Page 16 of Waiting on Life
He kissed my hair. “Of course. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had. I admit, when we met, I wasn’t sure I could like you. I thought someone who looked like you would sneer at me. You’re classy, elegant, and I’m a schlub.”
“You so aren’t.”
He chuckled. “You don’t need to make me feel better about it. I’m actually pretty happy with how I am, and you know why? I’ll tell you. It’s you. You taught me that being pretty was great, but being kind was far more important. I think it’s because of how you were treated that you grew up a better person. I’ve never seen you speak down to anyone, or treat them like they’re less than you. Well, Frank notwithstanding, and he deserved it.” He squeezed me a little tighter. “You’re a genuinely good person, Ky. Anyone who has you as a friend has someone in their corner always. If Toby is lucky enough to have that, then he should count himself blessed.”
And that was why Pete will always be my best friend. He never hesitated to call me on my crap, but he would bolster me when I was unsure or afraid.
“What do you think about watching a movie?” he asked. “I’ll make popcorn.”
Pete let go of me, and I sat up. “I’ll get the comforter. What are you in the mood for tonight?”
He tilted his head. “I’m thinking Percy Jackson. I wanna see me some fine Logan Lerman.”
The rest of the night we spent watching Percy defeat monsters of all kinds. We ended up making four bowls of popcorn, slathered in butter and heaped with salt and cheese powder. Okay, fine, I admit it. Pete was watching the movie, but my attention was split between what was happening on the television and waiting to hear Toby in the hallway.
“For someone who was going to put Toby out of his mind, you sure do seem to be keeping him there.”
“It’s late and he’s not home yet. What if something happened? And what about Waldo? Who’s going to feed him if Toby doesn’t come home?”
It was weird. So many things were going through my head, each more horrific than the last.
“He’s fine, Ky. You know it. He’s working late, just like you said he has been for the last couple weeks.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed the bar.
Pete chuckled. “There’s the Kyle I know and love.” He reached out and squeezed my leg. “Let me know if something’s wrong. I’ll be in my room.”
I tilted my head. “I’m sorry, it’s just—”
“No, don’t be sorry. He’s your friend, and you worry. I get it.”
“No Angels, this is Toby.”
He sounded shattered. Again.
“Hello? Is someone there?”
“Hi, Toby.”
“Kyle? Is something wrong? Are you all right?”
It sent warmth zipping through me that the first thing Toby asked was if I was okay.
“I’m fine. I was worried about Waldo.”
A sigh rolled out of Toby. “He’s plotting my death. I’m going to be leaving here in a few minutes, so I should be there in fifteen. We’ll see if he forgives me if I bring him some chicken.”
“Did you eat?”
“Nah, no time. We got busy after you left, so I was running my ass off. I’ll grab breakfast in the morning.”
That didn’t sit right with me. “How about if I cook something and have it ready for when you get home?”
“You don’t have to do that. It’s fine. Go back to what you were doing.”
I let my head fall back onto the couch. “I was watching movies with Pete, but he went to bed.”
“Which is where you should be. I need you fresh tomorrow afternoon because I’m taking the day off.”
