"It was held in the library. There's no assigned book; you just read whatever you feel like. And no one talks."
"Well, at least the guy can read. Unless he brought a comic book?"
Buzz tries not to smile, even though I'm totally being a jerk. "Stop being so…you. It was cool, actually. He's a good guy."
"I'll be the judge of that."
"Court, come on. Be nice. Think of him like a puppy. He's a little lost and new in town, but everyone loves him."
That streak’s about to end. "You know what happens to puppies, right?" I say.
"They need love and assurance and guidance?"
"No. They grow up, get old, and need to be put down."
Buzz elbows me in the ribs. "I like my answer more. Give the guy a chance, that's all I'm asking. He's been really good for my TDS."
Twin Dependency Syndrome.
A totally made-up thing, but a condition Buzz has convinced himself he has nonetheless. Says it explains his need to always be around people and why he's five for five getting dumped for the same reason—being too needy.
I think there's a much simpler explanation. He dates idiots who don't see what an incredible guy he is. I wouldkillto be the center of his world, and guys are dumping him for it? Are you kidding me? I can't with people sometimes.
"How did you meet him anyway?" I ask, my eyes landing on a ponytailed guy around our age. Zane sounds like a ponytail name.
Does that make me judgy?
Possibly.
Do I care?
Not one fucking bit.
"At a funeral."
"Whose funeral?"
"Lynne Davenport's."
"He knew her?"
"Not exactly."'
I turn to Buzz. "What does that mean?"
"Well…" His blue eyes dart from side to side the way they always do whenever he's uncomfortable. "Zane is a couple of years younger than us and hasn't figured out what he wants to do with his life yet."
"Uh-huh…"
"He was at the funeral in a professional capacity."
"Like an escort?"
"No." He sighs like he really doesn't want to come out with it. He finally caves. "He's a professional mourner."
"Awhat?"
"People pay him to go to funerals."
