Page 4 of Pocketful of Shame

"Okay, now you're just being plain rude."

"I don’t know how to handle being in close proximity with you," I muttered. "You are a rare breed of human that I'm not entirely convinced I can deal with."

He grinned. "Should I take that as a compliment?"

"You should take it as your cue to stop speaking to me."

"You don’t wanna talk? Fine. Not a problem. How about some music instead? You know what, I totally have a song for you," he chuckled, pulling out his phone. Scrolling for a few moments, he snickered when the sound of Eve 6'sThink Twicebegan to play from the speaker of his phone. "It's like the soundtrack of your life, Sketch, huh?"

"Wow, you justlovestirring that shit pot, don’t you, Pres?" I countered hotly. "Just remember, one of these days, you're gonna be licking your own damn spoon, man."

"I'm just kidding around, Sketch," he chuckled, killing the song. "Think twicebefore you jump to conclusions and I'll think twice before I touch your –"

"You're not funny."

"Really?" he laughed. "That's a shame because I thoroughly amuse myself."

Selena Gomez'sBack to Youdrifted from the speakers then and Presley barked out a laugh. "Now this one is fucking perfect."

"Pres," I warned, hackles raised.

"I'm just saying –"

"Yeah, well don’t say it," I barked, grabbing his phone and switching off the music. Tossing it back on his lap, I added, "In fact, don’t say a damn thing."

"Sure thing, friend." Seconds later, he added, "You do realize I meant that she'd go back toyou, not Chris, right? Because Chris is dead, and even if he –"

"Presley!"

"Fine, I'm done."

"Good."

"Good." He shifted around and drummed his fingers against the dashboard. "Well, this is awkward."

"Jesus," I muttered, shaking my head. "What's it like inside that head of yours?"

"Fascinating," he replied. "Are you a virgin?"

"What?" I snapped my head sideways and gaped at him. "The fuck kinda question is that?"

"One based on burning curiosity," he replied without a hint of hesitation. "So, did you bang that junior – Blossom Hill or whatever the heck her name is?"

"Blaire Hale," I corrected with a frown. "She's a senior,nota junior, and that's none of your damn business."

His mouth fell open. "Wait – she's in ourgrade?"

"She sure is."

"Since when?"

I rolled my eyes. "Ah, since the start of the semester when she transferred to Newton-Willis."

"Well shit," he replied, sounding puzzled. "How did I not know that?"

"Maybe because you always have your nose stuck in a book – or up my brother's ass."

"Ya'll were getting pretty tight, though, right? You and Blossom?"

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