

My brother stepped inside and greeted Abigail with a hug, then slapped my hand with a brotherly shake. “Thanks so much for putting us up this week.”

Abigail and I shared a look. “No problem,” she said, giving me a side-eye glare. “Where’s the bride-to-be?”

“She’s coming,” Donny said, setting his luggage aside.

Blair walked in, or rather, glided in, fully lit by the ring light she held at arm’s length. Her phone was fastened at the center. “Hey, y’all, we made it to New Elwood! Isn’t this house so quaint?” Blair practically sang for the camera. Was she recording? “Donny, say hi to our followers.”

“What’s up, guys! Sending love to all y’all!” Donny kissed his two fingers twice like a ’90s hip-hop star. I raised an eyebrow. What was with all the theatrics? Even his voice was different.

“Are you guys making a video?” Abigail asked.

“No, we’re live!” Donny said. “C’mon, why don’t you meet our followers?”

“Umm, I don’t—” Abigail started, but it was too late. Donny roped her in with his arm around the back of her neck, pulling her close. I jerked, wanting to pull her back so there’d be distance between them. Blair’s eyes flicked over to me, a brow arching even as her wide smile stayed in place for her video.

Donny looked into the camera. A circle of light gleamed in his irises. “Meet Abigail. She’s our hostess with the mostess.” Hostess with the mostess? What had Blair done to my brother?

“All right, y’all. We’ll check in with you later. Stay tuned for all the wedding updates! Love y’all!” Blair puckered a kiss at the camera and ended the recording. “And we’re off.” She dropped her shoulders and sighed. “Oh, my God, that drive from the airport was exhausting.”

“But you didn’t drive,” Donny replied.

“Donny. Please.” She shot him a look, then turned her attention to Abigail. “Hi, I’m Blair.”

“I know.”

“Oh, you’re one of our followers?”

Abigail wrinkled her brow, looking equal parts confused and insulted. “No, we went to high school together. First period English class. Senior year.”

“Oh, sorry. I don’t rememberyou.” She snapped her fingers. “Oh, wait. Didn’t you use to dye your hair black and smoke in the bathroom?”

My lips twitched. I’d almost forgotten about Abigail’s goth phase.

Abigail looked even more insulted. “The hair, yes, but I never smoked.”

“Whatever. Anyway, thanks a bunch for hosting us in your little house. It’s so…cozy. Teeny tiny! Look at all those scratches on the floorboards! How cute! And look, Donny, down the hall! The kitchen looks totally nineties with those cabinets!” She laughed. “Oh my goodness, how retro! I didn’t know people kept those in their houses these days.”

“Uh-huh.” Abigail’s expression flattened. I tensed, waiting for the typical Abigail explosion. She had a short fuse and enjoyed a good blow-up. Instead, I watched as a professional, cool mask dropped over her features, and I realized there was more to Abigail than I gave her credit for. And as her gaze slid to mine, I saw the determination in her eyes.

She’d promised me she’d do this, and she would follow through.

For me.

That…did something to me. I swallowed thickly, wanting to say something?—

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