Page 28 of Coco and the Misfits

“You chose him over me last night, and how well do you know the guy? I thought I was your best friend.”

“You are!”

“So you say now. Anyway... gimme five and I’ll be down.”

She hangs up and I sit in a kitchen chair, staring down at my phone. Is she still upset? Is she… jealous? Of Atticus staying with me? I didn’t see this coming. Then again, I’ve never had a meaningful relationship outside of my family and friends. Does she feel pushed aside?

Can’t have that. She has to know she’s important to me, and I have to show her that, if she’s feeling insecure.

It takes her longer to arrive, and the moment I open the door, I yank her inside. “June?—”

“Is he gone?” she hisses.

“Yes.”

“I’m—”

“I have coffee and chocolate,” I rush to say, “please, stay?”

Her mouth twitches and she shakes her head. “Of course I’ll stay, you silly girl.”

I fight the sting in my eyes. “You’re not upset with me?”

She gives a long-suffering sigh. “I’ll survive. It was weird that you let him sleep with you after what happened.”

“He didn’t sleep with me! I mean, he did, but didn’t.”

“Yeah, that makes perfect sense... not?”

“He slept beside me, but nothing happened between us,” I murmur.

“Are you kidding me?”

“It’s the truth,” I say.

A pensive look enters her eyes. “The way he held you, and the way you looked at him... I thought...”

“He was the perfect gentleman.”

“Huh.” She taps a finger against her bottom lip. “Wait, is he into guys only, then?”

“Not sleeping with me doesn’t mean he’s into guys. Though if he is, kudos to him.” Then I frown at her suspiciously. “Only? Wait. Have you seen him with a guy?”

“Well...” She shrugs, walking into my kitchen and sitting at the small round table. “When he isn’t looking at you, he’s looking at a specific guy.”

“Which guy? Do I know him?”

“I’d say you do.” She giggles. “It’s Zach.”

“Are you telling me Atticus is making sweet eyes at Zach and I haven’t noticed? Am I losing my touch?” I have served us chocolate cake and coffee. “Next, you’ll tell me Zach was sucking him off behind my back all this time.”

She snorts and inhales cake, then coughs for a full minute while I slap her back. “No,” she finally says and I relax. “Nothing like that.”

“Well, phew. I mean, they shouldn’t be doing sexy stuff without me watching.”

“What,” she says.

“What.” I blink. “Wasn’t that clear?”

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