Chapter 21

We sat around the bar in Amantha's apartment, eating burgers out of fast food wrappers and sipping milkshakes.

“So what happened?” Amantha asked. She'd barely eaten half her food but was making a good attempt for Neo.

Neo shook his head. “Mona's parents got into a fight early in the day. Her mom stormed off, so it was Mona and me with her dad. After the roller derby ended, he drove us home and got into an accident.” Neo bit his burger like it was no big deal.

Teenagers felt immortal, so I guess it wasn't to him.

“I knew I should've met them,” Amantha mumbled.

“Where's Mona?” I asked.

Neo frowned and shook his head. “I don't know. Detective Berger said not to worry, that she was fine and would be at school tomorrow.”

I nodded. “That's good.”

Neo finished his burger and slurped the rest of his chocolate milkshake.

“I have to finish my homework before school. I'm going to head to my room.” He stood to scoop up his trash.

“Okay. I love you,” Amantha said.

Neo smiled. “Love you, too. Night, guys.”

“Night,” I said.

“Night,” Amantha echoed.

Neo threw his trash away and disappeared up the hallway.

When he was gone, I turned to Amantha and extended my arms to her. She fit herself against my chest in a tight hug. I wrapped my arms around her and just held her.

“Thank you for being here,” she said.

“I'm glad I was.” I stroked her hair.

“Are you going home tonight?”

I smiled. “Well, we’re going to the same place in the morning, and I don't have a car with me so I hadn't planned on it.”

She pulled back and glared at me. “There's a teenager here so we have to set a good example. You're sleeping on the couch.”

I chuckled. I expected no less, but I had to tease her. “Fine. But can I get a blowjob first?”

I laughed when she smacked me.

As I fell asleep on the couch that night, I realized I hadn't felt restless all day. Was it the adrenaline I'd gotten or was it being around Amantha?