“Are you okay?”
“Huh? Yeah.” Noah averted his gaze. He wasn’t sure if it was because he’d been caught staring or for the sudden wave of interest in his friend’s body, but heat reached the tip of his ears.What is wrong with you?“Why would you ask that?”
Kaj tilted his head and scratched the back of his neck. They’d already washed their creepy zombie makeup away, but he still had traces of green on his temple.
“Listen, Noah… I know things have been a little different between us lately.”
“Not that I’ve noticed.”Bullshit.
“Don’t lie to me, dude. You’re distant, and I get it, okay? It’s my fault. I have a girlfriend, and we don’t hang out as much anymore. But I want you to know that you’re still my best friend.”
“I thought Val was.”
“All you three are my best friends.”
“Okay…”
“If something was bothering you, you’d tell me, right?” Kaj looked truly worried.
“Sure.”
“So, are we good?”
“Never been bad.” Noah chuckled, but it was awkward. All of it.
“You’re cool with me dating Emma and all that?”
He’d broken up with Anna and was now seeing this chick from the girls’ swim team.
“She’s nice.”
“Awesome.” Kaj released a sigh and grinned, flopping down on the bed beside Noah. “Because I really like her. Her mouth is the best thing ever, and we have already, you know”—his eyes pointed down—“this summer.”
Noah’s stomach knotted. “You had sex with her?” he whispered, not wanting Mom to eavesdrop on their conversation.
“What?” Kaj laughed as he laid back on the mattress, folding and tucking his arms under his head. “No. I wish, but I was too nervous, and honestly? Didn’t even know where to start.”
“The movies didn’t help?”
“Not at all.” He let out a snort. “We’ve just groped each other over our underwear.”
“Oh. Cool. I guess?” Noah didn’t know how to feel.
“The coolest.” Kaj chuckled. “You should let Ellie play with you. If you know what I mean.” He waggled his brows.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you don’t. She was trying to get your attention all summer.”
“I wasn’t interested, and she’s probably over it already anyway,” Noah said, getting up from the bed and pulling his long-sleeved tee over his head.
A clicking noise, like a camera shutter, distracted him.
“Well, I guess I’ll send this to another girl then.”
“Did you just take a picture of me?”
“Yup. And I bet after seeing it, every girl will want to dry-hump you and more.”
