Page 86 of Crave Thy Neighbor

“Dean!” His name comes out a squeak, and we all hear how off it sounds. “What are you doing here?”

He holds up a box of tampons. “Your best friend sent me for Satan’s cotton fingers.”

“And I’m sure she loves you putting it on blast for everyone to see.” I smack the box down. “You’re supposed to be discreet with those.”

“Why? She’s not discreet about it. She screamed to the entire diner this morning about her cramps when they ran out of cherry pie.”

“Did they run out of pie or did you race her down the sidewalk again and get the last piece?”

A pink blush steals up his cheeks and he shrugs. “She should really work on her pace.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re a terrible boyfriend.”

He holds the tampons up again. “This says otherwise.”

“Dude, you finally shaved off the womb broom!” Nolan’s brows crease as he approaches us. “Why are you holding lady corks?”

“Oh my god. Does every single member of the male population have a slang word for tampons?”

They look at me like I’m dumb, nodding.

“Of course we do,” Dean says. “If we have to hear about this shit, we’re going to at least make it fun for us.”

“Yes, because a woman on her menstrual cycle is all about what makesyoucomfortable.”

“Ew,” Sam says, walking up to us. “We had to learn about that in class. Hi, Dean.”

“’Sup, Sammy?” They bump their fists together.

“Don’t say ew,” Nolan tells him. “It’s a natural thing. Totally normal and not disgusting. Got it?” Sam nods. “Good. Did you get the chips?”

I stare up at Nolan, impressed by him yet again for the way he is with Sam.

Sam holds up a bag of plain chips. “These okay?”

“Can you grab a bag of flavored ones too?”

“On it!”

“And some Fritos!” I call after him. Then I twist back around to Dean. “You better get some for River too. She loves Fritos on her period.”

“You just saved my life, likely literally.”

“Even though I’m sure you don’t deserve it, you’re welcome.”

He doesn’t take offense, probably because I’m right.

“So, what are you two up to tomorrow night? I’m sure River would love for you guys to come down and hang again.”

Memories of the last time we went to River and Dean’s flood me.

“Can’t.”

“We can’t?” I ask, surprised by Nolan’s answer.

“We’re going furniture shopping tomorrow after you drop Sam off, remember?”

We didn’t make plans to go shopping, but I can read loud and clear what his eyes are saying.

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