Page 25 of I Wanna Text You Up

“Paper or plastic?” the kid saysagain.

Caleb and I stare one another down, not wanting to let the otherwin.

The moment I open my mouth, he doestoo.

“PAPER!” he shouts at the poor kid, making him jump. Then he throws a cocky grin myway.

I groan and continue loading thebelt.

A few minutes and eighty dollars later, we’re caught at anotherstalemate.

“I’mpaying.”

“No way. I gotthis.”

“Caleb.”

“Zoe.”

“Just let me get this. You’ve already spent enough this week withrent.”

“No way. Go put the cartup.”

“You’re being stubborn!” I tellhim.

He swipes his debit card. “That’s funny coming fromyou.”

“Fine, but we’re getting French fries on the way home, just so youknow.”

“But thegroceries…”

“Will be fine for ten minutes or so. Now hurry up so my chocolate milk doesn’t gobad.”

Five

“This wasthe best idea you’ve had since you let me movein.”

Caleb moans as he takes another bite of his burger, swallows, and shoves a handful of fries into hismouth.

I watch every movement with raptattention.

“Are you making love to that thing or eatingit?”

He side-eyes me. “Eating it, and enjoying the hell out of it. I rarely eat anything other than chicken andveggies.”

“Are youserious?”

“What?” he says through a mouthful of fries. “I try to eat healthy. Iaman athlete, you know. We need to keep in shape to play the bestgame.”

“Fairpoint.”

I pop my last nugget into my mouth and gather up my trash as Caleb polishes off hisburger.

“Thank you for that, Zoe.” He shoves his wrapper into the bag and sips the last of his Powerade before shoving that inside too. “I mean, I’m definitely going to regret it later, but damn was thatgood.”

“You’re welcome…Ithink.”

“I’m gonna run these to the trash really quick. Lock the door behindme.”

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