Page 18 of AJ’s Fire

“Oh, that makes sense. Everyone knows how tight the Dorsos and the Wyecrests are. But isn’t she, like, twelve?”

I chuckled at my stepmother, more inclined to have her head in a book than to know about pop culture. I was surprised by her comment that everyone knew that the Dorsos and Wyecrests were friends.

“She was when the show was first on. She must be the same age as Jax, early thirties. She works for the studio now as an executive.”

“Impressive. Younger than you, though.”

“Yeah, but the same as Jax, and he and I …” I’m not even sure why my voice trailed off thinking about my relationship with Jax.

Nat did that thing where she narrows her eyes like she’s a damn MRI machine, x-raying every last detail of your soul. I’m not sure if she had found what she was looking for when she commented, “Actually, I thought I read that Jax and Emily Wyecrest were dating?”

“Nat, please tell me you’re not cyberstalking my best friend.”

“I … Maybe? I mean, what’s the son of Riley and Mandy Dorso doing fighting fires? But he really does keep such a low profile. How does he even do that? There was just a mention of them being together at a recent fundraiser, that’s all. I just assumed …”

“Jesus, Nat. I’ve never really thought about all the pressure Jax must be under because of Dorso Electronics. I mean, he’s just living his life. To me he’s just Jax, my partner, my best friend. Is there a lot of stuff on the internet about him? Maybe BS on the internet is what’s got him down lately? In that case, I’m glad Emily’s around. They have that in common and so much more.” My voice trailed off again. Maybe it was my sore throat.

“But they’re not dating?” I shook my head. “And he’s trying to set you up with her?” I nodded again. It made even less sense after talking to Nat than it had before. “So is it Emily you’ve been texting nonstop the past few days?”

As if on cue, my phone pinged with a text. It was a selfie of Jackson in a crisp, pale-green fleece and a pair of pink pants, golf club in hand and a ridiculous hat on his head. The aviator sunglasses at least looked good.

Probie: Save me!

Coffee Trainer: Oh no! Your family lost all its $$ and you have to be a newsie.

Coffee Trainer: Is the 9-iron your protection against turn-of-the-century gangsters?

Coffee Trainer: Also, read that article. Some people use protection when giving BJs. Who knew? Any girls ever ask you?

Nat cleared her throat, and I looked up. I could feel the goofy smile on my face, but I didn’t care.

“Sorry, Nat. Nah, it’s not a girl. I’m just BS-ing with Jackson.” While I’d been absorbed in said BS-ing, a mug of tea had appeared before me. I picked it up and blew on it, tipping it toward Nat with a nod as a thank you.

My dad sauntered into the room and kissed his wife on the top of the head.

“Morning, early birds.” He poured himself a cup of coffee, which I only then noticed was an option, tucked his newspaper under his arm, gave my shoulder a squeeze on his way out, and headed to the living room.

My father was a man of few words.

I snuck a look at my phone as Nat watched him exit.

Probie: Once or twice.

Jackson had added an eggplant emoji to the end of the text, and the stupid little image was like oxygen to the fire in my stomach.

“Say hi to that nice boy for me.”

“Huh?” I looked up to see a laughing Nat shaking her head as she picked up her tea, kissed the top of my head, and exited the kitchen.

Chapter Six

Jackson

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Well, it and him, but that last part was nothing new. We rode to Long Island on Thanksgiving morning, Emily in the driver’s seat and me half asleep and humming along to some truly terrible pop music until I asked, “Do you think it’s too early to check in on AJ? I don’t want to wake him.”

“From the way you’ve described his family, it doesn’t sound like anyone gets much sleep in that house?”

“I’ve met his niece, so … yeah, you’re right about that.”