Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73794 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 369(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“Because you want to play football this year, and there weren’t any better ideas for raising money.” I so did not have patience for his funk tonight. “And these are local businesses based right here in Mount Hope. Of course you haven’t heard of them because they don’t have national advertising budgets, but these are the people most likely to donate to the fundraiser and silent auction.”
“I guess.” Scotty sulked through a few more business stops, perking up slightly as I wrangled a few gift certificates for the silent auction, including a weekend at the coast from a local travel agency. But as the evening dragged on, Scotty returned to his cranky self. “God, it’s fucking hot as balls.”
Rather than snapping, I took a breath, playing my current favorite game: What Would Tony or Eric Do? They’d be more patient than me, that was for sure.
“We can get a drink soon.” I pointed to the ice cream shop at the end of the block.
“What? You’re not going to bust me for cursing or having an attitude?”
“I’m trying.” I squished my eyes shut and counted to five.
Scotty blew out a ragged breath. “I know you are.”
Well, that was the shocker of the century. “You do?”
“I guess.” Scotty made a show of studying a store window advertising a back-to-school clothing sale. “John says I need to be less hard on you.”
“I knew I liked that kid,” I joked, suddenly hoping John ran for every touchdown his kind heart desired.
“He’s okay.” Scotty slowed his steps further.
We were wading into dangerous conversational territory here, topics that were likely to get me dunked on, but I had to try. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with him and his crew.”
“Nothing better to do.” Scotty huffed, and I assumed that was the end of trying to get him to talk, but then he pulled up short next to an insurance building. “You ever have a friend…? Never mind.”
“What?” I kept my tone gentle, not unlike approaching a feral kitten. “You can tell me anything. Big-brother promise. Here, I’m taking off my guardian hat.” I made a silly show of removing an invisible hat. “I’m just Caleb, your big brother, the one who has done some truly stupid shit of his own. What’s up?”
“You ever meet someone, and like you don’t exactly understand it, but they make you want to be a better person?” Scotty groaned as he rested his head against the brick building. “God, that sounds so freaking stupid.”
“No, it doesn’t. I know exactly what you mean.” And I did. Tony. He made me want to be a better brother, better caretaker to Scotty, better friend, better all-around person. Not simply because Tony was such an awesome person but also because I wanted to be worthy of a Tony in my life. “I’ve had friends like that, sure. And crush—”
“Stop right there.” Scotty held up a hand, predictably bristling. “It’s not a crush. We’re not like that. He’s straight. We’re buds. But when I’m around him, I want to try harder. Do better. Be more like him. People respect him, you know?”
“Yeah, he’s a good guy, and it sounds like he’s a good friend. Good friends lift you up. They don’t take you along with them on the ride to detention.”
“If making sure I’m never late for practice or work is lifting me up, then yup, he’s a decent friend.” Scotty’s eyes and forehead stayed in a near-frown, yet the corners of his mouth lifted, an almost smile.
“I think John and his crew are good for you. Maybe don’t overanalyze it.” I couldn’t believe I was giving that advice, considering I spent every waking minute overanalyzing things with Tony. “Just roll with it.”
Like I was even capable of doing that with my own life. However, Scotty’s eyes held a certain fragility, a wariness around his mouth that warned me not to press too hard about what admiring John so much might mean. Perhaps the best thing for their whole crew, especially Scotty himself, was to advise him to simply enjoy the friendship.
“Yeah. That’s what I’ll do.” Scotty gazed off at a trio of young bicyclists. “It’s weird having friends I actually like.”
“I hear that.” Huh. I tried to keep the surprise from my tone. But huh. I’d had hookups. I’d had coworkers. I’d had crushes aplenty. Study buddies. Acquaintances. But had I ever truly had a friend like Tony? Someone I simply enjoyed being around this much? I didn’t think so. My hands went icy despite the hot day, terror lowering my body temperature a good twenty degrees. But as with Sean, I couldn’t let Scotty see. “Good to have friends without probation officers.”
“Ha. And no dropouts either.” Luckily, Scotty took my joke as intended. “Everyone in the whole crew has plans, man. It’s weird.”