More Than Friends (Friends, #2)(80)

I calculate the weight of her frozen yogurt cup and then key in the price on the register. “Four dollars and sixty two cents.” I hesitate when I catch the expectant look on her face. I don’t know what her plan is, but I’m not in the mood to be messed with today. “As long as it has nothing to do with Tuttle, then sure. Ask away.”

She looks slightly taken aback but she forges on. “What’s the deal with you and Eli Bennett?”

Okay. That was unexpected. Where’s the punch line? I’m waiting for her to accuse me of poaching a freshman. Or being a cradle robber. Whatever mean thing she can say about Eli and me, I’m prepared.

But I see nothing on her face but genuine curiosity. Which of course, leaves me curious too.

“There’s no deal with me and Eli,” I tell her. “We’re just friends.”

“Really? He said you two broke up last night, and that you were really upset over it.”

“Did he tell you that himself?” I’m half tempted to beat that kid up, I swear. Again with the violence, but I guess when you’re dealing with idiots, you can’t help it.

“Well, I wasn’t the one who actually talked to him.” She shifts her feet, clearly uncomfortable.

“Who did then? One of your friends?” Was he at the party spreading rumors to everyone or what? Stupid Eli. I knew he would run with this, but I didn’t realize just how far.

“I heard a rumor, okay?” Her voice is full of irritation and she shakes her head. “Nothing confirmed.”

“Oh.” This entire situation is only getting weirder and weirder. “Okay, fine. Eli and I were kind of hanging around.” For approximately thirty minutes. “And yes, we had some good times.” They lasted three minutes, tops. “Before everything fell apart.” Thanks to his running away from Tuttle. Heaven forbid he risks getting his ass kicked.

Why am I covering for him again? I have to admit—there’s something about Eli Bennett that’s charming. He’s crass and overeager and he says really dumb things, but he’s also really cute and kind of sweet. He’s harmless.

“Short and sweet then.”

“That’s all you need with Eli,” I assure her. Listen to me.

What am I doing?

Lauren wrinkles her nose and lowers her voice. “He’s kind of cute, though, don’t you think?”

“He’s really cute,” I stress. Not a lie either. The boy is hot, but definitely not for me. I’m in love with someone else. “So tall too.”

“Taller than his brother.”

“And Eli’s a great kisser.”

Lauren’s eyes go wide with surprise. “You really did kiss him?”

I give a short nod, but say nothing. Let her imagination run wild. It makes the story that much more interesting.

“How do you catch all of these elusive hot guys, Amanda? I don’t get it.”

“I don’t get it either,” I say with a soft laugh. Her other friends approach and she shoots me a look that tells me to be quiet.

So I am. I don’t reveal her interest in Eli, and she’s not mean to me, so I guess we’ve come to some sort of truce.

“Going to the carnival tonight?” I ask them as I’m handing over their change.

“You know it,” Lauren says with an arrogant little smile. “We’re running a kissing booth.”

Figures. “A kissing booth during Halloween? Isn’t that more appropriate for Valentine’s Day?”

“Kissing is appropriate year-round. Besides, we’re dressing up as sexy witches. It’ll be fun!”

They grab their yogurt and leave the shop in a whirlwind of whispered words and not so discreet giggles.

“I hate those girls,” Blake says the moment they’re gone.

“Have they been mean to you?”

“Nah. They don’t even know I exist. They’re just so self-absorbed.”

He’s right. I think we all become self-absorbed. It’s like we can’t help it. We’re in our own little world, surrounded by our friends and family and interests, and after a while, we don’t even notice anyone else.

“They’re not so bad if you know how to deal with them.” I smile at Blake. “Maybe I can give you lessons on how to deal with bitchy cheerleaders.”

He cracks a smile. First one I’ve seen from him all day. “Sounds like a plan. Though I’d rather you give me a lesson on how to talk to Kyla.”

Now we’re talking. I rub my hands together greedily. “I need more details first before I can start teaching. You ready to talk?”

“Not really.” Blake swallows hard. “But I can try.”

“That’s all I can ask for.”





“You need to hurry,” I tell Liv as she carefully attaches fake lashes we decided to go with after all to my right eye. “We have to be out there soon.”

“Shush, I’m almost done.” I already have fake eyelashes on my left eye and my lids feel extra heavy. “You are going to look so amazing. I hope Tuttle dies a little inside when he sees you.”

I snort. “He won’t even be here tonight. He’s not social, remember.”

“True. He should be here, though. Let’s make sure and take lots of photos tonight and plaster them all over Snapchat. You are the sexiest witch ever.” She steps back and beams.