Page 88 of Faking It with the Firefighter

I oscillated between looking at the ground and looking at Abigail. She wouldn’t meet my eye. No one would.

Every time I tried to explain that they had it all wrong, the tension would ratchet up again and Gabe would look at me like he wanted to kill me. I just couldn’t find the right words to make them understand.

This was my fault. If I had only told Gabe how I felt about Abigail when I had the chance. If I’d walked away the moment I saw Blair in the coat room and not Donny. If I’d told Donny to get a hotel room in the first place. Maybe we could’ve been spared. No one would be in jail and Donny could’ve dealt withhis own crap. I rubbed my face with both hands and dropped my head. A nearby clock ticked a little too loudly.

Donny was the first one to break the silence. His voice was so tense it nearly broke—and without even looking up, I knew he was talking to me. “What were you doing kissing Blair? What, the moment I said I was done with her, you were waiting in the wings to get her back?”

Suddenly, I was exhausted. Everything I’d done for him. The years of putting him first. The countless times I’d come to his rescue. The fires I’d put out in the name of keeping the family together. And now he was questioning me? Just like the rest of them? I was Boy Scout Rex, Mr. Reliable, up until it wasn’t convenient for them anymore? They used me and then doubted me so easily?

I shot my brother a glare and said the first thing that came to mind: “Donny, please. I’m not like you. I would never go after your girl.”

“Oh, right. I’m the bad guy because I stole your girlfriend years ago.”

“You didn’t steal shit. We were already broken up.”

“Well, she chose me in the end.”

“Congratu-fucking-lations,” I snapped.

Gabe snorted. “What, you just wanted to kiss her to see if it was as good as you remembered?”

In the adjoining cell, Abigail let out a pained noise.

The retort that had been on the tip of my tongue died in an instant. I took a deep breath and shoved my hands in my hair, tugging hard. The pain settled me. One more breath, and I was able to meet my brother’s eyes.

“Yeah, Donny. That was shitty, when you started datingBlair. And it hurt. Not because Blair chose you, but because you didn’t even considerme. I’m your brother. Do you have any idea how many times I’ve sacrificed what I wanted so that you could have what you want?”

“You mean Blair?”

“Stop making this about Blair. It’s not about her. It’s about you taking responsibility for yourself. It’s about growing up and being a man. And by the way, I never kissed Blair. She kissed me,” I declared, hoping everyone would hear the truth in my voice. Especially Abigail. But she didn’t look at me when I said it.

“I thought you said this wasn’t about her,” Donny mumbled.

“It’s not. This is about you and me.”

“Actually, it is about Blair. If she hadn’t kissed you, we wouldn’t all be in jail right now,” Tammy spoke up with her snobbish tone.

“So you admit thatshekissedme?” I asked through the bars, rounding on her.

“The two of you kissed,” she retorted, sticking her tongue out.

“And if you hadn’t filmed the whole thing, then maybe millions of people wouldn’t know we’re all a bunch of hooligans!” Abigail snapped back.

“You think millions of people saw my live stream?” Tammy perked up at the prospect.

“Shut up, Tammy,” Donny said.

“You shut up, Donny. You’re the one who dumped Blair on your wedding day. No wonder she went after Rex. She’s probably heartbroken.”

“Maybe all of you should shut up,” Abigail commanded,and both cells went silent. I wanted to reach through the bars and touch her shoulder, tell her I was sorry for putting her through this. All of it.

“Sounds like a good idea.” A new voice came in through the bars. I looked up and recognized that jerk immediately. Travis Thomas, Abigail’s infamous ex-husband. I clenched my jaw, and he stared down at me.

“I heard about what happened. Thought at least one of you might need an attorney,” Travis said, then looked in the women’s cell. “How you doing, Abs?”

Her cheeks turned red, and she hardly looked up at him. “Travis.” Her voice sounded small, but it still rang with hurt.

He’d done that to her.I’ddone that to her.

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