Page 37 of All of Him
For the first time since we’d met, I was outdoing Amanda Bette on awkwardness. She noticed and doubled over in laughter.
“Got any weed? You can smoke.”
“What?” I asked in disbelief, still smiling. “You just openly admit to…”
“Smoking weed?” she asked. “Yes. But it’s for you, not me. Do you have any?”
I cocked my head to the side, suspicious. I was not a big smoker, and I hadn’t had anything in weeks, but Ididhave a small stash.
“I’ll be right back. Why don’t you grab a beer from the fridge?”
Amanda wiggled her eyebrows and disappeared into the kitchen as I ran upstairs. When I returned with the remnants of a half-smoked joint, she was making her way onto the back porch with a beer.
“So, youdosmoke,” she said, cracking open the can.
I shrugged. “I did in Ireland. I’ve only done it once back home.”
Weed had been suggested to me in aiding my anxiety and depression, but she didn’t need to know that. It hadn’t really helped, but it never seemed to hurt either. I lit the end of the joint and inhaled, coughing a little.
“Sometimes, I smoke with Teel and Delia, but it’s mostly their thing,” she started, leaning against the porch railing.
I tried not to notice the way her lips touched the can as she took a sip, her eyes closed, as if she was really enjoying the taste.
“So, your sister is gay?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Amanda nodded.
“And it’s her engagement party on Saturday?”
“Yeah,” she answered. “So, I won’t be here to help my dad. I’m the maid of honor, and I have to set up. You should come.”
I shook my head.
“I don’t know your sister; I’m not intruding.”
Amanda rolled her eyes and took another sip of the beer.
“It’s atourapartment,” she responded. “I can invite any friend I want.” Again, I shook my head.
“I don’t do parties—at least, not at this point.”
Amanda looked at me curiously as I took another hit and let the smoke flow out of my mouth slowly. Her eyes shifted to my lips briefly, making me shiver.
“I’m not big on social activities. Besides, I’d only know you. I’d be glued to your side.”
“I wouldn’t mind,” she said honestly, then laughed at herself. “It would make me look good to have some arm candy.”
“Speaking of awkward things you’ve said,” I noted, “where’s my story from your list?”
Amanda laughed and shook her head, downing more of the beer.
“You just got one in the flesh. You don’t need a story. Come to the party and I’ll share one.”
“I’m not coming,” I said sternly. “Sorry.”
The last thing I needed was to be in a room full of people I didn’t know, everyone enjoying their lives. People there might know Garrett, and I could only imagine how I would react if someone asked about him. I needed to face that scenario eventually, but I wasn’t ready, and it wouldn’t be at a crowded party. I had to admit though, spending time with Amanda sounded nice.
“How about,” I started, “we grab a beer Friday night in averylow-key bar?”
