I’m an hour into some trashy reality TV when I get a text from my faux boyfriend.
Carter
You okay?
Me
Dandy. Why?
Carter
It’s been a lot today on my end. I’m sure you’ve seen it. Just wanted to make sure you’re doing alright under that big, awful spotlight that I just put you under.
I smile, tossing a chocolate almond into my mouth. He’s a nice guy, isn’t he? Under all that arrogance and those anger issues, I don’t think he’s so bad. Clearly, he listens. That spotlight has been my biggest concern.
Me
I’m avoiding it like the plague.
Carter
LOL. Probably the smartest move you’ve made since becoming Mrs. Faux Forkerro.
I breathe a laugh.
Me
Any better for you yet?
Carter
Not much of a change. People are mainly focusing on you right now. But now they know you’re real, so the witch hunt should stop.
Me
Am I the witch?
Carter
This feels like a trick question.
I’m smiling down at my phone and hate myself for it. Maybe he was right during that first phone call. Maybe the worst that will happen is that I’ll leave this situation with a new friend. A few, if you count Penny, and maybe even Declan. But Carter, too. We get along. He’s not the worst. Plus, he’s going to be covering my father’s bills, and I’ll forever beindebted to him for that.
I still can’t believe that part of it.
It feels like a dream. Like at any moment, the rug will be pulled from underneath me, and Carter will laugh in my face.
Which reminds me.
I call Serena, and after about five rings, she answers.
“Biggie. Hey.”
“Hey,” I say, turning the volume down on the TV. “How’s it going?”
She lets out a long, weighted sigh. “He’s not having a good day today. I’ve been up here all afternoon. He fell trying to get out of bed.”
My chest lurches, and I don’t know why. I typically feel nothing when it comes to my family unless it directly involves my sisters. Definitely not about Dad, even though there is some yearning to be loved by him buried somewhere very, very deep.
