“Among other things.”
“Can I think about it?” Did he really want the whole world knowing about those things?
“I can give you time. I just want to publish it before you graduate.”
“Okay. Let me think. I’ll get back to you soon.”
“I’ll keep reminding you until you let me know one way or another. It’s okay for you to say no too.”
“Thanks.”
“Best of luck in everything, Bas. Don’t let the world beat you down. It really does get better. And hope is our greatest weapon.”
“I thought that was love.”
“Can’t love without hope. Gotta start somewhere.” They hung up, and Bas stuffed his phone away.
“You okay?” Adam asked. “Not mad at me?”
Bas shook his head. “I just need to think about it before saying yes.”
“Understood.” Adam got up from the counter. “Hey, Mom. Can I help?”
Mrs. C looked panic-stricken for a moment, likely at the thought of Adam’s help in the kitchen. “Oh sweetie, that’s nice of you to offer, but I think we’re okay.”
“You can help me, Adam,” Dane said.
The room went silent, everyone staring at Dane in horror.
He glanced up. “Really. You can help me layer.”
Ru leaned over as Adam rounded the counter to wash his hands and stand beside Dane. “He’s going to touch our food. Do you think we should put in an order from Dimitri’s now or later?”
Bas laughed and shook his head. “Be nice. He’s trying.” He frowned then and stared at the group of friends, sad that one was missing. “Any word from Tommy?”
Ru’s shoulders slumped. “He’s still not speaking to me. I got word from our manager that he’s okay. But obviously he’s ignoring me. He hasn’t answered any of your calls, either?”
“No. I had Dane call and leave a message too. But nothing. Any idea what he was on that day?”
“Coke? Crack? I dunno. I always avoided the drugs at the parties. Saw too many people end up sleeping in their own vomit after that stuff. Or bleeding like their head was exploding.” Ru shivered.
“Marissa got the raffle approved through the prom committee. But now we have nothing to raffle.”
“Not true. Adam and I talked, and I’m willing to give up a few dances for a good cause.”
“That’s very generous.”
“We were thinking about offering a free show or something too. Raffle winner gets me singing at their grad party.”
“That will get more of the straight guys buying just to impress their girlfriends. Or the girls they want to be their girlfriend.”
Ru squeezed Bas’s hand and whispered, “Dane’s staying with you tonight?”
“All weekend.” Bas studied him as he sliced through the eggplant with ease of practice. Adam layered the ingredients carefully under Dane’s supervision.
“Adam and I are not staying.”
Bas frowned. “Why?”
