Page 108 of Power of the Mind

Tallus

“Wanna share?” Diem asked when we landed back in the Jeep.

“In a second.”

I pulled up Memphis’s number on my phone and hit connect. It rang until the voicemail picked up, so I disconnected and called again with the same results. And again, and again, and again. It was Sunday night. He wouldn’t be at Gasoline, and it was too early for bed. If I knew anything about my best friend, he was lounging on his couch watching reality TV with popcorn because he worked the following day.

It took eight tries before I wore him down, and he answered.

“Bitch, you are the most annoying person on the planet. What part ofwe aren’t talking right nowdon’t you understand?”

“Babe, save the drama, I need you.”

Memphispffed. “No, you don’t. You have the iceman.”

“Remember our bet?” I glanced at Diem, who must have deduced who I was talking to and wore a scowl to end all scowls.“Well, I lost. It’s September first, and he hasn’t asked me out on a date.”

The scowl deepened for a brief moment, then crimson raced up Diem’s neck and settled in his cheeks behind the scruff. He looked away.

“I don’t care about our stupid bet.”

“Yes, you do because it means I’m going to buy you that silk shirt you’ve been eyeing. The one you claim brings out the subtle gold undertones in your eyes.”

Memphis’s protests died. His abrasive edge softened. “The one that’s a hundred and seventy-five dollars before tax?”

“Jesus fuck. Did it go up?” I winced. “That’s the one. Anything for you, baby. I lost fair and square.”

Memphis didn’t speak.

“Are you still mad?”

“Yes. You put me second to your stalker.”

“No way. You’ll always be my number one. For life, baby.”

The bear in Diem’s chest awoke, and his nostrils flared as he squeezed the steering wheel. It might have been safer for all involved if I had warned him of my purpose for calling Memphis, but this was fun. It was a nice roundabout way of forcing Diem to confront his feelings.

“You swear?”

“Girl, who else will I watch reality TV with?”

“Greg got kicked off.”

“I know. I told you he would. He was a douche.”

“I finished the season without you.”

“I figured.”

“Samuel won.”

“And he deserved it.”

“I need a Samuel in my life.”

“Don’t we all?”

Memphis sighed. “I get the shirt?”

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