Page 35 of Neo

I grab some plates and extra napkins for us from the counter. Although I’m not particularly hungry, but that’s forever been my damn weakness. I can always eat a few wings, another slice of pizza or a handful of gummy bears no matter what I’ve already eaten.

“Just how well do you know Prez?” Neo asks, watching me move through the kitchen, because unfortunately even in baggy sweatpants my butt still jiggles.

“We went to high school together.”

“Were you two close?”

“We didn’t know each other well. Why do you ask?”

“Prez doesn’t get along with most people, especially girls. I was surprised to hear that she was letting someone move in here. If you weren’t friends, how did she even know that you were transferring to VCU or that you needed a place to stay?”

Suddenly I feel like I’m the one on the hot seat.

“I’m from a tight-knit neighborhood and people talk. Everyone knew about my mom’s passing, which means everyone knew that I was forced into moving out here.”

“Forced?” His lips press tightly together.

“My mom lived check to check like most folks, and I couldn’t afford to stay in our house, pay bills and go to school on my own. That’s why I came out here to live with my father.”

“But you didn’t want to?”

“My parents were never together and I don’t really know him. He was never in my life. It’s just hard, you know?”

“So he made you move out here?”

“I think he could have helped me keep the house and maybe stay in the college I already started at back home, but I suppose that would have required too much work and financial assistance on his part.”

“So you didn’t really have a choice.”

“Exactly,” I say somberly. “You never answered my question about you and Kennedy.”

“I didn’t realize there was a question.”

“Why does she give you guys such shit?”

“She gives it to Shane, not me.”

“Why?”

His eyes narrow. “Have you asked her?”

“I thought I did, but I don’t know that she really gave me a straight answer.”

“So you’re trying to get the information out of me after plying me with hot wings?”

“How am I plying you with wings that you bought?” I postulate. “The bottom line is I don’t like secrets.”

“That’s obvious, but there’s no big secret being kept from you. Shane and Kennedy just have a complicated history.”

“What’s so complicated about it? Did they used to date or something?”

The food definitely looks edible as I plate the wings, then place them on the coffee table along with the included sauces and celery sticks.

“That’s not really my business to tell.” He grabs a wing and the way he inhales it is almost pornographic. “Talk to Prez.”

“Fine,” I huff. “Well, can you at least tell me why you call her Prez, or is that a secret, too?”

“It’s a joke. It means that she’s president of the Ice Mafia fan club. Queen of the puck bunnies.”

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