Page 118 of Catching Kyle

“Same,” I say, searching the manga tome for its price.

“You call me if you ever need anything, okay? Consider me part of your circle. You’re a good kid.”

My chest warms for the first time in weeks. “I will,” I say. “Thanks, Jimmy.”

“Take it easy,” he says. And hangs up.

I chew on my cold lips, then click my tongue. I open my messages and start drafting a text.

“I’ve been a huge asshole,” I say. “Have time to meet at the anime restaurant tonight? I’m free after book club. Really.”

My heart racing, I go inside the store and purchase the very same volume. Last time Amani and I spoke, she had been behind. This might help her catch up. Once I walk out of the store with the tome in hand, my phone buzzes.

“I’ve been ridiculous too,” she says. “Really. I’ll see you there.”

And for the first time in weeks, I feel hope.

* * *

When I arrive at the restaurant, Amani already has a table, and she’s standing there with open arms. I rush to her and wrap my arms around her.

“I’ve been an idiot,” I say, the giant mural of Naruto staring me right in the face.

“Me, too,” she says.

I pull away and hand her the giant One-Piece tome that was hidden under my coat.

Her jaw drops, and she beams.

“So you can catch up,” I say.

She kisses me on the cheek, then marvels down at the tome again. “Thank you,” she says. “I’ve been dragging my feet now that I’m behind. This will get me all caught up.”

We both sit down, and I take a sip of my Diet Coke that Amani already ordered for me.

“I’m just gonna say it,” I say. “I put all the blame on you, and that wasn’t fair.”

She marvels at the giant book one more time before flipping it over so it doesn’t distract her. “But you had reason to be angry. I put the whole fake-dating thing at risk when I decided to go on a date with Angie. And it looked like the worst happened.”

I sigh. “Yeah, but I miss you, Ams. This situation is complicated, but it’s the same as letting our partners get between us. I don’t want to be cut off from you anymore. I want to go back to the way it was.”

She takes a sip from her straw, and nods. “I don’t either. I wish I could go back and undo what I did, but it warms my heart that you’re willing to forgive me for it.”

“Of course,” I say. “And besides, Kyle leaving me is not your fault. It’s his. We could have tried to make it work. But he decided to be the asshole and abandon me.”

Amani raises her brow. “Yeah, about that…”

“What?” I ask, folding my arms. She knows something about Kyle that I don’t. I hate that, even after all this time and all he’s done, I need to know about him.

Her eyes bug out. “You haven’t heard?”

My heart starts to race. “Heard what?”

But then we’re interrupted by the waitress. Amani orders some sushi, and I just order whatever their special bento box is. The waitress catches the spine of the One-Piece tome and then starts fangirling with Amani. Meanwhile, I’m tapping my foot while my blood pressure rises, desperately wanting to hear what she says about Kyle.

Finally, the waitress disappears.

“Tell me,” the desperation clear in my voice.