“Shit, crap. I just heard what I said, and that is… I’m an awful friend. There weren’t a lot of women before you, and you know what, in the past couple of years, there hasn’t been a whole lot of women.”
“It’s fine, Blair.”
Her friend’s face scrunched up. “No. You’re taking it all wrong, and Blaze is going to kill me if I ruin this for him.”
“You’re not ruining anything. I’m not stupid. I’m aware he had other women before me.” She had to wonder, though, if she was just the taste of the moment. He’d invaded and uprooted her life for just that. She nibbled on her lips, not liking where her thoughts were going.
“You’re doing that thing again when you’re overthinking everything, and it’s all my fault for not keeping my big trap shut. You see, this is why I need to have a filter. They really need to invent those things. It will help people like me.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. You’re now in that position where you’re thinking negative things about my brother, and that’s not good. He is a … you know what, I don’t even think I can say it.”
“Say what?”
“He’s a good guy.” Blair groaned. “I do think he’s crazy about you.”
“Blair, I’ve known this guy my whole life and it’s not like he’s ever been into me. Not really. Not until now.”
“Are you kidding me?” Blair asked. “I don’t know why I’m even shocked by this. Of course, you don’t know why. Stupid me. My brother is crazy for you.”
“You don’t have to lie.”
“Who is lying here?” she asked. “I’m not lying. Seriously. I’m not. My brother has always kept an eye on you. Why do you think you didn’t have a date to go to prom?”
“No one asked me.”
“I know a couple of guys wanted to ask you, but they mysteriously didn’t. Why do you think that is?”
“They got dates of their own?” Fay asked, not seeing the point in this.
“No. Blaze stopped them from asking.”
“Blair, sweetie, he’s older than us. He wouldn’t have been able to stop them coming to ask me.”
Her friend pressed her lips together, looking like she wanted to spill so many secrets. “Okay, crap, this is going to prove that I’m a bad friend, but I do know that Blaze sent them packing.”
“Huh?” Now Fay was confused. It wasn’t like she expected to be asked to the prom. She hadn’t been popular and sure, hanging out with Blair was the height of her popularity considering who Blaze was to Blair. But that was it. She hadn’t been upset by not having a date. It was just a dance.
“I know two guys stopped by our old house. There, I said it.”
“What?” Fay asked.
“Blaze was there, and he … scared them away. Told them if they wanted to keep their dicks, they better not come near you.”
“He did that?”
“Yeah. I … I knew about it, and I didn’t stop it. I was a little surprised he didn’t take you to prom, but it’s my brother. He was an asshole, so I didn’t put two and two together, but now I have, and I know, he, er, he is into you.”
Fay was surprised. “Why did you keep sending me on these dates?”
“Because it only made sense to me a couple of weeks ago. The way Blaze kept asking about you. He meddles, you know.” Blair tipped back her beer. “That is enough of my brother for one evening. I don’t want to keep on talking about him. Come on. Let’s dance.”
Against her own wishes, Fay walked onto the dance floor. Blair was in a celebrating mood, but she couldn’t not join in.
A couple of guys tried to join in with their dancing, but Blair pushed them away. Fay allowed herself to be taken by the moment. To just enjoy the dancing while also trying to fend off thoughts of Blaze.
What else had he done?
She didn’t know about the guys wanting to take her to prom. She didn’t care at all, and they weren’t empty thoughts. Prom had never appealed to her. Getting away from her parents had.
After they danced through several songs, they made their way back to the bar and bought a couple more drinks.
“So, what are your plans once you graduate or pass, or whatever?” The bartender put down a couple of shots, and Fay knocked hers back.
She wasn’t much of a drinker, but for now, she needed to keep focused on partying, not on her … Blaze. Was he her boyfriend? Lover? Roommate? She had no idea. Nodding to her glass, the bartender winked at her and filled up her glass.
“I don’t know. I think I’m wanting to pass, then get a couple of years practice under my belt. Then I’m going to set up my own business.” Blair clinked her glass to hers, and Fay knocked her shot back.