“Why is there so much ice on these?” Joey asks, shaking the bag of taters in thefreezer.
“Probably ’cause they’ve been there since winter.” As I scroll through my feed, my eyes glaze over the images. “What?” I can feel Joey staring atme.
“Haven’t you had eggs and tots sincethen?”
“Who’s gonna make them for me, Jo? You know I can’t cook for shit.” I burn them every time. “My mom won’t eat frozen potatoes to save her life, my brother thinks it’s a sacrilege, and Tori mixes in chilis and vegetables.” Tori’s don’t taste bad, but it’s not the same as Joey’s. I shrug. “Anyway, it’s weird eating that without you. Maybe next time don’t leave so damn long so I don’tstarve.”
Now I’m just being a cock, because she doesn’t need to cook for me, and I know this, but I’m still sorta pissed she left in the firstplace.
Her shoulders droop, and that smile she’s been sporting this afternoonfades.
Nice job, dick. No wonder she wants to move halfway across thecountry.
“Hey. I’m kidding. I don’t mean to give you a hardtime.”
The sound of the chair pulling away from the table makes me look up. Joey sits and fidgets with her hands. “I’m s-sorry I didn’t call you from Florida. I guess… I needed to get someperspective.”
Reaching over, I grab her hand. “I know you’re not ready to talk about it, and I respect that. I just need to ask you onequestion.”
She nods slowly, but I can see the hesitation in hereyes.
“Did I do something or say something that hurt your feelings? Is that why you left? Because, Jo, I swear I’m making myself mental trying to figure out if I did. If that’s why you ghosted me. Because I’m a cock and you finally realizedit.”
Her eyes fill with tears, and it’s a knife to my stony, blackheart.
But she doesn’t sayanything.
There’s myanswer.
Fuck.Fuck.
“Whatever it was, Bitsy, I’m so sorry. You know I’d never hurt you on purpose. You’re my best friend. I don’t know what to do with myself without you.” I squeeze her hand, my soul shredding with every tear that streams down her face. “Let me make it up to you. I know I get all up in my own shit and take you for granted, but I promise I’ll be a better friend. From here on, Iswear.”
She wipes her eyes, and I can’t stand it anymore. I pull her out of her chair and into my lap where I squeeze her to me. She cries softly, and I kiss her head and rub my hand down herback.
“You’re important to me, Jo,” I say softly. “Don’t leave me like that again, okay? I know I might not always have you here by my side, but stay in touch. I get worried about you. And no matter where you go, you’re always gonna be my best friend. You have to knowthat.”
She nods, and I squeeze hertighter.
I’ve had a few good friends in my life. Once upon a time Silas, then Joey and my buddy Isaiah, who doesn’t get home much anymore. I know better than to think Patrick is a good friend. He might hang around a lot, but only ’cause it’s convenient. Of all my friends, Jojo is my ride-or-die. She’d bury a body in my back yard if I asked herto.
I chuckle, and she sniffles and looks up. “Why are youlaughing?”
“You, squirt.” I kiss her forehead and smack her on the ass. “So we gonna eat or what? I’m hungry enough to try cooking for us, but I know it’llsuck.”
“No, you’re banned from cooking. I gotyou.”
I smile at my favorite girl. “I know youdo.”
10
Joey
Bridesmaids dresses may be notoriously ugly,but I’m stunned silent by the silky-smooth material cascading around me as I twirl in front of a three-way mirror. “This is the prettiest dress I’ve ever worn. I feel like aprincess.”
Tori claps behind me. “You look like a princess. That rosy color looks amazing on you, and the cut is so flattering. Maybe I should make you wear something uglier so you don’t upstage me,” sheteases.
Olga, our seamstress, prods my side. “I take in here. You skinnier thanbefore.”
