Page 115 of More For Me

“Why did you seem freaked out?” I ask, less teasingly this time.

He sighs. “Like I said, I’m super happy to be spending the day with you. But zoos, uh, aren’t exactly my favorite place.”

“What? That doesn’t make any sense. Who would be afraid of zoos? Ilovezoos.”

He scowls. “Where the hell did you get afraid out of the wordsnot my favorite place?”

I point at him. “From that reaction. Very defensive, Mr. Lakra.”

He groans. “I change my mind. You’re the worst.”

“Will you please just tell me what the issue is with the damn zoo?”

“Fine,” he half shouts, pulling his hand away. “I happen to have a bit of a phobia about kangaroos.”

I just stare at him, waiting for the punchline. None comes. “Wait, are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious! You think I would lie about something so embarrassing to the girl I have the hots for?”

I crack up, doubling over in my seat while he grumbles next to me. “I can’t decide what’s funnier,” I gasp. “Being afraid of kangaroos or the fact that you just said you have the hots for me.”

“Glad to amuse you so much.”

“Seriously, Bodhi. You havethe hotsfor me? That’s something my grandmother would say. Actually—” I hold up my finger, thinking it over. “Nope. Grandma Ruby is too cool, she wouldn’t say that either.”

“I’m re-thinking this entire relationship.”

I try to stop laughing—it’s a struggle—and reach for his hand again. He pouts, and holds it away from me. “I’m sorry. Really. I didn’t mean to tease you.”

“You absolutely meant to tease me. You always tease me.”

“Because you make it so fun,” I admit happily and he sighs. “Are you legitimately afraid of kangaroos?”

“They’re weird, Everly.”

“They’re adorable!”

“You’ve been brainwashed by a media system that is invested in the cover-up of how incredibly fucking awful kangaroos are.”

I snort out a laugh. “You think there’s some media conspiracy to make people like kangaroos?”

“Yes,” he says stiffly.

“And why, exactly, do you think the media is doing this?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. Maybe they’re paid off by stuffed animal companies.”

“This is a prank, right? You’re pranking me right now.”

He ignores me. “It’s probably cartoon producers. I bet there’s big money in the Winnie the Pooh franchise.” His face remains stony, not the slightest bit of teasing in his eyes.

“I still think you must be messing with me, but I guess I’ll bite. What’s so bad about kangaroos?”

“I hate their tails.”

“Their…tails?”

He shudders. “They’re all like, muscular. It creeps me out. And they use them like another leg. Five legs, Everly! That’s weird!”