She knew a whole lot more than just his schedule. She knew he was a math wizard. That he loved old Western movies. She knew what made him laugh on YouTube and that he told really corny knock-knock jokes. And judging from the number of texts he got, Keeley was pretty sure he talked to her more than to his friends. She was trying to convince herself this was normal.
“I’ll be happy when you get your phone back from him. Feels like we haven’t talked in forever,” Nicky grumbled.
Keeley knew it wasn’t Talon’s fault, or his phone’s. Nicky was just too busy with her other plans. Luckily, a text from Talon kept her from having to respond. Very carefully, she tapped the screen so her nails wouldn’t get messed.
I’m bored. Tell me a joke.
Did you get my text about meeting up tomorrow?
Java Hut @1 is good for me. Now tell me a joke.
Not everything is about you.
That’s not a joke. Fine. I’ll tell you one.
If you already know a joke, then why are you asking me for one?
Knock, knock.
Knowing he wouldn’t budge, she played along.
Who’s there?
Honey Bee.
Honey Bee who?
Honey Bee a dear and tell me a knock-knock joke.
She giggled, and Nicky glanced over. Why did she feel like she’d been caught? “Talon,” she explained apologetically. A small wrinkle appeared between Nicky’s brows as she continued painting.
You really do have a one-track mind.
I’m waiting …
Hey you wanna switch to calling instead? I don’t have afternoon practice.
I’m at the BFF’s house.
I’m more fun to talk to.
He was fun but she couldn’t let him know that.
Too bad there isn’t a vaccine against narcissism. I think it’s just what you need.
It was a good thing Nicky couldn’t see these texts. She’d be shocked. Keeley never acted like this. Not even with Randy.
How can you be sure I have anything? I’d be happy to strip down so you can perform a complete examination.
No need. I already know what my diagnosis would be. You suffer from Enhanced Genetic Obtuseness. Otherwise known as EGO. The symptoms include delusions of grandeur, lack of intelligence and an overabundance of confidence.
Ha! And what do you prescribe for this condition? Is there a cure?
Acute cases like yours need immediate treatment. I think a dose of reality and a shot of humility should do the trick.
If I agree, do I get you as my personal doctor?
She bit her lower lip, trying to stop the goofy grin from spreading.
Depends.
On what?
If you’ll behave.
“You know, for someone who claims to hate Talon so much, you sure like talking to him,” Nicky remarked.
“I don’t hate him.”
“Since when? All I’ve heard you do is complain.” All Nicky heard were voice mails, and Keeley hadn’t left one in days.
“He’s not that bad,” Keeley found herself saying. “He can be funny.”
“If you say so.” Her brown eyes glinted as she gazed at the phone in Keeley’s hands. “Do you want to go to the pier with me after you switch phones? I have some extra tokens from the arcade.”
“When did you go to the arcade?” Keeley had thought her friend was too busy to have fun.
“I don’t know. Couple days ago, I guess. I was with my study group and we decided to blow off some steam.”
Keeley’s immediate thought was no. She didn’t want to limit her meeting with Talon. But she hadn’t seen much of Nicky, and Nicky’s expression was so hopeful ... “Uh. Sure. We can do that.”
A wide smile spread across Nicky’s face. Then a text from Talon lit up the phone, and Nicky’s lips flattened as she turned her attention back to her nails. Was she jealous? She had no right! Not after blowing her off all summer. Keeley gazed at the skirt Nicky was lending her. Maybe Nicky had a point. Tonight was supposed to be about them. About senior year. Keeley stashed the phone under her chair so she wouldn’t be tempted to text.
When they finished painting, she and Nicky binge-watched a string of movies until they couldn’t keep their eyes open. Then, just as Keeley was about to drift off to sleep, a buzzing noise woke her up. Her phone was vibrating. Talon. Since Nicky was curled under the covers, snoring, Keeley lifted the blankets and rolled out.
“Hey,” she answered in a soft whisper. “What’s up? Is something wrong?”
“I couldn’t sleep. Thought I’d see if you were awake.”
“Hold on.” She carefully got to her feet, glanced at Nicky again and padded to the bathroom. Closing the bathroom door, she leaned her hip against the sink. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you,” he said, his voice strained.
“No,” she rushed on, fearing he would hang up. “I don’t mind. I was in bed.”
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t. I wasn’t sleeping yet.”
“I should let you go …”
“Talon, when I say I don’t mind, I mean I don’t mind. So what’s going on?”
“You know you’re too nice for your own good. That’s why people take advantage of you.”
“I know something’s bothering you.” She could just tell.
“I just … I …”
“Hey,” she said gently. A need to comfort him took hold. “You can tell me. Seriously.”
“It’s not — I just don’t think I can …”
It was obvious he wasn’t ready to tell her. She changed the subject, going on and on about her night with Nicky. He seemed more relaxed, but his tone changed when she said, “Hey, I have a question for you.”
“What?” he asked warily.
She’d been meaning to ask for a while. “What’s up with the pictures on your phone? You know, those weird Peep things that are dressed up as characters.”
“You mean the Peep-O-Ramas?”
“The Peep-a-what?”
“Peep-O-Ramas. They’re dioramas made of Peeps.”
“Wait. This is actually a thing?” She thought he was joking.
“Yeah, there’s a yearly contest and everything.”
“And you have this on your phone, why …?”
“Because Peeps are possibly the greatest invention in human existence.”
Keeley didn’t quite agree. “They’re not even the best candy.”
“You know what? I don’t think we can be friends anymore.”
“I didn’t know we were friends.”
“Keeley, I’ve been through your phone. To some people, that’s as good as being married.”
She laughed at that. “Okay. So we’re … friends.”
“I’ll have you know that being my friend is an honor. One I don’t bestow on many people.”
“Please. I’ve seen your phone, too. You’re friends with more people than I even know.”
He made a scoffing sound. “Those aren’t real friends. They’re more like people I’m forced to know because of football. I’m talking about the people you call when you need someone to vent to.”
“So if your teammates aren’t your real friends, then who is?”
For a couple seconds, all she heard was him breathing. Then, in a quiet voice, he admitted, “Honestly, no one here. I had better friends back in Texas.”
That explained something. “Texas, huh? I thought you had an accent.”