Page 40 of The Summer of Everything

Wes’s crew have been regulars around here since he got his first paycheck and blew it on comics, a pair of sick Adidas, and a whole Little Tony’s thin crust pepperoni pie.

“Hawaiian,” Anna says cheerfully.

“Mushroom and onions,” Ella insists. This time, Zay chucks a balled-up napkin at her. She deflects, and it tumbles onto the floor. Constantine’s irremovable scowl deepens.

“What’re your vegetarian options again?” Cooper asks, flipping over the laminated menu.

Clearly annoyed, Constantine rubs his temples.

Under the table, a warm hand cups Wes’s knee. He can feel the soft skin through the hole in his jeans. In his peripheral vision, Nico’s smile shines. “Extra pepperoni for us.”

For us. Wes glows. It’s so much easier to date Nico in his head. In his imagination, they’re still best friends and boyfriends. They play video games and go to the same college and make out a lot. It works. There are no complications. He doesn’t have to make any loud, bold confessions.

He turns his head, unable to steady the grin on his mouth. “No jalapeños?”

“You hate them.”

“That’s never stopped you before.”

“I’m being thoughtful.”

“What a concept.” But Wes is grateful. He’s weak when it comes to spicy things.

In each corner of the restaurant, speakers are attached to the walls. Billy Joel’s humming overhead. The rich scent of marinara and melting cheese and the right hint of herbs escapes the kitchen. It’s all very East Village—at least, that’s what Wes’s mom says. He’s never been to New York City or anywhere outside of California, except his recent trip to Siena.

“Okay,” Constantine squawks over the undecided chatter about pizza toppings. “You’re getting two extra-pepperoni pies. It’s decided.”

“But—” Cooper begins to protest, but Constantine cuts him off.

“Can you all agree on drinks?”

“Beer,” Ella says firmly.

“Coke,” Wes quickly says before Constantine officially loses his shit. “A pitcher is cool.”

“Uh,” Cooper raises his hand like a second-grader asking for the bathroom pass. “Do you carry bottled mineral water?”

“Oh my god,” Ella mumbles, face-planting in her hands. She lifts her head, turning to Constantine. “Can we also get a basket of those killer breadsticks?”

Constantine, broad shoulders tight, inhales deeply, then plasters on a fake grin. “Anything else, princess?”

“Uh.”

“No? Perfect.” Constantine huffs before stomping away from their table.

Ella looks around the table, confused. “Anyone know whatthatwas about?”

Anna stares at her phone, shrugging. Wes and Nico pointedly refuse to make eye contact with Ella. They know, but they’re not saying. Zay, the brave soul, finally declares, “I think it has something to do with last Halloween when you two hooked up, and then you proceeded to ghost him.”

“I’m sorry,what?”

“C’mon, El,” Zay says. It’s a shame. Wes really loves Zay, but there’s no way he’s going to survive repeating this story. “Last year. Amalie’s Halloween party down in Venice? You and Wes dragged me—”

“Invited, and you accepted,” Wes corrects him.

Zay rolls his eyes. “Anyway. We went. There were Jell-O shots consumed. The music sucked. Wes was Green Lantern—”

“Again,” Nico teases under his breath.

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