"Tell me about it." He sits up, drums his fingers along the side of the table, and picks up an Oreo. "So, how did it go with Zane today?" he asks, taking a bite.
"Yeah. About that. You might want something stronger than an Oreo."
He groans and slumps into the sofa. "What happened?"
"Things got a little out of hand." I inhale slowly. "He didn't believe me when I said you're not ready or looking for a relationship. Accused me of lying. Oh, and he knows I don't like him."
Buzz cocks his head. "How does he know that?"
"He figured it out. Guess I didn't do as good a job as I thought of hiding it."
"Court," he sighs, exasperated. "I asked you to be nice to him."
"I tried my best…which obviously wasn't good enough. I'm sorry."
He frowns, and I can tell he's hating this. Buzz is not a confrontational guyat all. He has no need to be. With his easygoing personality, he rarely gets into conflict with anyone.
Unlike me.
People either love me or hate me. More often than not, it's the latter.
I don't know why. Maybe I give off bad vibes?
Mom once said I needed to smile more. That I'm a nice guy, but my stony expression gives people the wrong impression, that it makes me seem unapproachable or intimidating.
I guess I am those things in a way. Buzz can make friends anywhere with anyone in no time at all. It takes me longer to warm up to people, to trust them enough to let them get to know the real me.
"What was the worst thing you said to him?" he asks, snatching the entire packet of Oreos.
I wince. "There were a few doozies," I admit reluctantly.
"Pick one."
"I told him he should get a haircut."
Silence.
Buzz stops chewing.
He bites back a grin, knuckles pressed against his lips. "That's not funny."
"Then why are you trying so hard not to smile?"
"That's not what I'm doing. I'm…chewing."
"Sure you are."
He chuckles and shakes his head. "Fine. It's alittlefunny." He turns to me, and the smile fades from his face, replaced by a quiet intensity. "But it'sa lot inappropriate. Zane is my friend, Court. Whether you like it or not, you are going to have to live with that."
"I know," I say, hanging my head. "I'll make more of an effort to be civil."
"You promise?"
I nod. "Yeah. I promise."
19
Courtland
